I am looking for a way to start video clips and play them on a tv using the Arduino to incorporate into an existing project. I know the Arduino can't do it by itself, and I haven't found any shields/video cards that can play video upon a direction from the Arduino. Any advice where to look for a solution that could store the video and play it without the use of a computer and Processing?
Why not just use a DVD player and use the Arduino as the remote control. The library IRremote and a infrared LED (together with a resistor) are all that's needed. I guess you have such a device at home already or get a used one on ebay.
I considered that option, and thanks for the infrared idea. I am just concerned about the timing, which is critical for the system. If the delay of the dvd player varies, then it would be hard to synchronize the Arduino to the video.
You told nothing about timing and synchronisation. Do you have any other constraints? For example: why can't you use a computer? My next idea would have been a mediaplayer but that's a computer too. Tell us what you don't wanna use and tell us WHY you don't wanna us it.
The system is meant to be run as a self supporting unit without a computer. If building the system from scratch, I would consider using a computer to play the video, but I can't justify adding a computer to the system for just that one component of the project. I would love if there were a product like the wav shield but for video. Since there isn't I was hoping to hack another device to be controlled by the arduino, probably via serial port.
Do you know the media player where you can insert an SD card containing the video files and the play it on your TV? Would that be an option? It's controlled by an infrared link too but there are no mechanical parts that influence the play delay so it should be predictable.
If you don't wanna go with IR just buy one with hardware buttons and control the buttons with a relay or something similar.
Google turns up various solid state video players that can be controlled via a serial port, but they seem to start at a couple of hundred bucks. If you don't think it's worth adding a PC to provide this, perhaps that sort of thing will be out of your budget too.
Something like a Raspberry Pi, then you wouldn't need the Arduino.
If you can get one in time, of course...