How to make a TV from a laptop display. How to make a TV from a monitor with your own hands. place - noise, moire and image jitter

If it happens that you want a new flat-screen wall-mounted TV, but don’t have enough money for it, assemble it yourself.

For this we need an LCD monitor. There is practically no difference between the matrix of an LCD monitor and an LCD TV. For our idea, an average LCD monitor and an external TV tuner are suitable.

Great attention should be paid to the viewing angle of the monitor, the uniformity of the backlight, its brightness and contrast. Appearance is of secondary importance. The built-in sound is also your choice - whether this sound quality suits you is up to you to decide. The same goes for the power supply and monitor stand.

Let's move on to choosing a TV tuner. Firstly, take care of the excellent quality of signal reception, manual adjustment after using the auto mode, the control panel and a convenient and understandable menu. All other functions are at your choice.

Now that all materials have been prepared and checked, we begin assembly. If your newly made TV will take pride of place on the wall, you should first outline this very place around the perimeter of the monitor. Do not forget to calculate the approximate depth of the opening to connect all the wires. We also mark the mounting locations that will hold the monitor on the wall. And we are looking for a place for a TV tuner. If necessary, make a special hole in the wall. It is necessary to take into account not only the appearance, but also the location of the wires and connectors.

The main points have been resolved. It would be a good idea to put the system together to understand how it all will look together with the wires. Now we take it apart and, in the name of beauty, cut off all the excess from the wires so that this excess does not stick out or hang down. If funds allow, the reasons can be hidden in the wall. In this case, their length must be measured very carefully. Otherwise, you will have to suffer for a long time if the length is not enough.

By the way, the tuner can also be hidden in the wall. But then you definitely need to think about the issue of ventilation and controlling the tuner using the buttons on its body. For example, you can remove wires from buttons and diodes and connect them to external buttons. External buttons can be placed on the monitor stand. By the way, such a stand will also cover the tuner itself. And since the tuner is covered, you don’t have to completely “roll it into concrete”, leaving a hole that can later be covered with a mesh.

Let's move directly to the fastening. Firstly, there are monitors whose stands require wall mounting. In this case there will be no problems. If such luxury is not provided, build the mounting loops yourself. Fortunately, it's not that difficult.

To make it convenient to disassemble the system, you can connect the tuner and monitor wires using some suitable connector. By the way, if you have a desire, then it is quite possible to bring all the tuner connectors into the access zone.

The only small thing left is to plaster the walls and hang wallpaper. And now your new TV is in a hurry to delight you!

By the way, if you calculate the costs, then it will take no more than 12-15 thousand rubles for everything. A normal wall panel costs approximately 20 to 40 thousand (the price range is taken within the monitor diagonal we used). The savings are obvious! And also pride for such a personal achievement. And there may even be a small bonus - a built-in card reader. After all, watching your own photos or videos on such a TV is a pleasure!

In order to repair an LCD monitor with your own hands, you must first understand what main electronic components and blocks this device consists of and what each element of the electronic circuit is responsible for. Beginning radio mechanics at the beginning of their practice believe that success in repairing any device lies in the availability of a circuit diagram of a specific device. But in fact, this is a misconception and a circuit diagram is not always needed.

So, let’s open the cover of the first LCD monitor that comes to hand and in practice we will understand its structure.

LCD monitor. Main functional blocks.

The LCD monitor consists of several functional blocks, namely:

LCD panel

The liquid crystal panel is a complete device. As a rule, the assembly of an LCD panel is carried out by a specific manufacturer, who, in addition to the liquid crystal matrix itself, embeds into the LCD panel fluorescent backlight lamps, frosted glass, polarizing color filters and an electronic decoder board that generates voltages from digital RGB signals to control the gates of thin-film transistors (TFTs). ).

Consider the composition of the LCD panel of a computer monitor ACER AL1716. The LCD panel is a complete functional device and, as a rule, there is no need to disassemble it during repairs, with the exception of replacing failed backlight lamps.

LCD panel marking: CHUNGHWA CLAA170EA

On the back of the LCD panel there is a fairly large printed circuit board, to which a multi-pin cable is connected from the main control board. The printed circuit board itself is hidden under a metal strip.

