Joystick Controlled VJ Cam

Part	Qty
pic 16F688	2
RCA jacks	2
5v Power Supplys	1-2
Servos	2
10k 1/4w Resistor	2
Joystick	1
RCA Stereo Audio Cable	1
2200 uF electrolytic Cap	1
1 uF electrolytic Cap	1

Source Code, HEX, and Schematic

Introduction:

Tried to keep this as simple and cheap as possible, using a common materials.

A joystick is used to pan/tilt a remote video camera, which sends the video feed back to the joystick through a stereo audio cable. (common and inexpensive) and can be used for a video input for video mixers or whatever.

A Joystick is just 2 Potentiometers. A 16F688 uses its AdC to find the 2 potentiometers position, it then uses its USART to send the data through one side the the stereo audio cord to the other 16F688, which decodes the signal to idle, forward or backward for the 2 servos. A composite camera is mounted on the servos so that it can pan/tilt. The video is then sent back down the other side of the stereo cord to where the joystick is, to be used as an input.

Parts:

For the camera I bought a small cheap IR one off ebay for $14. I thought it work well enough, but it doesn't. I am going to replace soon.

For the servos, I got a large hobby servo from a local store for the side to side. And a smaller one offline for the up and down.

The Joystick was bought from a local surplus store. Must have been for a wheel chair or similair. Its very sturdy and responsive. But most any should work, as long as it is based on 2 potetiometers and has center adjusts, to allow for calibration of joystick. I found a really old PC joystick at a local store for $2,(what a bargain) with a gameport(DA-15) interface. It stands up and is easier to use than my wheelchair one and has room inside it for my electronic components.

If not using a 5 volt power supply, one could use a supply with 7 volts+ and run it through a 7805 Voltage Regulator. Its not in the schematic though. The power supply for the recieving unit would need to be at least 500ma, depending on the servos selected. Each piece can run on its own power supply or they could share.

Project Files

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