I can envision a future revision of the rPi as a device that plugs-into a monitor or a TV. I am not sure there is a spec exists yet, but if one was published through conventional channels, I believe that the Samsungs of the world would embrace the spec. A simple start would be to place the HDMI and power connector on the same edge of the board and have the USB / Ethernet connectors on the opposite edge. The Television / Monitor host would provide an HDMI connection and DC selectable power supply.
It's a win-win opportunity anytime it is possible to reduce cables / wiring. I'm not really sure what the best way to influence the stakeholders, however, if you would like to show your support, please take the survey.
Physical form factor to support plug-in
Last edited by gatorback on Sat May 09, 2015 9:43 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Physical form factor to support plug-in
How does moving the hdmi, power,USB and Ethernet connectors around on the board reduce cables/wiring?
Sounds like a lot of expensive, long winded, redesign for no benefit.
Sounds like a lot of expensive, long winded, redesign for no benefit.
Memory in C++ is a leaky abstraction .
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fruitoftheloom
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Re: Physical form factor to support plug-in
That is why the Compute Module was developedgatorback wrote:I can envision a future revision of the rPi as a device that plugs-into a monitor or a TV. I am not sure there is a spec exists yet, but if one was published through conventional channels, I believe that the Samsungs of the world would embrace the spec. A simple start would be to place the HDMI and power connector on the same edge of the board and have the USB / Ethernet connectors on the opposite edge. The host would provide an HDMI connection and DC selectable power supply.
It's a win-win opportunity anytime it is possible to reduce cables / wiring. I'm not really sure what the best way to influence the stakeholders, however, if you would like to show your support, please take the survey.
Rather than negativity think outside the box !
RPi 4B 4GB (SSD Boot)..
Asus ChromeBox 3 Celeron is my other computer...
RPi 4B 4GB (SSD Boot)..
Asus ChromeBox 3 Celeron is my other computer...
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W. H. Heydt
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Re: Physical form factor to support plug-in
1. In what way would a TV dongle support the RPF's educational mission?
2. I don't even own a TV, so it would be useless to me.
What I have thought about that would be exceedingly clever and useful would be a monitor with (a) a mount point for a cased Pi (they sort of exist already), (b) and internal 6A 5v supply in addition to the power the monitor needs split between a 3A feed for the Pi (3A to account for future versions) and 3A to a built-in 4-port hub (there are monitors with built in hubs), (c) built in speakers (pretty common already), (d) HDMI only (no need for VGA, and--as a result--no need for analog audio input), internal PSU so all you needs is a standard mains cable. The accessories would be a set of cables to connect power and HDMI to the monitor and the Pi to the hub. Design the layout so that it's easy to hook up with cables, perhaps, no longer than 3in. Do it with OLED for minimum power requirement. My preference would be for 19inch 1280x1024, though other versions could be done, such as 17inch 1280x1024, 20inch 1600x1200, or the usual varieties of 16x9, up to 1920x1080.
Get the price of the 19inch 1280x1024 down to the $50-$60 range and I'd start buying them, even if the "cable set" was extra.
2. I don't even own a TV, so it would be useless to me.
What I have thought about that would be exceedingly clever and useful would be a monitor with (a) a mount point for a cased Pi (they sort of exist already), (b) and internal 6A 5v supply in addition to the power the monitor needs split between a 3A feed for the Pi (3A to account for future versions) and 3A to a built-in 4-port hub (there are monitors with built in hubs), (c) built in speakers (pretty common already), (d) HDMI only (no need for VGA, and--as a result--no need for analog audio input), internal PSU so all you needs is a standard mains cable. The accessories would be a set of cables to connect power and HDMI to the monitor and the Pi to the hub. Design the layout so that it's easy to hook up with cables, perhaps, no longer than 3in. Do it with OLED for minimum power requirement. My preference would be for 19inch 1280x1024, though other versions could be done, such as 17inch 1280x1024, 20inch 1600x1200, or the usual varieties of 16x9, up to 1920x1080.
Get the price of the 19inch 1280x1024 down to the $50-$60 range and I'd start buying them, even if the "cable set" was extra.
Re: Physical form factor to support plug-in
One of the Pi prototypes (2011) was similar to what you suggest but was rejected for a number of reasons. Notably you'd have to discard connections and therefore functionality compared to a credit-card form factor. Also, it's a computer, not a media player stick. So the question isn't "why don't they make something like that?" but "What do you want your device to do that a Pi can't already do connected with a HDMI cable?" and "what couldn't it do if it was plugged in the side of a TV?"