LCD panel of Acer AL1716 computer monitor

The printed circuit board contains a multi-pin NT7168F-00010 chip. This microcircuit is connected to the TFT matrix and participates in the formation of the image on the display. From the NT7168F-00010 microcircuit there are many pins, which are formed into ten loops under the designation S1-S10. These cables are quite thin and appear to be glued to the printed circuit board on which the NT7168F chip is located.

LCD panel printed circuit board and its elements

Control board

The control board is also called the main board ( Main board). The main board houses two microprocessors. One of them is a control 8-bit microcontroller SM5964 with an 8052 core and 64 kB of programmable Flash memory.

The SM5964 microprocessor performs a fairly small number of functions. A button panel and monitor operation indicator are connected to it. This processor controls turning the monitor on/off and starting the backlight inverter. To save user settings, a memory chip is connected to the microcontroller via the I 2 C bus. Typically, these are eight-pin non-volatile memory chips of the series 24LCxx.

Main board of LCD monitor

The second microprocessor on the control board is the so-called monitor scaler (LCD controller) TSU16AK. This microcircuit has many tasks. It performs most of the functions related to converting and processing the analog video signal and preparing it for submission to the LCD panel.

With regard to an LCD monitor, you need to understand that it is inherently a digital device in which all control of the pixels of the LCD display occurs digitally. The signal coming from the computer's video card is analog and for its correct display on the LCD matrix it is necessary to carry out many transformations. This is what a graphics controller is designed for, or otherwise a monitor scaler or an LCD controller.

The tasks of the LCD controller include such as recalculation (scaling) of images for different resolutions, formation of the OSD menu, processing of analog RGB signals and sync pulses. In the controller, analog RGB signals are converted to digital via 3-channel 8-bit ADCs that operate at 80 MHz.

The TSU16AK monitor scaler interacts with the SM5964 microcontroller via a digital bus. To operate the LCD panel, the graphics controller generates synchronization signals, clock frequency and matrix initialization signals.

The TSU16AK microcontroller is connected via a cable to the NT7168F-00010 chip on the LCD panel board.

If the graphics controller of the monitor malfunctions, as a rule, defects appear related to the correct display of the image on the display (stripes may appear on the screen, etc.). In some cases, the defect can be eliminated by soldering the scaler leads. This is especially true for monitors that operate around the clock in harsh conditions.

During prolonged operation, heating occurs, which has a bad effect on the quality of soldering. This may cause malfunctions. Defects related to the quality of soldering are not uncommon and are also found in other devices, for example, DVD players. The cause of the malfunction is degradation or poor-quality soldering of multi-pin planar microcircuits.

Power supply and backlight inverter

The most interesting thing to study is the monitor's power supply, since the purpose of the elements and circuitry are easier to understand. In addition, according to statistics, malfunctions of power supplies, especially switching ones, occupy a leading position among all others. Therefore, practical knowledge of the device, element base and circuitry of power supplies will certainly be useful in the practice of repairing radio equipment.

The LCD monitor power supply consists of two. The first one is AC/DC adapter or in other words, a network switching power supply (pulse unit). Second - DC/AC inverter . Essentially these are two converters. The AC/DC adapter is used to convert 220 V AC voltage into a small DC voltage. Typically, voltages from 3.3 to 12 volts are generated at the output of a switching power supply.

The DC/AC inverter, on the contrary, converts direct voltage (DC) into alternating voltage (AC) with a value of about 600 - 700 V and a frequency of about 50 kHz. Alternating voltage is supplied to the electrodes of fluorescent lamps built into the LCD panel.

First, let's look at the AC/DC adapter. Most switching power supplies are built on the basis of specialized controller microcircuits (with the exception of cheap mobile chargers, for example).

In the documentation for the TOP245Y chip you can find typical examples of circuit diagrams of power supplies. This can be used when repairing power supplies for LCD monitors, since the circuits largely correspond to the standard ones indicated in the description of the microcircuit.

Here are some examples of circuit diagrams of power supplies based on TOP242-249 series microcircuits.

Fig 1. Example of a power supply circuit diagram

The following circuit uses dual Schottky barrier diodes (MBR20100). Similar diode assemblies (SRF5-04) are used in the Acer AL1716 monitor unit we are considering.

Fig 2. Schematic diagram of a power supply based on a microcircuit from the TOP242-249 series

Note that the above circuit diagrams are examples. Actual circuits of pulse blocks may differ slightly.

