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by edelhans 1498 days ago
I'be build pretty much the same thing using an esp32 an 3d printed enclosure and a small custom pcb. You can connect via websocket from a browser and upload images, text, ect.

I've also managed to implement OTA firmware updates and a similar Wifi based setup as this product has.

If anyone is interested I'm happy to put it on Github.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ajAbJ3fqqYQV5sd98 https://photos.app.goo.gl/PHzq1P7uWkJgAtPb7 https://photos.app.goo.gl/gX3ydYRVdm5nqbGm6

edit: I'll cleanup the code and update this comment with a link to the repo tomorrow

6 comments

Love it! I did a similar thing, 64x64 pixels with a LED diffuser. Everything is packed up in the IKEA picture frame: https://imgur.com/a/cLXGWWd

I'm lazy, but I plan to do the full write up and to open source everything. I use it to display pixel art, and during the night it automatically switches to the clock mode.

I love yours as well and it would be great if you can put the code on GitHub. Mine is using ESP32 as well (Adafruit's MatrixPortal M4). It is running Circuit Python though. I love it dearly and I played with an idea of making it as a product.

Using a pictureframe is a cool idea! I actually have an 64x64 matrix in my drawer that I havent used yet. Should you decide to open source your code I'd be very interested too.

I'll update my comment tomorrow with a GitHub link, just need to tidy up the repo first. This was my very first time writing c++, so the code is probably not the cleanest ;)

Same story with me and python, so don't worry :) I'll make the repo public during the next week.

Diffuser also makes a difference as the controller I'm using doesn't allow me to control the brightness. I should really write a blog post :D

> I'be build pretty much the same thing using an esp32 an 3d printed enclosure and a small custom pcb. You can connect via websocket from a browser and upload images, text, ect.

This is why HN is so special. Not only is the submission very interesting and inspiring, there's also someone who already done something similar sharing their work.

Thank you for sharing.

As promised here is the source code, PCB Gerber file and the STEP files for the case: https://github.com/hanneslinder/esp-pixel-matrix

Hope you find it useful and don't be too harsh with the code quality as this was my first time writing C++ :)

I won't judge, especially as I don't know cpp either :)

It seems great and way more user friendly than what I have. I might steal your code for the next iteration.

I'll write a proper readme and make my repo public today.

EDIT: Here it is: https://github.com/Stanko/retro-frame

Awesome, there are some really cool ideas here. Are you planning on adding any sort of license? Would love to use some of the feature ideas in another github repo.
Which RGB library are you using for esp32? I was doing some initial LED stuff with a Pi with hzellers rpi-rgb-led-matrix library, but I am having to switch over to esp. Also that PCB looks really nice for avoiding the pain with wires. Do you plan on releasing the files for that?
I'm using this library: https://github.com/mrfaptastic/ESP32-HUB75-MatrixPanel-I2S-D...

And I'll add the pcb files to the repo, good idea!

Looks great, would love to build one too
Please do!