"You should be comfortable with a soldering iron"
September 27, 2015 8:09 PM Subscribe
Netflix releases schematics and code for The Switch, an open-source microcontroller-based hardware switch that can turn on the TV, dim your lights, order food, and silence your phone. A video of The Switch in action.
A time saving device shouldn't take all weekend to build. As a labor of love though, cool.
In the first image the PCB looks bigger than the box they made for it. What's up with that?
posted by adept256 at 8:42 PM on September 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
In the first image the PCB looks bigger than the box they made for it. What's up with that?
posted by adept256 at 8:42 PM on September 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
So the button will get me the Netflix part.
How do I get the Chill part?
posted by hot_monster at 8:49 PM on September 27, 2015 [19 favorites]
How do I get the Chill part?
posted by hot_monster at 8:49 PM on September 27, 2015 [19 favorites]
Yes but can it rationalize the new overage charges my internet provider has imposed because we're all watching Netflix instead of cable TV like God (or at least Telus) intended?
posted by sneebler at 8:52 PM on September 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by sneebler at 8:52 PM on September 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Finally, the switch floods the room with liquid nitrogen.
posted by Behemoth at 8:55 PM on September 27, 2015 [15 favorites]
posted by Behemoth at 8:55 PM on September 27, 2015 [15 favorites]
How do I get the Chill part?
You're going to need to visit your local meat market.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:14 PM on September 27, 2015 [7 favorites]
You're going to need to visit your local meat market.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:14 PM on September 27, 2015 [7 favorites]
How do I get the Chill part?
Pretty simple to add functionality to text your guy/delivery service.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 9:41 PM on September 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Pretty simple to add functionality to text your guy/delivery service.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 9:41 PM on September 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
How do I get the Chill part?
Send an API call to the Nest thermostat. Accept that the Nest may not be into the idea, and leave the air conditioner shut down.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2015 [11 favorites]
Send an API call to the Nest thermostat. Accept that the Nest may not be into the idea, and leave the air conditioner shut down.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2015 [11 favorites]
How do I get the Chill part?
Automated Tinder swiping and date-making. They'll be over in 15 minutes.
posted by naju at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2015
Automated Tinder swiping and date-making. They'll be over in 15 minutes.
posted by naju at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2015
In the first image the PCB looks bigger than the box they made for it. What's up with that?
The PCB to the right goes into the box. The PCB to the left (a raspberry) is used as an app server for the advanced features.
posted by effbot at 11:50 PM on September 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
The PCB to the right goes into the box. The PCB to the left (a raspberry) is used as an app server for the advanced features.
posted by effbot at 11:50 PM on September 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Pretty simple to add functionality to text your guy/delivery service.
I read this as "pretty simple to add functionality to your guy/delivery service."
posted by lollusc at 12:37 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
I read this as "pretty simple to add functionality to your guy/delivery service."
posted by lollusc at 12:37 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
is there something like this, but which will physically switch (via relays) six or more channels at ~30W per channel? i looked a year or two back and it seems that real, low noise (relays), moderate power switching is not cheap / commodity.
(i want to choose between 3 sets of stereo speakers).
posted by andrewcooke at 2:09 AM on September 28, 2015
(i want to choose between 3 sets of stereo speakers).
posted by andrewcooke at 2:09 AM on September 28, 2015
You can apparently get up to 4 "rooms" with this. I'm guessing that would be 8 total channels. Although it seems pricey (mid 200's on 'zon) and maybe overkill.
If I were trying to make one instead of relays I'd probably go for something like a useless machine setup to operate some dpst switches for each zone, because I never find that shit not funny.
posted by mcrandello at 2:29 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I were trying to make one instead of relays I'd probably go for something like a useless machine setup to operate some dpst switches for each zone, because I never find that shit not funny.
posted by mcrandello at 2:29 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
yeah, i'm trying to make my own version of that for less.
posted by andrewcooke at 2:34 AM on September 28, 2015
posted by andrewcooke at 2:34 AM on September 28, 2015
> is there something like this, but which will physically switch (via relays) six or more channels at ~30W per channel?
Assuming you want to also control volume remotely, program the system so that the volume control quickly pots down to silent before switching and returns to previous setting after switching.
Otherwise you can't get by with just a relay (an affordable one, anyway). If you search for various keyword combinations of "audio pop thump silent" etc, you'll find plenty of circuit plans addressing the problem. Some are also inadvertent high/low pass filters so it's worth reading the comments on them.
posted by ardgedee at 3:56 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Assuming you want to also control volume remotely, program the system so that the volume control quickly pots down to silent before switching and returns to previous setting after switching.
Otherwise you can't get by with just a relay (an affordable one, anyway). If you search for various keyword combinations of "audio pop thump silent" etc, you'll find plenty of circuit plans addressing the problem. Some are also inadvertent high/low pass filters so it's worth reading the comments on them.
posted by ardgedee at 3:56 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
So wait, what problem does this solve again? Remote control: I have, smartphone: I have. Why this random new thing I have to do?
posted by oceanjesse at 5:31 AM on September 28, 2015
posted by oceanjesse at 5:31 AM on September 28, 2015
*Note, do not attempt to build "The Switch" if you are a non-white high school student.
posted by modernnomad at 5:55 AM on September 28, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by modernnomad at 5:55 AM on September 28, 2015 [12 favorites]
ardgedee - i'm afraid that's not true. i'm switching the post power-amp signal (hence 30W), not the line level, pre-amp signal. that means that ringing from the switch is not amplified, and there's no thump from the power supply coming up (because it's already up), and you don't get the problem you describe.
