General questions and stuff :)

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by TheJRT, Nov 22, 2013.

  1. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    Hey there, i was interested in buying a UDOO board, possibly the quadcore version. but before buying i had a few questions:

    1. what could some practical uses for the board be ? (i know about the arduino ones)
    2. is coding knowledge needed because i have none :p
    3. could i use my windows laptop keyboard to use the UDOO board ? or do i need and external usb one ? id use either my laptop itself as a screen or my tv.

    Thanks in advance

    P.s. if this is in the wrong section mods please move it :)
     
  2. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    Hi

    1. Well, it is quite common for Arduinos to 'report back' to something. EG it collects data and sends that to a web server. The i.mx6 is a full/powerful computer quite capable of running a server setup (or a full desktop).

    So you have the best of both worlds on a single board.

    2. Yes, some at least. Most people would describe it as a 'development board'. Having said that there are tools that make it much easier for beginners.

    3. Yes, you can use any PC/phone/tablet to do either a 'remote shell' (SSH) or even a full remote desktop (VNC).

    Don't be discouraged by any of this or intimidated. Think of it as the ideal time to learn this stuff! :)
     
  3. delba

    delba Administrator Staff Member

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    Hi TheJRT,

    1. UDOO (by definition) is a MiniPC with an Arduino DUE embedded (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardDue) that can run Android or Linux. So, basically, you can either use the board as a normal PC/Android device or take advantage of the Arduino side using sensors and actuators to realize projects and prototypes: http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Projects/.

    Here's the first part of a project we developed with UDOO if you wanna take a look: http://www.udoo.org/ProjectsAndTutorials/meteorological-station-with-udoo-part-1/

    2. A little bit of coding knowledge is mandatory but we're producing plenty of tutorials for beginners: http://www.udoo.org/tutorials/.

    3. Of course, you can use the SSH to do so but if you're a beginner i suggest you to get started using an external keyboard, mouse and HDMI monitor (see http://www.udoo.org/getting-started/) and THEN try with something more advanced.

    Don't worry btw, we've got a growing community that will help you to solve any problem you'll encounter with UDOO. Also, i guess this is a great "excuse" to start learning some coding stuff ;)

    Cheers
     
  4. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    Well i can already see what a great community this is :D

    Thx for the help and ill look forward to try and buying a board.
     
  5. delba

    delba Administrator Staff Member

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    No problem ;)
     
  6. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    Well im back :p

    So i had an idea which consisted in making a small portable mini computer similar to a smartphone but that runs linux so more like a proper pc. Now, would it be possible to run linux on this screen http://www.sainsmart.com/arduino-compat ... -2560.html or something similar, and control it with this keyboard http://www.amazon.it/Rii-Elegance-Wirel ... b+keyboard . After i have linux installed would it be semi ready to run ? Is the resolution of that screen good enough to run linux ? if no any other solutions?

    Thanks in advance :)

    Update:
    after more research i ended up finding this http://www.skpang.co.uk/blog/archives/541 , the final idea should resemble something like this. could it be achieved with an UDOO board ?

    Update 2:
    i found this new touchscreen that seems way better then the previous one http://www.ebay.it/itm/5-0-inch-MIT-Tou ... e66&_uhb=1 can it work on the UDOO and is it ready to run ?
     
  7. itimpi

    itimpi UDOOer

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    No idea about the screen, but the keyboard that you mention works fine - I have one attached to my UDOO.
     
  8. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    Thanks ;)
     
  9. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    Hi JRT

    800x480 is good enough, just depends on what apps/usage you have in mind. More of a mini-tablet/slate than a phone I'd say. One of those cheap 'landfill' 7" tablets would probably be better for you in that scenario but less fun of course.

    A google search has revealed this bit of info http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,152053.0.html
     
  10. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    yep looking for the fun part ;)

    thx for the help, for what i could read there could be a problem with the libraries (i have raw basic knowledge about them) and the screen but there is a possible solution.

    one more thing, do i need an en extra shield between the screen and the UDOO board or can i plug the 20 pins of the screen with the 20 pins of the board directly ? the voltage the screen needs is 5v
     
  11. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    I can't make out the silk screen labelling of the 2x20 pin connector clearly enough to be sure.

