Using a Laptop LCD

[ericdelee2]

Anyone have any idea how to go about connecting a laptop LCD to a regular computer and using it as the screen?

I know, I know.  That's a newbie question if there ever is.  lol

But I was wondering because I always see laptop screens go fairly cheap on ebay.  Everything from 10"-15" LCD screens.  

I'm sure all makers use different ways of hooking things up, but how hard would it be to just wire it into a regular computer?  

I was wondering, as this could make my tabletop project really nice and slim!  

Thanks for any suggestions...

Eric DeLee

[tmasman]

Sorry it takes a special (hardware) driver to drive those...
It's kind of like a special video card, but IIRC they cost around $150-$200... That kinda makes it not worth the $$$ you saved picking up the screen. You might as well get a LCD screen meant for a desktop.

I'll try & look one up a little later... The boss just called me down to his office... That's never a good thing.

[tmasman]

The boss just called me down to his office... That's never a good thing.

Actually it was a good thing... Who'd-a-thunk-it...

Anyhow, do a quick Google search for laptop lcd desktop converter

And you'll find enough info... But Like I said before... It's not cheap. (Usually $200+ for the LCD controller card) Like this one

[Wienerdog]

Everyone hold your wienerdogs.

I have some laptops that I am using/coming up with uses for.  They will most likely not work how you are expection... but they could still be cool.  

A cheap laptop LCD is not going to have a good diagonal view.  In other words, you need to be perpendicular to the screen.  It won't be good horizontal.  So how could this be cool?  Well, you could use multiple screens angled up towards the player.  This of course defeats the purpose of using a cheap LCD.

Tom explained the problem of driving your LCD from a desktop, but there is still the option of using a full (old) laptop.  If you can find the right outlet, you might be able to get some old laptops for a low price.  

All in all, unless you are trying to do something revolutionary (which we of course encourage!), I would go a different route.

Tmas,
I called your boss.  He wants to talk to you and this time it isn't going to be good.  And he took back everything he said last time.

[tmasman]

Tmas,
I called your boss.  He wants to talk to you and this time it isn't going to be good.  And he took back everything he said last time.

NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[SirPoonga]

http://a26.lambo.student.liu.se/?section=hard&project=vgalcd

[macattack]

something new? try this one.  Was built as proof of concept. uses a laptop for the screen and guts (modified playstation controls) using the printer port to connect to the pc.

Now the concept is complete, I am going to start producing a similar thing but as an exact replica of the pacman/mspacman/galaga etc. all in correct colours and decals.  they will be about 24" tall.

[Dave_K.]

Thats cool as long as the laptop you are using for the project is adequate to play the mame roms at 100% speed with sound.

BTW: awsome design!  

[macattack]

yup p3 700 128mb ram.

runs fine.

but for old uprights, 233 is more than enough

[nighthawk2099]

Any possibility of seeing some plans or drawings on this wonderful piece of work ?  I have a brother who likes to play the classic games, but doesn't have the room for a cab.  

[paigeoliver]

Any possibility of seeing some plans or drawings on this wonderful piece of work ?  I have a brother who likes to play the classic games, but doesn't have the room for a cab.  

Where do these people live that don't even have room for a mini? My Space Firebird mini is like 18" wide and maybe 20" deep. A good sized lamp takes more floorspace, any end table takes more floorspace.

For some reason people always seem to think that games take up megatons of space. They don't. They just seem huge because they are tall. Most games take up about the same sized piece of floor as that end table next to your couch. Except of course for cocktail tables, which actually eat up about 3-4 times as much square footage as an upright.

[tmasman]

http://a26.lambo.student.liu.se/?section=hard&project=vgalcd

Nice find if you're willing to put up with those limitations... (8 color graphics, doesn't work with all LDCs, you can't adjust the image on screen, and I'm sure a few other issues...)

But it is cool to see that there is at least 1 person messing with this type of thing... Although he's only got 8 colors & slowly working on 16...