Really basic video playback

[ImagineerTom]

I'm trying to create the simplest, idiot proof playback device for a short video. Essentially a black box with a big button on it and a video output (either VGA or HDMI) to playback a single video file (approx 1min) when the button is pressed. For various practicality reasons it can't be a laptop  running Qlab, or any other interface for a more complicated media server, it needs to be simple and basic - power it up, when you're ready press this button and boom - the video plays. 

Is there anything out there off the shelf close to this?

[Ynot]

I'm not versed in the how-tos of such things, but could you not set up something from a Raspberry Pi or some such? 
With the video file held on a USB stick if it's particularly large, maybe?

 

[sunray]

Well...

Last time I needed this functionality was... Oh dear. 1988 so this may possibly be just a bit outdated.

We needed a 'hazard warning' for Halloween event, a gate was closed when a group of people were ready for their scary tour.

A 30 second recording right at the end of a standard 3 hour tape , the Sony VCR had the option to stop rewinding at zero so zeroed at the beginning of the recording, it also had the option for a wired remote control.

A magnet gaffa taped to the gate operated a reed switch wired as the play button.

Simple: shut gate, operates reed switch, plays tape, displays on TV.  End of tape auto rewinds, stops at zero, ready to play.

End of the evening 13A plug pulled, next evening plugged in wait 30 seconds shut gate to test.

5 nights, tour every 10 minutes for up to 6 hours, perfect every time.

 

Oh how simple things were in those days😂

Edited November 19, 2021 by sunray

[ImagineerTom]

unfortunately I'm an arduino person, not a PI person and arduino's one major weakness is video; they just don't have the oomph for it and I don't really have the time for the steep learning curve of PI on this project. I can buy 1001 off the shelf audio playback widgets for $2 - but I can't seem to find anything similar for video anywhere; might be time to dust off the VHS player 😄

[sunray]

This came up as my first hit on google under 'video playback device' I have no idea about functionality

 

https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/cdk-mmp001a/media-player-usb-sd-hdmi-1080p/dp/CS31559?mckv=s_dc|pcrid|491034902770|kword||match||plid||slid||product|CS31559|pgrid|48694575284|ptaid|pla-583206195345|&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!491034902770!!!network}!583206195345!&gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi25xyl1HX26bR8w_l2fSvI0p8gQEhe1G7EBQ6t-DbYLc_QfsceOiDpJRoCMJsQAvD_BwE

Edited November 19, 2021 by sunray

[ImagineerTom]

Sorry I should have added that caveat  -that is a generic box rebadged by lots of companies..... and it's IR controlled with a whole interface & menu system so not even a hackable shortcut into it unfortunately.

[sunray]

Thinking about it I recall seeing a 'Blackmagic' unit with a few buttons and a little screen which was triggered by a pir at the entrance to a company, giving instructions on how to sign in and where to go.

To clarify this was a small unit maybe 200 mm wide by 50mm high with a few buttons and a small display on the front feeding several TV screens, presumably via a DA. Each time anyone entered the building a pir triggered the device to change from their monotonous sales pitch to give instructions.

Hope I haven't confused further.

 

2nd edit I hope it's ok to post this link. Possibly this:

https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/Black-Magic-Design-Teranex-Mini-Smart-Panel/art-PCM0015666-000?campaign=GShopping/GB&ProgramUUID=5G_AqJarZwoAAAFl0FZyjI8V&gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi2570Wv4nO5H3TCeU1h92XgGx1TO9z_WevDywYtKY58KcE1hXKXbY0sRoCuvAQAvD_BwE

Edited November 19, 2021 by sunray
Clarification

[ImagineerTom]

15 minutes ago, sunray said:

Thinking about it I recall seeing a 'Blackmagic' unit with a few buttons and a little screen which was triggered by a pir at the entrance to a company, giving instructions on how to sign in and where to go.

To clarify this was a small unit maybe 200 mm wide by 50mm high with a few buttons and a small display on the front feeding several TV screens, presumably via a DA. Each time anyone entered the building a pir triggered the device to change from their monotonous sales pitch to give instructions.

Hope I haven't confused further.

 

2nd edit I hope it's ok to post this link. Possibly this:

https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/Black-Magic-Design-Teranex-Mini-Smart-Panel/art-PCM0015666-000?campaign=GShopping/GB&ProgramUUID=5G_AqJarZwoAAAFl0FZyjI8V&gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi2570Wv4nO5H3TCeU1h92XgGx1TO9z_WevDywYtKY58KcE1hXKXbY0sRoCuvAQAvD_BwE

As I understand it that's /just/ a front panel controller for a larger bit of kit hidden somewhere else?

[boatman]

@cedd is your man for this sort of gadget.

[alistermorton]

This sounds very much like the sort of thing Pi-Presents would handle very well (hat tip to kitlane for telling me about this application).

Fairly basic pi can be triggered by a button to play a video. Low cost solution, I'd have thought. 

 

 

[david.elsbury]

This looks to be a suitable product:

 

https://www.amazon.com/MedeaWiz-Sprite-Looping-Seamless-Repeater/dp/B01L0P9RTS/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?crid=1EYQLM725GLR9&keywords=advertising+video+player&qid=1637336373&sprefix=advertising+video+player%2Caps%2C256&sr=8-18

[Dave m]

that's "just" a standard Cyclone 2+ with some added stuff.

a standard player is £30 on amazon. I guess the Sprite is worth it if you can't figure how they do it? I suppose they may have added some electronics to the standard player?

[ImagineerTom]

38 minutes ago, david.elsbury said:

This looks to be a suitable product:

 

https://www.amazon.com/MedeaWiz-Sprite-Looping-Seamless-Repeater/dp/B01L0P9RTS/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?crid=1EYQLM725GLR9&keywords=advertising+video+player&qid=1637336373&sprefix=advertising+video+player%2Caps%2C256&sr=8-18

That looks to be exactly what I'm looking for! Thankyou

[sandall]

Maybe worth checking whether the off-the-shelf Cyclone 2+ (at a fraction of the price) will do what you want

[Robin D]

I had a cheap digital photo frame that did almost that about 5 years ago  Load a video as the only image. When turned on it just played the clip. I think it was Bush branded but can't be sure now. I had it running on a mains timer with the psu plugged in. If my memory is right, it ran for a couple of weeks, every hour during store trading.