    The item is labelled as SPI, which normally is 4 Pins. More Pins needed for Touch of course.

    I suspect the 40 Pins on that connector are: a) mostly Not Connected or various Voltage levels b) cover a few different interfaces (SPI, I2C etc). So you don't use all of them at the same time, you choose a sub-set.

    However, as mentioned, I can't be sure. However it does say it's 3.3V Arduino compatible and there does seem to be a library(ies) so this seems to be low risk as a mini-project, depending on your skills/experience.

    I don't know if you'd get 800x480 @ 60 Hz out of this though, that might be pushing it over SPI, perhaps just (or perhaps you'd get 25-30Hz... just guessing).
     
  12. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    This might sound extremely bad and noobish from my part, dosent the udoo have 2x20 pins and i count 2x20 pins on the screen so if i simply put them together shouldnt it work ?

    update: would this etan electronics one be better ? http://www.ebay.it/itm/5-5-Inch-TFT-LCD ... a#payCntId

    btw im open to suggestions on screens like the ones i have previously linked, so if you know a good one that works im more then happy to look at it :)
    also what changes between the MD050SD solution, the SSD1963 solution and the XPT2046 solution?
     
  13. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    The UDOO's CN13 connector has 24 Pins (2x12), this is for LVDS+Touch. In addition there is a HDMI connector.

    That latest TFT you link is a 16 wide Parallel interface. There isn't any way to plug that in unless you have an adapter shield/module. I also see in the blurb that 'upto 16 Hz refresh rate'... pretty rubbish. (same comments for MD050SD - the other two parts you mention seem to be controller/adapter parts not displays themselves?).
     
  14. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    ok, uhm do you know any good screens i can use similar to the ones i found, in size and possibly in price ? or maybe do you know what adaptor i could buy ?

    sorry to keep bothering you, i really appreciate your help :)
     
  15. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    No problem, happy to help.

    Well, I don't know your budget but I'd suggest you get one of Team UDOO's own LVDS 7" with Touch (http://shop.udoo.org/other/accessories/ ... touch.html). An LVDS display will still keep your HDMI connect available for a 2nd display of course.
     
  16. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    Yes i thought about those screens but i needed a 5 inch screen plus they wont be available till end december and i need it before. after a bit of research i found this screen http://www.elechouse.com/elechouse/inde ... ts_id=2237 it has an adaptor like you said and the quality seems good. could it work or is it still not compatible ? there is also a pin mapping pdf for the adaptor and screen but i have no clue on how to check if it corresponds to the UDOO board pin mapping.

    thanks again
     
  17. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    That looks fine, it is sold as being suitable for Due (which UDOO is of course) so *guaranteed* to work.

    You do lose some pins though, as its a shield type. Not all pins, so that's good... they do make that clear in their description.
     
  18. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    Thank you incredibly amazingly much :D
     
  19. TheJRT

    TheJRT New Member

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    uhm i just had a terrible doubt, will the screen only display arduino related images since its connected via the arduino pins or can i display linux/android using the arduino connection but running on the raspi hardware ? what i mean is, can i use the screen for everything included using chrome or similars on linux/android via that screen ?
     
  20. Lifeboat_Jim

    Lifeboat_Jim New Member

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    Yes quite right, if it's plugged into the pins of the SAM3X8E then you'll only see output that CPU generates.

    BUT the UDOO is a special board. Most of the IO Pins can be switched from SAM3X8E over to i.MX6 (for output, the Digital Pins can be read by both... mostly - see documentation for full details of course).

    However If you do that, plug that 5" shield display in and remap the Pins as appropriate, you would still have a driver issue to solve (under Linux/Android). So you'd have some work to do. Be very interesting to hear if you go down that road how you get on with it.
     

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