A Potentially Explosive Error - Just received the new PCBs for the ESP32-TV project and they're looking sharp with only a tiny resistor tweak needed. But I discovered a sneaky, undocumented resistor causing a conflict between the ESP32 and USB2244 over the USB connection. Fixed that, but there's a bigger issue lurking in the design - check the schematic in the video and see if you can spot it before I reveal the explosive mistake!

More Updates on the ZX Spectrum Board - I'm gearing up for production with some updates to our prototype, including switching to a 4-layer board to improve EMI, and refining USB power filtering. Check out the video for a deep dive into our battery charger and an exciting expansion port for potential HDMI output. The main goal now is to get our boards ready for manufacturing and shipping through Crowd Supply!

Minimalist Microcontroller: Building a Bare-Bones Dev Board - In a thrilling DIY endeavour, I attempted to build the most minimalist ESP32 dev board possible. Diving deep into the schematic of the ESP32 S3 WROOM module, I chopped out the non-essentials and whittled our needs down to bare bones. The experiment saw me juggling USB data lines and voltage regulators, waving goodbye to an array of capacitors and connectors and boldly embracing the simplicity of direct connections. Despite a few hitches, the miniature Frankenboard came alive, proving that sometimes less is more...at least in the world of microcontrollers.

I broke it and then i fixed it - Started off on a techie adventure with an RP2040 DVI board from Adafruit, aiming to get the pico-zxspectrum going. Things started acting haywire once the USB hub got involved, ending in a complete shutdown, intuitive diagnosis showed the power pin was a ghost town! After pin-pointing (and removing) the dead IC, I performed a delicate soldering operation to bless it with a new 3V3 regulator. Working the kinks out with the resolution led to a thrilling revival and, voila, we were back in business with DVI output and SD Card support!

The PCBs are in production - what have I messed up? - After some stress and trepidation, I finally took the plunge and sent my PCB design off for manufacturing. My design centers around building a large seven-segment clock with LED filaments. Jumping hurdles such as voltages, pin usage, and limiting the load on my power supply, I've settled on the ESP32 as the system's heart and come up with a final circuit design. While doing this, I've quickly realized I could improve my layout and fixed a small mistake. Also, I've prepared for either types of LED filaments - the high-voltage ones or the larger, 3v ones. However, I did bungle up a couple of things on the enable line of the shift registers and board layout. But hey, this is a learning curve, right? Can't wait to get the boards and see what other exciting errors surface!

ESP32-TV Version 3 - Is it done? - In today's project update, I'm excited to share that my ESP32-TV boards, fresh from PCBWay, are operating flawlessly! We've successfully dealt with the USB2244 conflict with the ESP32, and the battery charging issue is now a thing of the past. We've also made some awesome additions like a microphone to our board. The real MVP though, is the USB2244 chip that’s given us significantly improved read/write speeds - making it perfect for handling video files. Next on the agenda, figuring out a solution for the non-standard display connector. As ever, there’s progress, there’s problems, and there's David Bowie animated gifs!

Can You Spot the Problem? - Buckle up folks, this video is a thrilling one! There's everything from unboxing my new ESP32 TV boards that arrived from PCB Way to discovering some hidden issues. We're talking about some pesky problems, surprises, and even a potential catastrophic error that could've led to a disaster. The main dish is the high-speed SD card access over USB - ultimately achieving a whooping transfer rate! But, the journey is a roller-coaster ride, from the project completely failing initially, to some smart hacks and triumphant moments. All the peripherals worked well, from the display to the sound amplifier and even the infrared receiver. Despite the ups and downs, there's a lot to learn and that's what makes this video exciting! Can't wait to share the improvements I have in mind for turning the prototype into the ultimate all-in-one device. But first, let's address the elephant in the room - an ill-placed diode that's a ticking bomb, because you know, safety first!

Happiness is a Working Blink Sketch - ESP32-S3 PCBs Are Here! - In this video, I explore the functions of my newly arrived little boards - essentially a PCB that an esp32 S3 room module can be connected to. I put the board's voltage regulator, battery charger, and a 3 watt class D amplifier to the test, and damn, they work perfectly! I even use breadboards, connecting them together to facilitate a wider workspace. I gave the pcbs a spin, conducting sanity checks to ensure full functionality. With a successful battery charge and impressive voltage measurements, my PCB's are up to the challenge. I also dabble in some circuit jargon, explaining schematics, amplifiers, battery chargers and a clever mosfet approach. To top it off, I solder on an ESP32 module and prove that yes, it actually works. Stay tuned for a following video where we'll work with a speaker and display!

ESP32-S3 - Which Pins Are Safe To Use? - In this video, I've decided to dive deep into the ESP32-S3, a module ruling my lab recently due to its plug-in-and-play functionality, and the flexibility offered by its GPIO matrix. However, working with it requires vigilance, especially with regard to the strapping pins and USB data pins, among others. Discovering such quirks, I've encountered unexpected values, short glitches and the occasional code crash. To help you avoid these bumps, I've documented everything I've learned on my GitHub repo, where I'm inviting you, my fellow makers and engineers, to contribute your valuable experiences and findings. After a minor hiccup with my ESP32-TV, expect an updated PCB design, courtesy of PCBWay. Explore the ESP32-S3 with me, and let's unravel its secrets together, one pull request at a time.

Lots of Stuff - And a NEW PCB! It's a rare mailbag video. - In today's episode, I'm unboxing some goodies from PCB way - my super tiny esp32 breakout boards, which I'm planning to use to recreate a mini TV complete with speakers and a display. Also received some convenient adapter boards for easier testing. Excited to explore a new Arduino Nano esp32 based on a different, tinier module, and contrasting it with other products like the Tiny Pico. Also up for testing is a new mini wear electronic load compared to my old one, and an ATX power adapter for more USB ports. I'll be testing power banks, playing with inexpensive yellow displays and nunchucks for fun gaming projects, and testing out an RGB bead curtain with hackable possibilities. Also, under my ongoing experiments is a Raspberry Pi zero, turning into a 'Doom' playing device with added sound and game controllers. Finally, an air quality measuring device for detecting air particles, CO2 levels, humidity, temperature and other parameters is up for exploration as well. A whole array of fun projects queued up, so stay tuned!