I2C Analog TV Modulator controlled by Arduino

Analog video is getting replaced by digital signals which provide better resolution and picture without noise or interference. But, analog video signal is easy to generate with simple hardware and then it can be FM modulated for broadcasting over a wire. I2C controlled RF modulators are common modules in obsolete VCRs and set top boxes. Most of them cover the entire UHF band and support multistandard sound carrier frequencies. Once taken out of its device, the modulator needs a microcontroller to set up its frequency and other parameters.

Using an Arduino board with LCD and keypad shield a full featured modulator can be built. Arduino can be used to generate video too, but a single board can't use I2C and generate video in the same sketch. You'll need different boards if that's what you want to do.

I used for this project a Samsung RMUP74055AD modulator with MBS74T1AEF controller. Some searching reveals the same IC is also used by Tena TNF0170U722 modulator. Some datasheets will come up too, if you search for them. Anyway, these modulators are 5V devices.

RMUP74055AD UHF RF modulator

Arduino Thermometer with... TV Output

Analog video is getting replaced by digital signals which provide better resolution and picture without noise or interference. Although receivers for digital signals are cheap and popular, devices for generating such signals are expensive and intended for professional use only. On the other hand, analog video is easy to generate with simple hardware. You can even broadcast it over RF (on wire, not on air) with common modulators (standalone devices or modules from video game consoles, set top boxes, VCRs etc.).

An easy way to generate video signal is by using a microcontroller and some resistors. I'll use for this purpose an Arduino board (ATmega 328p) with the TVout library. The video signal is of low resolution and black&white. But it can be used to display data on a TV screen. If you no longer own a TV with analog video input, an USB capture card can be used. TVout library is interrupt based, therefore will interfere with some of other interrupt dependent microcontroller features.