New LCD Desktop Monitors - Share your knowledge for the Catalog

[bigtinker]

My hope is that the moderator will allow this to be a permanent running thread.


This thread is for those of us that are primarily interested in using new LCD Monitors as the starting point for our projects. My aim is forming a catalog of the features and usability of *New* LCD Monitors. I would like to encourage others to also research since checking suitability for the project most often only involves removing the back of the monitor and looking at the boards. I would also appreciate anyone who would be kind enough to repost any data you currently have.

I have done two so far, and for clarity I will detail them in separate posts.


Regards,

BT

[bigtinker]

Samsung SyncMaster 150MP

Price: 399 USD after rebate (Best Buy)
Response time: <25MS
Contrast Ratio: 450:1

Description:

This monitor is using a Samsung laptop LCD form factor. There is only one board with a single connector to the controller. The unit is a 3 in 1 monitor, which accepts analog RGB, NTSC, S-video, TV tuner. Unit comes with a remote control and has picture in picture feature. The 151MP is advertised as having an HDTV input, but I haven't looked at it yet.

Comments:

As mentioned above, you don't need a PC to dump video to this LCD. The Samsung LCD has an Identical design to one I pulled from a fried Compaq laptop. You don't have to lengthen flat flex cables for it to work. I saw no ghosting playing directly to the monitor from my DVD player. The unit is quite easy to disassemble.

The primary drawback is the price, LCD Monitors with similar specs are going for around 300USD, but do not include the picture in picture or have the other video inputs. I did see what looked like light leakage from the backlight around the bottom and top in the black space when playing a widescreen format DVD, but this was only visible then and very minor. This shouldn't matter since I will be removing the backlight.

For some reason my old Micron Laptop wouldn't drive the panel properly, it washed out all of the yellows. A standard desktop machine worked nicely.

For those of you willing to add to the research, I would like to see info on the Samsung 152N. Specifically I would like to know if the panel uses the same LCD form factor, making it a prime candidate for the project around the 300USD range. You might be able to tell in the store, since these use laptop power supplies and take 14v DC to the unit.

[bigtinker]

NEC 1555V

Price: 300 USD after rebate (Circuit City)
Response time: ~25MS
Contrast Ratio: 450:1

Description:

The NEC is fairly easy to take apart. The LCD has 2 boards, connected by a 20-pin flat flex cable with .5 mm pitch. The panel is made by HannStar, and there are pictures elsewhere under my name. I saw no ghosting when I tested the panel.

Comments:

I had a little trouble with the snap connectors around the outside of the case. If you plan on taking one apart, buy some plastic putty knives from a local home store before starting. Using these prevents damage to the case caused by a screwdriver. Also make sure you buy a set of Torx bits, you will need them.

I was looking into lengthening the cable when I discovered my personal preference, the Samsung 150MP. I have some new ideas on the subject, so I will post them to the cable length thread when I get them together.

[KleerSignal]

Hey Biqtinker,

Is the ribbon cable on the Samsung Sync master 150 mp long enough to get the controller board completly out of the way? If it is I might buy that monitor this weekend. I tried the KDS Rad-5c and it was very hard to take apart and also there was no way to get the controler out of the way without serious modifications.

[Lifter]

NEC 1545V
XGA 300:1 Contrast ratio
Panel is a Philips LG LP150X05
RGB input only.
Screen width can be adjusted a little, but no vertical size adjustment.

Well known, but there are two boards that are not connected to each other, so it's a breeze. The thing is very sensitive to heat, and is only rated at 90o F.

[afan]

Originally posted by bigtinker
Samsung SyncMaster 150MP

Price: 399 USD after rebate (Best Buy)
Response time: &lt;25MS
Contrast Ratio: 450:1

Description:

This monitor is using a Samsung laptop LCD form factor. There is only one board with a single connector to the controller.

Do you have any photos of it disassembled?

[Mavmesa]

Lifter

The NEC 1550V also has the LM150X05 (A3) panel.

I have not noticed the heat issue, but I have glass plate/double fresnel/glass plate between the 400W MH lamp and the lcd. Also, my lamp compartment is fan ventilated.

Ken

[bigtinker]

KleerSignal ,

The panel has only one board directly connected to the LCD. A single cable runs from the LCD to the controller and it is not a flat cable.

I have pictures, and will post them tonight or early tomorrow.


BT

[bigtinker]

All,

Attached is a picture of the Samsung that has been pulled almost all of the way down. The top picture shows the backlight side of the liberated LCD. The connector to the left attaches to a single board that is behind the aluminum shield across the top of the lower picture. I will probably only disassemble mine this far, the metal tape/shield that will provide additional protection to the fragile cable between the LCD and board. This will also allow me to reassemble the unit easily.

If anyone is interested in a closeup of the driver card or anything else please let me know and I will post it.

On a related subject, does anyone know what the three 'tabs' across the top of the bottom picture do? They don't connect to anything. There are similar tabs on the laptop LCD I have.

Regards,
BT

[afan]

Originally posted by bigtinker
If anyone is interested in a closeup of the driver card or anything else please let me know and I will post it.

Yes, it's interesting. Especially the way the LCD is connected to the driver board(s).