The TOP245Y microcircuit is a complete functional device, the housing of which contains a PWM controller and a powerful field-effect transistor, which switches with a huge frequency from tens to hundreds of kilohertz. Hence the name - switching power supply.

LCD monitor power supply (AC/DC adapter)

The operating diagram of a switching power supply is as follows:

Rectification of alternating mains voltage 220V.

This operation is performed by a diode bridge and a filter capacitor. After rectification, the voltage across the capacitor is slightly higher than the mains voltage. The photo shows a diode bridge, and next to it is a filtering electrolytic capacitor (82 µF 450 V) - a blue barrel.

Voltage conversion and reduction using a transformer.

Switching with a frequency of several tens to hundreds of kilohertz of direct voltage (>220 V) through the winding of a high-frequency pulse transformer. This operation is performed by the TOP245Y chip. A pulse transformer performs the same role as a transformer in conventional network adapters, with one exception. It operates at higher frequencies, many times higher than 50 hertz.

Therefore, the manufacture of its windings requires a smaller number of turns, and, consequently, less copper. But a core of ferrite is required, and not of transformer steel as in 50 hertz transformers. Those who do not know what a transformer is and why it is used, first read the article about the transformer.

The result is a very compact transformer. It is also worth noting that switching power supplies are very economical and have high efficiency.

Rectification of alternating voltage reduced by a transformer.

This function is performed by powerful rectifier diodes. In this case, diode assemblies labeled SRF5-04 are used.

To rectify high-frequency currents, Schottky diodes and conventional power diodes with p-n junctions are used. Conventional low-frequency diodes for rectifying high-frequency currents are less preferable, but are used for rectifying high voltages (20 - 50 volts). This must be taken into account when replacing defective diodes.

Schottky diodes have some features that you need to know. Firstly, these diodes have a low junction capacitance and are able to quickly switch - go from open to closed state. This property is used to operate at high frequencies. Schottky diodes have a low voltage drop of about 0.2-0.4 volts, versus 0.6 - 0.7 volts for conventional diodes. This property increases their efficiency.

Schottky barrier diodes also have undesirable properties that hinder their wider use in electronics. They are very sensitive to excess reverse voltage. If the reverse voltage is exceeded, the Schottky diode irreversibly fails.

A conventional diode goes into reversible breakdown mode and can recover after exceeding the permissible reverse voltage value. It is this circumstance that is the Achilles heel, which causes the burnout of Schottky diodes in the rectifier circuits of all kinds of switching power supplies. This should be taken into account when carrying out diagnostics and repairs.

To eliminate voltage surges that are dangerous for Schottky diodes and are formed in the transformer windings at the pulse fronts, so-called damping circuits are used. In the diagram it is designated as R15C14 (see Fig. 1).

When analyzing the circuitry of the Acer AL1716 LCD monitor power supply, damping circuits were also found on the printed circuit board, consisting of a 10 Ohm SMD resistor (R802, R806) and a capacitor (C802, C811). They protect Schottky diodes (D803, D805).

Damping circuits on the power supply board

It is also worth noting that Schottky diodes are used in low-voltage circuits with a reverse voltage limited to a few tens of volts. Therefore, if a voltage of several tens of volts (20-50) is required, then diodes based on p-n junctions are used. This can be seen if you look at the datasheet for the TOP245 chip, which shows several typical power supply circuits with different output voltages (3.3 V; 5 V; 12 V; 19 V; 48 V).

Schottky diodes are sensitive to overheating. In this regard, they are usually installed on an aluminum radiator to dissipate heat.

You can distinguish a diode based on a pn junction from a diode based on a Schottky barrier by the conventional graphic designation in the diagram.

Symbol for a diode with a Schottky barrier.

After the rectifier diodes, electrolytic capacitors are installed to smooth out voltage ripples. Next, using the resulting voltages 12 V; 5 V; 3.3 V powers all LCD monitor units.

DC/AC inverter

In terms of its purpose, the inverter is similar to electronic ballasts (EPGs), which are widely used in lighting technology for powering household fluorescent lighting lamps. But, there are significant differences between the electronic ballast and the LCD monitor inverter.

The LCD monitor inverter is usually built on a specialized chip, which expands the range of functions and increases reliability. For example, the backlight inverter of the Acer AL1716 LCD monitor is built on the basis of a PWM controller OZ9910G. The controller chip is mounted on a printed circuit board using planar mounting.

