LCD Marquee for Bartop Mame - 10.2" Screen with 25:9 Aspect Ratio

[AGarv]

I have seen a few people mention car visor / mirror LCDs before on the forums, but have never seen a project that uses one.  Evidently there are quite a few 10.2" LCDs made with a 25:9 aspect ratio, such as the ~$65 one available here:

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Pyle-LCD-Rearview-Mirror-Monitor-Refurbished-10.2-inch/6345761/product.html

It just so happens that the width of the 10.2" widescreen matches the width of the small 4:3 LCD that I am using for my bartop project, so I may give it a shot.  From what I have seen it is a very simple thing to set up MAME to display marquees on a secondary display.

Anyone have experience with these things?  Evidently the display is "mirrored" when not on, which may look a bit odd when off or perhaps provide glare that affects image quality.

The only other downside is that the only input for the marquee is composite video.  The PC I am using in an X61 tablet laptop with integrated graphics (laptop screen as the primary display)... is there a super-simple/cheap way to convert the VGA-out for the secondary display to a composite signal?

[kalars123]

just google vga to composite there's adapters starting ~5ish, that's an interesting find though if you go for it make sure you post up pics 

[SavannahLion]

That's good price. I tried to pick a couple up on eBay but I tend to be shill bid to ridiculous prices. I have noticed that while the specs seem reasonable some of the example pictures tend to show a stretched image in the "native" resolution, like this one. I'd like to see one in action but absolutely no auto shop carries this size.

The mirrored thing should be easy. If its a half mirror you can swap it out with a little work. If it's polarized well.... live with it or use a bit of smoked acrylic.

[P-chan]

Don't forget to add a few bucks for a 110vAC to 12vDC converter

[SavannahLion]

Don't forget to add a few bucks for a 110vAC to 12vDC converter

What's the draw? Maybe you can just tap into the 12v line on a standard PSU.....

[MonMotha]

Don't forget to add a few bucks for a 110vAC to 12vDC converter

What's the draw? Maybe you can just tap into the 12v line on a standard PSU.....

Given that your average PC PSU provides enough juice to weld with, these days (only slightly exaggerating), I'm sure you can.  Just be wary of ground loops.

My major concern would be that composite video is going to look pretty bad, and don't expect to hit "native res" since everything's going to want to scale whatever you feed it to fit TV standards.  May not matter in a "bartop marquee" type application, though.

[AGarv]

Don't forget to add a few bucks for a 110vAC to 12vDC converter

What's the draw? Maybe you can just tap into the 12v line on a standard PSU.....

Given that your average PC PSU provides enough juice to weld with, these days (only slightly exaggerating), I'm sure you can.  Just be wary of ground loops.

My major concern would be that composite video is going to look pretty bad, and don't expect to hit "native res" since everything's going to want to scale whatever you feed it to fit TV standards.  May not matter in a "bartop marquee" type application, though.

I agree, the stretched composite video is actually my biggest concern.  Being a bartop, the marque is a bit more "in your face" than with a full upright.  The screen that I am using for the main display is a beautiful IPS at 1024x768, so my biggest fear is that the marquee will look particularly bad in comparison.  A sharply printed static marquee would probably be more impressive in person.  I will give it some more thought.

[Yvan256]

I agree, the stretched composite video is actually my biggest concern.  Being a bartop, the marque is a bit more "in your face" than with a full upright.  The screen that I am using for the main display is a beautiful IPS at 1024x768, so my biggest fear is that the marquee will look particularly bad in comparison.  A sharply printed static marquee would probably be more impressive in person.  I will give it some more thought.

Any update on this one? shanghaiguide offered me to find controllers for different LCD panels, maybe he could help once you buy the unit and de-case it. I would also be interested in following this one.

What is the supposed native resolution of this LCD? I'm doing a compilation of marquees in 1024x640 to use with an Eonon L0311M. If you look at the photos, the aspect ratio of the pixels is obviously not 1:1, I've asked them which LCD panel is used and so far they replied it's an "Eonon LCD"... 

Still waiting on the datasheet for this one. Since there's two per set (left and right mirrors) maybe we could split the cost? What's the internal width of your cabinet?