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#5643 - 08/05/2002 18:22 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: pca]
foxtrot_xray
addict

Registered: 03/03/2002
Posts: 687
Loc: Atlanta, Georgia
I saw these noted, and add my vote to them:
1. Dumb serial display (RS232, etc..)
2. Auto ambient noise to adjust loudness of music.. (Of course, the tricky part is trying to make it NOT listen to itself to try and raise the volumn over itself..)

Me.
_________________________
Mike 'Fox' Morrey 128BPM@124MPH. Love it! 2002 BRG Mini Cooper

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#5644 - 10/05/2002 08:50 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: foxtrot_xray]
thenominous
member

Registered: 22/12/2001
Posts: 189
Loc: UK
If Im right in thinking what you mean by RS232 display, was there not an LCD option on the empeg main board? So you could have LCD (character) and VFD?

Does the CPU have proper LCD TFT style interfacing ability outta the box?

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#5645 - 11/05/2002 05:04 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: thenominous]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
The CPU has some LCD interfacing out of the box; however, full 16-bit TFT isn't possible because LCD data lines 8-15 are multiplexed onto other GPIO lines (which we use on the empeg as GPIOs).

There is a pad-out next to the CPU which will take a 0.5mm pitch connector that can be bought from farnell - this contains all the LCD signals available, namely - Pixel clock, line clock, frame clock, AC bias (valid signal for TFT I think), and LCD D0-D7.

The VFD uses D0 only, and we run in a 4bpp mode. In theory you could add 3 slave displays to the empeg by using D1, D2 and D3 - all the other signals would be common

Hugo

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#5646 - 12/05/2002 10:08 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: altman]
dcosta
enthusiast

Registered: 04/02/2002
Posts: 277
Loc: Massachussetts
So what you'resaying isss....
.... we could have 4 separate displays on 1 empeg ?

or we could connect some other (bigger / wider) display to it ?

Not sure what all you said means...
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#5647 - 12/05/2002 15:10 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: dcosta]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
With an extra PSU and software work you could have 4 displays on a single empeg, yes.

Bigger/wider is more hassle, but still possible. The player wouldn't drive a higher res display though, not as-is.

Hugo

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#5648 - 14/05/2002 00:52 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: altman]
CrashLander
stranger

Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 26
So, we can connect a remote LCD display to the Empeg by installing a connector to the motherboard inside the unit? What type of display do I look for? Do you have a specific one that you could recommend? Is the hardware connection all that is necessary, or does it also need to be enabled through software? Would this be the same resolution as the VFD? And could a backlit display be used? I am highly interested in this feature, and would appreciate any details. Thanks

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#5649 - 14/05/2002 02:03 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: CrashLander]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
I didn't say remote; the lines are 3.3v logic, run pretty fast, and come directly from the CPU. One slip and you could toast the CPU. There's also no software support for it.

However, you could in theory put something like a 320x240 16 greyscale passive matrix display on this connector.

We've never tried it. However, the Rio Central uses the same(ish) CPU and a 480x320 16 greyscale LCD and that works just fine.

Hugo

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#5650 - 15/05/2002 01:59 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: altman]
CrashLander
stranger

Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 26
oh, yeah. I forgot the lines run directly from the CPU. One wrong move and you're porked - uh... I mean your CPU is toast. Wasn't there a way to buffer the lines? Is this done with transistors or something?

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#5651 - 15/05/2002 02:10 Re: empeg unit add-on IO board [Re: CrashLander]
TommyE
enthusiast

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 356
Loc: NORWAY
There are plenty of linedriver/buffer chips around that will do the trick. They are integrated circuits, guess they all build on transistors in the end.

TommyE

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