I have constrained my display choice to a 8.4” sized display. I currently own a Shark SHK804 that I purchased in haste on the cheap. I should have waited, since deep down I know I need
transflective!
I have searched the forums and read all of the older transflective threads. The safest choice appears to be hand-selecting components since the Lilliput and Xenarc solutions use older, less appealing, components that can vary with production cycles. With all the time I will invest in this car PC endeavor, I want to be truly happy when I’m done. I have bound my display happiness by an $800 limit.
NEC appears to be well regarded by many posters, so I ran some Google searches. Here’s some useful links related to NEC transflective panels:
NEC ST-NLT Overview:
http://www.nec-lcd.com/en/technology/nlt_st_nlt.html
NEC Press Releases (May 2007):
http://www.necus.com/companies/2/NEC...ew_Modules.pdf
http://www.am.necel.com/news/pressre...mos5-21-07.pdf
NEC TFT 2007 Product List:
http://www.eu.necel.com/_pdf/EPMC-PU-0018-2.0.PDF
From the product list above, I see that the ST-NLT is available in smaller 8.4” and 6.5” sizes. I want 800x600 or 1024x768 native resolution, 500+ cd/m2 brightness, and 500+ contrast ratio. This eliminates the 10.4” models, which would also require more dash fabrication in my Honda Accord. The clear winners for the 8.4” and 6.5” form factors are the NL8060BC21-03 and NL10276BC13-01C, respectively.
Note that the 6.5” NL10276BC13-01C is newer with LED backlight and TBD power consumption. It may be brand new and more difficult to locate. The NEC SID booth
PR indicates an LED version of the 8.4” NL8060BC21-XX is in the works, but the NL8060BC21-03 was released in 2006 and is attainable today. Both panels use a LVDS RGB interface. I’m hoping I can purchase a suitable I/O card for my EPIA EN15000G. I still need to answer this question.
8.4” NL8060BC21-03 Data Sheet:
http://www.multicell.it/main/get_doc...8cd3018fd6301a
6.5” NL10276BC13-01C Data Sheet:
http://www.msc-ge.com/download/displ...3-01c-0190.pdf
With the NL8060BC21-03 part number in hand, I performed some more searches to find distributors. Some press releases indicated that distributors sampled the ST-NLT in single quantities. In a January 2006 article, Automotive DesignLine indicated the NL8060BC21-03 was estimated at $400 USD in single quantity (
http://www.automotivedesignline.com/products/175801847). I found that Avnet sells these in lots of ten for
$352.59! I would be willing to purchase at $375 or even $400 from a middleman.
I found more vendors that list the NL8060BC21-03 on their site but I haven’t inquired yet. Has anyone had success with single quantity panel orders from anyone in the following list? Turbocad6, since you are a LCD Jedi Master, what would you advise?
http://www.horizontechnology.com/too...ber_search.php
http://www.lcdsolar.com/products/All...FRDqgAodYnYE8Q
http://www.oemplus.net/product.asp?s...id=1&sort3id=1
http://www.msc-ge.com/index_e.html
http://www.review-displays.co.uk/nec_tft_1.asp
Based upon my searches and eBay reviews, I think the following pricing should be viable:
NEC NL8060BC21-03 LCD: $400
LVDS Cable $20
LVDS RGB I/O Controller Card: $40
NEC 84PW041 Inverter: $40
SAW or Cap. Touchscreen Kit: $200
Total $700
This combination yields the most superior 8.4" solution that I have found. Has anyone used the NL8060BC21-03? Does anyone recommend something else?
If this panel is viable, could the MP3 store bundle this as a kit? In bulk, they could do it for $600 (touchscreen and lcd panel discounts) and still sell for $700. I would buy it. Maybe add an optional mounting bracket and bezel for $50-$100. You wouldn't have backlogs with optically aligning filter stacks with resistive touchscreens as SAW or cap. doesn't require this procedure (thou wouldn't cover the 6.5" crowd). I think a kit solution sold from the store would totally
0WN! 