Using Labtop LCD's as Monitors

[Chu]

Hello all. I originally asked this in the video forums, but got redirected here. There are *TONS* of replacement LCD's on EBay in the $20-$40 range, most 10-12". These are *PERFECT* for a box I'm building, but I am assuming they all pretty much use propriatry connections. I hope I am wrong.

My question is how would one go about wiring these to a standard VGA or DVI port? I have a sneaking suspicion that the data part of these are essentially the same signals as a 15 pin VGA, which would make part of the job easier. The power section is a whole 'nother can of wurms, but since this LCD would be physically mounted to the computer I have the computer's regulated PS and my soldering skills to get the right power to the right lines -- if I can figure out the pinouts.

Anyone know even where to start looking for this info? I know I am not the only one who has tried to do this, and from some case mods I've seen over at hardocp.com I know some people have sucessfully done it.

Or maybe I should just buy a 12" LCD(CRT? Do they make them this small with VGA in? TV Out is *NOT* an option) . . . which for the life of me I cannot find except for the EXPENSIVE touchscreen ones.

-Chu

 

[Evadman]

Hello all. I originally asked this in the video forums, but got redirected here. There are *TONS* of replacement LCD's on EBay in the $20-$40 range, most 10-12". These are *PERFECT* for a box I'm building, but I am assuming they all pretty much use propriatry connections. I hope I am wrong.

You are correct. I am going to give the quick answer of "it is not possable" now.

As for it actually being possable, yes it is. The problem is, you need inside knoledge of the connector that goes from the LCD to the controller. 99% of the time, you need the dontroller as well for the laptop to function. It is not really possable to wire up the lcd to a DVI or VGA port. This gets asked here every so often, give me a minute, and I will try to find the other threads, as they have lots 'o info in them.

Thread #1
Thread #2

Those are the only 2 I could pull up with decent info in them. If you want to look at the others, search archived messages for LCD.

 

[davesaudio]

I think ARS has a FAQ in the video section on this
yeah its ugly and expensive....
Dave