7" widescreen VGA

Whaleboy · 06-18-2002, 10:02 PM

So now that I've finished fabrication of all the pieces necessary for a screen to be installed in my dash, I've been homing in on what to get. I originally was headed after the 6.5" VGA from EarthLCD (which had the outline drawings handy, so is thus what I designed from), but happened across GNET's webpage where apparently they are offering 7" Widescreen VGA displays.

http://www.gnetcanada.com/carlcds/pr...num=GNET_70VGA

You heard that correct, right down to the 15-pin VGA connector. They also have available a touchscreen version, with apparently the touchscreen is built in to the case. However, they're outta stock for the next month - and the display is only 200 nits which causes me some concern.

When I asked about what brand the LCD module is exactly, they weren't sure but had guessed Panasonic. Having said that, I found this display.

http://www.tmdisplay.com/tm_dsp/pana.../e-edtcb18.pdf

Sweet, 400 nits, and a 120 degree viewing angle! maximum resolution of 800x480. Perfect. Doesn't appear to be the same module as the one carried by GNET however.

Now the problem is, where to find this brighter module. Anyone come across these modules, or know of a supplier who handles Panasonic/Matsu****a LCD's? It seems these displays are only available overseas. I've seen some used ones for sell on LCD bulk buyer/seller websites, going at $150 a pop, but other then that have only found this obscure taiwanese website carrying a display that uses this particular module.

http://www.awst.com.tw/hardware-a.htm

It's the LAV-701

Just curious to see if anyone might have seen something like this before, or better yet, have any expierence with the model offered by GNET.

I'm trying to avoid calling Panasonic directly 'cause I know I'm gonna be rerouted half-way around the planet in my quest for that brighter display.

And besides, waiting a whole month.. UGH! I dunno, maybe i could handle it if really necessary.

Hell, even finding out what particular module is in that GNET display would be sweet. It's probably made by somebody obscure like AND or something.

AND, to add onto that.. Who here's uses a resistive touch screen and is it a pain in the ***? I can' help but wish for a capacitive, or acoustic but umm, 6.5" and 7" with a 16:9 aspect ratio are not exactly standard industry sizes.

Thanks in advance for the help guys!

Berak · 06-19-2002, 02:56 PM

7.0", Wide VGA is what I've been looking for also. I have looked at the Sharp LQ070T5DG01 at 300 nits and I found it for around $560 or so.

I looked at the specs on the Panasonic EDTCB18 and it has superior contrast and brightness although a slightly lower resolution.

If you find a source please post, if I could get one for a good price I would love it!

Thanks.

SuperMatty · 06-19-2002, 04:31 PM

I use a resistive touchscreen on my Datalux monitor and have had no issue with it. True, with a resistive touchscreen you need to actually *press* on it a bit to "make it go," but it works perfectly well for what I"m using it for. Maybe if you are trying to paint the next Mona Lisa with it in photoshop, it won't be what you're looking for.

sts103 · 06-19-2002, 07:48 PM

The 7" VGA monitor also appears on the net as the Xenarc monitor as seen on this US site for $499:

http://www.mobileexcitement.com/

sts103

SuperMatty · 06-19-2002, 08:22 PM

How bright is that Xenarc monitor?

Whaleboy · 06-19-2002, 10:10 PM

I read on the press release at www.xenarc.com it's 180 nits. Ugh.

However, it sez brightness can be upgraded upon request - gonna have to email them about that.

The unit that includes a touchscreen is also on backorder, so I'm thinking Xenarc underestimated their production run, maybe?

Of course, for a 7" widescreen VGA that's in the $500 ballpark, I can't help but wonder how easy it would be to manually add more brightness to the display by just buyin' some extra tubes. I seem to recall somebody around here did that last year.

SuperMatty · 06-19-2002, 10:16 PM

I wanted to do that with my Datalux screen, but the customer service guy told me that it requires a new screen as well as a new backlight.

tbdombrosky · 06-20-2002, 02:16 AM

That company also makes a touchscreen version of the same display. I don't see it anywhere though.

Tom

THEMP3KID · 06-20-2002, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SuperMatty
I wanted to do that with my Datalux screen, but the customer service guy told me that it requires a new screen as well as a new backlight.

That would make sense, I think.. As the screen would also have to have a darker contrast/brightness so the image didn't look washed out.

Whaleboy · 06-20-2002, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SuperMatty
I wanted to do that with my Datalux screen, but the customer service guy told me that it requires a new screen as well as a new backlight.

I'm actually surprised to hear that, as there are many companies out there that specialize in replacement backlights that are brighter then the originals, and in many cases simply require removing the old backlight, and replacing the new one.

And there's a few companies I've come across that sale Sharp displays that use Landmarks replacement backlights.

Landmark has replacement backlights for quite a few LCD's, with brightness replacement up too like 2,200 nits! Impressive.

Read about it here...

http://www.landmarktek.com/TechNotes/tk1199.pdf

tbdombrosky · 06-20-2002, 03:14 PM

I emailed Xenarc and they said they offer touchscreen addons for the 700V (model shown in the picture). They said the screens are on backorder right now but in a month they will email me with a place to order them with the touchscreen. I can't wait a month.

Tom

Whaleboy · 06-20-2002, 06:04 PM

I said that they were backordered

I had spoken with them about upgrading the brightness on the Xenarc displays, and it's only possible with large quanitity orders, so there goes that idea.

Though last night I decided to disassemble a spare 5" sharp LCD I had laying around and had taken a look at the backlight assembly. Adding additional CCFL tubes will be a piece of cake, would simply need to modify the existing housing, or I might resin a new one.

I'm reading quite a few new laptops are using 180 nits display, maybe this rating isn't so bad as it seems.

Anyone else here use a display rated around 180 nits, and if so have any problems with daylight washing out the screen?

Phat Justice · 06-20-2002, 07:22 PM

My IBM Transnote gets really washed out... the screen is reviewed to be of "average" brightness, so I'm assuming that its around 180nits. When I drove solo on Travroute, I had to put it on the passenger floor, and even that was difficult because of the sun reflecting off of the beige passenger seat. (It was around 4-5pm)

I would just bite the bullet and pay for the really expensive Mobile EarthVue monitors that have 300 or 500 nits at EarthLCD.

thenominous · 06-24-2002, 03:15 PM

From the adorable Libretto pages at: http://www.silverace.com/libretto
There is a company (bottom of the page) that offers 3M transparent film which take the libretto screen up from 70nits to 120nits.
Its expensive, but then the info hasnt been updated for years, literally...
I checked the Man and Machine website, and urgh, nothing about this servie, but it is likely that other companies offer it, and without having to change the hardware.

Dave

Phat Justice · 06-24-2002, 03:41 PM

Hmmm... Although the 7" screens are only 180 nits, it does have the "sunlight surface coating" that is probably the same as the 3m film from the M&MI website. Reducing the amount of reflection is half the battle.

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