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I recently had an interesting find at a local thrift store: a mess of televisions used in a correctional facility! Unfortunately, I didn't find any drugs or shivs hidden in mine (would be a bit hard, given the cases are clear) but they're nice pieces of kit for $8 each.
They'd be super handy as external monitors for something like htop or other system monitors, but the HDMI and VGA port appear to be disabled somehow. However, intriguingly, there is a USB port "for factory use only". I can get about 5 more if I want and I can find a good project for them, but I don't really know where to start when it comes to potentially modifying them to re-enable the HDMI port. I figure they just need their firmware configured to enable the ports, but I have no idea where to start. If anyone has any ideas of where to start poking around I'd appreciate it. They're also a rather unusual item, so I'd be glad to entertain any questions you may have about them.
Imgur album with some pictures of one of the monitors in question.
As always, thanks!
[Editor's Note: I've done a bit of web searching, the monitor is marked as AMP'D HDTV Monitor SLTV-1519AP-3S with ATSC Tuner, and others seem to have got it working. It appears to be useful as a gaming display, as well as for other purposes. It is a 15" screen (720p). Anyone with any ideas?]
(Score: 4, Interesting) by unitron on Friday August 10 2018, @04:28PM (2 children)
Look for FCC ID numbers any and everywhere on the unit and Google what you find.
Also plug it into the FCC's own database--there's a web page somewhere.
You might discover a consumer market version of it that will lead you to service info.
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(Score: 2) by fishybell on Saturday August 11 2018, @03:55PM (1 child)
I don't believe there will be an FCC ID unless the monitor has wireless components. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
That said, looking for serial numbers is 100% the place to start.
(Score: 2) by unitron on Friday August 17 2018, @08:59PM
Anything electronic radiates RF at some level.
So you have to prove to the FCC that your device you want to market won't do so in a manner that will cause undue interference with other devices and I'm pretty sure you also have to show that your device is shielded well enough to not be interfered with by the allowed radiation of other devices.
So, it gets an FCC ID number as part of the process of submitting the info on the device to the FCC.
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