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Adafruit NeTV2 Open Video Development Board

Adafruit NeTV2 Open Video Development Board is a flexible video processing development platform, based on the Xilinx Artix-series FPGA with a gateware codebase largely written in Python using Litex/Migen. This open-source HDTV peripheral brings Wi-Fi® Internet connectivity and Android mobile interfacing to any TV with an HDMI input. The NeTV2 functions as an add-on board for a Raspberry Pi Single Board Computer (Raspberry Pi 3B+ recommended), combining Linux runtime with the power of FPGA video encoding.

The NeTV2 design targets two major use scenarios referred to as "NeTV classic" mode (video overlays with encryption) and "Libre" mode [deep video processing, but limited to unencrypted feeds due to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Section 1201].

NeTV2 enables overlaying your web content on existing HDMI video feeds, such as those from a BluRay player or cable box. Inside, it's an Angstrom Linux box running Webkit that features chroma-key video compositing. Out of the box, the reference firmware enables the overlay of Facebook and Twitter feeds, and SMSes from Android phones. The UI is written in Javascript/HTML, making it easy and fast to develop custom applications.

The system also features a convenient HTTP API which uses POST commands to issue events to the screen and control device behavior. This, combined with zero-configuration (zeroconf) discoverability via Bonjour, makes integrating NeTV with other networked devices (such as a smartphone or laptop) a snap.

The NeTV2 Board comes with a hackable case to hold the development board and a mated Raspberry PI. Designed to be easily assembled, disassembled, and customizable, the case features an array of M2.5 mounting bosses on a 30mm grid, enabling extra boards or components to be added with ease.

Features

  • Xilinx XC7A35T-2FGG484 FPGA
  • 512MB onboard RAM, 32-bit wide DDR3-800
  • Video ports
    • 2x HDMI Type-A inputs, 1x HDMI Type-A output, 1x HDMI Type-D output
    • 1x input/output pair configured for in-line NeTV mode video filtering
  • Maximum video bandwidth of 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz
  • Developer I/O
    • PCI-express 2.0 x4 with "hax" GPIO extensions on optional/unused pins
    • 100Base-T ethernet
    • Micro-USB
    • MicroSD
    • JTAG
  • 10W maximum operating power options:
    • 12VDC via barrel jack
    • 12VDC via PCI-express
  • Optional Raspberry Pi 3B+ SBC for seamless JTAG configuration and overlay video generation
  • Optimized for migen/LiteX Python-based hardware description language
  • 160mm x 120mm x 51mm case dimensions

Kit Contents

  • NeTV2 PCB development board
  • Raspberry Pi 3 B+
  • NeTV2 plastic enclosure kit
  • 12V 1A wall plug power supply

Videos

Rear Panel

TI Webench Designer - Adafruit NeTV2 Open Video Development Board

Additional Resources

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Published: 2019-12-10 | Updated: 2023-06-23