Need helping finding an LCD around 15'' relatively cheap...

rollininstyle04 · 02-01-2008, 09:34 PM

So here is the deal. I bought an Accele 15.4'' widescreen on Ebay a while back, then without testing it had my trunk lid built around it. Well when I went to hook it all up, the screen was fried. So I need to find something to replace it with. Here is what it looks like now:

I was planning on building a silver trim piece around the screen anyway (to match everything else in the setup), so as long as I find something CLOSE to that size I am ok, I can just make the trim piece either larger or smaller to work with the new screen.

So here is my question. First, is it possible to take apart the overhead, drop down screens? If I just wanted the monitor? As long as all the buttons and everything are on the screen part, the actual base and hinge just serve as a casing? If that is not a possiblity, what about your average 15'' computer LCD. Those can be had pretty cheap, can they be modified to work. I just need something that will work with my Eclipse In-dash.

I am open to any possibilities, and would LIKE to spend under $200 if possible for the screen. I am willing to spend more, since I dont want a garbage LCD, but I would like to keep it as cheap as possible. Honestly this is mainly for show, so while I want decent quality, it does not have to be anything amazing. I see A LOT of 15-15.4'' drop downs on Ebay, they are all random brands I have never heard of though. Are ANY of those decent?

Thanks in advance for the help
-Jordan

Trogdor01 · 02-03-2008, 03:40 AM

Would laptop LCD screens work for you? If so you're in luck. A quick search led me to a site with these parts for sale, and below the $200 you mentioned.

For $175, they have all kinds of 15" laptop screens. Many of these brands you may not have heard of (Chi Mei, Chunghwa, HannStar), some perhaps you ahve (Hitachi, Philips, Samsung, Sharp), but these are all companies that make screens that go into laptops from Apple, Dell, Gateway, etc.

For a bit more - $195 - this same outfit has 15.4" widescreen LCDs available, too.

Hope this helps.

Dougw133 · 02-04-2008, 04:25 AM

Just a thought...Chekc ebay for old panasonic toughbooks that are touchscreen, maybe you could rape just the screen from it. I see them going for like 150-200$

cMags · 02-04-2008, 08:40 AM

Running from your Eclipse HU? Sounds like you only need an RCA input 15" LCD. Well I say "only" but it seems that VGA is much more expensive than RCA when you're looking for <8", but >14" it seems the other way around...

Unless I'm mistaken, your Eclipse isn't going to put out VGA signal so whatever you get you'll NEED a composite (RCA) input to it to display video. I did a quick search on ebay and found many 15" fold-down (roof mount) monitors that I'm sure could be modified for your purpose. A couple come in under $200 shipped as well. Good luck:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...&fsop=1&fsoo=1

Edit: Sick license place btw

rollininstyle04 · 02-04-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cMags

Running from your Eclipse HU? Sounds like you only need an RCA input 15" LCD. Well I say "only" but it seems that VGA is much more expensive than RCA when you're looking for <8", but >14" it seems the other way around...

Unless I'm mistaken, your Eclipse isn't going to put out VGA signal so whatever you get you'll NEED a composite (RCA) input to it to display video. I did a quick search on ebay and found many 15" fold-down (roof mount) monitors that I'm sure could be modified for your purpose. A couple come in under $200 shipped as well. Good luck:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...&fsop=1&fsoo=1

Yea, that is what I was thinking, since I do need a RCA input...I am just worried about some of the Ebay brands (the ones from HK that I have never heard of before). I want something with decent quality. It doesnt have to be amazing, since it will mainly be for showing movies and such at shows (a lot of which are indoor so sunlight is not a HUGE issue). I dont mind spending more ($3-400 or even more then that) if it is the only way to get something of quality. I just want to minimize the cost since after all, its just in the trunk.

What should I be looking for with those drop downs so I know if they are going to be of decent quality or not?

Quote:

Edit: Sick license place btw

Thanks. Also I jut noticed you were from Marietta. I live in Alpharetta

FordNoMore · 02-07-2008, 03:36 AM

Not exactly dirt cheap, but this may open up options for you - There are a few composite-to-VGA converters available, such as this one from NewEgg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817707114
(StarTech COMP2VGA Video Game Jockey for $60)

I believe component to VGA only requires an adapter cable, but I presume your head unit probably doesn't have component out?

[Sorry if I posted twice... Thought I posted and then tried to edit it, but now it's gone?]

FordNoMore · 02-07-2008, 03:44 AM

Hmm.. Do my posts keep getting deleted because I was trying to link to a product for sale? Let's try this:

Search NewEgg for the StarTech COMP2VGA Video Game Jockey - it's a composite-to-VGA converter for about 60 bucks. Not dirt cheap, but it may open up some options for you to be able to use computer monitors.

meddler · 02-07-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by FordNoMore

Hmm.. Do my posts keep getting deleted because I was trying to link to a product for sale? Let's try this:

Search NewEgg for the StarTech COMP2VGA Video Game Jockey - it's a composite-to-VGA converter for about 60 bucks. Not dirt cheap, but it may open up some options for you to be able to use computer monitors.

Your post hasn't been deleted. It has been moderated. Please don't take offence, it is a measure to stop spam. I have approved your post and it is now above your last post.

cMags · 02-07-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rollininstyle04

I am just worried about some of the Ebay brands (the ones from HK that I have never heard of before).

What should I be looking for with those drop downs so I know if they are going to be of decent quality or not?

Thanks. Also I jut noticed you were from Marietta. I live in Alpharetta

I would think you'd just want to check the resolution of the thing, and more importantly, the brightness and contrast ratio. I've got a 7" composite screen from HK that is working just fine for what it is - its no VGA monitor, but it does great with video and cost me like $60 plus shipping from HK (which was another $40 lol).

There's this site that's been getting fair reviews and has great prices.. gooddeals18.com - they're an ebay vendor from NY that expanded to their own site. They do free shipping over $200. I'm thinking about picking up some goodies from them sometime soon (maybe even a new monitor).

We should get together sometime for some install time. It looks like you got some good fabrication skills - I could learn something from ya. I'm a fair wiz w/ electronics so maybe we could each learn something. I'm new to Marietta so I'm looking to meet as many folks as I can and learn the area. Maybe we could put in an order together for gooddeals to make sure we get free shipping

. Shoot me a message sometime if you're interested in a meet.

ninjdiver · 02-07-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cMags

I would think you'd just want to check the resolution of the thing, and more importantly, the brightness and contrast ratio. I've got a 7" composite screen from HK that is working just fine for what it is - its no VGA monitor, but it does great with video and cost me like $60 plus shipping from HK (which was another $40 lol).

There's this site that's been getting fair reviews and has great prices.. gooddeals18.com - they're an ebay vendor from NY that expanded to their own site. They do free shipping over $200. I'm thinking about picking up some goodies from them sometime soon (maybe even a new monitor).

We should get together sometime for some install time. It looks like you got some good fabrication skills - I could learn something from ya. I'm a fair wiz w/ electronics so maybe we could each learn something. I'm new to Marietta so I'm looking to meet as many folks as I can and learn the area. Maybe we could put in an order together for gooddeals to make sure we get free shipping

. Shoot me a message sometime if you're interested in a meet.

Yeah I got an 8" monitor off ebay thats some off brand lookalike and the res is only 640x480 but it seems to be doing the job.. Im in Marietta too not too far from Cmags so maybe we can all hook up sometime.. How far are you from Hwy 92?