Make your own Ambient Lighting with the Raspberry Pi Zero

[@EpicLPer]

I love how this software is more refined than most other stuff that are commonly and wider used...

[@kd6671]

Neat project. I would love to see something like this rolled up into a single board, off-the-shelf device.

[@Nerdforge]

Aaah, I love this! Your projects are awesome :)

[@tylerrector2782]

Natural Nerd how did you comment 3h ago

[@thedankoona_5854]

storytime! how?! ^

[@rounakr94]

Illuminati confirmed.. Half Life 3 confirmed

[@kakadu2685]

WTF?

[@thedankoona_5854]

check the description! ffs!

[@deldarel]

I've been following you for a while and damn, your soldering has become clean since the beginning! I'm jealous

[@bandwagon240]

This makes me appreciate the built in ambient lighting some tvs have even more. Excellent work!

[@victorlowe]

Especially since it works on everything displayed on any input or on an app running directly on the tv itself, rather than a single hdmi input

[@patricktanner2353]

I built this only I bought the Pi Zero W as it was cheaper than buying a Pi Zero and a wireless dongle. I did have a few issues getting it to run. A few libraries were not installed automatically, but after doing a few installs the lights came right on and worked flawlessly. My power supply was a bit weak to power everything, but it seems to work with the brightness down to 75%. I'm still going to add a second supply for safety. I'm waiting for dark to actually see the lights, but so far so good!

[@anthonyrossetti7509]

+Patrick Tanner can you please elaborate i plan on doing the same i have a pi zero W, so which libraries do i need to install? libraries for what exactly were you missing?

[@tailerbrown6825]

Soldering on top of plastic back cover of TVset? Wicked sick ! (...or god-like)

[@greatscottlab]

It was a metal case. But plastic would also not have stopped me.

[@jacob1001bin]

Awesome video

[@raufi1510]

Just the smoke that would knock you out :D

[@thesnowedone]

We ended adding plug in 4 pin connectors on our strips so we wouldn't have to do that before installation. Worked well and allows for easy swapping out of the strips when/if one goes bung.

[@FahimulIslamBUET]

You are a bad-ass. :D

[@expert20valvehlx]

I was dreaming about this, even buyed some generic rgb led from philips tv. Thank you. You really are a Great Scot.

[@pileggitech]

I was just telling someone about how they can do this and you just happened to make an awesome video on it! Thank you!

[@MagicAndReason]

Make amazing projects with the unavailable Raspberry Pi Zero!

[@slawor4]

CrashPreinsertion you can do it with the regular one, but this is cheaper

[@vgamesx1]

Funny, but you could use another RP or an Pi variant such as the orange pi and the setup process would be about the same.

[@GrandeCalle]

i have 2 zeros you just need to know where to buy...

[@bronxvirus]

I've been hearing that everywhere, but I just got one at adafruit couple days ago just fine.

[@rayhan2884]

it's so easy to get one...

[@latzobear]

GreatScott? more like damnscott

[@vectorchan5647]

Nice, I made one of these with an Arduino, project was called "adalight". Can't watch a movie without it.

[@MrSandoron]

My hands got sweaty the moment you started soldering on your TV xD

[@jakenkid]

🤣🤣🤣

[@adfjasjhf]

This is freaking awesome ! I saw exactly same thing for like 200 dollars but now I think I'm gonna get this up and running

[@proudfoot.proudfoot]

Fantastic video. You are a talented teacher. I think this was the first time in my life a KZbin tutorial grabbed my attention & kept it all the way through. Thank you!

[@greatscottlab]

You're welcome

[@MitgliedT5]

Would be interesting, when you display how much all of the stuff should cost :)

[@judep8920]

Mine ended up around $135 USD. I bought most my stuff from Chinese sites like AliExpress.

[@beeroy26]

@@judep8920 What size tv did you have and how is the system working for you? Run into any glitches or flaws to work through?

[@qualar]

@Liam where?

[@tito05172008]

Liam From where and what is the product called?

[@aaronteal3607]

@Liam would also loved to know where you can buy this "pre made"

[@Dreyzo]

You already done that with another raspberry, I'm looking forward to start this project, thanks for the tutorials and everything Scott.

[@greatscottlab]

I know. But that was two years ago. It was time for an update since the software changed and better hardware is available.

