What is it?
“Picture TV” is, in simplest form, a linux box (raspberry Pi) which feeds media content onto our TV. Primary output is a clock, real time temperatures, and a rotating set of over 15 years of digital photos.
Sounds ridiculously simple, but, you’d be amazed how many hours our family has reminisced because of a photo which randomly came across the screen. And those conversations are the real goal of this project.
When did this Script Start?
Answer: Probably around 2005.
“Picture TV” was one of the leading goals of writing Picturescript, and has evolved ever since. A recent addition has been the realtime feed of raspberry pi data.
Why?
Yet another script where I could have chosen something better which already exists (Plex and Kodi come to mind). Why would I write one myself?
Learning
My main goal is to keep learning. This particular technology uses a combination of python, conky,feh, redis and other commonly available utilities under just about any linux distro.
Simplicity of Use
I love simple, purpose built designs, and strive for that in Picture TV.
Simplicity of Maintenance
Distros come and go, media servers evolve ever so quickly, and yet, our Picture TV content marches on. No databases, no PHP updates, just the occasional OS update.