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gkaindl / ambi-tv

a flexible ambilight clone for embedded linux
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Can't seem to get this setup working #47

Closed wisemonkey closed 10 years ago

wisemonkey commented 10 years ago

I followed https://github.com/gkaindl/ambi-tv/issues/7#issuecomment-25052979 exactly as is and all steps have correct output (I've spidev0.0 and 0.1 as well as video0 under /dev). I copied sample.conf to /etc/ambi-tv.conf (even tried sudo ambi-tv -f sample.conf -p 2)

I'm simply trying to see if my setup is working correctly (I don't have GUI interface yet -- getting everything working before installing xbmc-standalone)

I've attached few images to make sure my connections are proper. Yellow - CLK, Green - Data, Black - Gnd, Red - 5V (I'm using 5V 10A adapter, since I bought 5meters of strip). As you can see no matter what program is running, strip is white bright as shows in pic. I was using moodlight as a test program assuming it would show a constant color.

Do I need XBMC running?

dsc_0252 dsc_0253 dsc_0254

fsuffin commented 10 years ago

Hi. I just got my Ambilight clone up and running this weekend. Everything I needed to know was right here in this forum. Thanks to all in this community who contributed!

Try Alexeymohr and fuchst's suggestion of running mplayer to confirm that video frame grab is actually working: sudo apt-get install mplayer sudo mplayer tv:// -tv device=/dev/video0 -hardframedrop

You should get a video window showing (mostly) same content as your HDMI feed to the TV.

Also confirm you're connecting CLK and DAT to CI and DI on the LEDs, not CO and DO.

What happens when you hit space bar to cycle through different modes of ambi-tv? You should get messages indicating what mode is running. Some of the modes are not dependent upon any video input, so this is another useful way to separate out the video grab issues and the PWM/SPI output issues.

wisemonkey commented 10 years ago

Thanks,

The LED strip has silver screen showing CO and DO at input end (I'm assuming solder on silver screen for wires is hiding CI and DI - I didn't cut strip in middle). But I'll still go and check if thats the case.

Hitting space cycles through different programs - no error, however no change in LED strip as well, this is why I'm trying to get moodlight working before trying video grabber.

Once I get above 2 steps working I'm gonna install xbmc-standalone. The way you explained it seems I can install mplayer and test video grabber separately, I'll try that as well

fsuffin commented 10 years ago

CO and DO are not the input end, they are the output end and unused unless stringing strips together. Solder is not hiding CI and DI labels. You should see CI and DI screened on the other end, and these are what connect to GPIO pins on RPi.

wisemonkey commented 10 years ago

ok then I'm gonna solder CLK and Data to first CI and DI I see on LED strip. I'll update tonight, hopefully with pictures. Thanks :+1:

wisemonkey commented 10 years ago

Thanks for being patient. You were right CI, DI were on the other side of the strip (its my fault for not looking carefully but I'm gonna blame weatherproof cover :P) I was over-thinking simple connections. If someone new comes along -- If you bought 5meters of LED strip mentioned in project, Please check carefully (weatherproof cover may make it difficult to see through, specially at ends)

I'm gonna close this issue in a day (I've one more question and if anyone wants to add something):

This is not related to project but what would be best way to get media center? I read xbmc-standalone, or do you guys suggest GUI (x server) and then XBMC?

I understand it is not at all related to project but would be nice to have information here.