McGuyver monitor.

Dvd player as a computer monitor? You remember that we used a composite monitor back in the Mythtv instructables. (http://www.instructables.com/id/Setting-up-a-computer-based-DVR-with-Mythtv-for-l/). Here we are going to do a variation on that but use a dvd player as the monitor. Though I meant this to be for text based server and computers Certain low gui desktops could work also.

Most but not all computer servers are going to the command line I.e no graphics. Even as I understand it, MSWindows 8 server is going to the command line. Never hurts to have a back up monitor for an emergency, for portability, or if you just want to go retro.

Also see: http://www.instructables.com/id/Extra-TV-setup/

Note: Tried two old portable B&W tv's and it did not work.

Update: Using the dvd player as a monitor for Raspbmc!

Step 1: Computer video output.

S-video was a step up from the old composite video from earlier computers. Actually it is still around if you look at your video card or the back of your computer you may see an s-video port. Even some of the newest cards still support s-video.

Comments

[qquuiinn]

If I were you, I would rip out the DVD readers and place the raspi, then put in a voltage regulater to power the pi off of the player's battery. Bonus points for a miniature keyboard intagrated somewhere

[Computothought]

Sounds like an interesting idea. Do not have a spare dvd player. I will probably just get a case and use double stick tape to attach the RPi to the back of the player, We dislike one function devices. Multi-use is more practical...