Bigger, brighter, better color;  these hyperbolic-sounding capabilities serve to define the primary benefits that can be derived from adding an external on-camera monitor to your photographic setup. Unfortunately, on-camera monitors can be pricey.

In fact, the least expensive model with a 10-inch screen, the FeelWorld T10 10.1″ IPS 4K HDMI Touchscreen Monitor, is priced at $199. Coincidentally, this monitor shares the basic specifications/configuration for a small laptop PC. Wouldn’t it be swell if you could just repurpose a used laptop, remove the keyboard, and use the LCD as an on-camera monitor?

Well, wish no more, because this article will show you how to build a high-resolution 10.1-inch external on-camera monitor. Even better, it uses a discarded Chromebook that will be recycled as the basis for this project.

The targeted Chromebook that is the subject of this project is the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1″ Chromebook. While this isn’t a very glamorous computer, it is an ARM-based, 2-in-1 tablet that comes supplied with a removable keyboard. Built with a 64GB eMMC drive for storage and 4GB of RAM, this was an underpowered device that was loaded with 32-bit ChromeOS.

On today’s used market, you shouldn’t expect to pay more than $80 for this Lenovo Chromebook:

Overstock $59.99

Overstock $68.97

Once you have your Chromebook, in order to convert the tablet portion into a camera monitor, a Linux operating system will be installed, replacing the ChromeOS. Furthermore, the Linux-Compatibility Layer for ChromeOS was not tested for this project. Rather, Velvet OS is used as a replacement for ChromeOS.

Parts, Parts, We Need Some Parts

Before we begin, there are a trivial number of parts that will be needed for adding the converted Chromebook tablet to a camera shoe mount:

• CAMVATE C-Clamp(Widen) with Multiple 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 Threads (2.25″ Neck) – 3305 $15.20
• Cold Shoe Adapter with Dual 1/4 & 3/8 Screw Mount – Aluminum Alloy Camera Mount for Tripod, Microphone, LED Light, DSLR – Anti-Scratch Quick Release (62049) $7.99
• Silkland 20Gbps USB C Data Cable Right Angle, Short 1.6FT 90 Degree USB C 3.2 Gen 2×2 High Speed Data Transfer Cable, 5K/4K 60Hz Monitor Display, 240W PD, Type C Compatible for SSD, Hub, Dock,eGPU $12.99 [Depending on your camera, the 1 foot length for $12.59 might work.]

Just like adding a retro gaming handheld device that’s used as an electronic viewfinder to a camera, this Chromebook monitor project entails both a hardware and a software set of procedures. Let’s begin.

Actually, there are no traditional 1-2-3 steps involved in the creation of the hardware for this project. It’s simply a process of taking the Camvate C-clamp and adding the cold shoe adapter to one of its threaded holes. Once this simple process is complete, it’s time to move on to the software aspect of this project.

Super Simple Software Steps

In our attempt to convert a used Chromebook into a camera monitor, we must first remove the ChromeOS and program a new Linux OS on top of it. This is where Velvet OS comes in very handy. Everything that you need to know about reprogramming a Chromebook with Velvet OS can be found here.

Step 1. Download the specific “flavor” of Velvet OS that is used for the Lenovo Chromebook Duet codenamed Krane. In this case, download this :

Step 2. Refer to these in-depth instructions for programming Velvet OS onto the Chromebook. Beware: this process in not for the faint of heart or a computer rookie. Thankfully, the supplied information is thorough, complete, and, best of all, it works. Also, you must have the detachable keyboard connected to the Chromebook for performing this installation.

Step 3. Keep the keyboard attached to the Chromebook and launch the Terminal application inside Velvet OS. This application is the black icon at the bottom of the desktop.

Step 4. Type this command to load the Entangle computer tethering application onto your Chromebook: sudo apt install entangle

Step 5. Remember your username/password for Velvet OS are: linux/changeme.

Step 6. You will be prompted with a verification question for installing Entangle. Type “Y” and press enter.

Step 7. After several seconds, the command prompt will return. Type “exit” and press enter to quit the Terminal application.

Once you’ve successfully completed the hardware and software installation, it’s time to connect your camera to the monitor. Unfortunately, this is a rather clumsy procedure, but the eventual reward is worth the effort.

Begin by connecting the USB-C data cable between the Chromebook port and the camera’s USB-C live data port. If you camera prompts you for identifying the USB connection, select data connection or its equivalent.

You will need the keyboard for the initial setup of the camera/monitor connection. Again, launch the Terminal application and then type: entangle and press enter.

This will launch the camera tether application with a blank screen. Use the trackpad to move the pointer to the icon in the upper left corner called “continuous capture preview.” SUCCESS! You should see the camera’s “Live” view stream displayed inside the Entangle interface.

Select the settings from the menu icon in the upper right corner and make adjustments to the preview stream. When everything is setup, you can disconnect the keyboard from the monitor.

Slide the monitor into the Camvate C-Clamp and tighten the threaded knob. This complete assembly can be slid onto the camera’s shoe attachment. You now have a functioning 10.1-inch camera monitor.

Enjoy.

---