well I broke my Samsung LQ154M1LW02 trying to remove the sh** a** reflective layer, is there a WUXGA out there that doesn't have that crap a** layer? I dont wanna screw with AG or anything, just want to get I just dont want that reflective layer.

is it really broken or just incidentally stripped the polar?

Shanenegaard,

I'm anxious to hear how things are going. Have you received all the parts from Kontron yet? Still waiting on that custom cable for the Sharp panel? I'm planning to buy the Kontron or the WinMate (though more interested in Kontron even if HDCP isn't supported). Thanks for being the guinea pig on this one for us all!

Has anyone other than Shanenegaard purchased the Kontron board yet?

it's actually broken, when I was pulling up the "aluminized" piece it cracked the screen.

the ploar also came up with absolutely ZERO efford as well, it didn't even leave glue residue on the panel, it was unbelievable. it was as if it was only glued down on the 4 sides, but when I put it back over the panel I could see the image.

Whats a good panel without that aluminized crap? this is going to drive me nuts

Is the controller, like the G2A or a realtek controller, (also) capable of upscaling the image or do you really need some externel device?

The G2A controller will do 1:1 scaling, fill and fill (aspect). Fill will stretch the incoming signal to fit the entire 1920x1200 area of the panel. Fill (aspect) will stretch the incoming signal while maintaining the signals aspect ratio, until it hits either the 1920 or 1200 "boundary" (4:3 signals will be pillarboxed, 16:9 signals will be letterboxed). 1:1 scaling is just that. Only a 1920x1200 signal fills the whole screen. A 720p signal (1280x720) would appear with both letterboxing and pillarboxing (also called windowboxing).

don't know about the realtek...

But I guess 'filling' is something else than upscaling a dvd to HD resolution, right?

Not really, they are the same. Upscaling is basically creating information where none exsits. This is exactly what LCD panels do when set to something lower than their native resolutions. This is why LCD manuals always tell you for the best quality to run the panel at it's native resolution. Some panels are better are running 'non native' resolutions than others... this comes down to the chipsets being used...

Take a look at all the upscaling DVD players out today... they are not all created equal, but do the same basic thing...

gs

If I interpretate this well the conclusion is:

The G2A controller upscales 480p to 1080p. The realtek is something you don't know about, but is it possible to 'fill' without upscaling the image...? For example: 1 pixels of the source is now shown by 4 pixels on the screen... If not than I could conclude the realtek also can upscale to 1080p when it is able to 'fill' the image to the whole panel (1920 by 1200 or 1080)...

At the case the G2A does the whole upscaling: DVD-upscalers in that case do exactly the same but better? Because jonjandran said he get's a lot better result using the helios upscaler. Conclusion: The Helios does a better job upscaling than the G2A controller?

I wouldn't exactly say is upscales to 1080p, what the controller is really doing is scaling(or formating) everything to 1920x1200 (wuxga) resolution as this is what the panel needs to display any incoming signal. If the controller is sent any other signal than 1920x1200 it must do scaling when run in a "fill" mode, or if scaling is set to 1:1, then the signal is mearly "converted" to 1920x1200 with only information for the windowboxing added (which is just turning all pixels black around the signal itself).

A dedicated upscaling DVD player such as the helios will do a better job than most LCD controller will as it's task is more refined. The Helios is putting out either a 720p or 1080i/p signal. When this output is sent to the G2A controller, even a 720p signal will be scaled by the controller if set to anything other than 1:1... 1080i signals will need to be de-interlaced by the controller (it does do a good job of this), and a 1080p signal mearly needs to be "reformated" when set to 1:1, or Fill Aspect. I've had trouble getting 1080p from the Helios 4000 into my G2A controller... not sure what the problem is, but I need to work on it some more...

gs

Thanks

Here is the response I finally received from a custom cable manufacturer.
The quoted price is for a cable to connect the Kontron controller to the Sharp 15.4" WUXGA LCD panel.

------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Shane,

We were able to put together a cable drawing from the documents. Hopefully it will work properly.

QD7593 is our part number (1-24pcs) - $24.95 Leadtime 1-2 weeks.
It's 18" long.

-Scott
quote#070409-04SM
Scott McDonald
Engineering Manager
Quadrangle Products, Inc.

But we still need the controller programmed for our screens don't we?

