Micro-SD Card Slot Abused As VGA-Port

dvdkhlng writes "The Ben NanoNote open-source hand-held computer has often been criticized for not being very extensible hardware-wise. A community effort now starts to challenge this by shipping the so-called UBB board, which plugs into the micro-SD port, making 6 I/O lines available to hardware hackers. The most impressive use so far is this VGA port implemented by just a few resistors, with signal-generation mostly controlled by software. The guy who did this calls it an 'unexpected capability.' Schematics and source code are available under the GPL."

Comments

Re:Nice, but...

[pvera]

Because it opens the possibilities of other "unexpected" hacks that people can't visualize simply by looking at the available ports for a given device (not just the one in the article). If you can plug that thing into the microSD port and make it talk to VGA with 10 resistors and a bit of software, it means you can probably use microSD as a connector on other devices knowing that the connector and board are not only dirt cheap but open.

Re:Why?

[cptdondo]

For one it's fun. It's OK to have fun. If we only do those things that need to have a (serious) reason, we'd never have any fun. You must have gone straight from diapers to curmudgeon, without the usual goofy and fun states.

For another, this would be great for a low-cost embedded project. I can easily see this being adapted to an embedded playroom I play with.

Lastly, ti's cool.

Re:Great-grandson of "Cheap Video Cookbook"

[DarkOx]

Well the technique was pretty darn common in the 8 bit home computer era. So you are right in that this is not novel, but it shows its still a good method to add video to hardware that the manufacturer maybe never intended to have video out. I think this is a pretty good "News For Nerds" post even if its strictly New(s) that you can do this. I think it might be an interesting technique to apply in things like Rockbox and plug computers, as well.