%
Evangelos Himonides
IoE, University of London
tel: +44 2076126599
fax: +44 2076126741
"Allas to those who never sing but die with all their music in them..."
"Lorin David Schultz" wrote ...
> Anyone know of a source for tiny LCD computer monitors? I want to put
> two side-by-side in a 4U rack space. Any suggestions?
Are you looking for commercial units that are designed for rack mount?
There are lots of them out in the video world and more every year.
Or are your looking for OEM display units that you can integrate into
an existing application? A couple of sources are the auto customizer
places like http://www.partsexpress.com or the mother of sources for
things LCD: http://store.earthlcd.com
I got six of the 6" OEM displays (Parts Express #205-048) which I
am making into a multi-display for a compact video switching unit.
"Lorin David Schultz" wrote ...
> Anyone know of a source for tiny LCD computer monitors? I want to put
> two side-by-side in a 4U rack space. Any suggestions?
"Richard Crowley" <richard.7.crowley@intel.com> wrote:
>
> Are you looking for commercial units that are designed for rack
> mount? There are lots of them out in the video world and more every
> year.
I've seen a few with composite video inputs, but no VGA models. Maybe
I'm just not looking in the right place.
Re: your question below, I'm equally happy buying a ready-to-go
off-the-shelf solution, or putting something together myself with a
Middle Atlantic mount and separate monitors. I'm just really, really
stupid, so any DIY solution has be aimed at a typical ten-year-old.
> Or are your looking for OEM display units that you can integrate into
> an existing application? A couple of sources are the auto customizer
> places like http://www.partsexpress.com or the mother of sources for
> things LCD: http://store.earthlcd.com
Thanks for the links! EarthLCD has the right kind of product (small LCD
panels with VGA driver cards) but they're still a little bigger than I'd
like (smallest one won't fit in 4U), they cost more than I'd hoped (an
8.4" unit is $400 -- more than a 17" monitor) and the specs surprised me
a little (brightness, contract and response time are all really low -- I
don't need high performance, but the ones they had were REALLY meagre).
I very much appreciate the help though! I'm just surprised that the
cost is so high for that level of performance.
--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good
"Lorin David Schultz" wrote ...
> I've seen a few with composite video inputs, but no VGA
> models. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.
Its cheaper to replace the computer video with a card that has
composite (NTSC, PAL) output. Many available in my local
shop for <$50
With a screen that small, you won't be able to use/see anything
higher res than 640x480 anyway. And as you have seen "video"
LCDs are cheaper and wider variety than "computer" LCDs.
Close... looking for something a little bigger... maybe 6"-ish diagonal?
As big as will fit in 4U (7" ). I also need something with a VGA
computer input instead of the composite video input that one has.
I poked around the site a little more and it didn't look they have what
I want, but thanks for the lead!
--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good
In article <6V__d.67826$i6.48356@edtnps90> Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca writes:
> I've seen a few with composite video inputs, but no VGA models. Maybe
> I'm just not looking in the right place.
I can't imagine the value of an LCD computer montiro that small.
That's about the size of an Osborne. But I guess you have an idea of
what you want to see.
It's probably well beyond your budget, but a contractor that I worked
with a few years back use a really cool combination keyboard,
trackball and LCD in a system he was building. It was a slide-out
drawer for the keyboard, and the monitor folds flat on top of it for
storage, then hinges up for use. I believe it was made by Recoton.
--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d.com> wrote:
>
> I can't imagine the value of an LCD computer montiro that small.
Then you have no imagination.
There's actually a perfectly logical reason for me wanting these. The
company linked below makes some nice metering software. Rather than buy
a Tek 760 or equivalent for WAY too much money, I'm dedicating an unused
PC with a "pro" sound card to being a meter driver.
The only downside is finding space for the display. I don't need
anything as large as a 15" monitor (nor do I want to commit the desk
space for it) just for metering. However, I do have 4U of free,
vertical rack space. With two little LCDs side by side, I could have
PPM and correlation meters on one and a Lissajous display on the other.
a good basic place to look is "industrial application" lcd makers.
people who make lcds for bank atms, factory temperature control
systems, etc.
they make all sorts of lcds, and most of them are small, and they seem
to like to put the stuff in rack style hardware...not sure how much of
it is 19" rack, but overall it's a good area of the biz to fish around
in.
Recently, Lorin David Schultz <Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca> posted:
> "Evangelos Himonides" <himonides@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Something like that? (the URL might wrap, so make sure to copy the
>> whole thing).
>>
>>
http://www.markertek.com/Product.a [...] Item=V2500 >
> Close... looking for something a little bigger... maybe 6"-ish
> diagonal? As big as will fit in 4U (7" ). I also need something with
> a VGA computer input instead of the composite video input that one
> has.
>
Why not get one of the *many* available VGA to composite video adapters
for the output of your computer, then connect to one of those screens that
you've already found?
In article <nK6%d.74583$gJ3.12479@clgrps13> Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca writes:
> Then you have no imagination.
Perhaps I have a better imagination than to limit myself to watching
meters on a small LCD. The Pinquin meter looks very nice. I tried the
demo but it was so limited that I never really got to see how good it
was, but it does incorporate Bob Katz' K-System of meter calibration.
But it's more of a mastering meter than a general level-setting meter.
For remote work, I'd just as soon rely on LEDs and set the level
conservatively rather than have a very trustworthy meter that depends
on a computer. I guess you're thinking about monitoring phase (there's
that ugly word again) when you mentioned Tek 760. Wes Dooley makes a
display for that, as does that company with three initials (the "jelly
fish" display). But I guess that like not counting the cost of the
computer into the cost of a recording setup, if you have a spare one,
it's free.
