Car Computer To Icc

[Panda]

A few people have PM'd me and asked how to connect the carputer to the ICC. Instead of replying to everyone individually, I thought I'd post this up.

There is no cable which you can buy off the shelf which will do what you need, but if you're handy with a soldering iron you can do it yourself.

You'll need the following -

Male VGA plug - about $2 from Dick Smiths

The plug which holds the VGA plug - about $4 from Dick Smiths

An Aepro 711761 Connector pack - about $25 from Supercheap / Autobarn

And an On / Off Switch - about $2 from Dick Smiths - to switch between the ICC screen and the carputer screen

Then you simply join them together like so -

ICC End

1. Pin 1 - Not Used

2. Pin 2 - Video Select - Ground this line to turn off the Vehicle Information overlays, or leave un-connected to have this information placed on top of your VGA Image

3. Pin 3 - Green Video - Carries the Green Colour Component to the BA ICC Screen

4. Pin 4 - Red Video - Carries the Red Colour Component to the BA ICC Screen

5. Pin 5 - Not Used

6. Pin 6 - Blue Video - Carries the Blue Colour Component to the BA ICC Screen

7. Pin 7 - 5 Volts - This is the Synchronisation Voltage Reference (TTL Level) Pin

8. Pin 8 - Sync - The Synchronisation Frequency Line for the Video Image (Includes Both Horizontal and Vertical Sync)

9. Pin 9 - Ground (Shield) - The Video, and Colour Information Shielding and Ground. (Connect to outer Shielding on Cable)

10. Pin 10 - I.R. Output - Infra Red Remote Control Output wire

PC end

Pin 1 - Red Video - Sends the Red Colour Component from the PC to the BA ICC Screen

Pin 2 - Green Video - Sends the Green Colour Component from the PC to the BA ICC Screen

Pin 3 - Blue Video - Sends the Blue Colour Component from the PC to the BA ICC Screen

Pin 4 - Not Used

Pin 5 - Ground (Shield) - The Video, and Colour Information Shielding and Ground. (Connect to outer Shielding on Cable)

Pin 6 - Red Return Ground (Shield) - Extra Shielding for the Red Line, this can be left disconnected

Pin 7 - Green Return Ground (Shield) - Extra Shielding for the Green Line, this can be left disconnected

Pin 8 - Blue Return Ground (Shield) - Extra Shielding for the Blue Line, this can be left disconnected

Pin 9 - Not Used

Pin 10 - Not Used

Pin 11 - Not Used

Pin 12 - Not Used

Pin 13 - Horizontal Sync - Connect this line to Pin 14 on the VGA Connector, and to the Sync Input on the BA ICC Screen

Pin 14 - Vertical Sync - Connect this line to Pin 13 on the VGA Connector, and to the Sync Input on the BA ICC Screen

Pin 15 - Not Used

Note : Pins 13 and 14 on the VGA Connector are connected directly together, and are then connected up to the BA ICC Sync Input.

Panda

[LeighD]

Cool, thanks for that

I didn't realise it was that easy. I thought that the only way to get the picture to display was by using a vga to composite video converter (NTSC).

[bkofoed]

Hey Panda,

Looks good.

Just a couple of comments

- what video mode do you use on the PC output? The LCD is really an NTSC monitor so I imagine the vid mode you need to output must be close to NTSC resolution and refresh rate? What software do you use to fine tune the visible edges of the screen?

- have you considered buffering and merging the outputs of the H-Sync and V-Sync from the PC end, instead of shorting them together? A simple CMOS "OR" gate would do and would be more compatible with a range of video cards (some cards might even have issues as both H-Sync and V-Sync shorted, as they are outputs you are effectivily driving the signal back into the cards other pin with your connections)

Regards,

BK

[bkofoed]

Edit- Argghhh read your other thread!

Still, I'd rather see a simple buffer circuit used to combine the syncs- you don't want your VGA card to die an early death!

So for the rest of us, what are the timing parameters and program you used?

BK

[Panda]

I thought that the only way to get the picture to display was by using a vga to composite video converter (NTSC)

Not the only way, but certainly the easier and safer way.

what video mode do you use on the PC output? The LCD is really an NTSC monitor so I imagine the vid mode you need to output must be close to NTSC resolution and refresh rate?

Yep, NTSC - Horizontal Freq - 15.734 kHz, Vertical Freq - 59.94 Hz, Colour Freq - 3.579 MHz, Refresh Rate - 60Hz

have you considered buffering and merging the outputs of the H-Sync and V-Sync from the PC end

Yep, looked at that too. Trying to avoid having to do that if I can.

I used a NVidia Geforce 4 VGA card, main reason I chose this is because it is slim profile, AGP (not enough PCI slots), dual monitor support (ICC for the front and DVD's for the back)

Panda

[Panda]

Well after all of the problems I had making the display work, I forked out for an Arcade VGA card and it works perfectly now.

The photos aren't as good as the actual display. I'm loving it.

Panda

[veczar]

So you beleive that only some video cards will work with this mod? Also how do we set the freq's to:

horiz. freq vertical freq. color freq.

15.734 kHz 59.94 Hz 3.579 MHz

Any software? Sorry if im going over old ground I did do a search.

-Thanks

[Panda]

Most computer monitors will support various Refresh Rates, Resolutions etc etc and they do it automatically, but the ICC screen will only support the following settings -

Screen Resolution - 640 x 480

Refresh Rate - 60Hz

Horizontal Freq - 15.734 kHz

Vertical Freq - 59.94 Hz

As for software, I don't know of anything specific. To modify these settings though, just go to control panel, then display. You can set all of these variables from there.

If you are using a laptop, it will be the 2nd screen that you will have to configure.

If you have any more questions just ask, I'll try to help

Panda

[qwigybo]

hey panda,

you've got me really interested in this now, I have been into advanced display settings and can't find where to change the horizontal and vertical frequencies.

just updated to the lastest nvidia drivers and I'm in the advanced timing screen on the Nvidia settings and can't figure out how to change it.

cheers,

matt

[Panda]

What card are you using?

Panda