The inverter converts direct voltage, the value of which is 12 volts (depending on the circuit design), into alternating voltage of 600-700 volts and a frequency of 50 kHz.

The inverter controller is capable of changing the brightness of fluorescent lamps. Signals for changing the brightness of the lamps come from the LCD controller. Field-effect transistors or their assemblies are connected to the controller microcircuit. In this case, two assemblies of complementary field-effect transistors are connected to the OZ9910G controller AP4501SD(Only 4501S is indicated on the chip body).

Assembly of field-effect transistors AP4501SD and its pinout

Also, two high-frequency transformers are installed on the power supply board, which serve to increase the alternating voltage and supply it to the electrodes of the fluorescent lamps. In addition to the main elements, the board contains all kinds of radio elements that serve to protect against short circuits and lamp malfunctions.

Information on repairing LCD monitors can be found in specialized repair magazines. For example, in the magazine “Repair and Service of Electronic Equipment” No. 1, 2005 (pp. 35 – 40), the device and circuit diagram of the LCD monitor “Rover Scan Optima 153” are discussed in detail.

Among monitor malfunctions, there are quite often those that can be easily fixed with your own hands in a few minutes. For example, the already mentioned Acer AL1716 LCD monitor came to the repair table due to a broken contact of the socket outlet for connecting the power cord. As a result, the monitor turned off spontaneously.

After disassembling the LCD monitor, it was discovered that a powerful spark was formed at the site of the poor contact, traces of which were easy to detect on the printed circuit board of the power supply. A powerful spark was also formed because at the moment of contact the electrolytic capacitor in the rectifier filter is charged. The cause of the malfunction is solder degradation.

Solder degradation causing monitor failure

It is also worth noting that sometimes the cause of the malfunction can be a breakdown of the diodes of the rectifier diode bridge.

There are situations when an old TV breaks down and there is no point in repairing it. If your plans for the near future did not include an item on creating a home theater, then you should not run to the store for a new TV receiver - watching TV shows on a computer display may well satisfy you. When the size of the screen does not play a big role, then the smallest thing is to find out how to make a TV from a monitor.

Features of LCD monitors

Middle-aged consumers still remember bulky tube monitors with a high level of negative radiation from the kinescope. More compact versions of cathode ray tube (CRT) displays can still be found on the shelves of some stores. They have been replaced by completely flat models using liquid crystal (LCD) technology. They have undergone many modifications to improve their performance and do not produce harmful radiation.

At first glance, modern LCD monitors are no different from televisions made using the same technology. The only difference between the two is that the displays cannot show television programs due to the lack of a tuner. However, some developers have corrected this oversight by releasing several models with a built-in TV receiver.

But still there are differences. And each device has its own characteristics.

1. On TV receivers diagonal selection much more than monitors. This is especially true for gigantic screen sizes, which displays practically do not have.
2. Minimum allowable distance between the viewer and the TV is three screen diagonals, while you can be at arm's length from the monitor.
3. Pixels on the TV screen are more visible, and the monitor, since it supports many formats, has more dots and is harder to see.
4. System elements of the latest TV models are used more methods for interaction than a monitor. But the latter always use only the most advanced frame scanning.
5. If you take two devices with the same small diagonal, then the monitor will cost less. But if you compare the largest display with the same TV, then on the contrary, the price of a computer screen is much higher.
6. Controllers are not available for monitors for remote control.

Of course, on the most modern TVs that support the monitor function, these differences are significantly smoothed out. But we are not talking about these models.

Using a TV tuner

After purchasing a new monitor, the fate of the old one is to gather dust in the closet. Meanwhile, it can be easily converted into a full-fledged TV. To do this you will need to buy a tuner. But when choosing a device you need to be careful - you will need a completely independent console, and not an application to a computer, even an external one.

Important! A separate TV tuner is essentially a TV, but without a screen. This is achieved thanks to the built-in motherboard. All that remains is to connect the device to the monitor using a wired connection.

To connect you will need to use complex RCA cable. You will also need access to an analog antenna. And if you want to watch programs in a digital signal, then you can’t do without a DVB T2 receiver.

The tuner kit includes a remote control. And if the monitor does not have built-in speakers, you will have to connect separate speakers to the receiver. But in this regard, the choice of decision remains with the owner - sound can be output through a home theater or through a music center.