I haven't seen displays as small as what you're looking for on the
hoof, but a friend of mine picked up one at a hamfest that's about 4x6
inches that he uses with a computer in his workshop that's running
Linux and controlling his lathe. Since all it needs to display is a
few lines of text, it works OK. I think he paid about $25 for it, but
had to find a driver for something similar and modify it (something
you can do easier with Linux than with a PC if you're smart enough).
--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo
On Mar 19, 2005, Lorin David Schultz <Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca> commented:
> The
> company linked below makes some nice metering software. Rather than buy
> a Tek 760 or equivalent for WAY too much money, I'm dedicating an unused
> PC with a "pro" sound card to being a meter driver.
>--------------------------------snip----------------------------------<
I tried the same thing for awhile, but it just wasn't as good as a real Tek
764 digital audio scope. For one, the peak meters didn't respond fast
enough.
I finally threw in the towel and was able to find a used (but in first-class
condition) Tek scope for about $1800. Yeah, that's more than a PC and a
monitor, but it was infinitely more useful.
To help cut down on heat in my machine room, I had a technician put in a
switch to kill the power to the scope's CRT, and I only watch an LCD panel
with the scope's output. Works great.
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d.com> wrote:
>
> Perhaps I have a better imagination than to limit myself to watching
> meters on a small LCD.
As a rule, I'd agree with you about small displays. However, since this
is just metering, even a little 3U or 4U panel is bigger than almost any
"tangible" counterpart. The meters would be slightly larger than the
ones on my mixer, and substantially larger than the ones in Pro Tools.
The Lissajous difference display would also be as large as the Tek or
similar equivalent.
> I guess you're thinking about monitoring phase (there's that ugly
> word again) when you mentioned Tek 760.
Yeah. I *could* just put up a scope, but, like the 760, it would be
deep and weighty (and would introduce a CRT with its inherent
liabilities into the rack). An LCD display is simply a better fit for
my particular situation. My space is not what I'd call "cramped," but
there isn't room for deep devices in the area that's easiest to view.
LCDs are a practical way to solve an issue with ergonomics vs. physical
space.
> Wes Dooley makes a display for that
I didn't know that. I'll check it out.
> as does that company with three initials (the "jelly
> fish" display).
Dunno who you mean. Please enlighten me if you can. In the meantime
I'll try another search.
> But I guess that like not counting the cost of the computer into the
> cost of a recording setup, if you have a spare one, it's free.
I *do* count the cost (and noise) of the computer. You're right, in
this case I happen to have a spare -- some old Celeron thing that I
picked up for twenty bucks when the station replaced all the machines in
the newsroom. I am considering that in cost comparisons though.
> I haven't seen displays as small as what you're looking for on the
> hoof, but a friend of mine picked up one at a hamfest that's about
> 4x6 inches that he uses with a computer in his workshop that's
> running Linux and controlling his lathe. Since all it needs to
> display is a few lines of text, it works OK. I think he paid about
> $25 for it, but had to find a driver for something similar and modify
> it (something you can do easier with Linux than with a PC if you're
> smart enough).
Hi, my name is Lorin. Apparently you don't know me at ALL. "Smart
enough?" While I'm not exactly a noteworthy contributor around here,
you've replied to enough of my posts over the years that by now you must
know that I'm only ever so slightly brighter than your average soapdish.
Yesterday I lost an argument with my toaster.
Your point is well taken. It appears that my wish involves some DIY,
and I can only just barely manage off-the-rack. Perhaps I'll explore
alternative solutions!
--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good
"Marc Wielage" <mfw@musictrax.com> wrote:
>
> I tried the same thing for awhile, but it just wasn't as good as a
> real Tek 764 digital audio scope. For one, the peak meters didn't
> respond fast enough.
I was concerned about that, so I did a test. With a "pro" sound card
(Digital Audio Labs CardDeluxe) and the machine set up strictly for
metering, I couldn't perceive any difference between the display and the
Dorroughs (the fastest meters I've encountered to date).
Either things have progressed to the point where computer-driven audio
displays are now fast enough, or my eye/brain combination is really
slow. Probably the latter, but as long as I'm the only one who has to
use it... <g>
--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good
"Neil Gould" <neil@myplaceofwork.com> wrote:
>
> Why not get one of the *many* available VGA to composite video
> adapters for the output of your computer, then connect to one of
> those screens that you've already found?
I thought about that, but the last time I used one they were expensive
and looked really bad. Are they cheaper and/or better quality now?
--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good
"Lorin David Schultz" <Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca> wrote in message
news:WSt%d.83494$fc4.12884@edtnps89...
> "Neil Gould" <neil@myplaceofwork.com> wrote:
>>
>> Why not get one of the *many* available VGA to composite video
>> adapters for the output of your computer, then connect to one of
>> those screens that you've already found?
>
>
>
> I thought about that, but the last time I used one they were expensive
> and looked really bad. Are they cheaper and/or better quality now?
Yes, they are better quality now. and furthermore, even many
low-end video boards now have integrated composite NTSC
outputs now. It is a much different landscape than even 5 years
ago.
Recently, Lorin David Schultz <Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca> posted:
> "Neil Gould" <neil@myplaceofwork.com> wrote:
>>
>> Why not get one of the *many* available VGA to composite video
>> adapters for the output of your computer, then connect to one of
>> those screens that you've already found?
>
>
> I thought about that, but the last time I used one they were expensive
> and looked really bad. Are they cheaper and/or better quality now?
>
Good ones have always been available, and not necessarily expensive. But,
more to the point, even inexpensive converters would be more than adequate
for the size display that you want to use.
Lorin David Schultz wrote:
>
> Close... looking for something a little bigger... maybe 6"-ish diagonal?
> As big as will fit in 4U (7" ). I also need something with a VGA
> computer input instead of the composite video input that one has.
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