Looking for recommendation on 7"-12" composite monitor 12V for use with Propeller

RobotWorkshop

I'm looking to get a new monitor for my robot and want to switch from the old 640x480 VGA to a composite monitor. It seems that there are more video options if I switch to composite and I can free up a few more I/O pins. So if you are using one that works well or know of any current deals please let me know. The requirements are:

- 7" to 12" LCD screen
- 12V DC power
- Composite Video input
- Mounting holes on rear for standard wall mount brackets

If the monitor also has a regular VGA input as well that would be great but it isn't required.

I'd like something fairly recent so I can get more than one of the same model if it works out.

Robert

Dr_Acula

There are quite a number of displays available that work with the prop. Search on ebay for 'car reverse monitor' eg http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-TFT-LCD-Car-Headrest-Monitor-Reverse-RearView-Color-/270814656912?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0dcfb990 which is a 7" one. Because they are designed for use in a car they all work with 12V.

I have a range of these in different sizes and they work well on the prop. Only 3 pins and 3 resistors which is less than VGA.

Smaller ones are cheaper and use less power.

Toby Seckshund

If you do not require more than two colours/shades/one forground-on-black then you can shave down the pin count on VGA to 4/3 pins. I did this when trying to get as many pins for memory access on a "DracBlade", I pushed the VGA out up onto Pins 24-27

The mask is set to FF for all the usual 8 pin use but setting it to 0F (or 07) gave H & V + 2/1 forgrounds from the usual BLUE bits. I an sure that this kludge is extremely wasteful on memory though, but that could be got around I am sure.

There are loads of 7"+ monitors around from reversing cameras and in car DVD for the kids. At least they are LCDs, I had to chuck out my last CRT 10" as its focus was gone (bit like me).


'implant pin settings and pointers, then launch COG
reg_vcfg := $200000FF + (BasePin & %111000) << 6
i := $FF << (BasePin & %011000) <---- This is the mask part I modified
j := BasePin & %100000 == 0
reg_dira := i & j
reg_dirb := i & !j
longmove(@color_base, @ColorPtr, 2)
if (cog := cognew(@init, SyncPtr) + 1)
return true

Alan

potatohead

If you can, get one that will accept S-video input. The big benefit to that is much nicer intensity detail, and no color-dot crawl, though the resolution limits are still in play. Not a big deal for most displays, but if you are reading lots of text, S-video can be a nice improvement.

tonyp12

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Philips-TFT-Headrest-Color-LCD-Car-Monitor-W-Audio-/150642773051?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2313024c3b (USA)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-TFT-LCD-Color-Screen-Car-Monitor-rearview-camera-VCR-/150591261270?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230ff04a56
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-7-TFT-LCD-Color-Monitor-Backup-Camera-CZ16-/220818657670?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369d15186
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Prism-ATSC-710-7-480i-HDTV-LCD-Television-Bundle-5-100-/110741044871?pt=Televisions&hash=item19c8ae3e87 (with tv tuner, USA)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Car-Standalone-Headrest-TFT-LCD-Monitor-2-Video-input-16-9-Display-Mode-/110742144799?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c8bf071f

localroger

The standard solutions:

1. DVD headrest display. Amazon generally has some 7" units under $100.
2. Actual portable DVD player with video input. Generally the cheap 7" units don't have video in, though; you have to go to the 8 or 9 inch units that are $150+
3. Portable DVD player as in #2 which has broken so that it will no longer play DVD's but will still play video in; these used to be very cheap on eBay but people have wised up about their use for monitors. You might be able to scare one up among your acquaintances though.

RobotWorkshop

Hello,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am down to two choices that look good:

- Haier HLTD7 7-Inch Handheld HDTV with Built-In DVD Player (around $75 through Amazon)
or
- Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV (around $50 through Amazon)

I'm leaning toward just the plain LCD since I don't really need the DVD playback on my project and mounting the DVD version may be a bit more difficult since it doesn't have a standard mount in the back. The regular LCD TV is supposed to use a standard 1/4 mounting stud. I'll find out for sure soon.

Robert

WBA Consulting

Don't forget the 7" display that Parallax sells. I replaced three 9" CRTs on machines at work with Parallax's LCD display.

RobotWorkshop

Good Point! I'm sure you are talking about this one:

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/Displays/tabid/159/CategoryID/34/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/337/Default.aspx

That is definitely one to consider.

EmptyBit

I've been looking at the ebay car monitors as well. $35+sh is hard to believe. Just beware, the spec's don't quite compare to the Gadmei model Parallax sells.

The PL7003 has 300:1 contrast ratio for black/white/color richness and runs on 240mA max. 12ms response time is all they lay claim to.
Ebay units are 100:1 and some are running on near 1A. 10-30ms response time depending on black to white or white to black transition.

Life span? Who knows.

Ravenkallen

@Robotworkshop.... I have that exact same Haier model and it has been very nice so far. I do all my video projects with it. I hope you don't care to much about the TV tuner feature, because i couldn't pick up even one station where i live. Mine came with a little "kickstand", for lack of a better word. It holds it upright and at a slight angle to make it easy to read from a table or counter.

Oh, and the nicest feature was a built in battery. That comes in handy in case of power outages, or if you have to temporarily move a project.