Alternative to stand alone LCD controller

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eebasist

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Joined 2002
#1
You know how we've been having a problem with the cost of stand along LCD controlers? Well i have an idea that i'll be trying. I've bought an Aaeon 675 single board computer...it has a chips and technologies 69000 video chip on it that will allow me to interface with any LCD panel that can work on the 69000 (pretty common)....this would be able to function as an HTPC as well as power the panel.

BTW many different small board computers contain this chip and have pinout diagrams for various lcds
 
#2
That's definately something useable. Advantech is a good place for SBC's as well. There are, however, LCD controllers for $200 at earth-lcd. But if you want to dedicate a new computer, the SBC route might be a good idea.
 
#3
But on the bright side, I bought that SBC for 47$ shipped from the UK new...its a socket 370 so it can take cheap chips, and ebay has bare lcds for ~50-100 all the time. So for a HTPC its still great....or you can use it as your regular computer as well since it supports dual displays
 
#4
It is an interesting idea. And I think it might work.

I have not idea how SBC works ( saw some very simple application like 15years ago). So, what OS it takes? windows? or some special embeded OS?

If it uses windows then a good Celeron or PIII chip may give acceptable video performance; if it doesn't, are there software availble for multimedia (free or low cost)? Or could it be modified/upgraded with some sort of converter, so it can accept external video source (from another computer, DVD player, ethernet maybe) and display on LCD?:scratch:

last question, where could you get this sbc-675 for $47. I would like to play around it, even if it wont work for lcd projector.
 
#5
The SBC is simply a motherboard......needs a power supply, chip, memory etc. Basically its a compact footprint motherboard with integrated video (LCD and CRT), ethernet, and can interface with lots more PCI/ISA boards with a backplane. I think its worth it, but i'm a bit insane
 
#10
Well, for $47 you can't complain. However, you have to buy a processor (even a cheap one will still cost $20 minimum), memory, a harddrive. With SBC's, you also need to buy the special power supply, as well as a case (I guess you could make your own). The of course, the LCD cables will probably be $20 or more. Add at least $30 to that if it needs some kind of LVDS transmitter attatched to it. It all adds up, but if you do everything yourself, and you have old parts to use, I guess it could work and be worth it if you get a panel for dirt cheap.
 
#14
eebasist said:
I already have a spare chip laying around, can use my old HD, and you dont need an LVDS cable if its a short distance....dont need a special power supply....it uses atx on this board
Click to expand...

That's how it used to be (LVDS was just for long distance external applications, like DVI is now), but most newer panels have LVDS recievers built into them because it uses less wires to fit through the hinges (learned this from a particularly unpleasant fellow who lives on a distant island). There's no way to bypass it, so you have to have a controller that has a compatible LVDS transmitter (i.e. Texas Instruments chips won't work w/ National Semiconductor's chips). Most companies offer an addon card or whatever.

But chances are that if your looking at an old laptop panel, it just has regular TTL inputs, so you won't have to worry about it.
 
#15
Yep, i'm looking at older laptop panels that you can find new on ebay. Just wish i could find out wich ones were compatable with the C&T 69000.

I know the LP121S2 and LP121SB are, but would love to see if the S3, S4 series are also compatable...if they are i'm golden
 
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