On the plus side Such a decision highlights the following points:

• no driver installation required when connecting;
• The compactness of the TV tuner allows it to be placed anywhere;
• a simple and fast connection can be applied to a laptop, temporarily turning it into a TV;
• It is possible to connect to both indoor and external TV antennas.
• The tuner can be used as a hub for all home audio systems thanks to its own audio output.

Of the minuses You can note the very weak native speaker of the TV tuner (if it exists at all). Also, devices with a receiver are expensive and do not have USB ports.

Advice! Using an external TV tuner when converting a monitor into a TV is perhaps the best solution for places where there is no Internet coverage or the network signal is very weak.

Using a set-top box

If you have Internet access, you can use a set-top box to turn your monitor into a TV. They are different. By using T2 set-top boxes turn an ordinary monitor into a full-fledged TV, showing a high-definition image. Converting a simple tuner into a digital receiver was described above and consists of adding a receiver. But Smart TV set-top boxes are an improved type of tuner with increased functionality: in addition to watching any TV shows directly from the World Wide Web, you can surf web pages and even enjoy gameplay without a computer.

Advantages of a Smart device:

• access to YouTube, social networks and other useful applications;
• support for both wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections;
• receiving a clear signal and demonstrating it on the monitor matrix creates a picture whose quality is much higher than the image on a regular TV;
• The presence of a dual or quad-core processor on the console speeds up all actions significantly.

The disadvantages include the inability to use the set-top box outside the Internet, the high cost and the mandatory presence of an HDMI-VGA converter. Also in this case, you need to be prepared for additional costs for the audio system, which also requires additional space.

Advice! From the above it follows that making a TV from a Smart set-top box is an expensive pleasure, which is only relevant for the city. It will not work to use the method for the dacha option. Yes, and unprofitable.

Using the board

You can use the option without a TV tuner - using a board (skyler), of which there are a great variety. But of all the models, it is better to choose universal ones - they contain a video decoder and all the necessary connectors, including HDMI and USB. Of these, three models are distinguished.

1. MV29.P. A budget option. Although there is one USB port, it is used only for firmware.
2. MV56U. Already with USB support.
3. VST.3463.A. Provides reception of digital and analogue television.

To make a TV this way, you will need to disassemble the monitor and instead of the LVDS board, install one of the three described above. In this case, you may have to replace the cable and add a power supply. You also need to make sure that all parts fit into the monitor body. If you don’t have certain skills, you can’t do without the help of a specialist. Of course, this can increase the cost of the operation, making it unprofitable.

other methods

Don't forget about installing a tuner, but in your computer. Unlike the independent device described above, there are three types of tuners that cannot be connected directly to the monitor - they require a computer or laptop to work.

1. Built-in TV unit. This tuner is inserted inside a computer system or laptop.
2. External receiver. Connects to your computer via ExpressCard.
3. Network tuner. The device is connected to the router, and the software is installed on the PC. The connection is used both wired and Wi-Fi.

If to the old monitor connect your smartphone or tablet, then it can also turn out to be a TV. This procedure requires an HDMI or VGA cable with adapters to your mobile device. If connected to the Internet, online television will be received on a smartphone or tablet and displayed via wire on the display. If there is no network, the mobile device will work like a regular player. And on the big screen the video that is recorded on the memory card will be demonstrated.

It’s even easier to watch TV online via computer or laptop using IP technologies. To do this you need:

• download IPTV player and install it on your computer;
• then you should load the channel playlist in m3u format into the player, but this must be done through the “Channel list address” item;
• then you need to save everything and use it for its intended purpose.

Features of connecting CRT monitors

There is an option for a homemade TV from an old CRT monitor. Anyone who did not throw away their first display with a tube picture tube can get a completely tolerable TV receiver for the kitchen or cottage. But this will require parts, knowledge and experience in installing radio electronics. VGA inputpresent in every old monitor, and the necessary parts can be ordered on the Internet or visit a special store.

You will need:

• color module - it directly affects image quality;
• TV radio channel - without it it is impossible to select the necessary video and audio frequencies;
• control unit – preferably one with an infrared port for remote coordination.

We disassemble the old monitor and remove the unnecessary control unit and video card from it. We place the purchased modules inside the case and connect them to the corresponding nodes. You may need to solder in a few resistors, after which your DIY TV is ready. All that remains is to check all the systems and you can connect it to the antenna.

