Digital photo frame as secondary display?

[DP Louie]

I've been kicking around this idea for awhile, just wondering if it's possible or even if someone has done this - I want to add a small secondary display to my cab under the main screen, to display a static image of the controls for whatever game you're playing.  I have enough room for a 5~6 inch lcd.  I know I could get a lilliput or similar vga monitor, but they are more money than I want to spend.  Would it be possible to use a small digital picture frame for this?  I don't own any, so I'm not familiar with how they operate.  It would have to be able to be directly connected via USB, and display the pic that is sent to it, without showing any of it's own menus.  I would also need a program or a plug in for Mala that would send the pic to the frame.  Is any of this possible, or should I lay off the crack pipe?   

Greg Williams

[padstack]

People have done similar with secondary displays.  I would advise a PS1 LCD.  They can be hadon ebay for around $30 or so if you get lucky.  They take a composite signal by default, but can be hacked for VGA (in interlaced mode).

I stocked up when they went on clearance a couple years ago @ Toys R us.  I have a buddy who has a few as well.  I think he was asking like $30-40 + shipping.  Kinda high, but he doesn't care if he moves them or not.

[Dizzle]

I wanted to use a digital picture frame also, but couldn't find one that had any inputs besides those for memory cards (no VGA or s-video).  The only thing I saw that was comparable was the Lilliputs you mentioned, but they were kinda high and although it "supports" higher resolution, their native resolutions were not what I was looking for -- I was concerned how things would look.  The PS1 LCD sounds like a good way to go.

I just went with an extra cheap 15" monitor I had lying around and mounted it on top of my mini cab.  There's no need for a plugin with MaLa -- it's pretty easy to set up.  I mostly use it as a marquee of sorts.

[Thurman]

Here's someone that bought a 2.5" DVD player for $20 and hacked into it to add composite feed:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=76742.0

[Chris2]

Wow. That's a good idea. I should try that on a cab sometime.