LCD photo frames

[jaspar]

with the explosion of low cost 7" and 10" lcd photo frames on the market has anyone with technical expertiese tryed to convert them to low cost lcd monitors for use on our sims.
they seem to me to be a perfect solution to for us at a reasonable cost if they could be adapted similar to the PS1 displays.

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

well done that man !
now this is an interesting idea, but i'm just wondering about driving the moving image.
maybe someone can enlighten us.
thanks ... ian

[Tomlin]

This is exactly what Ive been wondering myself...hoping someone can answer definately on this.

[bgoodwin]

Perhaps wx updates if you could link to map feature of ASX?

[jaspar]

Im guessing its just a LCD monitor with an internal driver for jpg files so providing we can I/P a video source in might be able to display anounciator pannel lights, radio / nav displays etc that doesnt need a fast refresh rate.

whth the likes of PC WORLD ( uk computer supermarket ) selling 7" ones for £25.00 and 9" for around £50.00 ( and the price set to drop in the sales after xmas) it would be a very cheap source of small displays

[JSpahn]

Basically its a LCD panel...you would need to buy a separate controller in order to drive the display since the controller included in the photo frame more then likely wouldnt be able to accept a VGA signal.

Additionally you would need to find a compatible cable to connect the panel to the controller. If you are proficient in electrical engineering you can get the data sheet for the LCD panel and design your own cable...

My opinion is it wouldnt be worth it since the availability of LCD controllers to the consumer market is very limited, and if you were able to find a compatible one the cost wouldnt justify using the photo frame in the first place...There are open frame monitors already on the market..

Here is a link to a VGA controller:
http://store.earthlcd.com/NK-GM2221-...=7&category=99

And a LCD kit:
http://store.earthlcd.com/SK-1009T-S...7&category=255

[737NGDriver]

I bought a fujitsu LT-500 Tablet I use for that
I bought it like 4 years ago for approx $80 dollars. Its an awsome little thing, since its an actual PC lots of posibilites.

[Kennair]

I remember reading in a thread some time ago that someone was using one of these photo frames to display his check list items. He'd simply store the checklist as several jpg images and cycle through them as needed. Not really what you were asking i.e. full integration into the PC, however a clever idea for using the stock LCD photo frame all the same.

Ken.

[dnoize]

I bought a fujitsu LT-500 Tablet I use for that
I bought it like 4 years ago for approx $80 dollars. Its an awsome little thing, since its an actual PC lots of posibilites.

I'm using the exact same tablet. perfect for an electronic flightbag, jeppessen simcharts, navigraph maps, etc.

I also have its bigger brother the 4120. Bit faster, bigger screen. Perfect as an instructors station.

to get back on topic: I think converting digital photoframes will be quite a job. Possible ? sure !
The photoframes dont take a video input by standard. So you will need to find the correct electronics to feed it the vga or video signal.
There are oem manufacturers that sell the vga bit seperately and the tft displays seperately. But at a price !!

i think in the end you will be cheaper off buying a cheap chinese 10 inch tft on ebay.
I have seen 10 inch touchscreens go on ebay for 100 euro's.

Stef

[Mike.Powell]

Samsung has some interesting photo frame products. Some update through WiFi, others through USB. From the Samsung website: "The SPF-85H does much more than display your photos. You can use it as a second PC monitor with a simple USB connection. (UbiSync Technology)" There are several related products.

I don't know what the update speed is. Going through a USB connection, it's likely to be on the slow side, but perhaps is fast enough to be useful in some applications.