Disadvantages of a monitor as a TV

Very often, monitors have a higher screen resolution than a TV, so their image quality is higher. But since The black depth of the computer display leaves much to be desired, then the impression may be spoiled, especially if you watch the film in the dark. You also need to be very careful with adjusting the contrast - if you exceed it, the image will come out flat.

The response time of the monitor is deliberately made to be long than the TV. This is because a computer display was originally designed to work. It would be very difficult for a person to sit for several hours in front of a screen on which the picture changes very quickly. Therefore, the transitions between images were made smoother - this is much better for the eyes. But when viewing dynamic scenes, the color change will be delayed. For example, where there should already be black, white is still shown. Or there is an object from the previous frame on the screen.

Important! Work on the monitor takes place in close proximity, so developers do not take into account such a factor as the viewing angle. To avoid black spots appearing on the screen and the picture being distorted, the viewer needs to be directly in front of the display when viewing video files - at a right angle.

From all of the above, we can highlight a number of disadvantages that are inherent in monitors acting as televisions:

• greater signal response than television equipment;
• lack of viewing angle;
• insufficient depth of black color;
• Contrast problems.

You can also add the need to purchase adapters for VGA connectors. But this is not very significant.

Which monitor is better

There is no clear answer to this question. Experts say that the higher the screen resolution the monitor has, the better the picture will be.. Accordingly, it will be better to display such a homemade TV receiver, even compared to some TV models. Further factors that were described in the previous paragraph will influence.

But nevertheless, experts tested the suitability of the monitor to perform the functions of a TV. And computer displays from South Korea were in the lead in all positions, from the famous manufacturer Samsung. They are far ahead of their closest competitors - Sony and LG. Other less famous devices received low scores in these parameters.

So, turning an old and unnecessary monitor into a TV is within the power of anyone. You just need to choose from all the methods the one that suits you best both financially and in terms of capabilities. Of course, you can always contact specialists, and they will do everything at a professional level: both assembling the device and connecting it. But if you follow all the recommendations described above, then you can do everything yourself.

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Surely many of you, having bought yourself a new monitor, have wondered what can be done from an old monitor. I was also puzzled by this thought, although I was puzzled by this thought for a very long time, but then there was not such a large selection of different devices. But the Chinese brothers are not asleep and are inventing devices with an unprecedented combination of capabilities. One of these devices was a TV set-top box, which I purchased to add capabilities to my old TV.

• Nexbox A95X TV Box: making Smart TV from a regular TV

But having connected it to the TV set-top box, I was a little disappointed in the clarity of the picture, the set-top box was a little difficult to use, but it helped possibility of remote control from a smartphone or tablet. As a result, the set-top box exceeded my expectations because it was used to watch a bunch of videos from a home server, but the functionality of the set-top box turned out to be much wider and in the end this small box turned a simple TV into computer controlled by remote control. Why am I doing all this? Read on and you will understand everything.

Since my parents do not like to throw away equipment, the Samsung SyncMaster monitor (CRT monitor), after purchasing an LCD monitor, was carefully taken to storage in a barn at the dacha and safely forgotten there. Once again, while putting things in order in the “junk storage”, my father came across a monitor and wondered whether it was possible to watch news on it at the dacha. But he could only get the answer from his advanced son, that is, from me, which he did by calling me one evening.

The monitor itself:

Because a monitor, to put it simply, is a kinescope with a scanner without a radio receiver, which is in the TV, and without a sound system. In other words, it is a TV, but simplified and devoid of some parts. In fact, the monitor contains only a power supply, a scanner and a video amplifier. The only signal source is the VGA(D’SUB) plug, which supplies an analog signal. What does this mean? This means we just have to find a device that will be the source of the signal.

If you have a newer monitor, then it’s probably even easier, because some monitors, if we’re talking about LCD, were equipped with speakers, and newer ones even have an HDMI input. If you have one, then you have a very wide choice of options on how to make a TV out of a monitor.

First experiment: Smart TV from a monitor

Remembering that I had an adapter from HDMI to VGA lying around, I decided to look for it and, having found the adapter, I took the set-top box and went to my parents. After wiping the monitor from dust and dirt, we connected it to the network and then to the set-top box. Despite the small diagonal, using the set-top box was very, very comfortable due to the clearer picture, since the monitor, unlike a TV, is designed for high resolution and the relatively small font is easy to read.

