Can I use a normal PC LCD?

**SniperXX** · 10-06-2004, 01:49 PM

Ok, well I just found this site over a week ago and have acually been planing a carputer for like a year. I tryed a search but gots tons of stuff.

Like the title says can I just use a PC LCD for my project? I got a thin 15" LCD that currently isnt used anymore. It draws 60W max load but I got a 400W inverter (600W peak) so I should be fine on power. But are there any disadvantages to useing a PC LCD over the ones in the store? I dont see why I cant use it but I am just checking to make sure it would work well.

I am planning a lilli touch screen as the main display and this 15in as a second screen.

**RoyN** · 10-06-2004, 01:54 PM

If it has a suitable power input (basically a dc input around 12v so you dont need a transformer) then it should be pretty easy... You just might want to mount it somewhere where it blends in, cause 15in is pretty big for a car, it is easy for it to take up a lot of room...

Other than that I dont see a problem as long as you can have a dual head card or something like that (I'm not sure how Y-VGA cables work, and also you probably want a different resolution on the 15in and on the lilli').. I'm also unsure how windows will handle having 2 displays showing the same thing at different resolutions - although it might not be a problem at all...

I'm also unsure how it is possible to have different outputs using one of the common frontends... like having the menu on the lilli and video/visuals only on the 15in... dunno, but I really dont see a problem with the 15in...

**Chairboy** · 10-06-2004, 02:16 PM

Instead of using an inverter to power the screen, you might want to use a laptop car adapter that puts out regulated 12v. Inverters are hokey and inefficient, try to avoid them for anything that's embedded in your car on general principle.

Of course, if you're using an inverter for your computer, then I guess it isn't such a big deal, but getting a real DC-DC power supply like the Opus can be the difference between having a home computer duct-taped into your car versus integrated and sexy.

**Yuriy** · 10-06-2004, 03:32 PM

Of course! If you already own an LCD that you don't use I see no reason not to use it. You can also purchase a 15" touchscreen kit that goes over your LCD, it's about $100, there was a link somewhere on the forums, I can find it for you if you are interested.

**TruckinMP3** · 10-06-2004, 06:18 PM

I use a desktop 14" that had a power 'brick' to turn 120vac to 12v DC. I spliced the wires to a regulated 12v DC out from the DC-DC PS. No inverter and its regulated 12v DC.

Worked great for me.

**SniperXX** · 10-07-2004, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Yuriy

Of course! If you already own an LCD that you don't use I see no reason not to use it. You can also purchase a 15" touchscreen kit that goes over your LCD, it's about $100, there was a link somewhere on the forums, I can find it for you if you are interested.

If you could find it that would be awesome.

Originally Posted by TruckinMP3

I use a desktop 14" that had a power 'brick' to turn 120vac to 12v DC. I spliced the wires to a regulated 12v DC out from the DC-DC PS. No inverter and its regulated 12v DC.

Worked great for me.

I was actually thinking of this as an option. I just had to check the power on it. It is 12V which is cool.

Originally Posted by Chairboy

Instead of using an inverter to power the screen, you might want to use a laptop car adapter that puts out regulated 12v. Inverters are hokey and inefficient, try to avoid them for anything that's embedded in your car on general principle.

I was thinking about not useing it but I plan to put a semi powerful comp in there. I think it would be cool to be able to play recent games on it.

I do have a VIA mini-itx system tho but its been giving me problems as of late.

**TruckinMP3** · 10-07-2004, 06:33 PM

It would be a good thing to check the current draw, I think it will be low.

**Danceheaven** · 10-07-2004, 06:43 PM

The touchscreen overlays can be found here
http://www.digitalww.com/15TSK.htm

60 watts at 12v is 5 Amps

Also the brightness of most PC LCDs is less than recommend Lilliput / Xenarc Brightness of 400 Nits, this may cause the screen to look dull or dim in the daylight

The dual monitor wont be a problem use Nvidias Nview to set up for some geoforce cards
or use more than one video card or extened desktop

apart from that should work well

**IntellaWorks** · 10-07-2004, 07:01 PM

You all must live in warm climates and never have to deal with the cold !! If you have nights that get below 32 degrees farenheight, then dont use the normal LCD it will crack when it freezes.

**SniperXX** · 10-08-2004, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by IntellaWorks

You all must live in warm climates and never have to deal with the cold !! If you have nights that get below 32 degrees farenheight, then dont use the normal LCD it will crack when it freezes.

Im in southern California, coldness isnt an issue.

I also plan to use a dual output card, ATI or nvidia, doesnt matter to me.

I also thought it may look dark but its a secondary screen anyways. The main will be a lilli in the front.