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Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email Hey, I don't know if this has any hacking potential but its cheap. It appears to be Microsoft's answer to the IOMEGA Fotoshow which was also a failure. Microsoft's version is evn more limited with just a Floppy drive. Might have some goodies, at least a floppy drive. http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/MSPhotoViewer/index.asp?sourceid=00294077375938580809 Max 09-07-2002 10:59:39

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile Wow...that bombed quick. I've seen adapters to put a smart media card into a floppy drive...anyone thing one of those might work with this thing? 09-07-2002 12:23:48

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email ZMOZ Yep it bombed quickly, didn't even have a card reader like the Fotoshow. I have not used those adaptors. I assume you must have some sort of software driver installed for them to deal with the extra capacity of the drive. You would have to duplicate that in the Microsoft TV Photo veiwer. I have not the foggiest idea of what OS it uses. Perhaps it uses a MS OS? Max 09-07-2002 15:33:14

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile I bet it would be really hackable if it used a micro$oft OS...but that doesn't sound like it would be the case. Then again, I doubt that microsoft would use linux on one of their own devices... 09-07-2002 18:10:41

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile WinCE? Embedded 95? Embedded NT4? Etc, etc. Microsoft was really gung-ho about making embedded OS's at the time that this was in development (I'm guessing at when it was designed). They could of used any number of their own products (someone has to use them <evil grin>). For all we know, they could have developed a entirely new OS for the project. Microsoft definitely has the resources to do such a thing. My guess is that it is some flavor of CE. If the box was done right (i.e. dirt cheap) then it may be hard to hack strictly due to a lack of resources on the box. Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 09-07-2002 19:51:16

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ztw4 Profile For $14.99, it's tempting to just get it and pick it apart, no? Alternative to SmartMedia floppy adapters, perhaps it would accept a 2.88 floppy drive unit (not sure about size, but maybe from an IBM laptop)? Guess it's probably too much to hope to hack into a simple cheap TV output unit, but how about some sort of direct floppy cable interface? Perhaps install the unit into a desktop and send data to it from within, say from a virtual drive of less limited size than 1.44MB? I'll say it again, despite the potential for failure: "seems like there must be SOME way to make it work..." 09-09-2002 10:27:14

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) piperpacer Profile Does Windows CE support a Floppy drive? It would appear that most CE devices are legacy free. If the floppy drive is an IDE device like the LS-120 than there may be an outside chance this thing would support other IDE device like an IDE to CF adapter. Still, with no hacking this would be an interesting device for my folks to use to view pictures of the grandkids. http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/MSPhotoViewer/index.asp?sourceid=00294077375938580809 09-09-2002 12:04:54

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) piperpacer Profile I found a review: http://www.activewin.com/reviews/hardware/digital/mstvphotoviewer/ 09-09-2002 12:33:57

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ztw4 Profile Hell with it. I needed a few small items anyway they had for cheap, just ordered the dammned thing. Should receive it in a week or so, I'd imagine, provided no backorder. 09-09-2002 13:12:08

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile Wish they would have dropped these a few months ago before I got my damn websurfer that never works to show pics.... 09-09-2002 14:41:57

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Musicman38 Profile | Email Damn you guys, your gonna put me in the poor house !!! (Grin..) I coul dnot resist at only $15 for such a cool gadget.. I ordered 4 of them, think I'll give them out for Christmas Presents.. Ha Ha... Aftre I play with one for awhile (Of Course..) They look expensive, so it will look like I paid a $100.00 or more for them. I'll just load up a floppy disk or two with photos, and it will be one of those cool presents you play with one or two times and it will sit in your closet after that.. Ha Ha.. -Musicman 09-09-2002 16:06:57

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) preacher Profile | Email If you are going to buy one, buy it now. I talked to TigerDirect, and they are no longer selling for $14.99, but are $29.99. They can't find where the page is being served from on their server or something. Doesn't make sense to me, but the page is still there. I just ordered and confirmed 2. 09-11-2002 07:27:32

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Musicman38 Profile | Email I think pdp1145 made up that special link himself somehow (Smile..), I myself ordered 4 on-line only after I called and tried to order by phone. The rep told me they were $29.95 even asked his Supervisor. I gave them the webpage link and they looked it up and refused to honor it.. Ha Ha !!! I said forget it and ordered on-line at $14.95 All 4 on the way already by UPS at $14.95 each.. 09-11-2002 16:30:40

