How to internet enable a monitor?

[SamStones]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone can assist here: We have a number of web based pages that we view in the office for statistics / monitoring purposes. We currently access them via a web browser on a PC. On of them is set to be the 2nd monitor on one of the PCs.

What I'd like to do , is find some way of being able to wall mount a monitor, who's sole purpose is to display a set web page. The page auto refreshes every few minutes, so it shouldn't need any user interaction when it's set up. I'm trying to get away from needing a whole PC to run a single web page.

Any ideas?

Could I use something like a fire stick / chromecast? or do I need one of those tiny USB PCs?

TIA

 

[DazRave]

With a Chomecast, you'd still need a PC or phone to activate and control what it displays.

However with something like a Raspberry Pi, it will act as a dedicated low power consuming PC that's only function would be to display the page you need. If you're a little tech savvy or at least know someone who is, they are not too hard to setup and there are loads of how-to guides and videos online.

 

[Alan]

To avoid wires, expense and to avoid any tech savvyness at all I would go with a cheap android tablet chromecasting to a cheap large TV ( HDMI input is all that is needed on the TV).

 

[DazRave]

To avoid wires, expense and to avoid any tech savvyness at all I would go with a cheap android tablet chromecasting to a cheap large TV ( HDMI input is all that is needed on the TV).

I'm tempted to disagree here. Firstly, each day you'd have to pair and cast the from the tablet to the screen. Wires will still be needed to constantly keep the tablet charged too. Not only that, but even the cheapest TV and cheapest Tablet would still come in dearer then a one time, slightly technical up front setup, Raspberry Pi.

Once you're done setting up the RPi, every time it boots up it will do it's thing. It will also run off of the power of a cheap TV via a USB port if there is one handy. All self contained with very minimal wires.

"FullPageOS" is what would probably do the trick if going down the Raspberry Pi route. It will automatically make any load up, full screen and auto refresh as soon as the Raspberry Pi is switched on.

 

[Alan]

I must get one to play with.

There are lots of models - what do you recommend as a playground

 

[arnydnxluk]

I normally suggest a Chromecast but I think the idea from @DazRave of using a Raspberry Pi sounds much better. I would go with that.

 

[SamStones]

Thanks for the replies guys. Should have added:

1. There will obviously be power to power the monitor
2. I want to set up and leave, not have to recast each day (hence why I was struggling with the chromecast idea)

I've not played with a RPi, but I am reasonably tech savy so might give it a go. Do they include wireless network connectivity?

Ideally, I just want to plug the monitor into the wall, set it up and leave it.

 

[DazRave]

I must get one to play with.

There are lots of models - what do you recommend as a playground

Depends what you fancy having ago at. As an all-rounder.. the latest Raspberry Pi 3+ is the best as it has built in Wifi so it's very quick to get going and connected. The previous models all need either Ethernet or a Wifi dongle connected (but, since older, they are also much cheaper).

There's then the ultra cheap and small version called the Raspberry Pi Zero. It's absolutely tiny and can do most things the larger model can do but doesn't have as many usb ports etc. It makes it perfect for stand alone projects, for example something that senses there is no light and triggers a light switch.

I believe a RPi Zero W model is out (or out soon) which is tiny but has built in Wifi too!

As you might be able to tell, I'm a huge fan. I love a good tinker!

I normally suggest a Chromecast but I think the idea from @DazRave of using a Raspberry Pi sounds much better. I would go with that.

As I say, small learning curve (however plenty of online support available) to get it set up, but once it's sorted it's very reliable.

 

[DazRave]

Ideally, I just want to plug the monitor into the wall, set it up and leave it.

100% convinced the RPi is your best bet then. The RPi 3 B+ will be ideal as it's got built in Wifi. So will only require initial setup plus power input and HDMI output. Mount it with some sticky tape to the back of the monitor and you've got yourself a self contained live dashboard.

 

[Schnell Solutions]

How about a smart TV with a browser? If you don't want any bells and whistles, I am sure you can get one on the cheap.....just a thought.

 

[fisicx]

How about a smart TV with a browser? If you don't want any bells and whistles, I am sure you can get one on the cheap.....just a thought.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest.

 

[arnydnxluk]

How about a smart TV with a browser? If you don't want any bells and whistles, I am sure you can get one on the cheap.....just a thought.

Great idea. Just make sure the TV's browser is modern enough for whatever's being displayed. Some of the browsers on these devices are very outdated in terms of standards compliance

 

[DavidWH]

We have two TV's in our office, 1 displays Google Calendar, the other our Trello board.

Two Rapberry PI's connected to the USB socket on the TV, then a HDMI into the TV. Turn the TV on, Pi boots up, auto loads the page in Kiosk mode.

Works a treat for us!

 

[Mark_Taylor_]

Yeah my new samsung smart tv browser is a shocker... the TV is good though.

 

[SamStones]

Thanks for the replies guys.

We have two TV's in our office, 1 displays Google Calendar, the other our Trello board.

Two Rapberry PI's connected to the USB socket on the TV, then a HDMI into the TV. Turn the TV on, Pi boots up, auto loads the page in Kiosk mode.

Works a treat for us!

Is there a reason you use a TV over a PC monitor?

