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Need help finding a large text display for Propeller project — Parallax Forums

Need help finding a large text display for Propeller project

Robert GrahamRobert Graham Posts: 55
edited 2013-09-12 01:20 in Propeller 1
I'm just about done writing code to drive a Parallax 27979 display. I love this little guy; the only problem is the fact that this display is a bit too small to be comfortably read from six feet away. It is for a foot switch operated device. The device sits on the floor, and I step on switches to operate it.

I really only need a text display. So, I'm hoping I can find a similar display that is at least twice as large, but I don't want to learn to output video from a Propeller right now, as I'm broke and lonely from developing the project already! The Mini LCD A/V Color Display looks great, but I'm thinking I won't be able to run it with simple code, unlike the 20x4 27979.

If anyone can recommend a large text display, that is easy to use, which displays characters twice as large as the 27979 or better, please help me! It would be nice if it could display four lines of text or more.

Comments

  • Mark_TMark_T Posts: 1,981
    edited 2013-03-13 05:06
    Not quite this big though? http://www.gs-gmbh.net/products/text-displays-large-led-text-display-and-display-boards.html

    Tricky, found a 16x1 display 6" wide: http://uk.farnell.com/midas/mc11615a6w-bnmlw/lcd-16x1-bstn-white-on-blue/dp/2218953?in_merch=New Products
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2013-03-13 06:38
    This one is quite nice:
    https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8799

    Ray made a very nice object. I modified it a little bit to output big text with ROM fonts. Thanks to Ray's permission it is on the obex.

    Electronic assembly is another nice source. I purchased a big display readable in direct sunlight, and while very expensive the quality is astounding.

    Massimo
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,662
    edited 2013-03-13 07:18
    If you want it big and it doesn't have to be integrated into a box, I'd say a VGA or TV monitor is the simplest option.
    Take a look at the VGA_Text and TV_Text demos that come with the Prop Tool. It only takes a little bit of time to figure them out...
  • Robert GrahamRobert Graham Posts: 55
    edited 2013-03-13 13:10
    Image03132013150416.jpg
    Thanks for the helpful suggestions! I really appreciate it guys. As you can see, the 27979 is about half the size of what it should be. Obviously, a text display is in order here; I don't want to give away too much, as I want to sell the thing, but with this many switches, there is way too much information for me to display with just indicator lights!

    I'm going to look into your suggestion max72. Thanks again!
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  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2013-03-13 13:23
    ...I've PM'd you.
  • Robert GrahamRobert Graham Posts: 55
    edited 2013-09-10 03:03
    Image09102013045417.jpg
    A big thanks to Massimo and Raymond Allen! I will be using this unit to develop software, and then I will purchase another display to use in my control unit (see above post).One thing: there are two lines of dead pixels in this unit I have right now, so I'm wondering if this has been a problem for other users?
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  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2013-09-10 04:43
    I have two of them and both are not showing dead lines.

    Massimo
  • lanternfishlanternfish Posts: 366
    edited 2013-09-10 20:44
    I reused the LCD display out of an old Epson or Brother (or some other brand) electr(on)ic typewriter a few years back. It was about 12" x 4". Probably a bit big for what you want though you may be able to locate something a little smaller.
  • CircuitsoftCircuitsoft Posts: 1,166
    edited 2013-09-11 11:20
    If I were you, I'd try to find a 480x272 LCD and drive it with a separate prop if you can't spare the cpu power. If you use the on-chip fonts with a display of that size, it should be readable from quite a ways away.
  • Robert GrahamRobert Graham Posts: 55
    edited 2013-09-12 01:10
    lanternfish wrote: »
    I reused the LCD display out of an old Epson or Brother (or some other brand) electr(on)ic typewriter a few years back. It was about 12" x 4". Probably a bit big for what you want though you may be able to locate something a little smaller.
    It would be difficult to go too big, but that really is the upper limit that will fit in my enclosure! I'm guessing you had to write all the software yourself?
  • Robert GrahamRobert Graham Posts: 55
    edited 2013-09-12 01:20
    Circuitsoft wrote: »
    If I were you, I'd try to find a 480x272 LCD and drive it with a separate prop if you can't spare the cpu power. If you use the on-chip fonts with a display of that size, it should be readable from quite a ways away.
    I do appreciate all suggestions. I am happy with the Sparkfun "Huge" LCD, but I will look at everything you guys suggest! Not only is the Sparkfun unit a good sized for my application (will be read from 6 feet away), I can use Raymond Allen's drivers. His sharing of code will save me hundreds of hours of work. I'm new to writing software, so it's a lot of work for me to bust out something completely original.
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