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile I tried to order three from the website this evening and it would only let me order two. It gave a me a message that one of the items in the cart has a quantity limit (or something like that). Maybe since they don't know where to remove the rogue web page, they decided to add the limit as a stop gap. YMMV. Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 09-11-2002 21:27:45

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ztw4 Profile Well, now they're up to $19.99, glad I ordered earlier. Should get it around middle of the week or so, never can be sure with UPS ground. 09-13-2002 10:23:13

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ztw4 Profile Well, like I said, you never know with UPS. I got it today, was waiting for me when I got home a few minutes ago. Tired as hell, but couldn't resist cracking it open. Should tell you something about my evening. Probably should have made sure it worked, but I'm obviously sleepy and not thinking clearly. So far, all I have to report, it's a standard Mitsumi floppy, with 34 pin connector, slightly heavier duty drive but doesn't look like anything particularly special. Will be happy to provide pictures, if anyone's interested. Tomorrow though, beddy bye now. 09-14-2002 00:21:36

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email ztw4 Please do post pictures. I am too impatient to wait for mine to arrive. I finally broke down and ordered one on Thursday. Anything interesting on the circuit board? 09-14-2002 07:24:24

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email Well, I got mine today at work. It works as advertised. Popped it open real quick. Fairly spartan inside. One PCB with a Z180 processor, a rom chip, 2 ram and I guess a video chip. I am sure there is a floppy controller chip some where. No headers or unpopulated connectors. This was just a quick glance. The floppy drive is held in with double stick tape! 09-16-2002 13:05:44

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile I've scanned the mainboard. I've tried to upload it to Yahoo Photos, but it looks like they have changed the viewing policies. "Everyone" isn't allowed access to the hi-res versions of the photos. You can look at the medium res images here: http://photos.yahoo.com/smoke_liberator Look under the MS Photo Viewer folder. If there is enough interest, I'll try to find an alternate means of uploading the hi-res image (1.5 MB). Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 09-16-2002 13:48:19

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email Glitch, If you want I can put it on my website at saracom.com. Just email me the file or I can setup FTP for you. I don't imagine there would be much traffic. Max 09-16-2002 16:33:14

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) petejengkol Profile I can put on my webserver if you want ... Pete PS: just received it for UPS 09-17-2002 14:01:33

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile pdp1145: Thanks for the offer! I've sent a copy to the email address in your profile. petejengkol: Thank you for the offer! I thought I had your email address but I can't find it. Send email at "smoke_liberator at yahoo dot com" (or my regular email address) and I will send a copy of the scan to you also. Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 09-17-2002 15:23:14

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) jayklm Profile I got 2 of the devices. The device seems interesting. My digital camera sucks so I took the low res picture from Glitch's yahoo thing and labeled the parts. http://sharkfin.fizzlez.com/mstv/ 09-17-2002 15:33:56

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email Thanks Glitch, Here is the link: http://www.saracom.com/MS_Picture_Viewer2.jpg 09-17-2002 20:36:07

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile ztw4: Nice diagram. The following file can be used to interpret the memory part number: http://www.samsungelectronics.com/semiconductors/dram/technical_data/data_sheets/SDR%20Product%20Guide%20July.'02.PDF Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 09-17-2002 21:04:22

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ztw4 Profile Wasn't me who did the diagram; pdp1145 is the one you should thank. Between work and dealing with some problems at home (some f**king pervert keeps peeking in our windows, have had the cops out twice this week alone), I have been too busy to do anything with the unit. Although of course, I did take it apart the night I got it. Confirm, mine also has the drive held in by double sided tape. That Microsoft, class all the way... 09-18-2002 10:37:57

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) jayklm Profile But it is some nice double sided tape. hmm i bet the tape is copy protected. :) 09-18-2002 12:30:16

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Glitch Profile Microsoft used the good stuff (double sided tape). When I took my viewer apart the tape held fast to the floppy drive. When I removed the top of the viewer case, the top of the floppy drive came with it. Quality tape aside, I expected a bit more from MS. The tape is something that I would do on a hack job. It isn't something I'd expect to see in a commercial product. BTW, anyone have any ideas on what this thing is running? I'm pretty sure that none of the Microsoft products support the Z180 processor. Glitch Electronics run on smoke, if you let the smoke out they won't work 09-19-2002 21:35:49