Not sure if anybody saw this before - but I posted the prices that the Kontron rep gave me for the CRTtoLCD7-Multimedia (which includes everything you can get on the board):

1 Unit is $450
10 Units is $340
20 Units is $300

That is without local taxes or shipping - but hopefully I can bypass the taxes with my business and shipping shouldn't be too much if we do a group buy and I ship them all to the US in one lot (then somebody splits them up over there)

Then there is still the programming fee they gave me of something like $2000 (which if we get 20 people would only be $100 each and the fact that we are saving $150 on each unit from the group buy, that wouldn't be much of a problem)

All the above prices are in $AUD - so you US people will have to convert


I just found a page that by the look of it is selling a CRTtoLCD controller with a 15.4 WUXGA screen and cable amongst other things.. I don't know exactly if he got it to work on the Kontron or not - but by the look of it he did
http://www.diybeamer.ch/forum/lhtopic,6132,0,0,asc,.html

Does anybody speak German?

Here is the google translated version:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...ficial%26sa%3DN

shanenegaard good news about the cable. a litttle bit expensive, but not too much.

kancerus - according the latest info I have, you will recieve the configurator sw for C2L7-MM if you buy the special serial cable.

this "20 Units is $300" means kontroller programmed and LVDS cable included?

The $300 doesn't include the cable or the OSD. But the extra programming fee I talked about might not be that much - it depends how long it takes him.

But, if this other cable includes the programming - then that is awesome and we dont need to pay my guy to do it yeah?

yea

COME ON DO IT! DO IT DO IT!

The very second I know a WUXGA panel works with this controller I'm ebaying whatever screen I can get for a good price, getting the kontroller and pwning this project!

oh yeah. uh, if we get datasheets we can pretty much do it ourselves with the kontron program right? i mean, how hard could it be? it's just timings and the like right? take values from datasheet, input into program, update kontroller, hook up display?

The question about it working with the controller is one thing, the other is HDCP over DVI. The controller supposedly supports it but I have not gotten a clear answer as to wether or not it actually does it. If this controller doesn't do the promised HDCP then there really is no point in buying it over the G2A.

From everything I've read in this thread it's been confirmed, no?

No not really.

But why don't we just get carpow to get the 10.6" Mst controller programed for the 15.4" Wuxga.
That controller has Hdmi/Component/Vga that supports 1920x1200 and has Hdcp enabled.

It shouldn't be to hard to get it programmed and the controller only costs about $150 I think.

Are you referring to the MST9E19A?

http://www.smart-core.com.cn/product_cpxiang1.asp?id=22

I'm not so sure that would be possible-- if you look at those specs it says the highest panel size supported is WXGA+ (1440x900)... not quite the res of our beloved WUXGA panels. It might take 1920x1200 input fine, but can it drive a panel with that output resolution?

II don't know. But with the translation problems it's quite difficult to figure out what is what with these controllers. It wasn't "supposed" to accept 1080p at all.

My contact has said that the Kontron has HDCP, it is an option in the firmware.

But who knows what you can believe with sales people.

But, as I said programming it shouldn't be too difficult, assuming you can find a data sheet?

I mean, I write computer software for a living, I'm quite sure I can program some firmware especially when the application to do so is provided.

We already have the data sheet, the Kontron tech said that it is pretty difficult to program a new monitor into it.

This is his quote:
Spoke to engineer, who by the way has his Bachelor of Computer Science and electronics, I am curious, what is your level of understanding electronics? He says very difficult and if you were to buy the board we could not offer support as the lcd is not supported with any Kontron interface.

Did anybody check out that German link I posted? I think he has a 15.4" working with the Kontron

Could you send me the datasheet to jason at shaped dot ca?

I'd like to have a look!

Thanks for the datasheet, someone posted a screenshot of the programming app I think? no? was that from the kontron site or does someone have a copy?

After looking at the datasheet, I don't think it'll be too hard.

I don't think I'll be hesitating to order myself a wuxga screen, the kontroller and some other toys this week. Anyone want to donate me some test parts? maybe I should order a cracked screen or something first... anyone got a busted lcd? lol

One question though, is there a reason for this specific display? are there other compatible 15.4 wuxga panels?

The Toshiba is the only datasheet that can be found. But if the controller is programed with that datasheet it will for sure work with the Toshiba/Sharp/Samsungs. The Lg/Phillips ? Maybe.

yeah, is it pretty safe to assume this because the other controller works with several displays?

