MP3Car.com - View Single Post - Links to Virtual Instrument Cluster projects?

mojoe01 · 07-30-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by shotgunefx

I don't see why you couldn't just get a quad vga (like a Matrox) and hook up 4 monitors to that. That would probably be ideal (and cheaper). That just leaves the small screens.

I agree with this approach. With a Windows extended desktop to 2 or more screens, the software would still control what is displayed in each monitor. With 1/4 and 1/8 VGA, not only are you more limited in your hardware selection, there is also less graphics resolution (splitting 640x480 four or eight ways). If I pursue this project for my own vehicle, I will probably integrate two 7" or 8" widescreen (800x600) LCD VGA monitors side by side in the space where my current instrument cluster is located. I would use a readily available VGA card (matrox or other) to drive two monitors, and write the software in VB. I will monitor the Class II datastream for all the existing gauge data, and I will have to integrate some individual DC inputs for the handful of discrete signals that are currently wired directly to my cluster. I think that larger monitors would allow for more programming options than small 2.5"-5" monitors would. The goal would be to leave the PC in hibernation or standby mode for minimal startup delay on ignition.

As a side note, I did find a source for very small LCDs: http://lcdtft.com/search_result.asp?...LCD%20Monitors if it is something that anyone would like to use. They are mostly composite video and are not the superbright type. Also, some of them are fairly pricey for their size.

07-30-2006, 08:53 PM	#37
mojoe01 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3	Quote: Originally Posted by shotgunefx I don't see why you couldn't just get a quad vga (like a Matrox) and hook up 4 monitors to that. That would probably be ideal (and cheaper). That just leaves the small screens. I agree with this approach. With a Windows extended desktop to 2 or more screens, the software would still control what is displayed in each monitor. With 1/4 and 1/8 VGA, not only are you more limited in your hardware selection, there is also less graphics resolution (splitting 640x480 four or eight ways). If I pursue this project for my own vehicle, I will probably integrate two 7" or 8" widescreen (800x600) LCD VGA monitors side by side in the space where my current instrument cluster is located. I would use a readily available VGA card (matrox or other) to drive two monitors, and write the software in VB. I will monitor the Class II datastream for all the existing gauge data, and I will have to integrate some individual DC inputs for the handful of discrete signals that are currently wired directly to my cluster. I think that larger monitors would allow for more programming options than small 2.5"-5" monitors would. The goal would be to leave the PC in hibernation or standby mode for minimal startup delay on ignition. As a side note, I did find a source for very small LCDs: http://lcdtft.com/search_result.asp?...LCD%20Monitors if it is something that anyone would like to use. They are mostly composite video and are not the superbright type. Also, some of them are fairly pricey for their size.