MAKE: Blog: Ybox 2 - Networked set-top box in an Altoids tin

Ybox 2 - Networked set-top box in an Altoids tin

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Tarikh and Josh from Uncommon Projects write in about the new Ybox 2 (The ybox2 is the second-generation networked set-top box in an Altoids tin)

Hello friends and YBox enthusiasts! We have some exciting news to share. There is a new YBox on the block--the YBox 2!

The YBox made its debut as a quick and dirty prototype for Yahoo's first public Hackday. Then it reappeared as a kit, a series of workshops and a giveaway at last year's SF Maker's Faire. We had a great time sharing the project with folks, and so it's with real glee that we announce the YBox 2.

It was developed by Robert Quattlebaum a developer and classmate from the SF sessions. He's made a number of smart refinements to the project, including getting the cost down by replacing the Xport. Our secret (and admittedly improbable) goal was always to get this thing down to $10, and he managed to shave $50 off the cost with version 2! But there's more than just cost, including a speaker, a status light and countless tweaks. All in all a really exciting evolution. Congrats Robert.

Some of you have written to ask about new kits or to wonder why the wiki has been terrorized with spam. The kits are gone and we don't have time to make more. The good news is that the project continues and you can contact Robert if you'd like to purchase a new board or to download the board files and create your own Ybox 2. We'll work on getting the wiki cleaned up and we send a special thanks to all the folks who have put in countless hours scouring it.

OK that's it for now, happy hacking!

Ybox 2 - Networked set-top box in an Altoids tin - Link.

Related:

Ybox[1]
YBox in 60 Seconds - Link.

YBOX - turns a TV into a simple, web configurable ... - Link.

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: John on January 27, 2008 at 7:09 AM

What exactly would you use a "set-top box" for?

Posted by: Piotr.Illichosky on January 27, 2008 at 7:18 AM

According to Wikipedia: "[...]A set-top box is a device that connects to a television and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the tele.vision screen.[...]The signal source might be an ethernet cable , a satellite dish, a coaxial cable (see cable television), a telephone line (including DSL connections), Broadband over Power Line, or even an ordinary VHF or UHF antenna. Content, in this context, could mean any or all of video, audio, Internet webpages, interactive games, or other possibilities."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set-top_box/

Posted by: Phillip J. Fry on January 27, 2008 at 9:58 AM

I was wondering why they didn't go with the propeller chip. That thing already did 90% of what the ybox.1 did... And it was cheaper.

I'm guessing that the ybox.2 is going to be quickly snapped up by propeller developers as it looks to to be cheaper than a board-of-education from Parallax.

Posted by: Russell Nelson on January 27, 2008 at 7:27 PM

This would make a SWEET box if did video overlaying like a real set-top box does.

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