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Wish list - A color LCD KIT from Parallax. — Parallax Forums

Wish list - A color LCD KIT from Parallax.

SN96SN96 Posts: 318
edited 2005-11-02 16:10 in General Discussion
I was wondering, if at all possible for Parallax to·develop a color LCD video board that will allow the basic stamp to interface with it. A perfect example of what I am talking about is the Amulet Easy GUI 5.7" Starter Kit. The Sony ACX705AK color LCD is dirt cheap, $20.00, and I think would make a great kit. It seems that there are quit a few people out there want to do this project but just don’t have the ability to get it to work, like my self.·blush.gif··
Just a wishful thought.

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Mike

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Comments

  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-11-01 21:41
    Name two.... tongue.gif

    All kidding aside, we try to respond where customers ask the most -- and in the five years I've worked at Parallax nobody as every said "You know, customers are asking for color LCDs..." at a product development meeting.· That's not to say there is no interest, but there's probably not enough for us to justify that kind of project.· Are there not alternative sources for what you need?

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • SteveWSteveW Posts: 246
    edited 2005-11-01 21:49
    It's a good candidate for a CPLD project, you know [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    A SX28, a chunk of SRAM, and a playout engine in a CPLD to blast data at the screen, while letting the SX play in the rest of the RAM. Add a chunk of flash in parallel with the SRAM for font / picture storage, and off you go.
    Still not sure there's a huge market clamouring for it, mind...

    Steve
  • SN96SN96 Posts: 318
    edited 2005-11-01 23:20
    Jon, I knew it was a long shot and I was not expecting Parallax to answer to every customer's personal desires or you guys would not get much done. As for the number of people wanting to have a color LCD option in their projects, I'm sure it would snowball if there was such a kit available·today with·a price comparable or less than to the Amulet Easy GUI 5.7" Starter Kit. Since only one color LCD interface kit that is capable with the stamp II exist to my knowledge, there have not been a demand for something that really is almost non existent.
    Anyway, I was hoping that others have asked for the same, but I guess not.



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    Mike

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  • CPUMANCPUMAN Posts: 55
    edited 2005-11-02 00:13
    There is a serial color LCD kit out made by EarthLCD, it's pricy but looks fairly interesting.

    Here's the link:
    http://store.earthlcd.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.297/.f

    Chris
  • SN96SN96 Posts: 318
    edited 2005-11-02 00:18
    Yeah, I saw that CPUMAN, I was hoping Parallax would develop a controller board at half the price. But It aint gona happen as long as Jon is working there.... Just kidding Jon tongue.gif

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    Mike

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  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-11-02 01:05
    So we could make half as much money while providing twice as much support?...· tongue.gif

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • SN96SN96 Posts: 318
    edited 2005-11-02 01:08
    Yeah! yeah.giftongue.gif

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    Mike


    "Don't always think outside the box, sometimes thinking inside the box is more pratical and simple."
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  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-11-02 01:57
    Nice try....

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2005-11-02 11:25
    I don't think color lcds would be a big enough demand to offest the development, design, and stocking of the whole product process.

    If anything, its up to us end users to make the lcd controllers, and offer the schematic, and program for free.

    Its hard enough as it is,,, the project costs WITH a monochrome lcd is already high, making that higher with color lcds would most likely be a turn off for people due to high cost of product.

    The Stamps are a step towards developing high end multimedia electronics, but they are on the low end.

    That is not BAD tho, it allows people who know nothing about, say a CELL PHONE LCD, to learn quite quickly, the fundamentals of
    making projects that use LCD's

    If parallax were to develop high end equiptment, (color lcds, MP3 decoder/amp modules/multi-MHZ processing chips, large RAM/storage)
    who do you think could afford the high price that goes along with high end equiptment.

    Mabee in time as it gets cheaper to make kits like these, we will see them.

    But right now, I personally think the costs would amount to be too much on the customer base that parallax currently has.
    I think actually parallax will only find that people will demand something if its cheap, works with their current stamp and is interesting.

    Color LCD's are not cheap, and they require quite a bit of hardware to get them operational, to their full potential.

    Like I said, parallax has provided us end users with the tools, info, and place to develop open source devices.


    WE need to DO IT. If I find a nice color LCD that will not demand more speed that the BS2 can send it, and that color LCD is 10$ or less. I will buy the lcd, design the program and circuit to make it work.

    Like I said, I think the biggest thing is cost. Next biggest is datasheets... LOL

    For instance, right now, I own a IPAQ it has a very nice 65k color 320 x 240 color LCD. But my IPAQ's processor is quite fast. I have yet to find datasheets on my IPAQ or its LCD.
    But I am pretty certain the IPAQ lcd requires data at a rate that my BS2 cannot send it at.
    Then comes the problem of finding out how to send that data, no datasheet.
    The PRICE issue, isn't an issue because I already own it.
    Same with the two LCD panels that came from my friends broken laptops. No datasheets, and even if I COULD find them, chances are that I would need a processor capable of 10+MHZ.

    We must all remember that our current displays are being powered by a device that has already mastered the 1,000 MHZ barrier.

    The BS2 is a 4 Mhz chip.

    But thats not to say a LCD can't work with a STAMP.
    Im just saying that the LCD will be many times more expensive than the STAMP.

    I'd be too afraid to buy something that expensive and worry about frying or breaking it from the generally rugged use and abuse that most
    stamps usually go thru. I actually NEED my projects to be able to take some bumps...

    I say parallax should concentrate on the design and features of their Microcontrollers.

    I'd rather have another stamp to choose from, software, goodies, free info, more stampworks, etc... than a color lcd to be offered to me at $50 or more.

    Actually I'd like to see their o-scope get some improvements... [noparse];)[/noparse]
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2005-11-02 14:46
    Heres a 6.5 inch TFT color LCD screen that has a COMPOSITE input, for 40$. (the SX VIDEO can output that)

    A bit expensive, but still not 200$
    This is NOT a touch screen.

    And it HAS the DATASHEET.

    But it looks like one will have to provide the connectors for RGB or COMPOSITE or any other input. Also looks like one would have to provide it with regulated power, switch, etc....

    http://www.shopeio.com/inventory/details.asp?id=867&cat=Lcds&sub=Lcd Panels
  • RickBRickB Posts: 395
    edited 2005-11-02 16:10
    How does $50 for a 132x132 rs232 color disp. sound? Others available.

    http://www.shop-en.display3000.com/

    Rick
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