A few years back, I purchased a 10" LCD package that the seller claimed was from a smart-fridge or something. The LCD is VGA-driven, 640x480 (although slightly off alignment horizontally), and of generally poor quality. ISTR like 3 dead pixels, and the viewing angles aren't great (maybe it's a TN panel, maybe it's just so old as to predate panels with a 178 degree viewing range?) The touchscreen was serial.

I dissected it today, removing the touchscreen assembly entirely (as it further lowers the image quality) and tried it as a second monitor.

Now, I love the concept of a small second monitor to swallow my sidebar apps and IM client, but:

1. What's the best way to handle powering it? Right now, I have a Molex->adaptor plug to supply it with +12, which works but looks awful (somehow the cable must escape the case. If I get a power brick, it will need a switch.

2. What's the best way to mount and package it to avoid electrical shocks or fall-over/fall-apart

3. Is this a doomed value-for-money proposition when Craigslist is flooded with older 15" LCDs at $50 each, many of which will feature DVI, all of which will be higher resolution, and most of which will have stands?

Quote: Originally Posted by Hak Foo 1. What's the best way to handle powering it? Right now, I have a Molex->adaptor plug to supply it with +12, which works but looks awful (somehow the cable must escape the case. If I get a power brick, it will need a switch. 2. What's the best way to mount and package it to avoid electrical shocks or fall-over/fall-apart 3. Is this a doomed value-for-money proposition when Craigslist is flooded with older 15" LCDs at $50 each, many of which will feature DVI, all of which will be higher resolution, and most of which will have stands?

Based on where your case is located, you could mount it to the case (side panel) and power it internally, so no weird wires running around.

You could also sleeve that 12v connector so it doesn't look awful.

You could use it as a gigantic status window instead (also mounted to the case).

thats just off the top of my head while I'm ignoring my on-line meeting ...

-godling

Yeah, but I etched my side panel and therefore don't want to punch a huge hole in the middle (if only one could get spare side panels for an Ark SR-8100

My original use for it was attached to the side of an old Antec SX1000 case on these hinge things... with a bale-load of cables running through holes in the side panel, and a Duron 1.6 inside it almost made a passable media centre that way (the touchscreen was cool in that context)

Quote: Originally Posted by Hak Foo Yeah, but I etched my side panel and therefore don't want to punch a huge hole in the middle (if only one could get spare side panels for an Ark SR-8100

What about the side panel where the mobo is?

Well, both sides are etched, technically speaking, but also I wanted the display on the right side of the main screen, while the the case is on the left.

As a compromise, I put it in the back half of its original casing... the one case more bulky and hideous than that on the Soyo Topaz S it accompanies. (I swear, the metal front bezel weighs as much as the entire rest of the setup).

I also used a cutout to mount a power switch, anticipating finding a suitable 12v brick at the Goodwill.

But I'm sure what you want to see is the display itself:

Some "Pics or it didn't happen" goodness:

The viewing angles are appalling. It washes out very easily. Dithering is not just obvious but inescapable.

It's also not very bright, compared with a new 24", but what is?

I wish monitors would automatically handle rotation-- I hate having to install 120Mb of Catalyst Control Centre just to say "This monitor should be given a 480x640 mode and displayed rotated 270 degrees"

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Actually, that looks pretty decent. Good idea on having a place to put your toolbar / etc as it takes up too much room (IMO) on a regular screen.

What is it that your Topaz is standing on? Looks like an equalizer ...

-godling

Yep. Doesn't do much for the sound, but I like watching the lights blink. That's what people did before Winamp/Media Player visualizations, right?