4" Screen Source

[wolfman]

Looking for a screen source, need a 3.8-4 inch diagonal screen with controller board, with a composite input.

Tried searching the internet, but didn´t find a matching size/input compatible piece of hardware.

Has someone probably got a good idea where to look for (not Ebay/Amazon)?

[thesteve]

Ya sure 4.2" won't work? 2

[wolfman]

Ya sure 4.2" won't work? 2

Well, the "car rearview" screens 4:3/16:9 are too small - I already have one in my LT. But it doesn´t fit the original window (2/3 of original size only). Would be nice having one fitting in near to perfection, since the original one was dead when I bought it....

[wolfman]

Ya sure 4.2" won't work? 2

Well, the "car rearview" screens 4:3/16:9 are too small - I already have one in my LT. But it doesn´t fit the original window (2/3 of original size only). Would be nice having one fitting in near to perfection, since the original one was dead when I bought it....

Beauty is only chassis deep... we still want pics!

Ok, here it is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65709578@N06/12800950695/#

Screen mod is from a 3.5" car rearview (same as 4.3, but 4:3 instead of 16:9). Since both types are similar in screen height (only 4.3 is bigger in width) neither one is bigger in terms of actual screen size - PCE is only using 4:3 size, in fact even less.

As you can see from the pic its around 1/3 smaller than the original screen was (light grey frame ). There´s around 1cm on every side missing...making it too small for my taste....

[deubeul]

Which model of screen did you use?

[wolfman]

Which model of screen did you use?

None in particular...since they´re basically all the same, just rebranded and repackaged. You wouldn´t tell from the picture, as they don´t match with the photo on the package nor with the one from the seller on Ebay. But they do accept composite - I wouldn´t count on RGB...at least I didn´t look for it on the controller board (which is pretty tiny).

[deubeul]

I'm asking because none of the two different models (with different controllers) works on my GTs or PcE/CGXs. And there are tons of different motherboards even in the same model:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=17651&start=75

 What i have is freezed image turning all white with one, and good image but continuously scrolling vertically with the other.

So each time i see someone with a working model, i ask. Did you do the 6260 composite mod? or did you built a RGB/composite converter?

[wolfman]

I'm asking because none of the two different models (with different controllers) works on my GTs or PcE/CGXs. And there are tons of different motherboards even in the same model:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=17651&start=75

 What i have is freezed image turning all white with one, and good image but continuously scrolling vertically with the other.

So each time i see someone with a working model, i ask. Did you do the 6260 composite mod? or did you built a RGB/composite converter?

First, I wouldnt play on the controller board if I don´t have a clue what to do or know which part I could easily remove. I knew that they would accept between 9-12V at least, and from my experience even 6V are no problem - depends on the revision.

Did you do a video mod to it? Why aren´t you trying an Adafruit? Afaik they accept Composite/RGB. If you´re into Raspberry, I´d give them a tryj...

I by myself tested the car display if it would accept a plain PAL composite signal (since seller claimed it would accept both), which worked fine, then I tested with my PCE, which also worked. It woulnt however accept Vout from the exp port. So I tapped from either one of the 9V jacks, so that the display would always receive power.

That was it.

If you´re getting a vertical movement - are you sure you didn´t tap sync instead of composite? If I remember correctly both pins are on the opposite of each other...eg if you look from the wrong side you don´t get the right signal....just my 2 cents.

From what I know now I would advise against the cheap boards...yes they are cheap, but finding a bigger screen that would accept RGB+AV would be better. I have to say though, provided you get a clean signal, quality is really ok, since you´re dealing with a very small screen. you´ll never know how long they keep working....

I am still looking for a perfect match, hopefully I´ll find one soon - 4" diagonal would be awesome! 

[deubeul]

First, I wouldnt play on the controller board if I don´t have a clue what to do or know which part I could easily remove. I knew that they would accept between 9-12V at least, and from my experience even 6V are no problem - depends on the revision.

I know which chip has to be removed or where to input 5v, the screens work with other consoles with 5v.

Did you do a video mod to it? Why aren´t you trying an Adafruit? Afaik they accept Composite/RGB. If you´re into Raspberry, I´d give them a tryj...

I'm not into Raspberry, that's just some page i found searching how to resolve my problem.
Don't know what an adafruit is, going to google it...

I by myself tested the car display if it would accept a plain PAL composite signal (since seller claimed it would accept both), which worked fine, then I tested with my PCE, which also worked. It woulnt however accept Vout from the exp port. So I tapped from either one of the 9V jacks, so that the display would always receive power.

As said above, my screens work with a pal PSX with no problem.

If you´re getting a vertical movement - are you sure you didn´t tap sync instead of composite? If I remember correctly both pins are on the opposite of each other...eg if you look from the wrong side you don´t get the right signal....just my 2 cents.

I did the same mod as TheSteve did in the "3.5 GT replacement screen" thread so i don't think there's a sync pin involved:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=9334.60

I am still looking for a perfect match, hopefully I´ll find one soon - 4" diagonal would be awesome! 

