• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

LCD Kits and attached Computers

DogbertFuz

Senior member
Ok, let me try to explain this right:

I've been playing with LCD controllers via parallel ports for some time. As most people who can't afford Digital I/O cards know, this is the cheapest way to do advanced prototypes.

Now that I've finished that task, I've been looking to do this as a sort of hobbie. Since I run Win2k and am unwilling to dual boot, I can no longer do this via parallel ports. Searching on the web, I cannot find any sort of PCI/ISA card that gives BitBLT functionality through a library and drivers. Rather I find VGA conversions and display drivers. I don't want to extend my screen through a 1/4 VGA.

I know this is possible, as I have a digital I/O card at my new office. I was just wondering if they sell samples for advanced prototyping. Either way, I would like some input. I'm shooting for a 6 inch color 1/4 VGA resolution LCD and hopefully somewhere near $300 for controller, i/o card, and lcd. Does anyone have any experience with this?

p.s.
I am really unwilling to write my own drivers unless the entire physical and electrical specs for the card are available. Even then, I'd much prefer to connect to a library.
 
I think, maybe, I missed the question.

Are you asking how to read and write the parallel port in Win2k (there are plenty of libraries that will fake a driver to let you do this, for example, this one)?

Or are you asking for a place that will give you a sell you a digital I/O card? (this is a good link but there's no way that I think you will meet $300 for the LCD, card and software)
 
Hmm, good link. Thanks. Let me clarify a bit. I'm looking to just screw around with an LCD attached to my computer. I would like something with BitBLT libraries already built into it. Which controller cards are good for this sort of functionality?

The best case scenario would be a controller card that plugs into PCI/ISA slot which then has device drivers (don't care too much about how functional these would be) which allow a library to directly access the LCD memory. This would allow me to avoid having to purchase a Digital I/O card and learn the DVI specs. =)
 
Back
Top