Need to build a a small video display

[Daniel Kaplan]

Hi, I need some real expertise help here. Building a Point of Sale display
for my company, something that goes on or near a counter. But I would love
to add a small screen with a button that plays a video.

So I was thinking, what if there were a way to place a Flash movie, or the
likes on an EPROM and have it play on a small LCD screen with the push of a
button.

Surely someone has come across something like this?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[species5618]

Post by Daniel Kaplan
Hi, I need some real expertise help here. Building a Point of Sale display
for my company, something that goes on or near a counter. But I would love
to add a small screen with a button that plays a video.
So I was thinking, what if there were a way to place a Flash movie, or the
likes on an EPROM and have it play on a small LCD screen with the push of a
button.
Surely someone has come across something like this?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

No real need to re-invent the wheel here.

POS hardware suppliers already have displays that are robust (vandal
proof) using proven technology. But pricing of these units tend to be high.

http://www.symbol.com/products/micro-kiosk

A dedicated laptop/pc running Kiosk CD
http://www.kioskcd.com/

But if you want to get your hands dirty, a DIY approach could be to use
an old laptop to display the video.
Be warned this is not for the faint hearted!
Follow the links:

http://www.medcosm.com/prog_pictureframe.htm
http://www.grynx.com/projects/laptop-on-the-wall-walltop/
http://www.frontiernet.net/~pictureframe/
http://www.thewares.net/item/33

Or if you just want a continuous video playing then feed video/CD/DVD to
a small TV/video screen for cars.

http://www.mobilevideo4less.com/


Things to consider are:
What environment will the POS display will be in?
Does the display need to be robust?
(unattended displays are magnets for little fingers/minds and the bigger
the fingers, the harder they can push, pull, prod and eventually destroy
anything)

Is this to be a continuous solution or a one off display?
Having the ability to change the advertising message to 'special of the
week'(changing a DVD /video file is relatively easy compared to changing
something on an 'EPROM').

Is the POS display professional or amateur?
Do you have the skills to make something that will not only work but
look good? (shaky handicam video displayed on a home built POS screen
may not impress your customers to part with their hard earned cash.)


What is the budget and time constraint?


Good Luck with your endeavours.