Thread: 9.0" Wide LVDS LCD Panel?

why build 4 or 5 cat 5 cables with circut boards? It will be a lot easier to just build a single cable with lvds, inverter, (and usb if wanted). I have built very durable 15 ft. long lvds cables with inverter and usb, and can keep the overall diameter to a size comparable to a good vga cable.
Cost is more, but when you consider the bulk of running 4 or 5 cat 5 cables, and the fact that cat5 is solid core as apposed to stranded (read flexability) it would seem the cat5 route would not be desireable.
Just my 2 cents, not trying to pee on your parade.

Side note:
I have submitted a rfq to 2 of my lcd distributors for pricing, with and without touch.
Will advise you via email on this.

Originally Posted by Motorcity

why build 4 or 5 cat 5 cables with circut boards? It will be a lot easier to just build a single cable with lvds, inverter, (and usb if wanted). I have built very durable 15 ft. long lvds cables with inverter and usb, and can keep the overall diameter to a size comparable to a good vga cable.
Cost is more, but when you consider the bulk of running 4 or 5 cat 5 cables, and the fact that cat5 is solid core as apposed to stranded (read flexability) it would seem the cat5 route would not be desireable.
Just my 2 cents, not trying to pee on your parade.

Side note:
I have submitted a rfq to 2 of my lcd distributors for pricing, with and without touch.
Will advise you via email on this.

Those are all good ideas, and I'll take them into consideration..

My thought as to the circuit board route was to make the long run cable connections more of a modular thing as opposed to a single cable with fragile connectors on each end.


For example, the previous LVDS motherboard I used has a Hirose DF19 connector on the motherboard.. a very small, 40-pin half-pitch sized connector.

I was able to make my own short LVDS cable, but it was very difficult to solder the contacts onto the wires. They were really meant to be crimped, but a Hirose crimp tool is a few thousand dollars.


Think you can help me with making the cable assembly?

Toss me an e-mail, and see if you can get a full spec sheet for the LCD with pinouts and such.

I'm definitely interested in obtaining one of these panels. Have you had any luck?

Originally Posted by Booger

I'm definitely interested in obtaining one of these panels. Have you had any luck?

I have a RFQ (Request for Quote) out through some of MotorCity's distributors - it just takes them a week or two to respond.


The chances are good that we'll be able to get some, though at what cost I don't know.. I'm sure they'll be expensive, at least for the first run.


I've also succeded in getting Kontron to provide a BIOS change to their 986LCD motherboard to drive the panel. There's a thread in General Hardware on that.


I should also have a full datasheet on the LCD panel in a few days - I contacted NEC and asked for one.

I got a response from NEC, which was that they don't send out data sheets directly, but to instead contact one of their resellers for my area.


So I contacted the local reseller, which has an office a very close 10 miles from my home.

In fact, I went in to their office this afternoon, and spoke with one of their Field Sales Engineers.


He said that he has a few "clean room" companies in the area that can get me the LCD panels, and also indicated that they can also do transflective upgrades.


He also sent me the data sheet on the LCD panel, but I haven't received it yet.. it may have bounced. I'll check again on Monday.


So the current plans are to purchase:

• Two of the 9.0" LCD panels - one to go in the radio area of my WRX STi, and the second to go on top where the clock housing is. Also includes associated electronics - inverter, touch controller, etc..
• The LCD panels will have Capacitive Touch Panels - they react to the minute electrical currents in your fingers, and not to pressure. Very durable, made of glass.
• The LCD panels MAY be enhanced with Transflective upgrades, depending on the cost.

Again, awesome work in tracking these down. Transflective? YES. It's sounding like the ultimate panel. Now.... will it fit?

I'm guessing these will come with no bezel whatsoever? Bare with me - I've only ever purchased retail panels. How are you planning on mounting the screen to your housing? Bottom line, about how much space will I need? Based on my relatively loose estimations, it should barely fit into my dash, but I want to make sure before I drop the huge coin. Be sure to keep your threads updated with progress as I plan to follow your lead.

Originally Posted by Booger

Again, awesome work in tracking these down. Transflective? YES. It's sounding like the ultimate panel. Now.... will it fit?

I'm guessing these will come with no bezel whatsoever? Bare with me - I've only ever purchased retail panels. How are you planning on mounting the screen to your housing? Bottom line, about how much space will I need? Based on my relatively loose estimations, it should barely fit into my dash, but I want to make sure before I drop the huge coin. Be sure to keep your threads updated with progress as I plan to follow your lead.

Based on the specifications link in the first post, the panel's physical dimensions are 220.5 mm (typ.) x 136.5 mm (typ.) x 11.0 mm (max.) - Width, Height, and Depth/Thickness.


Based on those dimensions, the panel should fit in two places on my 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi - in the dash where the radio is, and on top of the dash in a clock housing.


I have a thread in Fabrication titled 9.0" Wide LCD in 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi that you may want to follow.

Basically, I'm going to get some dense prototyping foam, carve and machine it to fit inside the recesseses of my dash, and fit the LCD panel to the foam piece.

Once it fits, I'll make a mold of it and cast it into plastic.


I'm also making a bezel in much the same way.


Assuming you have a 2005 or 2004 Impreza with Auto Climate controls, then it should fit, and I'll probably be able to make a kit.

Otherwise, you'll have to come up with some fabrication of your own if your vehicle is different..

Guiliano, sounds a great project, any idea of the price yet?

And how is this panel preferable to others? Is it a significant step on in terms of spec, or is the widescreen the main attraction?

Nope, no idea on price yet.. If I'm lucky I might have an idea in the next week or two.. or after the holidays.

I'm guessing it'll be in the $500 - $750 range, but that's pure speculation right now. The MP3car.com 7" transflective screen is $629, for a comparison.

I have the feelers out, so it's only a matter of time.


Reasons why this model may be preferable:

• A 800x480 widescreen LCD is nearly the same aspect as most double-din openings, making the panels easier to fit in automotive dashes.
• An 8" widescreen viewable area is just about the exact size of a double-din.
• However, a LVDS-driven 8" widescreen LCD is not generally available on the market. This 9" widescreen model is available on the market.
• Higher contrast ratio - 600:1 - better than most that I've seen. The Liliput 8" widescreen model is only 200:1 contrast, for example.
• This LVDS panel is a 24-bit panel, meaning it can display 16 Million colors. Most other LCD panels are 18-bit, or 262,000 colors.
• Industrial operating temperature range: -20C to +70C
  Not that most people would operate at -20C, but I'm sure there are those who may want to ensure that the LCD won't be affected by freezing temperatures.