Studio 60 Countdown Clock
- Thread starter RickGreerUK
- Start date
MrGlass
New Member
The styrene there is way too flimsy to make a box.
While I ponder casing options (my specialty really is electronics), I made a few improvements on the digital side. The arduino resets ts time to 1970 when you unplug it, so it isn't very feasible alone. Luckily a friend had a spare clock module left over from a different project, so I now have accurate time keeping. I took the LEDs off (the wiring is pretty delicate, and keeps falling out of the breadboard when I have to move this off the kitchen table)and now have a nice small setup with jsut the clock, 4 buttons, and an arduino. This packs up pretty well, so over the next week or so I'm going to flesh out all the code needed to make this operate. Once thats done, I can plug in the LEDs and it should be working.
While I ponder casing options (my specialty really is electronics), I made a few improvements on the digital side. The arduino resets ts time to 1970 when you unplug it, so it isn't very feasible alone. Luckily a friend had a spare clock module left over from a different project, so I now have accurate time keeping. I took the LEDs off (the wiring is pretty delicate, and keeps falling out of the breadboard when I have to move this off the kitchen table)and now have a nice small setup with jsut the clock, 4 buttons, and an arduino. This packs up pretty well, so over the next week or so I'm going to flesh out all the code needed to make this operate. Once thats done, I can plug in the LEDs and it should be working.
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
Whoa, cool... interesting there were two different fonts used in the Groucho quote, aired in Ep. 2 within seconds of each other...
Big fan, will be watching this thread with interest...
Big fan, will be watching this thread with interest...
RickGreerUK
Member
Hey Mr Glass - found this while watching something else - thought it might be of help
Group: Arduino Projects | Arduino Programming - element14
Group: Arduino Projects | Arduino Programming - element14
MrGlass
New Member
Nothing big to report - swamped at work, havent had much time to devote to this. I have made some progress in my code, am looking into a remote control to set the time, and im pondering case options.
I've seen them before, but my main issues right now aren't really arduino. They do seem to have a more professional crowd on their forums. I just posted there asking about bigger displays, hopefully they will turn up something.
I've seen them before, but my main issues right now aren't really arduino. They do seem to have a more professional crowd on their forums. I just posted there asking about bigger displays, hopefully they will turn up something.
scottinthebooth
New Member
I just started getting caught up on RPF again and I was going to offer to dive into your clock project but it sounds like its well in hand! I've used AVRs before (the chip the Arduino is built on) to do clocks and had to use an external clock driver to keep accurate time. If it would be useful I have an AVR library to interface to a DS1302 RTC.
Scottinthebooth
Scottinthebooth
RickGreerUK
Member
Any progress to report Mr Glass. 
MrGlass
New Member
Any progress to report Mr Glass.
Sadly, nothing real to report. progress got stalled with the holidays, I'm still nowhere near making the case, and my software development got stalled by new versions of the arduino software.
Hopefully I'll have more time after new years.
pointofview
New Member
I'm also VERY interested in building this clock. I have a production company in Canada, and I've been OBSESSED with this clock, and would love to put a replica on the wall.
I think I found the person who MAY have bought the original clock as well, so I'll try to make contact to get more details on its construction. Otherwise, I suppose we'll have to make some guesses and get as aesthetically close as possible.
I think I found the person who MAY have bought the original clock as well, so I'll try to make contact to get more details on its construction. Otherwise, I suppose we'll have to make some guesses and get as aesthetically close as possible.
Let's get this thing moving again.
MrGlass and I have both been coming up empty on the exact parts used for this clock, but I think I may have come across a "good enough" substitute for the seven segment displays. If anyone else wants to take a stab at it, here is what we're looking for:
(pulled out of a screen cap from episode 2)
It's a ~5" tall dual digit seven segment display.
To give you an idea of what the finished clock will look like based on the dimensions I've estimated, I've made up the attached mockup.
MrGlass and I have both been coming up empty on the exact parts used for this clock, but I think I may have come across a "good enough" substitute for the seven segment displays. If anyone else wants to take a stab at it, here is what we're looking for:
(pulled out of a screen cap from episode 2)
It's a ~5" tall dual digit seven segment display.
To give you an idea of what the finished clock will look like based on the dimensions I've estimated, I've made up the attached mockup.
feek61
Sr Member
This one looks like a good match (and it's 5 inch)
5-Inch Single Digit 7 Segment LED Display - China 5 inch single digit led display,5 inch LED numeric display
5-Inch Single Digit 7 Segment LED Display - China 5 inch single digit led display,5 inch LED numeric display
That display looks spot on. If I were making one of these (and I think I might need to put one on my to-do list) I would have a local sign maker make up the entire front as one piece with the numbers and commas in a translucent red, and then use those displays to illuminate the segments. It looks like that might even be what was done on the prop.
RickGreerUK
Member
Any luck finding the original? Would be great to know how this was made or get some source pictures
Shyaporn
Well-Known Member
I was just re-watching this show, which I've done dozens of times. I often use it as a background muse when I'm writing or editing something, even though I know it's mostly recycled Sorkinisms and doesn't really accurately reflect what goes on in a writer's room or behind the scenes on a sketch comedy show.
I just realized this time around I'd love a countdown clock like the one in Wes'/Matt's office, to keep me on schedule with making YouTube videos, so I Googled it to see where the original went and if any replicas are for sale, and lo and behold, yet again, I'm brought back to the wonderful RPF
So.... any progress ladies and germs?