Well, the contact I Have with Kontron is ready to start programming the board for our screens. It will cost though so ill have to get a group buy started. But I dont want to go ahead if somebody else can do it for free or lower cost. So lets get going on this!


I just got an email from my Kontron contact - he asked for the data sheet and I sent it to him - hes sending it on to the tech and is going to see if it is a simple job or not. If not - I will have to send him my panel etc.

OK, the utilties provided on the site are for flashing the firmware and uploading the panel files to the controller board.

There is no utility to configure a pnl file or the firmware. We shouldn't have to touch the firmware really, but they must have a tool for creating the panel files, and if not, at least some source code.

Someone get me this and I'll give you pnl files..

Kontron should really do this for us though, but, hey..

j

I asked my Kontron rep if they had software for making the panel files.

He said they do but its for internal use only, so we wont be able to get our hands on it.

He also said that Germany has a bunch of holidays over this week - so he will get back to me once he hears from the tech (who is in Germany)

Not to change the topic of this "Kontron" thread , but I would like to buy an FFC extender for the panel that I bought. I have the 15.4" LG WUXGA.

Would anyone know off the top of their head how many pins, and which extender I need to get?

~Archilea

There are no ffc's that can be extended on the Wuxga panels. Are you talking about the Lvds cable ?

That is the part that worries me, OPTION, as in the hardware fully supports it but that doesn't mean that it will be supported by the firmware because it is "OPTIONAL"

I had a little glimmer of hope when Jonjandran showed us working HDMI on the MST controller but then I find out that it only supports 1440x900.

I have asked my contact a heap of times and he has said that it does have HDCP, the pdf says it has HDCP as well. So if it doesn't - its false advertising and we should be able to get our money back!

But im pretty sure it has HDCP


I just got a reply from my contact:

"If it is optional and requested it will be done, but until we know that we can even configure this board the point is moot."


so its CONFIRMED this board does have HDCP

Okay, point this out to him -

We're unable to use their controller in our product without the software to program it for our displays, and if they do not wish to distribute it to their OEMs even under NDA, then they should offer free programming for any panels we may use to implement their product. With the number of OEMs that use Kontron, they can't expect everyone to use a display they already have a file for. Silly sales people.

Yes it has HDCP we know that. But it is most likely NOT enabled and probably can't be without an encryption key which Kronton won't give out without a charge per controller.

That's the way Hdcp works.

My contact said it will be enabled if we requested it - so when I do the group buy - all the ones I get will have HDCP enabled

Wow he said that huh ? And he said it would still be the same price ?

Hmmm .

These are his exact words:

"If it is optional and requested it will be done, but until we know that we can even configure this board the point is moot."

So yeah...

"It will be done"

tell them to make the damn display work with the controller !

lol.

Yeah I have! hehe

The tech in Germany is on holidays or something - my contact said he should hopefully get back to me by Friday about the programming of the board (I sent him the spec sheet the other day)

Have you guys found any latest and greatest LCD screens, for example, maybe the 17 inchers WUXGA ? Since you want Kontron to program, why not choose the best LCD screen out there for this purpose. Just out of curiosity.

Because the 15.4" LCD is better than the 17" LCD

Smaller gets more light and apparently the 15.4" screens have pretty good transparency on them

kanserus, sounds damn good
so i'm inetrested a HDCP enabled, wuxga porgrammed one with OSD buttons. if possible, let's the LVDS cable included. Looking forward that group buy. Is the AUD2000 developing fee exists? how big group we need to have affordable costs?

Group needs to be at least 20 people to get the cheapest price.

I am waiting on the tech to get back to me at the moment about the programming - it might be really easy and he can do it no problem, costing us nothing. Or it may be difficult. Once I know and everything is sorted out - I will post here and start a group buy.

A lot more PPL have the 15.4 than the 17.



Count me in on the group buy. I have been waiting on this Kontron thing for months now. I have a Sharp 15.4 sitting on my desk at the office that I bought in November, yet I am still limping along at 720p, but I am planning a serious rebuild with folded design and the beseler triplet. HD-DVD players have gotten real cheap also $200 on ebay for refurbs. Lookin at an 11 foot wide screen you realize pretty quick how crappy the normal DVD resolution is.