Laptop LCD Advice (Again)

Nads O'Hair · 04-16-2001, 11:39 AM

After a few months of debating, I've decided I want to go with a full blown laptop lcd for my player. I'll only be playing mp3's for the time being, but I'll be upgrading to GPS, DVD, etc., so I figure I'll spend the money now and be done with it. Now I've searched through posts, but there is such a variety of possablities, it just complicated things more. I'm looking for a good setup, but I need some experienced advice.

My requirments are:

-Color (enough for decent DVDs)
-Good motion display
-LCD Possibly 5' from cpu
-Within the 6-10" range (it'll be in the front seat of a pickup, so I can't get too big)
-Very Cheap

(yeah, I can't have everything, so I guess this is optional)

It seems the consensus is the easiest way to go is through flat-panel.com, but I've never been one to spend full price when I can build it myself. So I'd like to look at LCD screen a controller options.

I found a PCI 32 Bit VGA controller card for $100 that "supports Color STN Single Scan, Color STN Dual Scan Color, TFT Active Matrix Monochrome: Color DSTN VGA & SVGA
Sharp, Sanyo, Hitachi with internal bias must 10.4, 11.3, 12.1 Color TFT 3 bit through 24 bit VGA, SVGA, and XGA"

If I get a card like above, and a decent screen, I should be ahead of the game, right?
My costs should be under $300. It's cheaper that a flat-panel kit.

Has anyone complied a list of LCD card combinations that one could look for? I'm tempted to put whatever info I can find on this topic on the web for future newbies, but I don't trust my limited knowledge to get it right. Thanks for any and all comments!

Arby · 04-16-2001, 01:16 PM

Wow... There's quite a few people here that would like to know about this controller card that you found for $100!

BGreet · 04-16-2001, 04:09 PM

Are you sure this "controller card" really isnt just an ntsc out card?

Nads O'Hair · 04-16-2001, 05:49 PM

I'm pretty sure it's what I need. It's an EarthVision/PCI card, but used. I think they run about $200 new!

Falcon62Travis · 04-16-2001, 09:52 PM

If this is the one you're talking about
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...ndexURL=0&rd=1

Then it should do the trick!

Tony S · 04-17-2001, 08:48 AM

Sounds like the one EIO lists in the LCD section on their site, actually.

This guy is thinking like I was but I had to give up the idea due to lack of space for the screen.

Wouldn't you still need to buy the power module or does the card do that?

jose · 04-17-2001, 12:22 PM

i got a isa controller car dto 10" and its self powered, contemplating see if i can parse the signal.. me droools..2x10"..

/....

tempting aint it

Nads O'Hair · 04-17-2001, 06:14 PM

Thats the one Falcon. Hope I get it. Am I correct in thinking the picture quality will be a heck of a lot better than a composite screen? So DVDs, GPS, etc. should work fine.

Tony S: I thought size would be an issue, but I'd rather have full screen capablities, so I'm going to build a custom center console with the screen setup to flip open when I need it. When its closed it'll look like a standard console.

So with the card and a compatable laptop screen, what else would I need? Thanks all!

Yoshi · 04-17-2001, 08:18 PM

FYI: You people DO know that the new ATI Radeon VE has built in Flat Panle suport, and you can get them you under $100 throught Price Watch

See for yourselves...

ATI Radeon VE information page

Arby · 04-17-2001, 08:54 PM

Flat panel support for screens that support the DVI. You still need a controller, and I bet the DVI controllers are even more expensive

The DVI just eleminates the analog between the computer and the lcd.

Nads O'Hair · 04-18-2001, 10:46 AM

Sooooo....
Will this card work, and more importantly, is it worth it? I'll need a cable, but will I need to wire the lcd. What about power? Do I need a converter to power the LCD too? I don't want to get stuck with having to shell out more money because of my ignorance.

ImpoSSter · 04-18-2001, 09:25 PM

Nads,
I have that EXACT controller card. It will work for DVD just fine, given you use a software decoder and a powerful enough processor (I forget the requirements for software/DVD, but my P3 runs DVD in software mode and it's OK).

If you are running a "slower" CPU forcing you into hardware decoding, there is no connection on that controller for input from the decoder card. This is where an analog to digital converter would be better.

Yes, if the auction is just for the controller card, you'll still need to build the cable for the LCD. Hopefully, when you buy an LCD, it will have it's data connector intact - otherwise you'll spend some more green on the connector/cables.

Power to the LCD can be run separately from the LCD connector, but you will need an inverter.

There is lots involved here, and it's certainly not for the faint of heart. My project has stalled out once or twice - but it's progressing slowly.

HTH...

Richard