So if I find a device with USB on the back the action of turning the monitor off turns off the power to the USB and therefore the Pi and turning the monitor back on would fire up the Pi and get it loaded straight to the page required? That sounds perfect

 

[DazRave]

Thanks for the replies guys.



Is there a reason you use a TV over a PC monitor?

So if I find a device with USB on the back the action of turning the monitor off turns off the power to the USB and therefore the Pi and turning the monitor back on would fire up the Pi and get it loaded straight to the page required? That sounds perfect

He probably wanted a larger display. TVs are cheaper to buy then large Monitors. They also have the added benefit of built in speakers as well as the occasional use as an actual TV set.

Regarding your Raspberry Pi suggestion.. TVs also have USB ports. Therefore, the Raspberry Pi can get it's power from the TV. RPi's don't have on/off switches, they boot up and do what they have been programmed to do as soon as they receive power. Therefore, extremely ideal as a setup and forget device.

Other peoples suggestions of a TV + built in browser will still require daily 'set up' unless you were to leave it on constantly.

 

[SamStones]

Thanks for the reply DazRave. That's a good point about the occasional use as a TV. I've since located my TV aerial socket 1.5m from where I want my "monitor" on the wall! ah well!

I'd not actually looked to see if any monitors had USB ports on the back to be fair, but maybe they don't!

thanks again everyone. Will go with the RPi and see how I get on

 

[DazRave]

Thanks for the reply DazRave. That's a good point about the occasional use as a TV. I've since located my TV aerial socket 1.5m from where I want my "monitor" on the wall! ah well!

I'd not actually looked to see if any monitors had USB ports on the back to be fair, but maybe they don't!

thanks again everyone. Will go with the RPi and see how I get on

You're welcome!

TV's also have more then one HDMI input. Therefore there is nothing stopping you from installing a Chromecast too. Quick flick of the channel and you've got access to present on the screen too.. or just broadcast TV channels etc via your phone/PC.

The majority of monitors i've seen do not have powered USB sockets. Most that do, are just USB hubs that also require input from a device first.

Good luck and report back how you get on!

 

[DavidWH]

That reason exactly, we've two 40inch TV's bolted to the wall, one's a JVC, and the other a Seiki. They do the job, the JVC is considerably better, both were less than £300 from memory.

As said, we plug it into the USB on the TV, so turn the TV on it autoboots the Pi, and displays automatically on the TV. Just turn the TV off until the morning.

Chromecasts are handy too, I keep meaning to get one so when customers call in, we can mirror the screen from any monitor onto the TV's, save them looking over your shoulder.

 

[sglobal]

You can't go wrong with Raspberry Pi3. We've got over 10 setup in my team monitoring various dashboards and they just work. Set them up once and forget them then!

 

[Alan]

Just ordered a Raspberry P 3 as a club I belong to wants to show event results on a TV screen.

First adventure into Raspberry land. Any pointers to resources / tips, e.g. best OS / ways to configure auto display browser as app etc .. gratefully recieved.

 

[Schnell Solutions]

Why not use a Smart TV with a build browser and show a web page containing event details over wifi.

 

[Alan]

For the reasons stated above.

• The browsers on smart TVs are poor
• It involves some one setting it to the right page, rather than auto boot on power up
• Smart TVs are more expensive than a non Smart TV plus £40

My first instinct was to go with Chromecast but again

• requires some basic technical clicking to get going

Anything that removes the human element from the process, trust me they have difficulty following simple instructions to turn the computer on and enter the results, adding turn TV on - go to xxx, browse to yyy click on ... will simply not be done.

 

[KM-Tiger]

The browsers on smart TVs are poor

And almost impossible to use with the standard remote if the TV I have is anything to go by.

The other big advantage of the RPi route is that you can grant yourself remote access for maintenance/changes etc.

 

[TLT Property Management]

Any android box ( some can be powered by the tv usb port ) or raspberry pi will do the job

 

[HostOX]

Would you not be better off with a smart TV which usually has a built in browser? It should be sufficient enough for a webpage refreshing.

 

[dexterash]

Facts:
1st: any device with a generic web browser (TV, Android BOX up to a point) that lacks the possibility to customize it needs input - either via a remote, a mouse, a touch-something or a keyboard. Although it might seem simple, doing this task everyday / at power on / etc might be a problem.
2nd: with a generic input left open (like the one above), anyone can change the page loaded / displayed either with or without intention
3rd: RasPI (and some other powerful, well-supported SBCs[single board computers]) can be customized to do a *very* specific task with zero intervention from the user - this includes bootup, connections, web page displayed etc; of course, depending on the needs, they can be adressed via a simple webbrowser / webpage or more - like a bespoke application specifically written for that/those tasks - all done in an automatic and autonomous way

 

[Alan]

Ok, my RasPI is built and ready to go live.

It certainly isn't plug and play, but being linux literate meant it wasn't too bad for me, but I did learn a few things on the way.

The main effort actually was tweaking the score dashboard page to suit a kiosk environment ( thinks like auto scrolling ), but that was all just 'webdev' nothing to do with the platform.

I wrote up the set up steps, just in case I have to do it again and forgot it all

Might be useful to others ... http://badlywired.com/2017/09/recipe-for-a-rasberry-pi-kiosk/

edit....

Yes exactly, turn on the TV, Pi boots up, the designated pages are shown, zero user intervention. Brilliant.