Simple and cheap DIY ambilight.

This instructable will show you how to make a simple and cheap ambilight system for your PC!
This simple system can be used with the AtmoWin software, or using the AtmoLight plugin in VLC (media player) , it connects to your PC using the standard USB connection on your arduino.
It has only one channel, but it still provides a nice effect.

A video of it in action:

View on youtube

This could be expanded to two channels, for more info see the last step.

Step 1 Parts

You will need:
- An arduino
- 3x 2k2 resistors
- 3x an NPN transistor, capable of switching 12Volts (I will be using a 2SD1062)
- A 12Volt adapter (wall wart)
- A barrel jack
- A 12Volt RGB (common anode) LED Strip (I will be using this one)
- Header pins
- Some prototyping board (I will be using some perfboard)

Comments

[Roby91]

Please, what's the name of that the schematic 3d generator software?

[Killadobby]

Where exactly do you use the Arduino ? Is it between the PC and the perf boards(I am a tech newbie) ?

[spiderstinger]

What does AtmoWin actually do? I am wondering if this works when watching TV with the TV'sl built in tuner. Does this only work with the PC?

It looks like AtmoWin is a Windows program, based on the name. Anyone try it in Linux under Wine.

Sorry for the barrage of noob questions.

[fantasy2]

Congrats, that looks really nice! I just started a crowd funding alternative for the people that do now know how to make one:
http://www.indiegogo.com/IntenseLight-TV-Light-Controller?a=335780

[dtokez]

Cant seem to find those transistors either, any others that can be used?

[ooh]

I did a search for 2SD1062 and found them on eBay from a store called "littlediode". Had them in a few days.

[drabina]

For those still looking for replacement transistors, check out part # 526-NTE152 at Mouser.

[drabina]

Any info on the substitutes for the 2SD1062 transistors?

[hide98]

Great instructable. I'd love to try it, but having a little trouble finding where to buy the appropriate transistors, even with the product number you provided. Did anyone have any success finding some online?

[bummy1]

Question? Which Arduino board to use? Will the mini work? I see a Mega, Mini, and UNO at DitenTec. And then do you just mount the led strips on the back of the monitor? I have limited experience but believe I can do it.
Thanks, Dave

[yonsje]

The mini will work but you'll need something like the Mini USB adapter to be able to connect it to your computer. I used a Duemilanove, this is basically an older version of the UNO.

[joshua17ss2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkvkC2jdw30

finished making the system and tested it on my laptop, thanks for all the info. works perfect and looks awesome in person

[yonsje]

Looks great!
You are even using the same futurama episode as me :)

[joshua17ss2]

yup had it sitting on the laptop.

I have run in to a small glitch i cant seem to figure out. I installed the finished board on my big tv and media computer ( which has an onboard vga, and an addon card (vga and DVI)) I am using the dvi out to connect to my tv. i switched the setting on the atmo program to that screen, and it work perfect, on the desktop matches the color of the folders and desktops, but when i launch vlc, (full screen or partial, the strip just sets to a white color, and dosent change,
Ive tried all the settings and still cant get it to work quite right for videos. it still works perfect on my laptop.

Any thoughs on why it would do this?

[yonsje]

Weird, the only thing I can think of is to change the video output to DirectX and select you tv under "Display device"

[rezonx]

Some pictures are missing ;(

[wiisos]

Nice project! I have searched for days for something detailled like this! but I'm looking for DIY Ambilight with at least three channels. It's possible? and use this RGB Strip and arduino nano v3?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rgb-multicolored-1-meter-30-led-6w-light-strip-dc-12v-14965

Anyway you have my vote and 5 stars.

[yonsje]

You would need at least 9 output pins that support PWM, the arduino nano only has 6. It may be possible using the Teensy++ since it can be used with the arduino IDE and has exactly 9 output pins that support PWM, I'll look into it later since it would be a great upgrade for this project!

[wiisos]

waiting... :D

[yonsje]

I did some testing and it seems like it works, the only problem is that it doesn't seem to turn off the lights when you exit VLC/AtmoWin, I'm guessing it has something to do with the way the Teensy and the Arduino handle the serial connection, I'll have to do some more testing.

[wiisos]

Nice! Keep it up!

[shadow wave rider]

ohh. i love futarama. it is so totally awesome.

[Mr Earl]

you could easily add more channels if you used one of these addressable rgb led strips:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10312
It's one meter long and has 32 LEDs - so you could make 32 channels with one strip and all you need is two pins on the Arduino for clock and data. You also can daisychain them if you needed to (larger TV; just mor channels;...)

However, the whole strip can draw up to 1.8 amps (all LEDs whtie), so choose a power supply which can handle this amount of current.
I have tried to fade between different colors (max 2 subleds are on) and it was possible to run it from the 5V of the arduino which was powered by usb with no issues.

awesome project btw.

[marcosgildavid]

Hi, I've seen on the DS site someone complaining about the green led being less bright than the red and blue ones. On the video you posted I also noticed that the scene where the doctor comes in should be yellow but instead it is reddish/orange, Is this a small bug or is the green led really an issue? Thanks.

[yonsje]

I haven't really noticed too much about this, but you can just change the whitebalance in the software so the colors look better.

[marcosgildavid]

Thanks for the reply. This is a really nice project. Congratulations. ;-)