EEVblog #1105 - Custom LCD Design - Part 3 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 16, 2018, 11:40:54 pm
content: The $100 low cost custom LCD finally arrives!Will it work as intended?

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 12:19:05 am
content: Interestingly all of the segments on the four digits directly below for the current display appeared rock solid in comparison, the only difference between the two was that you had theCVicon activated the entire time on the voltage display.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 02:35:53 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on July 17, 2018, 12:19:05 amYeah, when you get marginal drive voltage like this on complex multiplex displays, they aren't exactly consistent.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 03:46:23 am
content: Nice looking display after the voltage mod! Perhaps you could play with backlight to get a feeling how it may look with bbacklight on in the final product.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 04:03:33 am
content: Looks awesome - very interesting what is possible these days!What kind of price range would one expect for higher quantities of this kind of thing?

author: mk8038
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 06:48:26 am
content: Mr. JonesPlease note, the LCD bias generator of HOLTEK's device is supplied from a dedicated pin VLCD.I would suggest to slightly increase this voltage while maintaining VDD at its nominal.Please observe data sheet block diagram and application circuits

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 08:44:14 am
content: In case someone was confused like me that 6 o'clock is not 180°, this is the description:http://www.hantronix.com/files/down/v-angle.pdfIt also explains that changing the voltage can improve 6 o'clock viewing for 12 o'clock displays and vice versa, but it reduces quality for the indented viewing direction at bit. I guess it is a good idea to use a digital pot, and allow even the user to change it.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 10:33:27 am
content: Quote from: mk8038 on July 17, 2018, 06:48:26 amYou can't (or shouldn't) increase VLCD above VDD.

author: radit68i
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 04:32:46 pm
content: name of manufacturer, website?

author: ckambiselis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 07:19:17 pm
content: Dave do you have another test bed, just in case the problem is on the testing kit?

author: WN1X
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 08:43:37 pm
content: Dave,I assume you have tested all of the prototype displays to see if they exhibit the same problem?

author: mk8038
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 09:26:48 pm
content: My bad.There is an appropriate note in data sheet I missed.

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 09:29:08 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 17, 2018, 02:35:53 amI remember seeing a similar issue years ago with nematic custom LCDs.The issue was variable between panels to non existent on some.I also remember that it was non-linearly temperature dependent. So the panels behaved differently in a colder room. You might want to look at that.A partial solution was found by using a different formulation of liquid crystal in the assembly.It will be nice if the company gives you permission to identify them.Nice video

author: siealex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2018, 10:27:56 pm
content: Is it possible to order an exact copy of an old clock LCD? Of course, with given pinout and segment map, but not necessary with exact copying the shape of segments.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 12:07:24 am
content: Quote from: siealex on July 17, 2018, 10:27:56 pmSure, they will make anything you want.But if you just want one they will charge you a lot.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 12:08:07 am
content: Quote from: WN1X on July 17, 2018, 08:43:37 pmYes, all basically the same.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 12:09:40 am
content: Quote from: ckambiselis on July 17, 2018, 07:19:17 pmNot yet. But it's very unlikely to be the hardware.Of course itcouldbe the HT1622 chips drive capability or some such, and it may very well be different with a different LCD controller, but that's beside the point.

author: Andrew McNamara
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 12:45:08 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 18, 2018, 12:09:40 amGiven how well that single digit test worked with the common open-circuit...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2018, 07:07:00 am
content: Ever since the last episode I've been wondering whether this is a loss leader for them. Dave weighs in on the matter in the video and considering the not very impressive costs of it all I tend to agree with him. More to the point I've been wondering whether I could buy custom LCDs from someone without lying to them about potential future orders. It'd be awesome to be able to buy LCDs like you can buy PCBs right now. I think they could double the cost and it'd still be interesting, though I have no way to judge whether that would make sense to them.I think that any company specifically advertising with this ability might enjoy a lot of interest. It'd not be PCB cheap, but I think many people will consider $100 to $250 acceptable for custom LCDs. I don't think anyone is actually doing this at the moment, right?

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 19, 2018, 07:27:29 am
content: My question on all of these custom LCDs is why does everyone use such small decimal points? With big zeros, it's often easy to lose the decimal place.

author: Maveltjes
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 21, 2018, 09:55:22 pm
content: I took the liberty to improve the display design.. It's a hobby of mine that I picked up recently.I hope I don't stab the original designer in the back, and as well hope that Dave sees this.Too late of course, but perhaps I could help with a future project. (I am not very technical, I just like old school LCD's....)There are several subtle improvements, but the most obvious are the 'Casio style' digits, and the bigger decimal points.And note the cute battery indicatorIt should be completely compatible with the existing design (other than re-drawing all connections etc.)I can't attach the Illustator *.ai file but could send it when requested.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2018, 01:48:47 am
content: Quote from: Maveltjes on July 21, 2018, 09:55:22 pmLove the bigger decimal places.

author: ivanjh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 02:14:31 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 17, 2018, 10:33:27 amI see the datasheet says "The voltage applied to VLCD pin must be lower than VDD." It doesn't say why, or how much lower.Their own example has a 1V drop: "Adjust VR to fit LCD display, at VDD=5V, VLCD=4V, VR=15k+/-20%."The LCD common/segment sink test conditions on the D.C. Characteristics all seem to have 0.3/0.5V for VOL (output low) (I'm not sure if that was measured during testing, or to be expected).Is the HT1622 capable of "full rail-to-rail" output? Does 3.3V VDD & 3.3V VLCD provide +/-3.3V at the LCD? Or is there some drop/head room required between VDD & VLCD?

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 09:35:34 am
content: Quote from: Maveltjes on July 21, 2018, 09:55:22 pmReading the 'Casio style' expression made me think: generally speaking, is there any copyright on the LCD outlook, the way there is e.g. for certain typographic fonts?

author: Maveltjes
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 23, 2018, 11:17:43 am
content: QuoteFor using fonts for static items (like AC, min, max in this case) there is no problem as long as you know the font(s) are licensed for any purpose.The 7 segment LCD was invented very long ago, the very first design was actually an8 segment.My segment design here has rounded edges and separation angles similar to many Casio devices, but is not literally a copy. This is a quite common 7 segment design also used by other brands.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2018, 11:59:07 am
content: Quote from: bitwelder on July 23, 2018, 09:35:34 amFonts can be protected by copyright, yes.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2018, 10:57:52 am
content: dont know if anyone noticed, but its been posted to hackaday's bloghttps://hackaday.com/2018/07/24/custom-lcd-module-is-unexpectedly-cheap-and-easy/

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2018, 08:43:23 pm
content: I found this,how its made DIY LCD videoDIY Custom LCD

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2018, 09:10:46 pm
content: Quote from: jonovid on September 04, 2018, 08:43:23 pmApplied Science is a great channel. That guy is living my dream, at least from a lab and projects point of view.

author: jacky4566
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 13, 2024, 08:03:00 pm
content: Maybe i missed it but who was the manufacture here? Looking into custom LCD for my own project.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2024, 09:57:54 pm
content: Quote from: jacky4566 on February 13, 2024, 08:03:00 pmIts explained in the video.Look on alibaba for a highly rated supplier.