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Unread 03-31-2002, 08:36 PM   #1
Techguy
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Default Great deal on a 20x2 VFD at BGMicro $20!!

As much as I know some of you hate [H], this is cool.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread....hreadid=351627

get a 20x2 VFD for $20
I got mine on Sat. and it's great!

here is the order site
http://bgm.bgmicro.com/prodinfo.asp?...ri=VFD&stype=3

I hope you enjoy.
this puppy's as wide as a DVD box is tall, and has a bright (can be dimmed) blue/green color
it's goh LCDriver 2.0 support, but we gotta wait 4 2.0 to come out. (should be soon)
there are some apps that do thinks like winamp and time info.

check out the thread!
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Unread 03-31-2002, 09:29 PM   #2
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I refuse to click on the HOCP link, but it looks like a damn nice LCD! Thanks for the heads up!
=Kevin
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Unread 03-31-2002, 10:05 PM   #3
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well.. it's a VFD, not an LCD.
but ya, they do similar stuff. :->
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Unread 03-31-2002, 10:44 PM   #4
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aaaaaaaaaaaaaah whatever hehehe
-Kev
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Unread 04-01-2002, 05:11 PM   #5
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heres an lcd http://www.matrixorbital.com/product...4-Bit-Tech.htm
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Unread 04-01-2002, 08:01 PM   #6
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ya, but that's $50, this is $20 :->
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Unread 04-01-2002, 08:34 PM   #7
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Need to see a picture with it on, and having data scroll across it.
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Unread 04-01-2002, 08:44 PM   #8
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ok..ok... will do! give me a few min.
(I hate my crappy digi cam)
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Unread 04-01-2002, 10:00 PM   #9
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again... crappy camera. this is REALLY bright (room is 1/2 glowing by this mofo when the lights are off)
my camera just can't expose 4 beanz
when [H] is bak up I'll post Uller's LCDriver 2.0 pics he uses this VFD and thi winamp stuff looks sweet!
Lights on

lights off, no flash



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Last edited by Techguy; 04-01-2002 at 10:02 PM.
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Unread 04-01-2002, 10:04 PM   #10
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what does the vfd use for back lighting? i know most lcds use a led array
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Unread 04-01-2002, 10:10 PM   #11
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There is no "backlight"

It is a vacuum flourescent display. It uses tiney winey little flourescent cells that illuminate to be the pixels... if you want to see one in operation, go look at a lotto machine... At least in my state, they have VFD's.

Heh... Just bought one... i'll fit it somewhere
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Unread 04-01-2002, 10:35 PM   #12
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Unread 04-01-2002, 10:38 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally posted by Haddy
what does the vfd use for back lighting? i know most lcds use a led array
LCDs are bright background, dark foreground
VFDs are just friggin bright foreground. it's easy to read at all (well... not 90 but still) angles.
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Unread 04-02-2002, 03:04 PM   #14
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whats the connector look like on it? just curious... since i bought one Damn that thing is bright... i might have to find a way to wein it down a bit...
Peace
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Unread 04-02-2002, 03:16 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally posted by MeltMan
whats the connector look like on it? just curious... since i bought one Damn that thing is bright... i might have to find a way to wein it down a bit...
Peace
probably serial...
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Unread 04-02-2002, 05:04 PM   #16
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you can adjust the brightness, it has 7 levels.
it's serial or LPT

Green= +5V
white= ground
black= serial


power connections:


shows where to attach to serial port:


the LED was my ghetto way 2 be sure the wires worked.

this IS a temp. setup.
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Last edited by Techguy; 04-02-2002 at 05:10 PM.
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Unread 04-07-2002, 04:25 PM   #17
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I just got mine, what software did you use to run the thing?

God its big
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Unread 04-07-2002, 04:42 PM   #18
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LCDriver 2 supports our VFD
it's still in private beata tho...

BUT
there are 2 apps that are out 4 our VFD
see page 47 of the [h] thread if these don't work.

constant updates occur too.

mirrors for dan_dudes program

No defaults
http://www.deviantmods.com/~fatmike/VFD/vfdprog1b.exe
Defaults to Com1, 19200, and Winamp:
http://www.deviantmods.com/~fatmike/...dprog1com1.exe
Defaults to Com2, 19200, and Winamp:
http://www.deviantmods.com/~fatmike/...dprog1com2.exe

Curtisbeef's progy

http://www.deviantmods.com/~fatmike/VFD/vfd4.zip


useful image


the [H] thread also has TONS of mounting ideas like:

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Last edited by Techguy; 04-07-2002 at 04:46 PM.
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Unread 04-07-2002, 05:19 PM   #19
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here is my setup

I wanted to be temporary tho.
when I get my new PC this summer I'll mount the VFD in my case, and the bolts can be taken out of the 2 bottom holes, and the RTV removed.



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Unread 04-08-2002, 11:39 AM   #20
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thats sweet! i want one..!
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Unread 04-08-2002, 02:54 PM   #21
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doesn't serial have 5v on it already?

-edit-Nevermind, NS is around 12v.

Last edited by resago; 04-08-2002 at 03:00 PM.
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Unread 04-08-2002, 03:28 PM   #22
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I'm not for sure if the serial could supply enough amperage to run it even if it did have a +5 line. VFD's are known to draw a fair amount of current when active. anyways, I LOVE THIS THING, IT is SOOO much brighter and clearer than any LCD ever was. Thanks Techguy for pointing this SHAWEET deal out to all of us.
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Unread 04-08-2002, 05:36 PM   #23
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you are welcome!
and have no fear, if it's too bright (whimp!) you can use one of the 7 dimm levels :->
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Unread 04-18-2002, 02:34 PM   #24
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Techguy: Definately thanks for the awesome find, I ordered one today. Shared the link with some case modding bud's might order some themselves. Know of any good serial software for use with a Linux boxen ? I want to use this on my shell box if that is possible. If anyone can answer that question please let me know.

Thanks again for the awesome link!

J
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Unread 04-18-2002, 07:10 PM   #25
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I haven't a clue bout Linux, but LCDC does work with this VFD and so does LCDriver 2.0 (you just gotta wait 4 public beta tho)
LCDC works nicely and so does dan dude's app.

maybe WINE or something can run one of these apps? Dan's progy seems to be a very simple VB6 app.

Also: if you read the [H] thread in the beginning few pages (it's 65 pages now) they give the tech doc's URL so you could program it yourself if you wanted, that's what curtisbeef and dan dude did.
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