Some cool old HP dot matrix displays - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2014, 08:13:50 pm
content: I was sorting through my big "parts to be sorted" bin, and I came across a number ofthese interesting displays.I have a vague recollection of getting them in Jameco display grab bags many years ago.Luckily I have a number of each type to experiment with :-)The larger one is labeled HP QDSP-2088 with a 9440 date code.The smaller is HP QDSP-2543 with a 9424 date code.There don't seem to be any readily available datasheets on the net for either of these. I think I remember this being some OEM number for an HDSP number, and there *are* similar HDSP datasheets floating about. I know they have some intelligence and there's a small bulge on the underside for the chip die.Anyone have any of these?Scott

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 04:58:27 am
content: Those look like they have a controller on board - you send them ASCII directly.The ones I have are less smart -[huge pic]http://imageshack.com/a/img713/6522/img0714w.jpg

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 02:28:10 pm
content: It makes me feel all nostalgic looking at those displays.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 04:16:17 pm
content: Quote from: marshallh on August 18, 2014, 04:58:27 amAnd I thought that VFDs looked sexy. I want. What is the part number and where can I get me some?

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 05:43:08 pm
content: Jameco still carries modules like that.Here's a module similar to the pictures whose price will get you right off the "where can I get one" wagon. Wow.Digikey also has some:http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?pv207=33&FV=fff40008%2Cfff80031&k=matrix&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=500

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 06:03:51 pm
content: >$130 for four 5x7 characters? That's nearly $1 per pixel.A128x64 VFDcosts $38, or less than a half-cent per pixel. Who would have ever thought someone would say, "I'll stick with VFD based on price"?

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 06:20:52 pm
content: Yeah those are probably specialist displays somehow.Jameco has a few 5x7 modules that are $0.99 each. I bought several dozen of the 0.7" variety and they're good.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 06:47:33 pm
content: Quote from: marshallh on August 18, 2014, 04:58:27 amYes, if I am correct you have to send 5 columns of 28 bits to use them, no CG on board there. I have some that looks like they are functionally compatible, but while the bottom half is ceramic like yours the upper half is a dark red plastic plate. They are marked HP HDSP 2000. In the same drawer also a few TIL-308's, latching 7-segment BCD, and a bunch of 7-segment filament displays. These are weird, here's a picture from Mike's site:

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 06:19:20 am
content: While we're posting pics of HP beauties... see attachment. These displays are pretty ancient. They look awesome though.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 10:02:33 am
content: Quote from: Rigby on August 18, 2014, 05:43:08 pmYup I got some of those HP HDSP 25xx displays somewhere in my shack and also some of the Osram DLR24xx I believe, will see tonight if I can find them a post a picture. I bought those around halfway 90's for around €10 a pop. They are still expensive I see.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 12:24:38 pm
content: There really is something special about these old displays, I try to collect them when I see them.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 05:11:53 pm
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-HP-HDSP-2000-Red-4-Character-5x7-Dot-Matrix-Vintage-Display-LED-Logic-Circuit-/131264200276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8ff4be54This looks to be them, or very similar.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 06:07:44 pm
content: Quote from: Rigby on August 19, 2014, 05:11:53 pmHmm, looks like they have been dancing a bit too long...

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 07:50:53 pm
content: Found my precious, stuffed secure in one of my many original ESD safe Pentium1 carton boxes with hardfoam:7 times a HP HDSP2530, date week33 of 19947 times a Siemens DLR2416, date week 16 of 1988and 5 times a HP HDLO2416. O0

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2014, 05:55:47 pm
content: Hmm, I just found I have some of that other style that marshallhposted. 9033 date code. They aren't marked with a recognizablepart number, but they are in a bin that I marked HDSP-2302, soI'm going to go with that! :-)