DAB radio / Bigger (external) screen - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: PinheadBE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 01:35:03 pm
content: Hi,I have two Karcher 7000i DAB radios which are very good stuff except for one point: the 2.4" screen which is way too small.I wonder if any of you ever tried to add (or replace the existing screen with) an external bigger screen to a DAB radio ?As a side question, do you know which protocol is used to connect the screen to the DAB chipset ? Parallel, I²C, other ?Any ideas are welcome !Thanks.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 02:02:17 pm
content: I guess you will be more likely to get help if you openit and post photos of the PCBs, display and connector.

author: VinzC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 04:52:08 pm
content: You know what people say on the EEVblog: «don't turn it on, take it apart.»

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 05:07:51 pm
content: if you have access to the mcu display driver code, and source code, you could recompile it, to suit your needs ....witch i doubt you havemeaning NOTok see below mineand for hardware side, until you show us things, it is speculation many peripherals uses Spi or I²C

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 05:47:05 pm
content: A bit here ... If you're handyhttps://github.com/cweiske/frontier-silicon-firmwares/issues/10https://github.com/cweiske/frontier-silicon-firmwareshttps://matrixeditor.github.io/fsapi-tools/firmware-analysis.html

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 08:16:35 pm
content: to add there is DAB radio projects floating around, the hard part to get is the tunner sectionsome have done with avr, raspi and other ... you have usb tunners ... who can provide such functionalities ...

author: Bryn
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 06:52:10 am
content: How large would you want the external screen to be (would at least 5" be ideal)?Or you can consider a smart display, as long it can connected to the radio via Bluetooth or WiFi.

author: PinheadBE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 12:36:51 pm
content: Thanks for all your repliesAs described on the Github previously linked, I submitted the following request:http://192.168.***.***/fsapi/GET/netRemote.sys.info.version?pin=1234&_=1619780591and got the answerCode:<fsapiResponse><status>FS_OK</status><value><c8_array>ir-cui-FS2340-0000-0542_V4.10.7.a6073b.EX11_2-1A4</c8_array></value></fsapiResponse>So the Karcher DAB7000i seems to be based on the FS2340 module (Venice X)The product brief on the Frontier website whows a display mock-up which is exactly the one my radio showshttps://www.frontiersmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Venice-X_PB.pdfThat same PB mentions an SPI LCD Interface (Why LCD, knowing the original screen is a color OLED ?)Would it be that simple ? Just disconnect the existing screen and connect another SPI OLED ?To answer others:I am not eager to "void the warranty" if I am not a bit assured it is worth it....As for the ideal screen size, 5" would be the minimum, 7" would be great, but it must not cost me an arm and a leg to acquireA smart display would be great as long as I must not mess up with the firmware....What would be great is to find a datasheet for that FS2340 module to confirm the SPI interface for the screen, and a list of existing commands I could send to the unit (as the one above to get the firmware version)

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 04:03:50 pm
content: Quote from: PinheadBE on September 24, 2024, 12:36:51 pmThat would only work if the new display contains the same controller chip (or one with a compatible register set), and an OLED array of the same resolution (but different pixel size and hence display size)."SPI" just describes the low-level communication protocol. The CPU will send commands that set control registers, giving register numbers followed by values, and those commands will only work if the controllers in the two displays are compatible. And then some of the registers control the actual OLED display size that gets used, and the CPU will further send pixel data which imply assumptions about the display resolution -- so again, it needs to match between the two displays.When buying a new display, information about its control chip and OLED resolution will be readily available. The tricky part is finding out what the current small display uses. You can probably determine its resolution by taking a closeup photo, magnifying it and counting pixels. Regarding the controller, there are a few options, and you typically can't see the chip even if you take the radio apart. But maybe you can find a type designation on the display and Google will find information about it?EDIT: But it seems unlikely that you will find a 5" or even 7" OLED with the same resolution as the original 2,4" screen. Such a big step in display size typically gets you more pixels as well, since otherwise the pixels would appear quite blocky.Maybe go for a "steampunk" look an install a suitable magnifying glass in front of the display!

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 04:26:53 pm
content: i dont think the @OP realize what it take to get a bigger screenyou have characters mapping, x y positions, font(s) size (s), DAB related information(s) display thruth table of all possible alphabet ... screen size yes but ... controller code, controller memory mapping and the list goes onyou need to work with the source code and build around an lcd you want to use

author: PinheadBE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2024, 06:55:55 am
content: I finally found a partial solution, which is way simplier than expected:Frontier Smart Technologies, the maker of the embedded module of this radio (and many other DAB ones), has published two free android apps to remote control their radios: Undok and OktivInstalling those apps on an old android tablet will make the trick.Furthermore, connecting the tablet to the USB port of the radio, will provide its power (useful since an old tablet will probably have its battery out of order), and the tablet can then also be used as a source for MP3 files.Extra bonus: connect the headphones output to the aux in of the radio, and you will be able to stream Spotify, Deezer or whatever into your DAB radio, even if it's not equipped with those specific functions.....