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Hanimex E300 Super 8 Viewer Retrofit

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Project Overview

This project turns a vintage Hanimex E300 Super 8 Viewer into a mini CRT look-alike computer running a Raspberry Pi 4.

Features

  • LCD Screen Integration: Replaces the original optical components with a high-resolution LCD screen.
  • Raspberry Pi 4: Utilizes the power of Raspberry Pi 4 for OS and connectivity.
  • OS: Linux OS of choice, since it's Raspberry Pi. This project used Kali Linux.

Getting Started

Needed for the build

  • Hanimex E300 Super 8 Viewer
  • Raspberry Pi 4 or other SBC.
  • Raspi Case
  • Speaker (optional) - the project uses a Bluetooth speaker; porting out from the Raspberry Pi audio port or the screen's audio board would also work well.
  • LCD screen - 7.0 inch CLAA070MA0ACW 800x600
  • Basic tools for electronics (soldering iron, screwdrivers, etc.)
  • Metal file for interior and creating an exterior hole for IO
  • Knowledge of Linux, especially boot/config for screen orientation and alignment
  • Keyboard: This project used a custom orthographic 40% keyboard build. However, any Bluetooth or wired keyboard will do.
  • Mouse: This project used a Lofree Xiaoqiao Bluetooth mouse, but any wired or Bluetooth mouse will do.

Steps to recreate

  • Disassemble the Hanimex E300: Remove the original components to make space for the new electronics. I disposed of the film arms but toyed with the idea of mounting a secondary screen to one of them.
  • Installation of the LCD Screen: Fit the LCD screen into the viewer. This involves filing some of the interior of the Hanimex chassis away.
  • Set Up Raspberry Pi 4: Install the desired Linux flavour on your Raspberry Pi and then edit the boot/config screen settings for orientation and alignment.
  • Power and wiring: Inside this project is a double USB-C charger powering both screen and Raspi, the charger is connected to a single mains power port, cut and wired to the original power switch on the front of the Hanimex.
  • IO: Since the Raspi 4 has a lot of useful IO, in this project, I cut a hole in the side of the Hanimex to let the user access all of the IO. To make this neat, the Raspi is in an off-the-shelf protective case.

Acknowledgments