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[: Re: LCD Display from TimeLine Question]

From: Tom Neville <>
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 15:30:18 -0500

> Cameron Mallory wrote:
> > http://www.digisys.net/timeline/lcd.html
> > 
> > There are a couple of displays here that I am thinking of purchasing..  (the
> > 640x480 LCD or Color LCD - Single Scan)
> 
> I talked with the folks at TimeLine for a while about several of their
> LCD displays.  None of the ones in stock are usable in a view-through
> configuration -- they all have opaque reflective backs.  One of the techs
> believed that a transparent display might be coming in soon, but was not
> able to offer any more details.
> 
> > Could I get some input on if these will work with a wearable etc...  The
> > description doesn't really say if they have a
> > standard VGA connector or anything, and I am not sure if that would be an
> > easy thing to do.
> 
> The ones with a "Serial Interface" have just that -- you send serial data
> (bitstream) and it displays it.  Useful for sync. displays from custom
> framebuffer type units (clock and ram, anyone?).  I believe that one section
> has text-only displays that display serial text (ASCII?).
> 
> Some of them have horiz and vert. drivers built in.  This simplifies the
> interfacing considerably -- usually you just require a sync. data stream and
> a clock.  A few have NTSC (Never The Same Color)-ish input, although I don't
> know what exactly the interface is like.
> 
> After thinking about it I choose the 1.4mm full color LCD.  I believe that
> it is small enough to head mount, possibly via a reflective optics system
> like the MicroOpticals.  The display has built in drivers and other goodies,
> so it looks like a good bet.  Check it out in the Hacker's section of the web
> site.

I already ordered one of these displays.  Infact.. I have it sitting right
in front of me.  You can get full docs on how the display works here:

http://www.sel.sony.com/semi/PDF/LCX005BKB.pdf

I don't think it will be too dificult.. I will be trying to breadboard
a driver for it in the next couple of weeks.  (First attempt at this 
type of thing.. should be lots of fun.. :)  I am also hoping to make 
some kind of backlight/reflective/semi-tranparent HMD with it.  Acording 
to the specs, it does have drivers.. all the interface would need to 
provide is RGB and several clocking signals..  BTW - Sony explicity 
says that ANY lcd used in and HMD is not supported.

Sony does have a driver chip for it that will take NTSC/PAL directly and
drive the display.  I've been unable to find this chip.  (Still have a 
couple of other places to look..)  This would be by far the eaisest way
of driving the display.

This brought up a good idea.. what about the $70-150 portable TV's out
there.. it should be possible (with some ripping apart) to adapt one
of these to an HMD??  I've not had the time to run out and look at
some of them. 

Tom

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