LCD mod help

[the 6th jackson]

I'm about to buy a new "small form factor" system which i will build from the ground up. I wanted to put an LCD in the front and not just any LCD but a fully functional LCD like the ones most people have installed in their cars. I've seen this done before somewhere and it was used as a second monitor but cannot remember where. I really dont even know where to start, but really would like to do this along with keeping the price as low ass possible. Any help on where I might gain some knowledge on how this could be done or how certain things I need to know about work would be greatly apreciated. My knowledge basically comes down to me building one previous computer and I have no modding experiance including dremeling or soldering what so ever, so this will be a tough project for my first.

Thanks,
Chase B.

[the 6th jackson]

Heres a link i found that seems quite helpful but the connection bit really confuses me. Will just any LCD work like this?

http://www.talix.com/

[the 6th jackson]

After going through the tutorial a considerable amount of times I'm starting to realize how daunting of a task this is and how little experiance I have in the subject. Does anyone know of LCD monitors that are specifically made for computer mods like this? It seems theres got to be an easier way to do this....???? or at least I hope.

Chase B.

[Tin]

look for a PSone LCD...the composite video plug will plug right into your video card. the best thing is that they can be had for $75 if you look hard enough .

[the 6th jackson]

Well the only problem with that is I wanted VGA input for better quality. Any links that help are greatly apreciated, and also any knowledge anyone has is very nice.

Thanks,
Chase B.

[Designer]

All I know on the subject is that if you were to go with one designed for car you could easily power it from the 12V psu rail.

[the 6th jackson]

I'm familar with most computer parts but what exactly is the PSU "rail" I know what the PSU is......is rail jst a slang term for the psu power

[Designer]

Sorry, just means the 12V supply coming from the PSU (just an electroinics term for it)

[the 6th jackson]

I'm still not able to find a whole lot on this subject, and the things I do find arnt about AVG lcd inputs which is what I want due to the quality. Hmm anyone have a good place to start, such as learning about the wiring or anything along those lines?

[the 6th jackson]

Can anyone tell me if this is VGA input

http://www.generaldigital.com/produc...onitor_kit.htm

Thanks,
Chase B.

[Designer]

From what I can tell but I may be wrong it looks like it accepts a composite signal. This is like the coax cable going to the back of a normal TV set

[the 6th jackson]

Composite = Not what I'm looking for *(

thought i had something lol

[mb26]

u could look for an old laptop on ebay, with a small screen, should be cheaper than $75. you'd need stuff to convert the input stuff so u can connect it to VGA, and power it. [don't ask me how].

u could just get the one tried-and-tested in the link u provided "while scouting for a higher quality LCD, I found Xenarc, and their fabulous model 700Y:"

personally, i think a touchscreen would be hella-good.

[shadowbreaker513]

The only real thing I've seen on doing something like this was in Maximum PC. For their 2004 Dream Machine, they put a lcd screen integrated into the the front of the computer

[Designer]

Visit RS Electronics

Go to this section:

electronics >> optoelectronics,displays >> LCD Displays >> Colour TFT displays

They've got some minature colour TFT displays designed for machine automation, some have standard 15 pin VGA inputs and are capable of XVGA resolutions

[Tin]

Originally Posted by Designer Visit RS Electronics Go to this section: electronics >> optoelectronics,displays >> LCD Displays >> Colour TFT displays They've got some minature colour TFT displays designed for machine automation, some have standard 15 pin VGA inputs and are capable of XVGA resolutions

wow i didnt know you had an RS electronics in the UK too. one of their large warehouses is here in the Metro Detroit area. ive spent lots of money there .

[mrmister1]

You may also want to check out the tutorial here. They give a good recommendation for an LCD. But the tutorial is for a Mid Tower, so I don't know how well it will help you.

[the 6th jackson]

Thanks tons for the replys guys.......the last tutorial I had been at already but they had used S-video and composite to work. The only reason i didnt want to go with xenarc is because there so dog gone expensive. But I think ebay may solve that. The laptop Idea was nice except I'm putting this in a miniATX pc.

Now for the question (drumroll)

If you look at the tutorial I posted ( http://www.talix.com/ ) I pretty much understand everything it says now that I've read it really slow except for one part.

If you scroll down to where the sub-title says "DISPLAY CONTROLLER" and then ends at "LED" I dont really understand the point or what is going on between those two titles. If anyone could point me in the right direction about why exactly he is doing that soldering and how exactly the switches are being donw It would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks,
Chase B.

[Designer]

OK, the switches are the original controls that were fitted to the LCD display like on/off button etc.

All he's done is fitted his own switches to the front panel of the PC and wired them up to where the original ones were (that's how it appears to me anyway)

[the 6th jackson]

Ok well thats what I got out of it too.

But.....

Where did this white thing he's soldering the wires to come from?
http://www.talix.com/Pix/Display_Done.jpg
and Is that just whats going to be used to plug in the "female connector" from the switches?

In this picture I realize one of the soldering groups is to plug into the "female connector" on the "control panel" but what is the other soldered group of wire for?
http://www.talix.com/Pix/Switch_Cable_2.jpg

Also if anyone has a link or can descriebe exactly how switches such as these operate it may make it alot easier.

Thanks,
Chase B.

[boatgod]

http://www.casemodgod.com/6_lcd_case_mods.htm

[the 6th jackson]

Thanks for the help but someone had previously posted that link

[the 6th jackson]

still searching for a better describtion of what i dont understand