Brand new IBM Thinkpad 10.4" TFT screen for $29

[Wei2Cool]

Grab one from here.

I am just wondering if there is any way to build a flat panel monitor out of this. Otherwise, it's only a good deal for those of you who has the right model with a broken screen.

 

[daddyo]

It depends.

I don't know all that much about laptop electronics packaging. If the LCD driver boards are all located within that monitor piece, then it's theoretically possible to fake in some connectors and make it work. If the LCD drivers are in the laptop, then there's really no way to run the lcd.

The meat of the issue is that LCD's don't take native RGB signals, they have to be converted into LCD-world stuff.

Even if the monitor was all inclusive, I'm not sure about VGA signal timings and what would happen if you tried to rewire a standard connector on there.

This is coming from a Mechanical Engineer who packages LCD's, not an EE who designs them, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[riznick]

there are companies that make video cards to make your pc display on these.

 

[hoihtah]

where can i find that info riznick..

i've been looking for an lcd screen for my car.
i'd love to install one of these in my dash.

 

[SnatchKnuckle]

Anybody know if these will work in an I-opener or virgin webplayer?

 

[Kwad Guy]

Unless you can say, right now, that you understand, at a technical
level, LCD screens, and that you understand, at a technical
level, how to integrate an LCD screen into a system, and you can
say, at a technical level, that you have the appropriate
components to use such a screen, this is a COLD COLD deal.

The amount of time and frustration you will otherwise spend
trying to integrate your bargain screen into anything useful
will far outweigh the cost of just buying, say, an old laptop...

Kwad

 

[creektech]

moot point...out of stock.

 

[hick]

Unless you can say, right now, that you understand, at a technical level, how to use commas, then... uh, where was I going with this

Anyways, why bag on this deal? If someone needed to replace the screen in their thinkpad this is an excellent deal. If someone did find the info on how to hook this up to the vga or dvi outputs of their video card it would be an excellent deal. I know I could use an extra $29 screen tacked onto a wall.

 

[swNYC]

Try Here for the LCD - VGA Converter Boards
Hooked up my old 10.4" LCD to my PC

 

[RaoulDuke]

I scored an 8.4" tft lcd screen for $40, got the controller for 90$ and had a kick ass screen for my car for under $150. It's so easy to hook these things up. It's not a terribly hot deal, but it's definately not cold

 

[Sinner]

Where did you get the controller for $90? All the ones I have seen are $199 like the Earth computers link a couple posts above.

 

[im2smrt4u]

If you get just what the picture shows, then you get the LCD power supply with the LCD. The controller is built into the motherboard of the laptops, so you need a video card that outputs for an LCD.

However, if you look at most LCDs (at least the cheap ones) they actually have a VGA connector. My only question is where can you find the specs for the LCD input? It might just be a VGA signal.

im2smrt4u

 

[TheNextRealm]

well, hey, if RaoulDuke or someone knows how to hook these things up it'd be great if you could let us know whats needed to do so, and maybe a breif explination how

 

[ai42]

I have an LCD I pulled out of a fried laptop, but the screen works. I am really intrested in these controllers, anyone tell me where to get one etc. I want to put this in my car, please please more info on how to hook these things up.

 

[Wei2Cool]

I am just wondering why not make the LCD/laptop (or other devices that uses a LCD screen) interface standard, it'll be a lot easier for product upgrade and repair.

 

[hoihtah]

monapoly.

for the same reason why usa can't decide on one cell phone network.
that would eliminate having to buy a new phone if you wanna switch from at&t to sprint to anyother.

 

[VBboy]

I was fixing a laptop at work and it had a similar screen...
It takes a special signal from the videocard of the laptop, it is a very wide cable that also carries other signals, such as those for the HD/Power lights which are located in the laptop monitor (right under this screen). There is a piece of electronics that goes between that video cable and screen's input.

Don't bother.

 

[swNYC]

The LCD connector specifications can be found from the manufacturers, however its like rocket science to most of us since it does not take a regular VGA signal, and all the pin layout is proprietary. The controller board actually drives each individual pixel on the LCD. Also, the LCD screen requires an inverter. The link I posted offers a board which has all of these things (albeit with a rather high price tag), and accepts a standard analog VGA signal thru a 15-Pin D Sub Connector and a 12V DC Input. Also the controllers are brand specific since each brand has their own pin layouts etc.

More information can be found at the Linux Hacker Website (Original I-Opener Hack Info)