Good luck with your quest and thanks for your help!

[wolfman]

First, I wouldnt play on the controller board if I don´t have a clue what to do or know which part I could easily remove. I knew that they would accept between 9-12V at least, and from my experience even 6V are no problem - depends on the revision.

I know which chip has to be removed or where to input 5v, the screens work with other consoles with 5v.

Did you do a video mod to it? Why aren´t you trying an Adafruit? Afaik they accept Composite/RGB. If you´re into Raspberry, I´d give them a tryj...

I'm not into Raspberry, that's just some page i found searching how to resolve my problem.
Don't know what an adafruit is, going to google it...

I by myself tested the car display if it would accept a plain PAL composite signal (since seller claimed it would accept both), which worked fine, then I tested with my PCE, which also worked. It woulnt however accept Vout from the exp port. So I tapped from either one of the 9V jacks, so that the display would always receive power.

As said above, my screens work with a pal PSX with no problem.

If you´re getting a vertical movement - are you sure you didn´t tap sync instead of composite? If I remember correctly both pins are on the opposite of each other...eg if you look from the wrong side you don´t get the right signal....just my 2 cents.

I did the same mod as TheSteve did in the "3.5 GT replacement screen" thread so i don't think there's a sync pin involved:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=9334.60

I am still looking for a perfect match, hopefully I´ll find one soon - 4" diagonal would be awesome! 

Good luck with your quest and thanks for your help!

I didn´t dig deeper into this raspberry thread, but íf you feel fine with modding the board, well why not? I felt safer by directly tapping it from the power jacks. Since I am mainly using an accupack, voltage is lower than 9V and so I don´t see a problem with not modding the board. The good thing is, the screen starts to fade when batteires  go low, so I have time to finish or even save my game, I probably wouldn´t see that with a 5V mod, as it most likely would just shut off. 

[thesteve]

Ok the frozen pic that fades to white is a pannel compatability issue
Had a batch of 3.5" that did that
The controller boards were the same 2

[deubeul]

Any clue for the "good image but continuously scrolling vertically" issue?

[thesteve]

Would have to be the same if the system and screen work separately
Found if a lifted the he pin on the pannel the freeze/fade becomes scrolling perfect
As far as the eBay screens only the housings are consistent the internals are often different  2

[wolfman]

As far as the eBay screens only the housings are consistent the internals are often different  2

+1

[wolfman]

I finally found a 4" screen manufactured by Sharp, I am not sure about it fitting into my LT though, but it seems to be functional - at least I get a picture. Well, sort of....

It is this one:

http://www.dutchtronix.com/Sharp4lu4e.htm

Today I tried to get it run with a composite signal, pins connected like in PDF document mentioned on above homepage... Well the signal strangely showed up as weak b/w although the screen claims to be NTSC standard. The SAME signal shows up in BRIGHT COLOUR on my 3.5" noob car rearview screen.

What could be the problem why I am not getting color? Is there someone with a little knowledge to help me out?

[wolfman]

I finally found a SOURCE!!!

 

There is  a vendor in China selling 4" screens, that are a *** PERFECT *** match!

Certainly * not * a cheap option, but worth considering as soon as you get a dying screen or already have a dead one!

It accepts CVBS/Composite AS WELL AS RGB -  though I didn´t try this for space reasons. Too many cables add up on the bottom of the motherboard, and you can´t fit it back into the shell, I can prove that, cause I´ve tried to.

The screen beautifully aligns with borders of the screen shell, you get a little black border of the screen itself, so you can line it up perfectly when switched on. It accepts a 9V source, down to 6V (tested), so you can easily solder it directly to the power tap.

Here´s the source:

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6041400298.html

[NightWolve]

Hmm, good website for these monitors! Found a 3.5" for the Express mod size that supports RGB and is $18.90:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Color-TFT-Display-3-5-inch-QVGA-240x320-LCD-Module-w-Touch-Panel-Screen-LQ035NC111-RGB/1582479419.html

Wonder if it'd work. There are a lot more there to search for though!

[wolfman]

Hmm, good website for these monitors! Found a 3.5" for the Express mod size that supports RGB and is $18.90:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Color-TFT-Display-3-5-inch-QVGA-240x320-LCD-Module-w-Touch-Panel-Screen-LQ035NC111-RGB/1582479419.html

Wonder if it'd work. There are a lot more there to search for though!

Better check out if they match the board you´re intend using. This one won´t come with it. Alibaba is a WYSIWYG. I felt safe ordering in the past, they also have a similar buyer protection like the one from Paypal.

[turbokon]

Yeah night, no driver board with it.

[thesteve]

the panels support DRGB or DYUV, its the board that counts (generally)

[wolfman]

the panels support DRGB or DYUV, its the board that counts (generally)

Could you recommend a board that would drive my 4" (with matching connector/pinout) and accept 5V input?

[thesteve]

sadly i couldn't
i haven't seen much in separate controller boards
also the board needs to be programmed to match the screen (there are only a few formats used)