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ouzome Profile Ztw4 - you didn't make the news did you. Yesterday they were talking about a guy who noticed a chair was being constantly moved in front of their bathroom window in the backyard. The cops advised it wouldn't be a good idea to set a bear trap, so the guy tied fishing line to the chair and placed the reel on his kitchen table. That night the reel jumped off the table, he grabbed a pole, and ordered the guy moving the chair to the window to lay on the ground. It ended up being his neighbor looking at his daughters. It sounds familiar, but I would think you would use something for high-tech than fishing line. Motion sensors, web cam? All kdding aside, sorry about the invasion on your privacy, that is only for the sick. 09-20-2002 09:26:11

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) ztw4 Profile Still haven't had a chance to gut the sucker, haven't even plugged it in to try it yet. Will do so this weekend. No, wasn't me on the news. I live in a basement apt, ground floor windows right on driveway between my house and my neighbors. Caught the guy FOUR times trying to look in my (attractive female) roommate's bedroom, despite the shades and curtains. First time she saw him she screamed so loud, my neighbors thought I was killing her or something. Freaky. 09-20-2002 14:57:50

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) antiph3d Profile Has anyone had a chance to play with these? I bought 2 but had them delivered to my other house so I haven't opened the boxes yet. 10-19-2002 09:12:07

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email Well I have not anything with mine. But they are now free if you pay for an order with a visa card at Tiger Direct: http://www.tigerdirect.com/visa/index1.asp?SRCCODE=SLIP1 Have fun 11-08-2002 13:54:49

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile Wow! Even a $159 value! Yippee! On a side note...I just saw a similar thing at radio shack (made by radio shack) only it takes compact flash and smartmedia cards, so there really would be no reason to hack. it was only $50 I beleive. 11-08-2002 15:44:58

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email Yeah it seems everybody is coming out with something. There are the viewers and then there is the memory card to hard disk. Too bad IOMEGA came out with theirs too soon. One based on a hard drive or 750 zip drive would be cool. I still think however the original viewer (IOMEGA fotoshow) is the best. Just wish their were hacks. 11-08-2002 16:46:03

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) jsmmd Profile Does anyone have a line if this thing has an OS or it just a BIOS? Also, does anyone know anything about the format? Is there anyway to have it display a disk full of JPEGS? or some other alternative? 11-21-2002 20:11:47

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) pdp1145 Profile | Email jsmmd, It uses DOS formated disks. 640x480 jpgs. Supposedly a Sony Mavica will create the proper diskette too. Also any windows software. I have not used mine and now its christmas time.... max 11-22-2002 16:46:44

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) jsmmd Profile Format: I tired the Sony Mavica format. It seems the images need to be 640x480 jpegs. I resize the photo in photoshop and it didn't work. Other photos put through the MS TPV program do. Has anyone had any luck reverse engineering it? 11-22-2002 22:07:47

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile How about one of these for $6.98 shipped? I guess it's not very hackable...but hey...7 bucks is 7 bucks... http://www.tigerdirect.com/visa/index1.asp?SRCCODE=SLIP1 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=TC1-10000I%20B (just buy one of these!) It probably cost tigerdirect more than that! 01-02-2003 19:23:27

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Groch Profile | Email Well, not quite that cheap. Ground shipping on the cable alone would run me $9.06 01-02-2003 21:35:16

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) mooner Profile WOW, Ground to WA was 19bucks, what is up with that? +1.99 for the cable, ouch! I waited on hold for almost an hour to ask why so much, but got angry and hung up. 01-02-2003 21:49:42

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile Oh damn! I didn't think about the shipping for the cable...so they charge $4.99 shipping for the picture thing, and $9 something for the cable? It probably cost the same to ship the picture thing and cable as just the picture thing... 01-02-2003 23:25:47

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) mooner Profile Anyone have one of these that they want to part with? thanks... mooner at gte dot net 01-03-2003 09:58:30

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Miyu2002 Profile Wonder if you could pull video out to feed a cheep LCD screen? Be a way to do your own picture screen. 06-15-2003 18:47:31

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) zmoz Profile Any LCD with RCA video in would work great...otherwise it probably wouldn't work. 06-16-2003 15:10:08

RE:Microsoft TV Viewer for $14.99 at Tiger Direct (modified 0 times) Miyu2002 Profile Would be nice to have a tapoff to do rgb plus sync. The Digital to Analog converter and the big programable chips may make it tough or super easy. 06-17-2003 05:10:03

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