Differences

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--- pilot [2025/02/20 16:29] – [Hardware requirements] osnr
+++ pilot [2025/11/24 22:47] (current) – [Hardware list for setting up a Folk instance] osnr
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 Do you want to set up your own Folk system?
-**Note: Folk is in a pre-alpha state and isn't yet well-documented or well-exampled.
+**Note: Folk is in a pre-alpha state and isn't yet well-documented or well-exampled.**
-We're making Folk's source code & instructions free and available to the public, in case you're already excited about trying it, but we haven't formally announced it or made it ready for public use. We make no guarantee of support, of usability, or of continuing backward compatibility. Try at your own risk!**
+**We're making Folk's source code & instructions free and available to the public, in case you're already excited about trying it, but we haven't formally announced it or made it ready for public use. We make no guarantee of support, of usability, or of continuing backward compatibility. Try at your own risk!**
 ==== Software requirements ====
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 == Computer ==
-  * We recommend the [[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SYSPSSM|Beelink SER5]] ($300) mini PC or the [[https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Computer-Desktop-Display-Ethernet/dp/B0BVFXCJ2V|Beelink Mini S12]] ($160) mini PC. An Intel NUC can also work (folk0 at Hex House is a Hades Canyon NUC).
+  * folk-hex at Hex House is a [[https://www.microcenter.com/product/685408/minisforum-atomman-g7-ti-gaming-mini-pc|Minisforum AtomMan G7 TI]]. For cheaper systems, we've had good experiences with the [[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SYSPSSM|Beelink SER5]] ($300) mini PC, although it's a bit old now. An Intel NUC or Steam Deck can also work. Find a relatively recent mini PC or gaming PC and you should be OK.
   * <del>For portable installations, a [[https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/|Raspberry Pi 4]] (may be difficult to get) or an [[http://www.orangepi.org/html/hardWare/computerAndMicrocontrollers/details/Orange-Pi-5.html|Orange Pi 5]] ($50-100)</del>
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   * Any projector will do, but any projector with a native resolution of less than 1080p will only be good for projecting shapes & very large text.
-  * Ultra-short-throw projectors like the Samsung The Premiere are expensive but can be really bright and may allow you to avoid overhead mounting.
+  * Ultra-short-throw projectors like the Samsung The Premiere are expensive but can be really bright and may allow you to avoid overhead mounting. It may be difficult to calibrate an ultra-short-throw projector (because it's hard to tilt the calibration board and the optics are really distorted)
 == Camera ==
-  * Any 720p, 1080p, or 4K webcam may work, but we recommend you get a webcam that has the ability to **set manual exposure** (including any of the below). You'll also have a better experience if the webcam can at least do 60fps at 720p.
+  * Any 720p, 1080p, or 4K webcam may work, but we recommend you get a webcam that has the ability to **set manual exposure** (including any of the below). (This is so that the camera image doesn't get washed out by light from the projector during calibration.)
+    * You'll also have a better experience if the webcam can do 60fps at whatever resolution you have set.
-    * We use a Logitech BRIO 4K. A Logitech C920 series 1080p webcam is often used & is easy to find & affordable, but the [[https://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-c922-pro-stream-1080-webcam-for-hd-video-streaming-black/5579380.p?skuId=5579380|Logitech C922]] is probably a better option, because it can do 720p60; the C920 can only do 720p30.
+    * We would recommend a [[https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-NexiGo-N980P-Reduction-Wide-Angle/dp/B08DHPBP65|NexiGo N980P]] (1080p, 60Hz). We've used the Logitech BRIO 4K (4K, 60Hz), which has better specs, but its optics aren't as easy to calibrate as the NexiGo.
+      * A Logitech C920 series 1080p webcam is often used & is easy to find & affordable, but the [[https://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-c922-pro-stream-1080-webcam-for-hd-video-streaming-black/5579380.p?skuId=5579380|Logitech C922]] is probably a better option, because it can do 720p60; the C920 can only do 720p30.
       * (We used to use a Microsoft Azure Kinect, but it can only do 30Hz.)
-      * We want to try the NexiGo N660P (1080p60): look for a webcam like the N660P or BRIO 4K that can do 60Hz if possible.
+    * Hang your webcam as close to the table (projection surface) as possible. You want the tags to be as big in the webcam image as possible to help detection stability. (If ceiling mounting, you will probably find that your webcam should be much lower than your projector.) You want to avoid having a lot of pixels in the camera image that are 'wasted' (not also covered by the projector / are outside your table area).
 == Printer ==
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 ==== Support ====
-Note: it's very not-turnkey right now; you'll definitely run into bugs and issues. We plan to do a more comprehensive release and announcement in 2024, including more examples and explanations, but there's a lot of work to do before then.
+Note: it's very not-turnkey right now; you'll definitely run into bugs and issues. We plan to do a more comprehensive release and announcement, including more examples and explanations, but there's a lot of work to do before then.
 We're happy to talk about consulting work if you want dedicated support or system development. Reach out at [[mailto:omar@folk.computer|omar@folk.computer]] and [[mailto:cwervo@folk.computer|cwervo@folk.computer]].