Adafruit PiCowBell HSTX DVI Output for Pico

Ding dong! Hear that? It's the PiCowbell ringing, letting you know that the new Adafruit PiCowbell HSTX DVI Output for Pico is in stock and ready to display images and graphics from a microcontroller directly to an HDMI monitor or television! Note that it doesn't do audio, just graphics.

The PiCowbell matches the size and shape of a Raspberry Pi Pico and is intended to socket underneath to make your next video output project super easy. It features a mini HDMI connector compatible with standard HDMI cables, a STEMMA QT / Qwiic connector for fast I2C communication, a reset button, and an extra switch for restarting code or changing configuration.

This board uses HSTX-specific pins GPIO 12-19 for RP2350 usage and has a slimmer slide-switch. It also adds four USB host port pads that can be used with PIO-USB to add a peripheral. The board is compatible with either Pico 1 (RP2040, using PIO-DVI) or Pico 2 (RP2350, using PIO-DVI or HSTX-DVI), with a recommendation for Pico 2 due to improved HSTX peripheral capabilities saving PIO and processor time when generating video.

• Right angle JST SH connector for I2C / Stemma QT / Qwiic: provides 3V, GND, IO4 (SDA), and IO5 (SCL), also connected through to the HDMI sink with level shifting for reading EDID.
• Mini HDMI connector for DVI output to any HDMI display or monitor.
• Pin breakout for HDMI extras: Utility, CEC, and HotPlug pins.
• Reset button to restart your program.
• Slide switch on GPIO #3 for customizable use.
• USB host port pads for adding peripherals via PIO-USB.
• Duplicate hole pads for solder-jumpering and gold-plated pads for easy soldering.

In Arduino, the board uses a fork of PicoDVI or Adafruit_DVI_HSTX libraries to create an internal framebuffer that is continuously output as digital video. The library is a subclass of AdafruitGFX, making it familiar for those who have used other Adafruit displays. CircuitPython support for DVI output is also available but requires significant memory.

Each order comes with an assembled PCB and header; soldering the header yourself is required. Various header configurations are stocked, including Pico Stacking Headers, Pico Socket Headers, Short Socket Headers, or direct soldering to Pico headers for compact builds.

Product Dimensions: 52.4mm x 20.3mm x 4.9mm (2.1" x 0.8" x 0.2")

Weight: 4.5g (0.2oz)