The EyeWriter 2.0

Step 9: Hacking the PS Eye camera - VSync

In this step we will go through getting the v-sync off the camera. The v-sync is an electrical signal that comes from the camera which communicates the camera's refresh rate. Getting the camera's v-sync is crucial for this application to work because it is the only way we can match the camera's refresh rate to our infrared LED's.



• Locate the Ground joint on your PS Eye board. Some PS Eye models have 5 joints near the lens mount (left image below), while some have 4 joints (right image below). If your model has 5 joints, the Ground joint is at the end closest to the lens mount. If your model has 4 joints, the Ground joint is also at the end closest to the lens mount, and twice as wide as the other joints. see image here
   
• Cut about 2 feet (60 centimeters) of your 4-color intercom wire, and split the red and green from the black and white.
   
• Split the red and green wire about 2 inches (5 centimeters) from one end, and strip off a small section of insulation at the end of the green wire. The green wire will be soldered to the PS Eyes Ground joint.
   
• Clip the PS Eye board and green wire to a stand, and prepare to solder the green wire tip to the Ground joint. Use a piece of thick paper or cardboard in between the clips teeth to prevent scrapes on the board. see image here
   
• Solder the green wire to the PS Eyes Ground joint.
   
• Locate the V-Sync via on the board. Its the via circled in the image below. see image here. Attention: for more recent models of the PSEye camera (identified by the golden rim around the board) the VSync hotspot can be found on the front of the PCB, directly above the R19 resistor. see image here. Very REcently a newer model was also introduced in the market (v9.2)see how to identify it in this image and how to find the vSync spot in this image


• Using a sharp knife, carefully pivot the knife tip on the via, and scrape off enough insulation coating to expose the metal contact below. see image here
   
• The red wire needs to connect to the exposed V-Sync via, but the wire is too thick to be soldered neatly to the small via, so a 30 gauge wire will be used in between. Strip the ends of a 2 piece of 30 gauge wire.
   
• Shorten the red wire, then solder one end of the 30 gauge wire to the end of the red wire. see image here
   
• Before soldering the 30 gauge wire to V-Sync, a test should be performed to ensure all connections are correct. Build the circuit below. When the 30 gauge wire contacts the V-Sync via, the LED on the breadboard should flicker rapidly. see schematic here
   
• Using thin 0.022 inch (0.56 millimeters) solder, carefully solder the 30 gauge wire to the exposed V-Sync via. To confirm, ensure the LED on the breadboard is flickering.