Thread: Perfect 7" widescreen LCD?

This just in:

I got a response from BCMCOM.com, who gave me a contact at "ACE Computers" to call for a price for the LVDS receiver board.

Re: http://www.evalue-tech.com/evalueweb...mn=EPM-1530-18


I'll be calling them tomorrow.

Edit: "Ace Computers" confirmed as being http://www.acecomputers.com

They don't have the part listed on the web site yet.

thats awesome can't wait to hear the prices I hope they don't disapoint

Since the viewable area of these 8" LCD's is almost exactly the same as the WRX's double-din opening, I have a good idea of how I'm going to mount the LCD.


I took off the dash bezel and scanned the back of it for reference. (attached)

The inside of the opening has a small lip, highlighted in red in the pic, that I'm going to trim down so that it's level with the sides, scribbled in blue.

Phear my Pbrush skillz.


I'm going to be building a case-frame to put the Mini-ITX board (Commell LV-670M or LV-671M) behind the LCD - I'll probably design it with eMachineShop, and have them form it for me out of some good sheet steel.

Since I'll have a metal box inside the area where the radio was, I'll be able to design a mount for the LCD so that it's attached to the case frame, and not to the bezel.

If I design it right, the LCD should be positioned just flush up against the bezel.


And if I mess up the bezel, replacements are only $50 or so.

Edit: smaller pic

Originally Posted by Giuliano

Since the viewable area of these 8" LCD's is almost exactly the same as the WRX's double-din opening, I have a good idea of how I'm going to mount the LCD.


I took off the dash bezel and scanned the back of it for reference. (attached)

The inside of the opening has a small lip, highlighted in red in the pic, that I'm going to trim down so that it's level with the sides, scribbled in blue.

Phear my Pbrush skillz.


I'm going to be building a case-frame to put the Mini-ITX board (Commell LV-670M or LV-671M) behind the LCD - I'll probably design it with eMachineShop, and have them form it for me out of some good sheet steel.

Since I'll have a metal box inside the area where the radio was, I'll be able to design a mount for the LCD so that it's attached to the case frame, and not to the bezel.

If I design it right, the LCD should be positioned just flush up against the bezel.


And if I mess up the bezel, replacements are only $50 or so.

Edit: smaller pic

This has been attempted before, putting the computer in the double din space behind the lcd and has proved very tight. You'll find it will fit but you will more than likely have to solder the rear connectors directly to the motherboard.

checkout http://www.tmz.com/wrx/carcomputer.html

Limey

Originally Posted by LimeySTI

This has been attempted before, putting the computer in the double din space behind the lcd and has proved very tight. You'll find it will fit but you will more than likely have to solder the rear connectors directly to the motherboard.

checkout http://www.tmz.com/wrx/carcomputer.html

Limey

Thanks for the link, I had forgotten where your page was located - yours is one of the pages that inspired me to do my WRX.

I'm hoping to be able to not have to use any of the rear connectors at all, with the exception of possibly the digital/optical audio out.

USB I can probably take off of a header for the extra USB ports.

Video will be right in the middle of the board, LVDS via an onboard Hirose connector.

Originally Posted by Giuliano

Actually.. I may not even have to make the converter.
This'll do it:
http://www.evalue-tech.com/evalueweb...mn=EPM-1530-18

Post for reference - Data Sheet on the LVDS receiver chip on the converter listed above.

http://www.national.com/ds/DS/DS90C363.pdf


Also, the pinouts on the LCD connector attached below.

I'll have to trace the connector pins to the chip so I can figure out which of the pins are red/green/blue, and so on.

I have a PDF of the installation guide that the pinout came from, but it's a bit too large to post here, just over 200kb.

Edit:
Matching connector for the Hirose DF13-40DP-1.25V connector on the board is the DF13-40DS-1.25DSA, $3.57 each from Digikey.

Does not include the actual pin contacts inside the connector, DF13-2630SCF for Tin, DF13-2630SCFA for Gold. $3.56/$5.49 respectively for 100 from Digikey.

And I gotta tell ya, those connectors are TINY - about 2mm wide, and are crimped to the wire.

I had to use a 10x eye loupe magnifier to work on those the last time..

Originally Posted by Giuliano

Re: http://www.evalue-tech.com/evalueweb...mn=EPM-1530-18

I got a price on these LVDS to TTL/CMOS converter boards, and they're in stock.

They're $40! (+$8 for UPS)


To understand the benefit, here's a short summary:

TTL/CMOS is a type of signal used on most LCD's - the problem with it is that it's not suitable for long distances, anything much longer than about 18" or so.

LVDS stands for Low Voltage Differential Signal, and lets you have a much longer cable length - 15 meter-long cables are not unheard of.

With the advent of new mini-itx boards with on-board LVDS transmitters, you can now run a pure digital signal to a LCD many meters away, without having to do the double-conversion from digital video to analog VGA and back to digital.

And with this $40 converter (along with an inverter, touch-panel, etc), you can use those TTL/CMOS LCD's.


I don't have an LCD panel yet, nor even the motherboard (Commell LV-671), but I'm going to order one of these boards anyway, as I'll need to figure out the pinouts in more detail.

The company's Ace Computers, in Illinois, and can be reached at 877-223-2667. They have a web site at www.acecomputers.com, but they don't have the part listed yet. Call them if you want to order one.

The part is a "E-Value Technology LVDS 18-bit Receiver Module", part number EPM-1530-18, and is $40, +$8 for UPS shipping.

The 18-bit receiver is fine for most smaller LCD panels under 12" or so - if the LCD specs say either 6-bit RGB / 18-bit, then it's an 18-bit panel.

If it says it's 8-bit / 24-bit, then you'll need the 24-bit receiver, P/N EPM-1530-24. I don't have pricing on that board, but I'd imagine it's around the same.


Note that you'll still need a motherboard that has an LVDS transmitter, either on-board, or as an option. The Commell LV-670/LV-670M/LV-671 have the LVDS on-board, and I seem to recall there's an LVDS option for some of the Epia boards.

Originally Posted by Giuliano

Brand AU Optronics
Part Number A070VW01
Size (in.) 7.00
LCD Type TFT
Resolution 800X480
cd/m² 400
http://www.auo.com/english/products/...&product_id=50

Found out that www.displaze.com has this LCD listed on their web site.

I sent them an e-mail on pricing and availability.


They have locations in the USA in Nevada, and in the UK as well.


I figure I may not be able to find immediate sources for the 8" Hitachi LCD's I'd like, so perhaps a 7" one will do for now. ;-)

nice work I'm in, I'll try to order mine later this week.