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IIc(+) LCD flat panel - another attempt at building a new one.
Posted by: micheledipaola on 2022-12-26 02:21:45
Hello everybody,

I am trying to create an LCD panel for my IIc / IIc + from scratch.

I have bought this quite cheap panel on AliExpress (40€ for the full set) : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...o.order_list.order_list_main.5.6df536962DK75I which has this control card:
control board.png
this is the guide provided for understanding the numbers:
1--AV1 Interface
2--AV1,AV2 Interface
3--VGA Interface
4--VGA Extension Interface
5--HDMI High-Definition Interface
6--DC5.5mm Power Interface
7--Power Extension Interface
8--High Voltage Board Power Supply
9--LED Display Backlight Power supply
10--Lvds Display Interface
11--50Pin TTL Display Interface
12--Button Board Interface
13--Resolution Adjustment Shorting Block

Adapt to 5V-12V 2A Power supply

Simply using the composite out, I have some result on my PAL IIc:

IMG_20221224_181550.jpg

and it seems even better on the (NTSC) IIc+ , even if this Dino Eggs pic doesn't really seem so good:

IMG_20221225_223710-1.jpg

The best results so far are through a longer chain: I used a PAL video out card, with a SCART-out cable connected to a SCART to HDMI box that I usually use with my IIGS, and then I connected the panel using an HDMI cable. Colors are brighter, pixels are more defined, 80 columns text is way more readable.

I guess that is too much stuff to fit there anyway: my final goal would be to 3d-print an encasing similar to the original IIc LCD panel, like this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5517857 ) made by Javier Rivera / Javmaster. He did an interesting color-lcd conversion starting from the unobtanium original IIc LCD, and also made a video out of it :
but since I have no original lcd screen, I will not get mad to find the exact size of the original panel, and I would be satisfied enough if I can get an acceptable output on a modern panel, and maybe modify the 3d-print model to fit all the needed components inside.

Getting a good signal to the panel seems to me the most complicated part, mostly because I am a total noob, so everything technical seems super difficult to me. But I would love to use this project to learn something too. I am fiddling with a 40€ modern lcd that I bought myself on AliExpress, nothing vintage or with any kind of emotional attachment, so I can also ruin things without complaining to much 😀

Any hints or recommendations that you are willing to share?
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Posted by: olePigeon on 2022-12-27 19:21:59
The adjustable screen is pretty neat, but I think the 4:3 panel is better. Plus, once you make a cool matching bezel for it, it'll be unique and really stand out.
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