Video generation on TV using MCU

[czpir]

While looking at my new DVD players operation, I was facinated by the menus and lists that were generated on the TV for selection of tracks, setting audio video parameters etc.

I could see various GUI widgets like scroll bars, sliders, file boxes, menus etc.

I was wondering if the same could be done using a MCU so that a project can be made more interactive using the TV rather than a small LCD.

What would be the best way to start on this and attempt to produce color content on the TV ?

Would a 8 bit MCU be enough or do we need a 16bitter or a 32 ?????

Can the video (PAL or NTSC) be generated from the MCU or it would be better to use another specialist chip for this and drive it from the the MCU.

Any and all pointers are welcome.

Cz.

 

[dainis]

Look this page:
**broken link removed**

 

[czpir]

The link does have good information but could there be a better/easier way with PAL support too ?

 

[Cortex]

a Pic can do that
but better use a Video Componant to do the big part of the job

 

[IanP]

Instead of trying to re-invent a wheel you can use off-the-shelf video IC such as µPD6450 (**broken link removed**), STV5730 (**broken link removed**) or similar ..
These IC will be able to generate colour background, white/colour/fridged characters, symbols, bars etc ..

 

[photonix]

Please search google for EE476 Cornell University Page . There are many projects that use MCU to generate video on TV.

 

[irfansyah]

My final year project was to build a microcontroller based video signal generator which displays text on TV. Using an AVR ATmega16 at 16 MHz speed, u can achieve about 40 characters per line, and 12 lines per screen (1 bit color depth display). However this only works in text mode. To be in graphics mode, the resolution will definitely decrease due to lack of internal memory SRAM space therefore forcing the usage of a slower external SRAM. Color burst generation can be done by an RGB-to-video composite chip (MC??? i forgot), so the micro merely generates horizontal sybc, vertical syncs, and the pixel data ofcouse.

To summarize, you would need a really fast micro with some 'huge' memory.

Btw, u can always use a dedicated OSD chip (i couldnt find one in my local store)

 

[trigger74]

you can use STV5730 to do the OSD .