'Video Out' needed desperately

[mcongrove]

Hey all,

Yet again I find myself here at ET trying to find an answer to some obscure question. It's been asked before on a few other sites, but no one has an answer. So here's the dilemma:

I have a Treo 650 (obviously) with an app called GPS FlightMaster (it's a GPS program for aviation), as well as a Deluo GPS receiver. It all works fine together.

I use this as my GPS while flying, so you could guess how important it can be at times (like when in the clouds and hopelessly trying to find a way down). My concern, though, is that if needed in an emergency, the screen size could be an issue. I don't want to have to squint my eyes to see the GPS while trying to get my engine working again.

So does anyone know a way to get video out of the Treo 650 and into any other type of monitor? (Cannot output through SD, as the software is on there).

I've been looking at things like a Tablet PC, but I may as well just hook the GPS receiver up to that. I don't really have that kind of cash, though.

The screen doesn't need to be a whole lot larger, maybe only twice as large (both height and width).

I came across PitchDuo, but at $279 I would think that there has got to be a better option out there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

[kabeyun]

So does anyone know a way to get video out of the Treo 650 and into any other type of monitor? (Cannot output through SD, as the software is on there).

I hope someone corrects me on this, but I don't think there's currently a solution for Treo video mirroring. Certainly not a cabled solution. Theoretically a wireless feed could work, since there are Treo-as-webcam solutions out there, but I know of none that offer what you need. Sorry.

Anyone else?

-K

P.S. A side question: isn't there some FAA certification that has to play in here? Or is it don't-ask-don't-tell?

[mcongrove]

Well, wireless would actually be preferred. It I could get the Bluetooth to output video and have the RCA plugs in the TV with a Bluetooth adapter, that'd be amazing.

As far as the FAA certification, yes, it does come into play. My Treo in no way can be used for navigational purposes in flight. In can only be used as a back-up (to verify the correctness of other instruments), behind all legal means (so after I've looked at one map, then another, and another, and then at an airport directory, and then at something else, and something else, etc etc etc, THEN I can look at my Treo).

However, there's a nice little rule (FAR 91.3) that says in an emergency, a pilot can do whatever is necessary (with or against the laws) in order to get to safety. Therefore, in an emergency, the Treo 650 is a very valid back-up instrument. It even has two cockpit instruments built into it (and it's the two intruments that are most likely to fail).

So, it's not legal to use unless there's an emergency. At that point, it's still illegal, but I have a rule that is a sweeping generalization as my reasoning, and I've be covered from any legal issues. =]

[mcongrove]

Oh, and since I'm at it...

Anyone know a way to rotate the screen to landscape mode for the 650?

Turbulence and a Treo don't mix well, I presume, and I'd rather have my phone neatly stashed instead of barely hanging on. Most cubby-holes in planes are horizontal.

[kabeyun]

Well, wireless would actually be preferred. It I could get the Bluetooth to output video and have the RCA plugs in the TV with a Bluetooth adapter, that'd be amazing.

You'll have to look into Treo webcam solutions to see if this is possible beyond theory. Even if it is, I'm not sure if Bluetooth 1.1 has the bandwidth to support streaming video.

Anyone know a way to rotate the screen to landscape mode for the 650?

Can't be done. Limitation of the Palm OS implementation on a Treo.

Sorry, I'm just not full of good news today!

-K