PV2's should make great stocking stuffers!
Seeing some of the nifty themes people have been doing for the PV2 got me thinking - I have several nieces, younger cousins, and such that would probably like a digital camera, but are a bit too young for something that cost $100 or more. So, the wife and I are coming up with four "themes", one each for the youngest (ages 6-11). I'm planning on using mini-USB ports (and a crapload of hot-glue) for the connector - since I don't want the support headache of a custom cable. Right now, we are planning to do: Winnie the Pooh for my wife's niece. (girl, 6) Smokey the Bear for my youngest cousin (boy, 6) Animal prints (probably Leopard fur) for another cousin (girl, 11) Oriental theme for an adopted cousin (from Japan) (girl, 10) I plan to use their name in the opening screen to prevent problems at school (should they be silly enough to take them to school) - that way, if it does get stolen (and recovered) they can prove that the camera is theirs. The idea is to do a complete makeover - right down to spray painting the case. Since I've used coupons, I figure it shouldn't cost more than $60 for all four! I even made sure to find cameras with the door latch (instead of screws) so the parents can change the batteries. Shoot they may not last past Christmas day - but they are cheap, and as long as the damage is minor, I may even be able to fix it. :)

What do you think sw4 will do? If useful I'd want some of those too.

Oh, the buttons are for me. I'm not sure if I would use them on a "production" camera either. I want a way to enter a "debug" mode for the homemade firmware I'm piecing together for this project. I want to integrate some of the ideas I've seen on the board (like musical prompts, etc) into the firmware. For example, I plan to make each camera start up with different "music" bar, as well as integrating a few other ideas. I'm going to start with the 6550 FW as the base. That's why I'm slowly, and methodically, picking through the firmware, and building a "ready to assemble" version. Unfortunately, with no serial port - and very little I/O - I need a way to get my firmware to "stop", so the camera will reset itself. That's where SW4 comes in. I can use it to control program flow. Depending on how its used, it will likely NOT be installed on the cameras I give away. :)

I set up cameras for my two boys (9 and 12). Each one starts up as "so and so's camera" with our phone number in case they're lost and found. I also changed the camera full screen to read "I'm full, take me to Dad" instead of "return to CVS." The kids thought that was pretty funny. Of course, they've now been turned loose with the first of the camcorders too :) A friend dressed up a cam with stickers for his little girl.

i'm setting up my nephew and older brother with some saturns. anyone know of a cheap source of mini-usb connectors?

Digikey carries them, but they aren't cheap. I bought 5 of them for $1.67 each. If we could get a bulk buy, the price break at 10 would make that $1.4? (not sure exactly how much) Perhaps a new thread to see who would be interested?

tried looking at molex.com. they have some as well, and i was thinking of trying to use their product sampling service, but you need a UPS, DHL, FedEx, or Emery account to charge for the shipping. http://www.arrownac.com/aws/pg_webc/0,4513,,00.html?application=SEARCH&event=1000&search_token=548190572&search_criteria=match_begins_with&match_in_stock_only=NO&3303=&rows_to_display=10&full_domain_name=www.arrownac.com&super_neda=3303&start_index=0&search_type=click_through seems like it might be a good source for them as well

If you are still looking for buttons, pick up an old VCR or other piece of broken electronics. Well, you may want a not too old one, because the one I am looking at has similar sized buttons, but they are through the hole rather than surface mount. Oh, the buttons are for me. I'm not sure if I would use them on a "production" camera either. I want a way to enter a "debug" mode for the homemade firmware I'm piecing together for this project. I want to integrate some of the ideas I've seen on the board (like musical prompts, etc) into the firmware. For example, I plan to make each camera start up with different "music" bar, as well as integrating a few other ideas. I'm going to start with the 6550 FW as the base. That's why I'm slowly, and methodically, picking through the firmware, and building a "ready to assemble" version. Unfortunately, with no serial port - and very little I/O - I need a way to get my firmware to "stop", so the camera will reset itself. That's where SW4 comes in. I can use it to control program flow. Depending on how its used, it will likely NOT be installed on the cameras I give away. :)