Anyone done a DIY LCD screen on their case?

[LYHTSPD]

Hey guys

I have always wanted to put a small 20x4 or 16x2 LCD screen on my case. i want to use a serial connection because i think ditching your printer for an LCD is insane! anyone know of the best DIY parts or how-tos around? thanks!

 

[fell8]

Parts:

http://allelectronics.com/

http://bgmicro.com/

http://www.mpja.com/


I've delt with allelectronics before, they're ok. No real how-to, sorry. Good luck.

 

[pbrain]

I use a networked printer, so using the parallel port for my LCD wasn't a problem. To my knowledge, most PC LCD's out there that connect to the serial port are parallel port compatible LCD's with a serial backpack on them. I've yet to see a LCD that costs more than a serial backpack, so I wouldn't recommend using one unless you had money or didn't have the option to lose the parallel port. There is more software written for serial port LCDs, so there is more reason to use serial LCDs.

In addition to fell8's links:
serial backpack at MPJA
DIY kit and parts at CaseEtc.
EIO - good selection of LCDs
LCD guide at Gideontech
pinout diagram for all HD44780 LCDs with an 8-bit connection.

My $7 LCD (copy and paste the links):
http://www.angelfire.com/geek/leveleightlair/web/lcd03.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/geek/leveleightlair/web/lcd04.jpg

 

[LYHTSPD]

thanks a lot for the links guys! i didnt know about the serial backpack, and that will make my life so much easier!!

 

[toshiba3020]

Although the serial backplane adds another $20, they are pretty nice. Many of the programs out there do not support the serial lcd, but there are still many good ones that do, plus it is really easy to program for. I have made about 10 of these and the one serial lcd I did I liked the best.

 

[toshiba3020]

Also.. www.eio.com is the best place to buy lcds. MPJA is a good site too, and if you want the serial backplane, they have it at the price is costs most other places and you can combine shipping.