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Thread: Small but functional Char LCD

  1. 04-22-2002, 03:20 PM #1
    TheFly
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    Small but functional Char LCD (your suggestions.)

    I'm working on an all-enclosed WinAmp controller box. I currently have a working model that's got the guts of a USB keyboard controller in it with nine or so simple radionshack buttons on it. This is all in a Radioshack enclosure that's 5x3x2. I don't have lots of room in there because of all the extra wires I have, but I plan on doing some wire management and minimizing the wasted space.

    I'd like to mount a character LCD in the box that will run a display for WinAmp. The Keyboard actually had a dual port USB hub built in, so I also have two USB ports INSIDE the box that I could hopefully plug a serial -> USB adapter into one of them and run the LCD off that.

    From my estimates, something like a 16x2 display like the a Crystalfontz632 series would fit in the enslosure nicely. a 20x4 model from them would be a REAL squeeze. I haven't done too much looking into what data can be displayed on these things and by what means. I figure with this project, at least, I'm limited by hardware and should figure that out first.

    So what would you guys suggest? Can a 16x2 display be robust enough to display such things as sound title, time, a volume display perhaps? Or would you reccommend I get a bigger enclosure (it's can't be too big or it will look clunky) and go with a larger display?

    Also, am I right in assuming that if they offer a serial -> USB adapter that it should be able to get enough power from the USB? How about a USB hub as comes off an IBM keyboard?

    Your thoughts, guys?

    Edit: Changed the title slightly, so better outline this post.
    TheFly
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  2. 04-22-2002, 04:31 PM #2
    vickumar
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    I use a 24x2... i could use the unit as a standalone audio player w/o a video lcd by using the menu nav via the char lcd. 24x2 is sufficient for this task...

    However since i programmed the lcd myself... i could make multiple info display screens. I guess you can make virtually limitless amount of info displayed, by rotating the data sent to the lcd. However if your using a winamp plugin... you can only have one display screen with all the info u want only on that one screen ...this puts a limit to the amount of data you can isplay.

    2-line will be able to fit song name, track, kbits, and maybe time... anything more like a visual spectrum/VU meter graphics, and u want 4-line. So you have to decide whats important to you.


    Edit: yes, lcd's dont consume that much juice. It will work well with any +5V supply.
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  3. 04-22-2002, 07:36 PM #3
    surfer6262
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    i have an extra HD44780 2x24 with el backlight if you want it. Email me.
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  4. 04-22-2002, 10:44 PM #4
    Machs_FueL
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    Im working my way to something similar.. hoping to fit it all into a DIN slot.. 7x2x6(?). LCD w/ buttons, LCD - Serial Controller, usb to serial, usb audio, and a usb hub (and pref power it all off the hub).

    for LCD size i'd say biggest is best.
    since you planning on using winamp let me point you toward this plugin, it handles winamp control, does multiple screens, selectable playlists through menus, can be controled by keyboard, and has a onscreen simulation so you can get an idea of how much you can fit on a LCD.

    Once you pick a LCD I suggest you check out one of these and then grab any HD44780 LCD (easy to find and cheap, serial LCDs are kinda pricy IMO), just beware it uses TTL logic and not RS-232. (can be converted, but i haven't tried it out yet )

    BTW if you find a decent price for a USB-Serial give me a shout. (just need USB-Serial, hub, and a empty DIN slot)
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  5. 04-23-2002, 03:36 PM #5
    TheFly
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    Originally posted by vickumar
    lcd's dont consume that much juice. It will work well with any +5V supply.
    Even the Backlight? I'm leaning towards getting a Serial Crystalfontz because I don't want to mess with soldering. (Had enough of that with doing the keyboard controller) How would I run power from the USB to the backlight?
    TheFly
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  6. 04-23-2002, 04:26 PM #6
    vickumar
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    Your hub is just working dandy... along comes a LCD and inserts its fangs into the +5 supply... all this means is that the comp supplies more juice to the hub... EL inverters dont take much power... most are lower than 100mA... and i have seen ones that are 20mA. They use a tiny amount of 5V to produce 100VAC@400Hz. Dont worry about it!

    There are 4 pins in a USB...

    Pin 1 (starting from the left - facing the mating socket) is +5V.. RED wire. If the USB socket is soldered into the hub... u might have to solder a wire directly to the back of the board to get your +5V.

    Type A Plug (for USB controllers and hubs)
    ------------------------------------------

    Solder/crimp view (or socket view)

    ________________
    | x x x x |
    | 1 2 3 4 |
    ----------------

    Pin 1 +5V Red
    Pin 2 -Data White
    Pin 3 +Data Green
    Pin 4 GND Black
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