USB TFT Displays

[Guest coolrunner101]

Hi AllI think that I have found the perfect solution for all those who need multiple glass cockpit solutions without the need for multiple networked PC's or expensive graphics cards.I found a mob that produce TFT display kits (various sizes 5" up to and greater than 20")that can connect to your USB port. It uses an ArtistaUSB controller board so you can connect to your host PC without the need of a graphics card. Each controller board controls one TFT display. But because it connects to the USB port you can have as many units as you want. My understanding is that once connected and the Windows drivers are installed, Windows will simply pick it up as another display. It requires USB 2.0 and will give 25fps for 2D graphics.Check their web site at www.apollodisplays.comI would like to ask if anyone has had any experience with this controller or with the company. They are slow to respond to my email requests, I have received no quotes for pricing yet.Also check outwww.distec.dewww.displaytechnology.co.ukMike

[Lillebe]

Hi Mike,Actually they are quite fast to getting back with you (send request yesterday afternoon)... Their response was: "Please be informed that we do not support display model T050Q1D1 any longer."So our journey continues with this issue, unfortunately!// Joni

[Guest coolrunner101]

Hi JoniThanks for the info on the T050Q1D1 display. How did you know; the display that you quoted is exactly the one that I was interested in. Strange that Apollo Displays were not able to give me such a straight forward answer. But I must say to their credit, I did receive a reply on another 5" display (PD050VX4) that has full VGA resolution. But they are yet to tell me if it is available in Kit form.So as you say, the journey continues.Thanks againMike

[GolfMikeBravo]

Hey Mike,Here's a company I intend to check out!http://www.tftlcdpanels.com/6_4_vga_lcd/6_4_vga_lcd.htmThey sell tft lcd panels starting at 3.5" diag on up. It's hard to imagine a 3.5" screen running at 640 X 480 resolution. Gotta be a great picture. It appears that they are targeting the simulator/custom avionics market, based on their webpages and sample projects. I was going to contact them concerning their 6.4" dia. VGA lcd panels, which have the narrowest bezels (frame) of any of the lcd panels that i have seen in that size range. Their old website had these panels listed at $350 (US), including the VGA decoder board. A little pricey when compared with NTSC Video lcd panels, but at least they have a true native resolution of 640 X 480 and accept a VGA input (through the decoder board).The company is 3DMatrixVision, and the product line is "VisionTouch". They have a US telephone contact number at the bottom of the 6.4" product screen. On their old web page, they also have a toll-free number (US) listed, which is probably still valid:1-800-828-6088BTW, they have a cool little applet on the left side of the 6.4" screen product page! Look for the "clouds" and double-click on them. This will play the applet in full screen mode, depicting flight through some convective cumulus clouds. Too bad we can't get truly "volumetric" clouds like these in FS! (No disrespect to the developers of GraphicsX and FEX! - Those products are great in my opinion!).Gerald

[Guest coolrunner101]

Hi GeraldThanks for the info. Very impressive indeed. I will contact them for a price quote. You are right $350(US) is a bit pricey. Perhaps they will drop their prices and then more enthusiasts like us will buy them. Or perhaps pigs might fly. Anyway, I may need 2 of these units for my Kingair EFIS so fingers crossed.Thanks againMike