[@friedhelm1342]

GreatScott! are you german!?

[@mickgatz214]

Der ist kein Duetscher.....lol

[@doxylamin1337]

Doch, ist er. :P

[@mickgatz214]

Zen vhy dus He not haf a German accent?.....

Good choice with that Meanwell PSU. We have tried other brands but MW has always the best quality/price ratio.

[@mochi2205]

the most exciting project I've ever seen...

[@DarkMuhahaha]

Be aware that directly driving the Data-In fromt he Pi Zero doesn't always work. Sometimes you need a level shifter to convert the 3.3V output of the Pi Zero to the 5V that the LED strip expects. You may be lucky and it just works, but you may experience flcikering or loss of signal depending on manufacturing tolerances.

[@DrGreenGiant]

Good point. Since it is only one way data you could just use a transistor rather than a full logic level shifter :)

[@enfenix]

could you recommend a guide for a beginner? I have no idea how I could solve the problem with a transistor. I had no problems with the Pi3. Some LEDs flicker extremely with the PiZero

[@Semiremida]

good point, I faced that problem. On RPi3 ambilight works well but on RPi zero amblight doesn't start or leds blink without order. Do you know exactly how to fix it?

[@Semiremida]

Radpbian Jessie has to be used. The problem is on newer raspbian OS like scratch

[@Pellbort]

At first, I got super nervous about the soldering on the back of the TV. Then I realized how little it matters if a TV we're gluing a bunch of ugly components on to has a little mark here or there from a hot soldering iron. Then I realized how little it matters what the back of my TV looks like at all. How many of us even regularly DUST back there? Go look at the back of your TV/monitor right now. That shit is caked with dust. So, in a weird, roundabout way, this video had the bonus effect of helping me relax about shit that absolutely does not matter.

[@MdWahidurRahmanOvi]

most creative and awesome DIY video I have ever seen ..

[@aivaraspetrikas15]

I litterally was thinking of doing this yesterday, but I didnt know whether it'd work with RaspBerry Pie zero. And here's my answer xD

[@ClokworkGremlin]

Nice to see someone using the superior APA102 model LEDs in the wild, instead of the cheaper, more common WS2812 that everyone seems to use. Here's a secret for you: While authentic APA102 LEDs were probably still in production when this video was made, they no longer are, and if the listing says APA102, you're actually getting SK9822. But that's OK, because the protocol for SK9822 are slightly easier to use.

[@Capagis]

habe mich schon gefragt wo das projekt bleibt ;) gute arbeit, weiter so

[@eyesrajones]

Awesome video. I love hearing you say Welcro instead of Velcro.

[@Jayymes]

GreatScott not starting a video by saying 'recently' what's the world coming to! Great Video as Always :)

[@greatscottlab]

Thanks

[@b3n79m1nP]

don't like that I can't like this more than once!!! your a legend! even better then the first video!

[@kabturek]

btw for enabling ssh and not needing the display: "For headless setup, SSH can be enabled by placing a file named 'ssh', without any extension, onto the boot partition of the SD card."

[@structure7]

I dig those flexible boxes.

[@TheAussiePirate]

Looking forward to the instructable.

[@shadowwingsketcher]

That's a very badass project.

[@jessendelft-1]

Very cool! I just ordered most of the components. I still have an unused RPI 3B laying around, which I will use instead of the Pi Zero. My ultimate goal is to hook this system up to my Philips Hue's, to get the most ultimate light-experience :)

[@shaftm123456]

Hey GreatScott! I think you forgot the hdmihdmi mini converter in the parts list. I know it's just a tool in this video, but it's not a standard tool like wire cutters or a soldering iron. PS I like your videos! I haven't done any of the projects you've shown, but I'm always inspired to get back in the lab after I watch your montages of making things.

[@kfash5198]

its not an HDMI to HDMI converter. It is an HDMI splitter

[@Akuba]

I was looking for a tutorial for this today. What a coincidence!

One of my favourite projects so far! 🙂

[@TommyCallaway]

Amazingly cool project.

[@MOTORINGSA]

Watched this now. It's awesome.

[@MrKen59]

Awesome project. Thanks for a great presentation.

