Shivam Goyal, going under the Geeky Tronics name, has developed the DigiPort HDMI computer dongle powered by a Raspberry Pi CM4 system-on-module and designed to be connected directly to the back of an HDMI or through an HDMI cable.
Since it does not support MHL, the DigiPort also needs a USB-C power source. You can add a keyboard and a mouse through its two USB 2.0 ports or via Bluetooth and network connectivity is managed through WiFi 5 making it a portable computer ready to use out of the box.
DigiPort specifications:
- Supported System-on-Module – Raspberry Pi CM4
- SoC – Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor @ 1.5 GHz
- System Memory – 1GB to 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
- Storage – 0GB (CM4 Lite), or 8GB to 32GB eMMC flash
- Wireless – Dual-band WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0
- Storage – MicroSD card for OS when using a CM4 Lite module
- Video Output – HDMI male connector up to 4Kp60
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Misc
- IR receiver
- Heatsink for CM4 module
- On-board antenna switch with selection between external antenna and PCB antenna
- Power Supply – 5V via USB-C port
- Dimensions – TBD
We’re told the DigiPort supports multiple operating systems including Raspberry Pi OS, other Linux distributions, and Android. It’s clear it’s just relying on existing images for the Raspberry Pi 4/CM4, and it’s purely a hardware project mainly consisting of designing the carrier board.
The HDMI computer dongle is probably most interesting to people already owning a Raspberry Pi CM4 and doing nothing with it. It would put the module to good use by converting it into a computer with all the basic ports and features you need to get started. Sadly, it lacks an enclosure. You can watch the video showing the HDMI dongle in action and its main use cases.
Shivam launched the DigiPort on Kickstarter a few days ago with a 5,000 AUD ($3,410 US) funding target that’s already been surpassed. Rewards for the DigiPort start at $70 US with the carrier board and a heatsink, meaning you’d need to bring your own Compute Module 4 and power supply, although you can also add those as options when configuring your rewards. You’ll also need to add about $27 US for shipping, so a complete system with 4GB RAM and accessories would probably cost close to $200 shipped making it a hard sell against Intel N100 mini PCs or other Alder Lake-N systems, some of which are already quite portable and cost less with better performance.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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