LCD case mod questions

[Tahoe9166]

I've been looking into some possible LCD case mods, mostly the Matrix-Orbital ones. But then I got to thinking (Theres my problem right there;) ) that if I can put a little character 12x2 lcd in my case, my not put a 7in widescreen in there? I know you can get these pretty cheap off ebay, my only question is what kinda controller do i need, should I hook it up to my dual monitor 9800 or run it from software through a serial or usb port? Can I even do it? Any answers are appreciated or even if you point me to a more knowledgable place, this is rather a "specific" topic. Thanks!

[Big_Mac]

as long as the screen you're looking at has an RCA input for the video, you won't need any controller, just an RCA output on your video card (or S-video).

Most of the 7.2" screens in the $80-110 range have that.

[Tahoe9166]

Is the power the same? If its a 12v monitor then I could just splice the power cord and hook it up to a molex connector correct?

[Big_Mac]

Originally posted by Tahoe9166
Is the power the same? If its a 12v monitor then I could just splice the power cord and hook it up to a molex connector correct?

Hand the man a cookie! I think he's got it!

Just run an RCA cable to the screen from your vid card, splice your 12V rail into the power input on the screen, strip off any of the packaging you don't want, and mount it in the case.

shouldn't take more than an afternoon of tinkering to get it all set up.

[Tahoe9166]

Thanks for your help, it seemed pretty stright forward to me but I thought I would make sure before I go blowing $hit up, I found a 10.4 in widescreen for 100 bucks that I think will fit the bill, now all I gotta do is figure out what I want displaying in my soon to be |33t case:D

I'm even thinking about maybe getting a 5.4in and making a railed enclosure so that it will open out of the front like a car dvd monitor does, now my head is swirling with possiblities, more power Captn. Stooby!

[flutie98]

Originally posted by Tahoe9166
Thanks for your help, it seemed pretty stright forward to me but I thought I would make sure before I go blowing $hit up, I found a 10.4 in widescreen for 100 bucks that I think will fit the bill, now all I gotta do is figure out what I want displaying in my soon to be |33t case:D

I'm even thinking about maybe getting a 5.4in and making a railed enclosure so that it will open out of the front like a car dvd monitor does, now my head is swirling with possiblities, more power Captn. Stooby!

i think the moddin bug has hit you :D

[mellojoe]

Originally posted by flutie98
i think the moddin bug has hit you :D

You mean slammed with the full force of a freight train! :D

Can't wait to see it. Several people have found that you can fit a nice little square LCD into a pair of 3-1/2" bays, but those are obviously a lot smaller than what you are talking about.

Make sure it runs of a 12v DC power source and make sure it doesn't draw crazy amerage (most LCD's only draw minimal current, which is a very good thing) and you should be A-OK.

And you might be able to swing the video-in cable back inside the back of the case (through an empty PCI cover) and route it through the inside of the case, so you have no "ugly" wires outside.

I WANNA SEE PICS! :p

[Tahoe9166]

You have no Idea how hard the mod bug has hit me, this is my third PC I've built in as many months!!!:D Just finished a ferrari red case with a yellow paint job inside and a huge window for my dad (He barely knows how to email but its his B-day and I figure it will make him want to be on it more :p ) I will post pics as soon as I get it all squared away, I found some servos and a controller that might work in "automating" the opening and closing :D :D I LOVE Mods!

[Slinks]

Do you have any links for the stuff you found id like to check it out as im planning on doing somthing like this as well had a thread but it died out cause i was to busy over the hollidays.

My Thread (http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=218491)

[Tahoe9166]

I had some links but for some reason they are dead right now. Basically this is what I'm going to do: (Hard to explain with out pics but Ill try...

Get U Shaped and L Shaped tubbing at Home Depot. You use the U shaped tubbing as the bracket, then the L shaped goes inside of that and will slide back and forth. All you have to do is counter sync the screws that attach the U shaped to you case so that they dont interfere with the sliding, attach the L shape to the screen with some hinges (Also from HD) then you have a working slide out monitor.

As you can see this is the reason I dont write tutorials, I'm not good at showing how to do this, I will try to get some pics up and better explain, its really not that hard of a mod and should only cost you about 120 bucks total.