P.S. Any chance they hacked this:
http://www.amazon.com/Large-6-Digit...5990226&sr=8-2&keywords=big+digital+led+clock
or this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Giant-Large...684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d07ce6d3c
I just realized this time around I'd love a countdown clock like the one in Wes'/Matt's office, to keep me on schedule with making YouTube videos, so I Googled it to see where the original went and if any replicas are for sale, and lo and behold, yet again, I'm brought back to the wonderful RPF
So.... any progress ladies and germs?
P.S. Any chance they hacked this:
http://www.amazon.com/Large-6-Digit...5990226&sr=8-2&keywords=big+digital+led+clock
or this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Giant-Large...684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d07ce6d3c
Last edited:
mortdecrire
New Member
Any updates on the clock construction? I tried finding contact information for the propmaster on the pilot episode (who I assume would have created or would know who created the clock) to no avail.
Hey howdy. I know this thread is kind of dead but it's the best place to keep going... I'm committing myself to making this thing so I'm jumping into it. I'm gonna try and build off of what everyone has done here in the small two pages of comments. Best place for me to start is to post some new reference images I've been getting together. First thing you start to notice is that there are two slightly different versions of the clock (excluding the small one from the pilot episode).
The one on the left is from the Cold Open (Episode 02) and the one on the right is from What Kind of Day Has it Been (Episode 22). The only difference (so far as I can tell) is that on the last ever seen version of the clock the quote, "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." - G. Marx, lights up instead of just sitting on top of the clock. The last version is the one I would like to construct.
My next step is to take the information already collected here and see where to go next. I want to make sure I get the scale as close to the real one as possible. I'm also still working in trying to get in touch with anyone who might have worked on the props on this show.
Studio 60 is my favorite show of all time and it would be amazing to own a replica of the most iconic prop in the show (apart from the baseball bat probably). So, wish me luck, and if anyone else is out there and wants to jump back into this any help is welcome!
The one on the left is from the Cold Open (Episode 02) and the one on the right is from What Kind of Day Has it Been (Episode 22). The only difference (so far as I can tell) is that on the last ever seen version of the clock the quote, "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." - G. Marx, lights up instead of just sitting on top of the clock. The last version is the one I would like to construct.
My next step is to take the information already collected here and see where to go next. I want to make sure I get the scale as close to the real one as possible. I'm also still working in trying to get in touch with anyone who might have worked on the props on this show.
Studio 60 is my favorite show of all time and it would be amazing to own a replica of the most iconic prop in the show (apart from the baseball bat probably). So, wish me luck, and if anyone else is out there and wants to jump back into this any help is welcome!
xl97
Master Member
Not familiar with the show.. but I do hobby electronics a lot.
(No clue on scale either)
but it really doesnt seem like that difficult of a prop to make.
Its not a 'clock' (per se`)... right? just a count down 'timer'?
Not sure if a RTC (Real Time Clock) is really needed here or not?
How is the top (yellow) text lit up? all at once? (like back-lit?) or are they individual letter?
But really
An Arduino (name your flavor, Uno, Nano, Pro-Mini, Mega... last one might be over kill)
A MAX7219 chip (to easily control the 7-segment displays)..... you can control all 8 of them with the one chip)
some leds for the back lit stuff
some 7-segment displays (size of your choosing)
and some caps, resistors and transistor/mosfets (since the backlit stuff will probably have many leds, more than the Arduino can power itself.. so you'll need to use a transistor as 'switch' to provide all the current)
once you work through the MAX7219 set-up (which is pretty straight forward)..
the only other hurdle is the transistor set-up (again not too difficult)
After that is all code to make it work like you want.
(No clue on scale either)
but it really doesnt seem like that difficult of a prop to make.
Its not a 'clock' (per se`)... right? just a count down 'timer'?
Not sure if a RTC (Real Time Clock) is really needed here or not?
How is the top (yellow) text lit up? all at once? (like back-lit?) or are they individual letter?
But really
An Arduino (name your flavor, Uno, Nano, Pro-Mini, Mega... last one might be over kill)
A MAX7219 chip (to easily control the 7-segment displays)..... you can control all 8 of them with the one chip)
some leds for the back lit stuff
some 7-segment displays (size of your choosing)
and some caps, resistors and transistor/mosfets (since the backlit stuff will probably have many leds, more than the Arduino can power itself.. so you'll need to use a transistor as 'switch' to provide all the current)
once you work through the MAX7219 set-up (which is pretty straight forward)..
the only other hurdle is the transistor set-up (again not too difficult)
After that is all code to make it work like you want.
Life took over so this is my first chance getting back into this project... I wanted to say THANK YOU for all the recommendations. I will update as I move forwardNot familiar with the show.. but I do hobby electronics a lot.
(No clue on scale either)
but it really doesnt seem like that difficult of a prop to make.
Its not a 'clock' (per se`)... right? just a count down 'timer'?
Not sure if a RTC (Real Time Clock) is really needed here or not?
How is the top (yellow) text lit up? all at once? (like back-lit?) or are they individual letter?
But really
An Arduino (name your flavor, Uno, Nano, Pro-Mini, Mega... last one might be over kill)
A MAX7219 chip (to easily control the 7-segment displays)..... you can control all 8 of them with the one chip)
some leds for the back lit stuff
some 7-segment displays (size of your choosing)
and some caps, resistors and transistor/mosfets (since the backlit stuff will probably have many leds, more than the Arduino can power itself.. so you'll need to use a transistor as 'switch' to provide all the current)
once you work through the MAX7219 set-up (which is pretty straight forward)..
the only other hurdle is the transistor set-up (again not too difficult)
After that is all code to make it work like you want.
