This reminds me of another idea I have been thinking about, but don’t know how practical/useful it would really be:
Some of us use larger displays/touchscreens with higher resolutions on our Zynths that could probably accommodate some UIs of the engines running on Zynthian (at least Pianoteq uses a rather “small” one). The display could show them, maybe just one by one(?), and the screens could be switched in some way like pages (running multiple Xservers would probably unnecessarily waste resources, so maybe using some display/window manager?).
This cannot really replace a full fledged desktop or control UIs with large (or multiple) windows or more complex design not suited for touch control, but for some engines and some kinds of use it could be just enough - and better than using VNC or external display.
The idea disucussed above is similar to the previous versions (<=V4) where there is a hole cut in the case (preferably the top) and a socket with short tail and plug that the user attaches to the case and plugs into a PCB socket.
Indeed! You guys design and build works of art that we enjoy, but there is no harm in discussing ideas. Who know, someone here might suggest something that sparks inspiration in the lab and leads to an even more optimal compromise!
Of course … and you know that we will do our best to include some of your suggestions in next kits. I simply explain to all of you that “user wishes” are only one of the compromises we have over the desk when designing a kit. We have to make the fit with the rest of compromises
Here is another one for the next hardware iteration:
Add an external WiFi antenna, anything detachable etc. should be fine - it’s just e.g. a screw on top or maybe a long WiFi extender inside the enclosure.
When Z is fully built, I have incredibly painful and slow WiFi, disconnects etc., practically unusable, especially for VNC.
Any other WiFi device works perfectly including cameras quite far away and through walls…
Or maybe have the option to add some small/cheap WiFi module? (No SMA on RPi?)
I am positive A&H CQ mixer uses an external antenna for the exact same reason; it seems to use the same enclosure material as Zynthian and they did not want to lead a long antenna inside the box.
You can see the antenna on the right hand side of the device, it can be simply folded to flat position if not using WiFi.
I solved the Wifi problem with a USB dongle. It’s not elegant, but you really only need to be connected when doing updates, and there’s always the RJ45.
The tradeoff for this minor problem is we get a fanless, reliable device, so I am quite pleased with the choice made. :>
The HDMI adapters have finally arrived (ordered from here). The larger connector head front side is 37x10.6mm, screw hole distance ca. 26.5mm. The length of the head is 39.5 (44.15 with the connector).
Anything else interesting?
this is the kind of adaptator I was thinking about in my previous comment in this thread.
I didn’t found any of these with a shorter length then 30 cm, wich seems to me quiet long. But I guess there’s should be enough room inside the 5.1 case to fit it inside.
Keep us informed !
Pure cable makes some 24,8cm. With the connector heads it is 31,5cm all together (+39.5mm HDMI and +27mm microHDMI).
The two metal connectors sticking out of the heads add 6mm for the male microHDMI and 4mm for the female HDMI.