HDMI to VGA adapter

Now you’re probably thinking: “Cool, I’ll buy myself a console!”, but don’t rush. This was just an experiment because we don’t have sound, VGA only provides a picture. Therefore, if you want to go this way, you will have to purchase an HDMI to VGA adapter with an audio output, something like this:

You can order a similar adapter on Aliexpress, here is a link to the seller: buy an HDMI-VGA converter.

When you go to the product page, all you have to do is find the adapter that suits you, it’s not at all difficult, the main thing is to pay attention to the fact that the adapter has a power connector and an audio output.

Thus, we can make a “smart TV” from a monitor, but we will also have to buy active speakers, which will also have to be connected to the audio jack on the adapter. As a result, we will give the monitor a second life and get a good option for the kitchen or work.

Advantages

Within the dacha, there are no advantages due to the lack of full communications.

Flaws

1. This set-top box is useless without the Internet.
2. Cost of the set-top box.
3. The need for an adapter.
4. Lack of speakers.

Second experiment: ordering a special TV tuner

Since the place where the barn is located is a place remote from communications and, accordingly, there is no Internet there, the set-top box could not function fully there. In addition, the old father was no longer eager to master another high-tech device and asked to find a TV receiver with a remote control for it.

I present to you a wonderful device that makes a TV from a monitor:

But against the backdrop of recent events with digitalization, this set-top box has lost its relevance.

Digital TV set-top box

Realizing that the presence of digital TV support may be critical for some people, a similar set-top box was found, but with different parameters. You can still connect a monitor to it, but it is no longer possible to connect a computer, and there is no audio output or built-in speaker, which means you will have to connect external speakers.

As you can see, it doesn’t look much different from the previous version, but that’s until we look at the back panel.

As you can see, there is still the same VGA, but in addition to it there is also HDMI. By the way, if you connect this set-top box via HDMI, the sound will come through it. For example, my TV in the kitchen has HDMI, but it does not have digital TV, and if you connect such a set-top box to it, the sound will come from the TV. In addition, this set-top box was also equipped with a USB connector, which makes it possible to watch videos from a flash drive and more.

Just like the first version of a TV tuner for a monitor, this set-top box has RCA (CVBS) sockets.

But unlike the first set-top box, where it is an AV input, in this case these sockets are an AV output, that is, this set-top box, in addition to a monitor and relatively modern TVs, can also be connected to very old TVs.

Features of the console

Since the set-top box accepts digital TV, in addition to everything else, we get a lot of goodies. But first we need to find channels, this is done simply. Press “menu” on the remote control and use the volume buttons to select the appropriate menu item (see photo):

Select “auto search” and press the volume up button. We see the picture:

After some time we will see the found channels and radio stations:

The search for channels is completed, as you can see there are 20 of them in our city, in other cities the number of channels may be different.

By pressing the “info” button on the remote control, you can see what is going on and what will happen next. If you click this button again, you will see more detailed information:

Using the “up” and “down” buttons we switch between gears, and with the yellow and blue buttons we scroll through the description if it is not completely displayed.

To display the program guide, we need to press “EPG” on the remote control:

Use the “left” and “right” buttons to scroll through the channels, and use the “up” and “down” buttons to scroll through the programs.

And here the most interesting thing awaits us. If we press the “OK” button on a particular gear, we will see a strange picture, but if we press the red button, we will see this:

This is adding a schedule for recording a program. Click “OK” again and the task will be added to the queue. The most interesting thing is that we can easily turn off the set-top box, it will turn on itself and record the program. The only thing needed to successfully complete this task is the presence of a flash drive in the USB connector of the set-top box.

A flash drive is also necessary for the “timeshift” function, or “pause” in Russian. Yes, you heard right The set-top box can pause TV. But the set-top box will not be able to keep the TV paused for a long time, since the volume of the recorded stream is limited by the settings of this function. By default the volume is 1Gb, but you can increase it. This is done in the menu:

To do this we need to select “PVR Configure” and click “OK”.

Select “Record device” and click “OK” again.

Actually, here we select our flash drive, and just below we set the amount of memory available for recording.

You've probably wondered why choosing a flash drive if there is only one connector. Nobody forbids us to connect a USB-hub to the connector, and to it a flash drive, an external hard drive, and a card reader.

