Re: IIc Flat Panel Display

[Kevin Dady <kevin@hackaday.com>]

On Jun 2, 10:16 pm, David Schmenk <dschm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Saturday, June 2, 2012 7:30:47 PM UTC-7, Brian wrote:
> > On Jun 2, 2:29 pm, Michael J. Mahon <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> > > <giorgio.morocu...@alice.it> wrote:
> > > > Il Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:45:47 -0500, Michael J. Mahon <mjma...@aol.com>
> > > > ha scritto:
>
> > > >> Wayne Stewart <waynejstew...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >>> I have a couple. The only place where they're really easily readable
> > > >>> is outside in sunlight
>
> > > >> Has anyone ever opened one up and played with the LCD bias?
>
> > > > And there are some schematics?
>
> > > > Thanks
>
> > > > Giorgio
>
> > > > Apple II and Apple III forever !!!
>
> > > It should be quite easy even without schematics.
>
> > > But after posting, I realized that a panel of this vintage probably has a
> > > bias adjustment, labelled "contrast" or something similar. If this control
> > > can change the display from "off" to "black", then that's all that bias can
> > > do. If it is all the way at one end for best display, then changing the
> > > bias range could make a real improvement.
>
> > > The next thing to try is more drive, but that's harder to do.
>
> > > -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II:http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon
>
> > Has anyone ever attempted to install backlighting on it similar to
> > other LCD flat screen hacks like the HP 100/200LX.
>
> The issue with the original Iic panel is its rarity and delicacy.  What wold be nice is a way to build a modern version that everyone could get access to.   I use a 7 inch LCD TV/monitor but those aren't good for 80 columns.  If someone could convert the video connector port into VGA, much like the Video 7 Iic RGB converter....
>
> Dave...

I use a smaller LCD/TV monitor, and it rocks for 80 columns, nothing I
would want to type my thesis on, but for color its almost as good text
quality wise, as I remember our monitor II being...

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.apple2/browse_thread/thread/bec717dd78e773e/59e433575f526afb?lnk=gst&q=audiovox#59e433575f526afb

As far as the video port on the IIC its, um well ... crap?  as far as
relevant outputs you get composite sync, composite video, and the
shift register serial stream. The sync saves you a bit IF and thats a
BIG IF you can find a NTSC/PAL to RGB coder IC (I have a couple, works
pretty OK, you still need a near impossible to find NTSC compatible
RGB monitor (1985 multisync here) , and a even harder to find
converter chip).

The shift register output being a serial stream makes it somewhat easy
to capture the binary data into a buffer, and overlay that onto a VGA
signal keeping in mind its mono data, and you will need a beefy ass
MCU to keep up while generating the VGA display.

in all its a bunch of headache, the RGB setup is not much better than
your chi-co offerings with normal modern monitors, and I dont see a
mono only serial stream capture being worth while in the long run ...
best advice is to keep hunting the thrift stores for TV's and donate
them back if they suck.