[@electroimpex8897]

Why 23 Dislikes? The Video is soo good i love it

[@slawor4]

Electroimpex people who can't afford it

[@yuktabhardwaj7554]

people who are afraid of pi xD

[@zolotech1372]

I would love to meet Scott in person

[@mundo_electronica]

Yeah!, you're awesome Scott, really cool project :D

[@Gears_ofwar]

i would like to have a conversation with great Scott just to be able to learn some of the knowledge he has obtained.

[@gurjeetsaini1867]

you r a genius scott... absolutely genius...... 👌

[@aldrin6053301]

that was one hell of project. heart effort

[@Tyzon201995]

You always introduce new things, I like it :)

[@DiyintheGhetto]

Hello GreaScott Awesome video keep up the great work.

[@eiriklade93]

Love your videos! So glad I found this channel. Keep it up!

[@jakub3747]

nice work bro this is very educational

[@mattetten]

Cool project. With my skill set I would probably go to the store and buy an Philips ambilight tv :D

[@JSXDrift]

Stabilos are such nice pens.

[@GeekGarageDK]

@GreatScott To enable SSH without first booting it up just place a file in the root directory of the SD Card before plugging it into the Raspberry pi named "ssh" and remove file extension. Then SSH will be enabled on first boot. I know that without a NIC, you'r not connected to a network, but this is for people who use the normal A or B style Raspberry. The IP for the raspberry can you get from your router or use Advanced IP Scanner on windows and then find the PI through that. This way you don't need any screen, keyboard or mouse for the Pi itself, but you can use ssh straight out of the box

[@krige]

Thanks for the video! I wish to see another one using DisplayPort (DP) instead of HDMI, so that it can be used with a 144Hz computer monitor.

[@c.mcdermo]

nice. i see premade devices like this for hundreds. i might have to do this :D

[@ChromaMatrix]

Well, that was interesting and unique. Good job.

[@JOELwindows7]

Wow, Duper Awesome the first or maybe in one part.

[@jonathangibson2336]

awesome setup. I really like this idea hopefully some 4k hdmi splitters wont cost me too much and not cause many issues with converting to the AV output.

[@markg5465]

that simple and its more budget friendly ...thank you for this setup hack :)

[@AwakeningsDigital]

It is worth noting if you do this on a raspberry pi running KODI/OpenElec you dont need anything but the led's and power supply, since you can use the internal frame grabber

[@18minimus18]

I can’t believe I didn’t find this video sooner

[@ThePiGuy24]

this looks awesome, keep it up GreatScott!

[@iProgramInCpp]

You're awesome because of your math and work skills :)

[@slawor4]

iProgramMC "work skills"

[@NONAME9283]

Great video. My only problem is getting the components, but I have an ideea of what to do in my spare time

[@ultravidz]

You forgot the flux capacitor

[@emailausdrucker]

great project. thank you GreatScott.

[@Trixtrem1974]

absolutely brilliant mate, thank you

[@astafzciba]

can you make an extended version of this project with more details about the every step. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME it is good for us and you since we'll get more details and informations about the project. and for you, you'll get more attention and love from KZbin by making longer videos.

[@jennifereileenmartinez2104]

Amazing work, and I think I have most of the components you mentioned so... I think I'll try very soon. :3

[@NickyNiclas]

I think the way to go would be to have some software on a HTPC power it through an Arduino. A lot simpler and probably a lot less latency. The only benefit of the solution shown in this video is that it'll be plug and play once its set up.

[@MonstrousHandbook]

love your videos, keep them coming !

[@HS-eq3gk]

You are doing very well ive been watching since the very begginning and I have to say I love this show just as much as the Ben Heck Show , he is great btw. I wonder if he watches your show?

[@hdt1948]

this is awesome!! Very good

[@shokobata]

i want more raspberry pi zero projects

[@MCsCreations]

Sweet! Great work!

[@mirthcastle]

ATTENTION: There is an issue I discovered where the HDMI2RCA converter was dumping power back into the system via the HDMI cables (HDMI is 5V too) and was lighting the LEDs even with the whole thing unplugged!, so I added a 1N5399 Diode from the Wago terminal to the converter positive to prevent any backflow from it. I also connected the HDMI splitter directly to the wall instead of the circuit so I could watch/play without the Ambilight (why would I?) turned on all the time. The splitter requires power to operate, and the circuit he designed in the Zero version requires everything to be on in order for it to work. I have since integrated the whole thing with Google Home and a smart switch - So now all I have to do is say “Hey Google, turn on Ambilight”. 😃

[@djgaming..2060]

We can use a hdmi capture card instead of video grabber and hdmi to rca converter, it should work out

[@samykamkar]

Nice!

