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Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

flipdisc.io

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Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#122

Post by tuna-f1sh »

Nice. I also have a fondness for flip-dots. Started with Javascript controller for Hanover bus display (https://engineer.john-whittington.co.uk/2017/11/adventures-f...) and continued with the Alfa-Zeta modules following a commission to make the controller for a 256x56 one - 24 panels!

For that I used a Python module (https://github.com/tuna-f1sh/flipdot) and Python Flask/React based manager, with sequence info in a SQLlite db. Same outcome as your App with pre-loaded transitions and of course, Game of Life: https://engineer.john-whittington.co.uk/2020/04/game-of-life...

It's my project TODO list to make a FPGA based direct HDMI controller for the Alfa-Zeta modules since refresh rate of the on-board firmware leaves a little to be desired.

Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#124

Post by its_ethan »

mmcclure wrote: post #106
its_ethan wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was curious roughly how long 150 million operations is... Assuming (literally just a guess) that the tiles "operate" at a rate of 3 times per second playing back a video or something: (150 million operation) / (3 operations/ second) = 50 million seconds = 578 days It's likely much slower than 3 operations per second too - so probably 6-10x that in reality, which would be on the order of a decade of continuous runti…

> Keeping low numer of controllers on one data line, allows to drive these displays with an increadible speed of 15 frames per second (black – to – white). From Alfazeta's page (including the typos). 15 frames per second feels pretty wild, but would also, unfortunately, change this math pretty considerably if you ran it full tilt.

I had originally assumed 15 fps but it did feel a bit too fast.. BUT a 15 fps video being displayed in black and white doesn't mean the tiles will "flip" 15 times per second - a 15fps video could still mean that a tile doesn't flip at all for 50 "frames".

It does leave you exposed to the risk of a video where one of these does flip like 12 times in a second for like 20 seconds or something.

You could probably analyze whatever video is being played to calculate some kind of like "risk" value or "expected-lifetime-decrease" value to at least better understand what the impact is of the video being played. All that goes out the window when you do the sort of real-time mirroring shown in the article.

Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#125

Post by glitcher »

nirav72 wrote: post #120
rob74 wrote: post #110

> flipdisc displays are sort of an obscure technology "niche technology" is probably the better term - that niche being readability in sunlight. A few years ago, flipdisc displays used to be very common in buses, trains etc. Then LEDs got better and the niche vanished...

It was going to happen, these flip displays with moving parts probably required maintenance. Also higher energy consumption. Not to mention the noise. I still remember the noise when they use to have these in trains and airports.

I always liked the clickity sounds of those panels updating!

Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#126

Post by verbalstoner »

sbarre wrote: post #118
pengaru wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

tribes

What a cynical take, especially here in a community that should be celebrating novel uses of technology, whether it would be your choice or not.

There is nothing new about using JS for UI, as that is the only place it belongs.

Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#127

Post by dtagames »

proee wrote: post #18

Breakfast studio offers some amazing art pieces using Flipdisc modules. https://breakfaststudio.com/flip-discs

Amazing art from this studio! If you like this stuff, check out their "brixels" pieces like the one titled Ocean for the new Fontainebleu Hotel in Vegas

Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#129

Post by garfieldnate »

So happy to find out what this is! The Meow Wolf in Denver has a huge one of these in the entrance way and I thought it would really fun to build one myself. They have this wonderful clickiness to them, a mesmerizing display both modern- and ancient-feeling.

Re: Show HN: I built a JavaScript-powered flipdisc display

#130

Post by garfieldnate »

vasco wrote: post #111
amelius wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The lifespan is probably not as limitless as you might have imagined How do you remove dust from them? I imagine that's when they break.

Wouldn't you just make the picture change a few times to remove dust and that's it? They flip, the dust comes out.

Doesn't dust usually cling to surfaces due to static electricity and, in some settings, presence of grease in the dust?
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