Adapting small LCD monitors-How to?

[Tomlin]

Okay, Im thinking Im goin to buy a 10.4" LCD monitor for my MIP but my question to those of you that have been there/done that:

How do you get these things connected to a standard video card output? Most of these that are reasonable are notebook pc screens. Some though are a bit more generic and usually have a S video. How well does that work, and of course, I guess it's no good if your card doesnt have an S video output.

What's the solution here?

thanks,

[No Longer Active]

If you look on ebay and punch in 10.4" lcd screens many (especially EbayUK) come up and almost all of them have a vga input so that you havent got to worry about the s/video adaption. Its quite simple, if you have s/video output on your card and s/video input on your screen then you pretty much have a simple installation, if your looking to modify a screen to be able to connect it to vga input on your card, it will be best to check on the manafacturers website for the pinout of the screen so you can determine which wire goes to which pin on the vga connector, then theres the matter of finding suitable software to be able to adapt the lcd's screen resolution to a profile for your graphics card etc!

There is some software available that lets you run a laptop as a second monitor but sadly ive forgot the companies name so you will have to give me a day or two to get the website! Its easy to pick up an old pentium 1 or 2 laptop on ebay for dirt cheap and just run this software on it which will enable you to run the laptop as a second monitor and all you need is a net cable so it doesnt use vga at all which is good because it enables you to use that vga port for something else!

Also i have come across this for you, im not too sure if its any good but its worth a look!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Laptop-Converted-to-2nd-Monitor/

Anyway......thats a start!

Hope this could help a little bit!

Alex

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AlexPilot2008

[Efe Cem Elci]

I'm hoping to getting around to doing the whole laptop monitor conversion with two dead laptops that they gave away at the office once I complete my move this weekend. I also want to look into this 10.4" ordeal as well since I have a S-video out on my adapter.

I'm wondering if all three outputs (VGA/SV/DVI) of the graphics card could be used at the same time though.

[Michael Carter]

I haven't tried it, but someone here told me the S-Video won't work at the same time as the DVI and VGA. I was going to try it on my Sapphire card.

Of course the DVI and VGA will work at the same time.

[Bob Reed]

To adapt most laptop monitors is way too $$. By the time you buy the adapter. I am going to have a place for you guys to get a few of these. I am in the middle of moving so I am a little behind on what I have intended to get done. I have spoke to the gentelman and he is willing to talk to us. Give me untill the end of next month and I should have everything worked out. If you are in need of one rigt away PM me and I will put you in touch with the place.

[andarlite]

I'm wondering if all three outputs (VGA/SV/DVI) of the graphics card could be used at the same time though.


I have 2 different Nvidia cards in my system and they both have 2 VGA/DVI and 1 S-video. The Nvidia control panel will only allow me (for each card) to select 2 VGA/DVI monitors or 1 VGA/DVI monitor and whatever connected to the S-video port, but not all 3 together.

Regards,
Henry

[Tomlin]

Thanks for the replies so far. I know that there has to be decent priced small size LCD monitors out there, as Ive already seen some 10.4 and some 8.4 with VGA inputs on them. Finding them, and affordably, is the challenge! I agree, rigging a notebook screen to work seems to be more trouble than it's worth from what Ive seen.

[Michael Carter]

Finding affordable VGA small monitors is tough. They always seem to be expensive compared to a larger monitor.

Check e-Bay though in the 15" and under catagory. That's where I found my 12.1". Those seem to be cheaper than the smaller VGA monitors. Most of them are retired kiosk or POS monitors.

[dnoize]

Thanks for the replies so far. I know that there has to be decent priced small size LCD monitors out there, as Ive already seen some 10.4 and some 8.4 with VGA inputs on them. Finding them, and affordably, is the challenge! I agree, rigging a notebook screen to work seems to be more trouble than it's worth from what Ive seen.

converting a notebook screen will be more work...and probably more money

check the uk ebay. I found a 12 inch touchscreen there for 150 euro's:

just a few random auctions:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-Monitor-LCD-VGA-Brand-New-in-Box-Bargain-12-240v_W0QQitemZ270337321454QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item270337321454&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-1-INDUSTRIAL-OPEN-FRAME-LCD-TFT-MONITOR-SCREEN_W0QQitemZ330302847716QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item330302847716&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/rdp-shop-epos-point-of-sale-12-lcd-vga-monitor-lcd-pc_W0QQitemZ170297960614QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item170297960614&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-VGA-TFT-Touch-Screen-Monitor-for-Car-PC-GPS-U12_W0QQitemZ300288590719QQihZ020QQcategoryZ167813QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PROVIEW-12-FLAT-SCREEN_W0QQitemZ250362928244QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item250362928244&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-1-VGA-AV-Touch-Screen-PC-TFT-LCD-XGA-Monitor-GPS-UK_W0QQitemZ130283266875QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item130283266875&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-12-Flatscreen-in-superb-condition_W0QQitemZ220350688630QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item220350688630&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-INCH-FUJITSU-SIEMENS-FLAT-SCREEN-COMPUTER-MONITOR_W0QQitemZ230321692219QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item230321692219&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-TOUCH-SCREEN-MONITOR-PC-WINDOWS-INTERFACE-12-240V_W0QQitemZ180320044355QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Monitors?hash=item180320044355&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

I listed both new and second hand ones.

If you are not in a hurry, then wait for a bargain. sometimes i see hongkong resellers list a 10 inch for as little as 100 euros and 12 inch for 150 euros...and thats for touchscreens !

Stef



.

[Michael Carter]

I got my 12.1" touchscreen for $61 US. Works like new including the touchscreen. I won't be using that part though.

[Bob Reed]

Well the ones I am talking about will be less than $100.00 US. Probably a lot less. I have nothing to do with selling them I just know where they are. Like most LCDs they do have a slight viewable angle issue but it is not too bad. More to come on this.

[fweinrebe]

There is some software available that lets you run a laptop as a second monitor but sadly ive forgot the companies name so you will have to give me a day or two to get the website! Its easy to pick up an old pentium 1 or 2 laptop on ebay for dirt cheap and just run this software on it which will enable you to run the laptop as a second monitor and all you need is a net cable so it doesnt use vga at all which is good because it enables you to use that vga port for something else!

Alex, is this the software you were thinking about? Maxivista. http://www.maxivista.com/.

[fweinrebe]

Finding affordable VGA small monitors is tough. They always seem to be expensive compared to a larger monitor.

I bought 2x 8'' and 1x 12'' IBM LCD screens from a company that provides POS systems to a supermarket chain here. The 12'' got a touchscreen interface as well. An idea would be to go to a large supermarket and ask them who supplies and maintain their POS systems. Then contact them and ask, who knows they might have a few LCD screens to sell, hopefully at an acceptable price.

[No Longer Active]

Alex, is this the software you were thinking about? Maxivista. http://www.maxivista.com/.

Yep your right there, you know the site, i just couldnt remember the site! Cheers!