[@heinztroll5526]

Love your videos

[@ArifMahmud]

amazing !! great work !!

[@jeromevet007]

amazing video , finaly a good explanation thx

[@TheRealGameTime007]

I love your Videos! Finally I found good KZbin Vids xD

[@TechTinkerWorks]

With arduino you can do the same without video grabber and HDMI splitters. But only works with your PC as signal is coming from there. Also the grabber software uses some CPU power so if your PC is not strong enough you will not be able to play games.

[@usr6106]

Dániel Bulyovcsity you mean ambibox as grabber software right?

[@TechTinkerWorks]

It is using "Processing" that is an IDE for arduino. Google Adalight, full step-by-step tutorial is there, you can buy the whole package for 50 usd or geti it around 30 from ebay one-by-one

[@usr6106]

Dániel Bulyovcsity yes ur right, i tryed processing too. it looked hard to configure for me. i already have leds back on tv, power and sth. like that. using it with raspi 2 /kodi. thanks for reply.

[@TechTinkerWorks]

I'm totally not into arduino, I know close to zero about it, I have copy pasted the code from adafruit, changed the number of leds in the code where it was mentioned and done. it was simple. And I have used all parts from ebay, even the arduino was a cheap copy.

[@MrMKFreak]

Should I use the APA102 or the WS2812B LED Strips? Is there even a big difference?

[@greatscottlab]

APA102 is better. Just google it, there are many comparisons.

[@erksampat9328]

Why did the first USB grabber not work?

[@mankee2211]

I'm not quite sure why you would say that (seriously no clue). It has SPI pins, but you're not even using the Hardware SPI pins of the Arduino/rPI and there are very efficient WS2812B libraries for wiring (arduino). Is the APA102 better suited for projects controlled by the raspberry? I've heard about glitching WS2812B lights when controlled by a PI.

[@mankee2211]

+Erk Sampat wrong chipset for software, I guess.

[@DieNetzente]

APA102 uses an dedicated clock pin, so it's easier to program.

[@Fabian-_-]

I had to buy a different splitter, because my TV couldn't handle the HDCP (because the splitter was 4k comp.) together with my Yamaha Amp... It said my TV can't handle the HDCP, which why ever got activated only when both Yamaha and the splitter were connected... Now I bought the same as you have I think, I'll have to check if this one works... That took me a long time to figure out :D

[@RichardBousquet]

very cool. probably not the best for gaming since the splitter will likely cause noticeable latency but great for movies.

[@TagFul19]

Pretty nice project, good job! ;D

[@main_py5853]

i was waiting for this but great scott make a quad

[@johnwattie1786]

His channel isn't focused on such things. And he is about diy. To make a quadcopter from scratch requires alot of skill. You dont just "assamble" it. You have to program the esc,servos etc.

[@main_py5853]

John Wattie mr he said in his other video the he will bulid a quadcopter

[@thedankoona_5854]

he made a quadcopter, he told on a q&a&c.

[@main_py5853]

TheDankOona ಠ_ಠ yes you are right

[@thedankoona_5854]

why yoi ask it then? -_-

[@ozgunkara1930]

OMG FINALLY I love your videos

[@zakups7777]

Mal wieder fantastisch :)

[@chrisrokbarber9358]

amazing work

[@MrMati489i]

Damn it looks cool.

[@Lovreli]

cool vid scott! keep it up

[@Knobiks]

cool project!

[@RaviJani]

well excellent. i ll try that.

[@samilimam5608]

great videos as always that's why you're GREAT ;)

[@Sphyxx]

i love your videos keep up the good work :)

[@ZenoxDemin]

Damn, this is so cool that I might actually do it!

[@JaapioNL]

Cool, I recently made one using an fpga and a lcd driver board l

[@MDFRESCUER]

Looks good.

[@anonanon3066]

mach doch mal ein video, in dem du das system zeigst, wie es in action ist. btw richtig gutes projekt

[@nerdben2505]

This is so amazing