Kontron LCD VGA=>LVDS controller

supergeek · 02-15-2006, 07:12 PM

What it is:

(from the Kontron Web page)

Description
The CRTtoLCD-1-LC-LVDS is a cost effective TFT flat panel interface adapter that allows to connect LVDSl flatpanels to standard analog video sources (VGA-interface). It includes all the necessary functionality to create a full featured TFT monitor. From a single 12V power supply, the CRTtoLCD-1-LC generates all the voltages required by a TFT panel and it includes power sequencing features and backlight support. The highly flexible architecture of the CRTtoLCD-1-LC panel interface allows it to adapt to virtually any TFT panel. A variety of cable adapter kits are available on request.

What it does:

It is an interface board to go from VGA to LVDS (most non laptop LDS panels).

THE GOOD:

Cheap. Only $72. Different models are available that include integrated touch controllers. The base model is the only one I have played with, so I can't speak for the others. The base model is one of the better RGB+>LVDS adapters I have ever used, and it is cheap (others are cheaper, if you buy 100+)

It has a neat function, which is a serial programmable OSD and screen adjustment via serial port. This is cool for a couple of reasons. First, you can set your display up (heigth, widths, etc..) and lock it. second, a lot of folks who strip their displays loose their keypads for adjustmetns, or at least make them more difficult to access.

Supports a HUGE array of LVDS monitors (which is pretty much the point of a standardized protocal). it has worked on all I have tried them on, even when they are not listed as compatible.

THE BAD:

Nothing comes to mind

I hesitated to post this here. There are LVDS screens all over the place dirt cheap. I have bought a dozen 10, 12 and 14" compatible screens made by NEC on Ebay for under $2 each. The problem is the controller. The Kontron controller solves that problem.

WEB PAGE w/ PICTURES (sorry, I do not generally take pictures of circuit boards

)

http://www.kontron.com/products/pdpr...yProduct=40640

They have many models available. As I said, I have only ever tried the basic model (and it was free

) but if it is any indication of their quality, I give them 2 thumbs up.

YOU HAVE TO

novolo · 03-02-2006, 08:33 AM

so, you are saying that its compatible with almost all tft monitors? laptop monitors... is hta correct?

if its right, i'll order one right now.. then i'll worry about buying the correct laptop screen, there are plenty out there relly cheap...

so, one thing that i didn't undestrood very well.. how does the power work? it has an integrated 12v input power supply to power the LCD ??

novolo · 03-02-2006, 08:50 AM

Hi, i was searching this kontron web, and found out that it has a uk shop... and my father is flying to london at the end of the month so i could order one from there... but as i searched the uk web i couldn't see the one you talk about.. so here is the web with all the analog controllers and if you can... could you tell me wich one is the best, or wich one is the one that works with laptop tft?
http://uk.kontron-emea.com/index.php?id=1111&cat=364

edit:
one other thing, what is ttl flatpanel supoport? the panel that i think is the one says there is an optional ttl platpanel support... here is the link: http://uk.kontron-emea.com/index.php...&productid=222

_dopehead_ · 03-03-2006, 02:15 AM

i think what they are saying about power is, you feed it 12v and it will make all the other voltages for the TFT and the backlight.

supergeek · 03-03-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by novolo

so, you are saying that its compatible with almost all tft monitors? laptop monitors... is hta correct?

if its right, i'll order one right now.. then i'll worry about buying the correct laptop screen, there are plenty out there relly cheap...

so, one thing that i didn't undestrood very well.. how does the power work? it has an integrated 12v input power supply to power the LCD ??

NO. Only LVDS screens.

RawsonDR · 03-03-2006, 02:12 PM

Can you give us some examples? What sort of screens have you used, personally, with it? The ebay auctions I could find lacked heavily on pictures and detailed specs. How'd you get your 2 dollar screens?

What is involved in interfacing the two? The website mentions the various "cablesets" available.... are the plugs proprietary based on panel manufacturer? Is this an additional cost?

I'd really just like to get an idea of a typical end result, starting from scratch.

12Vsystems · 03-03-2006, 11:22 PM

the cable set is the challange each display is a little different although you can build a cableset yourself it is time consuming and requires knowedge of LVDS. They have some really good applications engineers but you got to place a big order to get their support.

This was one of the products I use to support while working at kontron back in the day. Price has come down a lot since I left.

Was there any problem with lead times on this part?

supergeek · 03-03-2006, 11:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 12Vsystems

the cable set is the challange each display is a little different although you can build a cableset yourself it is time consuming and requires knowedge of LVDS. They have some really good applications engineers but you got to place a big order to get their support.

This was one of the products I use to support while working at kontron back in the day. Price has come down a lot since I left.

Was there any problem with lead times on this part?

No problems at all. I called and they had it on my doorstep 4 days later. There would have been a lead time for any quanitity, but nothing unreasonable. We ended up going with an in house solution becuase we were unhappy with Kontrons pricing for 1000 units. We could design and produce our own for $17.40 each, and kontron wanted $52 each. No contest there.

As far as the cable sets go...that is not as big an issue as it has been in the past. Most manufacturers are switching to a fairly standard cable, either a flex 32 or a flex 50. When I rodered the controller from Kontro, they threw in a cable set for free for my applicaiton becuase the screen I wanted to use was non standard. The documentation that comes with the board was, IMO, outstanding, IF YOU KNOW WHAT YO ARE DOING TO BEGIN WITH. Not somethign a newbie to electronics probably wants to play with, but if you have a fair to decent understanding of LVDS to begin with, or a little time to goole, you should have no problems.

supergeek · 03-03-2006, 11:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RawsonDR

Can you give us some examples? What sort of screens have you used, personally, with it? The ebay auctions I could find lacked heavily on pictures and detailed specs. How'd you get your 2 dollar screens?

What is involved in interfacing the two? The website mentions the various "cablesets" available.... are the plugs proprietary based on panel manufacturer? Is this an additional cost?

I'd really just like to get an idea of a typical end result, starting from scratch.

the best way to see if your screen will work is to go to http://www.kontron-emea.com/index.php?id=1041 and use Kontrons configuration tool.

We generally use NEC screens. The one I have hooked up to the controller right now is a NL8060BC31-28D that I bought on Ebay for the minimum bid ($1)

The Kontron will supprot a lot of screens, so just pick one off ebay with a low bid and check the tool to see if it will work.

brenko · 11-24-2007, 03:01 PM

HI
first: My english not so good, sorry?

so,how can i use this display: ltm10c327f with carpc (D201GLY2)

thx

User Name		Remember Me?
Password