How to add an LCD?

March 4, 2006 3:10 PM

CaseModFilter: I keep seeing pictures of people who have little monochromatic LCD screens in their computer cases. They scroll off different information like the temperature and stuff. I get the sense that you can have them display anything you want. How do you do that?

Is there just a kit you can buy someplace? Or are these people, like, CE gods?

posted by Infernarl to computers & internet (8 comments total)

Kits. Mostly these are used in conjunction HD or fan monitering kits.

local computer store (that I do NOT work for.)

Some more advanced kits also sit on an internal USB port and so talk to the OS as well. I don't think any of those are listed on that page, but they do exist.
posted by tiamat at 3:20 PM on March 4, 2006

Crystalfontz. I have one of their LCD screens and it's very nice.
posted by zsazsa at 3:32 PM on March 4, 2006

LCD Smartie is some software you can use to send info to the LCD panel.
posted by ODiV at 3:52 PM on March 4, 2006

Matrix Orbital has some neat ones too.
posted by Infernarl at 3:52 PM on March 4, 2006

I have a Matrix Orbital 2 line white on blue LCD screen built into one of my desktops. It's driven by some software called LCDC. but is basically hooked upto the serial port and can be written to using a terminal. I think there is also a USB version.
posted by hardcode at 3:53 PM on March 4, 2006

Oh, and Matrix Orbital has some nice LCDs.
posted by ODiV at 3:53 PM on March 4, 2006

Yeah all of these are controlled via a serial port. The software mentioned above makes it easier. Some of these "serial LCDs" I've have really simple text serial commands so you could use HyperTerminal or ZTerm to play with them interactively.
posted by todbot at 4:17 PM on March 4, 2006

There is also a software package called LCD Studio that supports graphic displays via the parellel port. They also have a forum where users post schematics and wiring diagrams if you choose to roll your own.
posted by monsta coty scott at 7:33 AM on March 5, 2006