Ambilight for BSplayer

RafkeP · #1 (**permalink**) 4th June 2006

Hello BSplayer fans,

People often wonder why BSplayer is to be considered the best mediaplayer around. It already has a lot of features; some of them can also be found in others players, but today I would like to share with you all my latest add-on for BSplayer : MoMoLight.

What is MoMoLight ?

MoMoLight stands for Movie Mood Light.
It's my PC version of the Philips Ambilight system.
Three sets of CCFLs are placed behind the computer screen ( left, top and right) and display the average color of their corresponding part of the screen. This makes the screen look bigger and spices up the movie experience. (check out the Philips website for more info on Ambilight)

How does it work?

I've written a directshow filter which calculates the average values and sends them to a a microprocessor via the serial port.
The microprocessor then drives the CCFLs to display the correct colour with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).

What does it look like?

My intention was to make it as versatile as possible so I decided to split up the PCB in 2 parts :

"The brain"

The brain takes care of the PWM

"The power"

This part drives the lights.

Futhermore there are 3 sets of these :

I wanted to keep the CCFLs intact in case I want to use them for something else.
The downside of this approach is that I'm left with a lot of wires (as you can see).

Now what does it really look like?

A quick colour test with my test program:

And a shot with BSPlayer in action :

Notice the different colours on the left and right.

What does it look like with moving pictures?

Unfortunately I don't have the equipment to capture it in all its glory.
I do have a crappy movie taken with a HP digital photo camera.
WARNING: there is an iritating noise on the background so turn down your volume
Movie intro

Great where can I buy this?

Nowhere! I'm going to make a tutorial soon so everyone can build one.

I admit that there's still room for improvement but I already want to show you the power of BSplayer.

I hope you don't mind.
Rafke P.

mihhkel · #2 (**permalink**) 5th June 2006

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Like... wow!

Tizio · #3 (**permalink**) 5th June 2006

@ RafkeP
Really awesome!! Great work :D

@ anybody else
Here you can see other 2 clips of this great product in action

ColourTest
Movie
(they were made before the project was finished, so the effect is not as great as the Movie Intro one, but I think that they will help to understand the improvements made while it was still in development, and also the quick response of the filter to the movie scenes changes)

ghito · #4 (**permalink**) 7th June 2006

it's awesome, i can't wait for it :)

when this tutorial will out?

RafkeP · #5 (**permalink**) 7th June 2006

The tutorial will be online tonight... just like BSPlayer 2 :D
I only hope they will be compatible.

Tizio · #6 (**permalink**) 7th June 2006

:D good news

Anyway I think they will be compatible, don't worry! :)

RafkeP · #7 (**permalink**) 7th June 2006

We are go for launch !

> Click here to go the complete how-to <

I couldn't wait till midnight : RafkeP needs his sleep

Enjoy,
Rafke P.

ghito · #8 (**permalink**) 7th June 2006

woo, it's so complicated :(

there is mistake in new BS2 start page becouse midnight in my country is for 30min but clock show one more hour:)

ghito · #9 (**permalink**) 7th June 2006

in tutorial should be a complete list what i need to buy when i go to electronic shop

and if possible, a expection cost of that

btw, its cool idea :)

RafkeP · #10 (**permalink**) 10th June 2006

You are absolutely right Ghito. It was my intention to put the BOM in there, but it seems I forgot.

Anyway: the full list of components has been added to the tutorial under Appendix C.