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Pico 2.0 - What is the basic set of parts I need?

James Davis1
Prodigy 160 points

1) Can I drive the Pico 2.0 at all from Windows 7?  I tried connecting the HDMI through a MiniDisplayPort connector to my laptop, but I can't set my resolution to 640x480, so can't send a signal to the Pico. Should I eventually be able to send a suitable signal, or I just shouldn't be trying from Win7?

2) Where can I find directions on all the components I need to buy to run the Pico 2.0 in the suggested way? Only after I bought it and read the manuals did I realize I need a BeagleBoard? But will any BeagleBoard do, or its a special one? I'm not quite sure, but I think I need a special SD card also? Where do I buy that? Lastly, if the control commands are not run over HDMI, but through the other connector, then where do I get this connector? Are there any other components I need?

3) My understanding is that I can control the Pico2 by issuing bus3-i2c commands from the linux prompt on the BeagleBoard. I believe the BeagleBoard should connect via RS232 to my Win7 machine and I see the prompt in a terminal console app? Is there a recommended RS232 to USB dongle for this connection? Do the i2c commands run over the HDMI or over some other cable? I had someone tell me that I must use another cable, but I can find no information about what that cable might be.

In short, I got the projector, and I understand all the programming API to set it in structured light mode, but I am still confused on how to actually connect the cables and issue the commands to do so. I'm sure there must be a 'recipe' for getting the basic thing working, and I'm looking for a pointer to that document. I currently have a Win7 machine and a Pico2.0. What do I need to buy and do, to use it?

I bought a Pico 2.0 last week, and today I got an email that its obsolete. Since I haven't gotten it to work yet, I figure I better ask now. =) At the very least I want to be able to use it as a normal projector at 60Hz (although my original goal was high speed structured light).

I've read the User Guide, Structured LIght Guide, and Programmer Guide. I've browsed these forums.

  • 0
    TI__Genius 9935 points

    James,

    The DLP Pico Kit v2 can introduce you to a lot of the DLP technology. It has been discontinued, because it was an initial effort to make DLP experience available to the broad market (not just OEM projector manufacturers). The DLP1700 has been far surpassed by the DLP3000, which is available in the DLP LightCrafter development kit (http://www.ti.com/tool/dlplightcrafter). However, the Pico Kit v2 which you have purchased can still be helpful as you explore DLP and structured light.

    1) The ability to drive the Pico 2.0 from Win 7 depends on your video card. You may have to go into the graphics control panel (right click in an empty space in the desktop, choose "Graphics Properties", select "Advanced"). Then go to "Custom Resolutions".

    The results will depend upon the capabilities of your graphics card.

    2) Any BeagleBoard will do - although I would try a B or C or xM version. The "special" SD card refers to the need to create a bootable linux image on the SD card. There are instructions and tutorial on the web. It is quite involved, but doable. See, for example, http://beagleboard.org/pico and http://elinux.org/BeagleBoard. Just Google "beagleboard pico projector".

    3) Yes. You communicate with the BeagleBoard via serial. This requires either a serial (RS232) port on your computer. If you have a recent laptop, there won't be one - you will have to use a USB to serial "dongle" as you mention. There are many of these available - again Google is your resource. I have used FTDI and Keyspan. Again, there are discussions of how to set this up on the web. You will need a terminal program on your PC. I recommend Tera Term 4.77 (http://ttssh2.sourceforge.jp/).

    The i2c is available both at the HDMI and at the AUX connector. The BeagleBoard is able to communicate via the HDMI i2c (normally used for the EDID communications) after the Pico Kit boots up, using the "bus3-i2c" commands. You must make sure that the version of linux which you create on the SD card either has the bus3-i2c (i2c-tools) commands, or that you can install them. The instructions to do this are beyond the scope of what I can answer here, but there are messages about this on this forum - and elsewhere. The AUX connector requires a small flex cable, which may be available from Digi-Key. I believe a part number has been posted at some time, but I don't have it available at this moment.

    I hope these suggestions get you going.

  • 0 in reply to Pascal DLP
    Prodigy 160 points

    1) Thanks for pointing me at the right control panel. After unplugging my VGA monitor and having only the HDMI connection, I was able to get it running from Win7 at 640x480. Should I expect to be able to drive it at native 480x320, or the default mode at boot up only supports 640x480 with resampling?

    2) Should I be able to buy a preconfigured SD card with linux and the bus3-i2c tools? Or I'm going to have to configure this myself?

    3) Fine. Setting up RS232 to the BeagleBoard is no issue, I just wasn't sure what the method was.

    4) If the BeagleBoard can communicate I2C over the HDMI, then there is no need for me to use the AUX connector at the moment. Thanks for confirming that communication over HDMI is possible. There seems to be confusion over this with the person I asked (who is using the AUX for this purpose, and didnt realize HDMI was possible).

  • 0 in reply to James Davis1
    TI__Genius 9935 points

    James,

    1) Great! No, you should not use 480x320 in video mode. 640x480 is the video mode. There is a way to have the Pico Kit display only the HVGA, but it is "zoomed" from a 640x480 input. See the app note: http://www.ti.com/lit/an/dlpa021a/dlpa021a.pdf Using the DLP Pico 2.0 Kit for Structured Light Applications.

    2) I do not know of a preconfigured SD card for sale - but you may want to check the BeagleBoard forums. You will most likely have to configure your own. It is pretty involved, but there are "how-to" posts out there. See the links I gave you in the last post.

    3) Good.

    4) The BeagleBoard with the bus3-i2c command uses the HDMI i2c, which is normally used to query the EDID. If you don't use the BeagleBoard with this tool, the only way that I know of accessing the i2c is via the AUX connector. The flat flex cables to mate with the auxilliary port J113 can be found from Digi-key. Part No. Digi-Key WM10219-ND, Molex 21020-0259.


  • 0 in reply to Pascal DLP
    Prodigy 160 points

    Thanks for the detailed answers. I'll go ask the BeagleBoard people more details about how to buy a preconfigured system (I think I saw somewhere on their site that they *do* have preconfigured SD cards, but of course I might just be confused).

    However it seems the LightCrafter is a better match for my immediate needs and will be faster to get functioning so I'll order one of those.

  • 0 in reply to James Davis1
    TI__Genius 9935 points

    James,

    I think you will find the LightCrafter a good platform to work with. Please have a look at all of the documentation for the LightCrafter available from http://www.ti.com/tool/dlplightcrafter.