What is it?

This product is an universal 8 digit internet connected display which could be used for a number of things but it is loaded with firmware to display the time from the NTP time service and also provide YouTube statistics of your channel showing subscriber count and total video view count. It is ideal for smaller YouTube channels due to the limitations implemented by YouTube in 2019 which rounds down subscriber counts above 999 on a sliding scale. For example 1234 subscribers will show as 1230 and 12345 subscribers will show as 12300 subscribers.

It is assembled onto a black PCB using a NodeMCU as the brains and a ICM7228 as the display driver IC. The sale is for the fully assembled and tested PCB only; the image showing it mounted into a photo frame is for demonstration purposes of a suggested enclosure. All firmware will be pre flashed so there is no need to program it and all settings are done through a web interface to make it easier and remove the need for external software. It connects to the Internet via WiFi on the 2.4Ghz band using the wireless B/G/N standard. Requires 5V via external PSU / regulator or from USB power e.g. a phone charger.

Supports daylight saving time through a single mode switch; press for more than 5 seconds and release - toggle DST on and off, press just for a second or so - cycle display mode. Modes are clock display, subscriber count and total video view count.

NOTE: Requires a YouTube API key to function. I would strongly recommend obtaining this before purchase; it's free and instructions to do this can be found in the details below. It also tells you more about the product which you are welcome to read before purchase to ensure this product is for you.

Why did you make it?

This was initially an experiment but turned into a full product to improve upon my previous YouTube counter and a request to make a YouTube statistics display and clock for someone I know. Due to minimum order of parts used I made several and the excess are being sold. If they are popular I will make more of them but at the moment there are only a few for sale.

What makes it special?

It is a useful display to show more than just the time for YouTubers with small channels. The PCB is made from smart looking black fibreglass and would look great in a photo frame and to show off in the background of your videos. It is completely standalone and does not require to be connected to a computer to be programmed each time you need to change the wireless configuration. All settings are done via a web interface(s) to set the WiFi configuration and YouTube API credentials. Settings are stored in the onboard EEPROM and are not lost when the device is unplugged from power.