Three radios are a nice bonus:

Flaws

1. No audio output
2. There is no built-in speaker, you will have to connect external speakers
3. Unable to connect computer

Advantages

1. Digital TV reception
2. USB availability
3. Availability of HDMI
4. Availability of AV output

In general, to summarize, we can state a wide range of options. The option with an Android set-top box is suitable for those who want to turn a monitor into a TV for the kitchen or other room where there is access to the Internet. Two options for a TV tuner for a monitor are suitable for those who do not want to depend on the Internet and have a very simple solution for watching TV on a monitor. The first option of a TV tuner is suitable for those who want to supplement their computer with the ability to watch TV, and the second option is suitable for those who simply want to give a second life to the monitor and be able to receive digital TV.

Despite the fact that progress is advancing by leaps and bounds, you should not throw away seemingly unnecessary, outdated things, as we see they can still serve you, but in a slightly different capacity. You just need to buy an additional device and a useless thing becomes not only useful, but also acquires an incredibly wide range of capabilities.

The goal of this project is to create a solar backlit display that can be mounted on your window.
By creating a device, you will get an energy-efficient display without backlight and inverter.
It's nice to look out the window overlooking your garden and see the time, current weather and weather forecast in the left corner of the window.

For this project we will need:

Old computer LCD monitor (see next step);
A Windows-based laptop, laptop, or personal computer (or in my case, a simple client that connects to a virtual machine on the server for improved energy efficiency);
VGA cable of sufficient length;
Gluing gun;
Optional: transparent glue cartridges that require heating.

Step 1: LCD Panel Requirements

There are some requirements for choosing an LCD panel.
As shown in the image above, the top images are the LCD panel without the ribbon cable running behind it.
Some panels, which are shown in the image below, have a ribbon cable that runs from the input PCB (top board) to the output PCB (PCB on the side of the panel). These panels CANNOT BE USED in this project as the cable will be visible and noticeable when illuminated by sunlight. Only panels with two separate boards will work (top image).

Step 2: Disassemble the monitor

At this step you need to completely disassemble the monitor.
Almost everything needs to be taken out.

Here is a list of components that need to be left:
LCD panel (tinted glass like a panel with a printed circuit board attached to it);
Control board (if you can remove the board with the inverter, then remove it);
Flat cable between control board and LCD panel.
!!!BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN HANDLING THE LCD PANEL, IT IS VERY FRAGILE!!!
!!!THE FLAT PANEL CABLE CAN EASILY BE BREAKED!!!

Step 3: Attaching to the Window

To attach the LCD panel to the window, use glue that requires heating.
This glue will provide excellent and reliable fastening of the panel to the window.

I attached my panel on September 1, 2015, and now it is January 18, 2016. It has now been four months without any work being done to reattach or adjust the position of the panel.

Step 4: Attaching the LCD Control Board

The control board is also attached to the ceiling with glue.
It adheres perfectly to the wallpaper and does not come off over time.

Step 5: Cable Routing

Route the cables from the control board to the computer.
It is necessary to extend the power cable of the control board.
You can cut the power cable and take a longer piece of cable, then strip it and solder them together.

Step 6: Software

This project requires:
Google Chrome browser https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop
Currently (chrome extension) https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/currentl…
Auto Refresh (chrome extension) https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/auto-ref…

First install the chrome browser.
Then install the extensions according to the footnotes listed above.
Typically, if you close and reopen the chrome browser, you will see the Currently page (current time and weather readings).
If not, then open a new tab.

Then configure the Currently page by clicking the three bars in the upper left corner.
It is recommended to use light colors for maximum visibility and set the zoom level to “zoomed in” for better readability.
Set the page to automatically refresh every 15 minutes (the usual interval for weather updates).

Job done, brainiacs!
Now you can enjoy the display in your window :).

Step 7: Known Issue

If the panel is attached for a long period of time, bugs may appear between it and the window. Perhaps the reason for their appearance lies in the small amount of heat emitted by the panel. If the bugs start to irritate you, then remove the panel using a hair dryer or heat gun on the lowest setting, clean it, and then put the panel back.
In the end, the bugs are not visible at a distance of one and a half meters from the panel.

Step 8: Final Result

This video demonstrates the operation of the device on the first day after installation.

Good luck with your new brain projects!