i know you probably won't believe me, but i've been doing it with manual switches for ~20 years, and people have been telling me my speakers will be destroyed in months for all that time. it doesn't even sound bad (and this is pretty good quality equipment - naim amp, quad, b&w speakers).
posted by andrewcooke at 5:58 AM on September 28, 2015
i know you probably won't believe me, but i've been doing it with manual switches for ~20 years, and people have been telling me my speakers will be destroyed in months for all that time. it doesn't even sound bad (and this is pretty good quality equipment - naim amp, quad, b&w speakers).
posted by andrewcooke at 5:58 AM on September 28, 2015
"You should be comfortable with a soldering iron"
I should be comfortable with a lot of things.
posted by thelonius at 6:23 AM on September 28, 2015 [7 favorites]
I should be comfortable with a lot of things.
posted by thelonius at 6:23 AM on September 28, 2015 [7 favorites]
So wait, what problem does this solve again? Remote control: I have, smartphone: I have. Why this random new thing I have to do?
If that's your first thought, you're probably not the target audience here. In classic maker fashion, the goal isn't to produce something actually useful - it's to produce something marginally useful and kind of neat that comes with the thrill of actually getting to build it yourself. This is a weekend project, not a useful product.
In other words if you see it as something you "have to do" instead of "get to do", you probably shouldn't do it.
posted by Itaxpica at 6:42 AM on September 28, 2015 [8 favorites]
If that's your first thought, you're probably not the target audience here. In classic maker fashion, the goal isn't to produce something actually useful - it's to produce something marginally useful and kind of neat that comes with the thrill of actually getting to build it yourself. This is a weekend project, not a useful product.
In other words if you see it as something you "have to do" instead of "get to do", you probably shouldn't do it.
posted by Itaxpica at 6:42 AM on September 28, 2015 [8 favorites]
Right. This was at the Netflix booth this weekend at Maker Faire. Maker Faire is about building things because you can, not because you have to. That is why there is an entire booth devoted to the club of people who build their own R2-D2s (R2s-D2?). Including this incredibly sweet one, that is full-sized, fully articulated, lights up, talks, moves, and sings the original 20th Century Fox intro theme. Oh, yeah, and also features MeFi's own Pizza Rat.
posted by The Bellman at 6:56 AM on September 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by The Bellman at 6:56 AM on September 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
With voice commands via Xbone and Amazon Echo, I can do all this and more without touching a goddamn thing. Suck it, you primitive screwheads.
posted by Huck500 at 7:05 AM on September 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Huck500 at 7:05 AM on September 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
This is the Google Cardboard to Echo's Oculus Rift.
posted by Itaxpica at 7:35 AM on September 28, 2015
posted by Itaxpica at 7:35 AM on September 28, 2015
"Alexa, I'm bored. What new plaything do you have for me today?" "Season 9 of 'The Love Boat' is available for streaming." "Alexa, play and order me a pizza and chill." "Playing 'The Love Boat', season 9. Ordering a pizza and chilling."
posted by rmd1023 at 7:57 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rmd1023 at 7:57 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
I wish The Love Boat was available for streaming. You have a source?
posted by achrise at 8:30 AM on September 28, 2015
posted by achrise at 8:30 AM on September 28, 2015
Alas, no. We can't even get a full season of The Love Craft for extra Charo content.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:35 AM on September 28, 2015
posted by rmd1023 at 8:35 AM on September 28, 2015
TIL what "Netflix and chill" means.
posted by homunculus at 10:23 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 10:23 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
I don't know...it looks like a remote trigger for a bomb to me. Call in the authorities.
posted by rocket88 at 10:54 AM on September 28, 2015
posted by rocket88 at 10:54 AM on September 28, 2015
For our switch, we used a custom wooden enclosure with a standard momentary push button.
The fact that the button isn't built into the seat cushions makes me wonder if Netflix believes in their own product.
posted by effbot at 10:59 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
The fact that the button isn't built into the seat cushions makes me wonder if Netflix believes in their own product.
posted by effbot at 10:59 AM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well it incorporates a learning IR transmitter. So with a bit more you could make it work with any hardware.
posted by Mitheral at 1:29 PM on September 28, 2015
posted by Mitheral at 1:29 PM on September 28, 2015
So wait, what problem does this solve again? Remote control: I have, smartphone: I have. Why this random new thing I have to do?
This helps with the chill part of the equation. Once you let your paramour finger your Netflix button, they will be swept away by your obvious prowess with a soldering iron, and will want you. Desperately.
posted by gregor-e at 3:56 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
This helps with the chill part of the equation. Once you let your paramour finger your Netflix button, they will be swept away by your obvious prowess with a soldering iron, and will want you. Desperately.
posted by gregor-e at 3:56 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Netflix keeps the RESTORE KING OF THE HILL STREAMING button inside a bank vault. For the project to bring back King of the Hill, you need to be comfortable with a stethoscope and social engineering.
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:43 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:43 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
(You get in the vault by convincing the guard to trade the combination for the stethoscope)
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:44 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:44 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
andrewcooke, are industrial style DIN octal relays not beefy enough for your switching task? I would call those pretty commodity, and you could build them up using relay logic to switch as many speakers as you needed.
posted by aaronbeekay at 4:02 AM on September 29, 2015
posted by aaronbeekay at 4:02 AM on September 29, 2015
thanks i'll have a look at those.
posted by andrewcooke at 5:32 AM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by andrewcooke at 5:32 AM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
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