Outdoors LED Display Panel, help/advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2016, 08:01:51 pm
content: I've been asked to find an outdoors LED display panel for a small local football team / sports arena. They primarily want it to display a static picture (their logo), but would want the ability to easily change the picture or if necessary add small animations (possible advertising).Finding a panel is easy, I figure it should be 128x128 "pixels/LEDs" and RGB in order to display their logo, a quick search gives a good candidate for the hardware I'm looking for:http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/5000nits-outdoor-stage-P5-die-casting_60083297683.html-- but there is little to no information on how these panels are operated and programmed in practice. And we all know how the 'Chinese' can be on software..This panel will be controlled by non-technical people (with my written instructions), so it musteasyto use. I can create the necessary content, however.It must have an accessible interface (like USB) that connects to a PC or has removable storage. It must ideally be able to load a regular image file (bitmap, jpeg) that is converts to a display (I can make this image file to the necessary format and size).For animations, maybe it can load an animated GIF? Either that or a sequence of image files that plays a given duration set by a GUI (?).Anyone know manufacturers that makes panels of this "ease of use"? Any help here would be very much appreciated.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2016, 08:36:19 pm
content: You need to buy a controller card like this onehttp://pt.aliexpress.com/item/BX-5UL-U-disk-USB-led-controller-card-for-single-dual-color-led-display/2050332934.html?spm=2114.02010208.3.2.L7y3LG&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_8,searchweb201602_4_10037_10017_405_404_407_10033_406_10032_10040,searchweb201603_4&btsid=41eb0d81-d05c-4fc5-bf7c-6b0ae74653eb

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2016, 08:41:34 pm
content: Reading the spec sheet, I'm guessing they have a controller card or dongle for PC with DVI in, and display buss out. Edit: see above!Their words - "Synchronous Display with control PC by DVI"Perhaps you should ask them.Most likely multiple synchronous serial channels at 10-20MbitsI'm guessing that to get the speed and other factors, the controller implements an FPGA solution.If the refresh rate isn't a concern, go for an Arduino(!)...Then of course, there's the UI. DVI in, lets you do whatever you want on a PC app, and spit it out the secondary video adapter.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2016, 09:03:25 pm
content: Quote from: TheAmmoniacal on July 09, 2016, 08:01:51 pmI know this one. They want an outdoor led display, like they have at uefa 2016, for basically free? Or is it a commercial small arena?First ask what they want to spend. Then ask a local stage rigger where they buy them, what they cost, which ones they'd recommend, and if he has any old ones for sale.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2016, 06:52:31 am
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on July 09, 2016, 09:03:25 pmYes, they want it as cheap as possible. Which usually means me doing a lot of the work, and I recently installed a digital remote controlled scoreboard at their field. It's not a commercial arena, but they do take sponsorship money in exchange for putting up signs (or other grants).I'm sure $400-700 is something they'd be willing to consider. But before I recommend specific panels or quote them prices I need to find some that they can actually use without having to hire people to run it (that would explode any budget).Anyone used LedshowTW software + UTP-5 cable?

author: Desert Leo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 10, 2016, 07:24:49 am
content: Check also here:http://www.dmv.rs/This company is manufacturer. My company is local distributor for Bulgaria and after delivery of few samples, even the seller in our shop was able to set the display. Just select your display and ask them to send you manual to check it.