LCD display for Hardware Monitor?

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Level 1

69 points

LCD display for Hardware Monitor?

Hardware Monitor...

http://www.bresink.com/osx/HardwareMonitor.html

...supports certain external, USB-based LCD displays for providing system status. Is anyone using one?

Can anyone recommend a nice, already-assembled unit to set on the desk here? Thanks.

blakespot

MacPro 3GHz, MacBook Pro 2GHz, G4 Mini 1.42GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.7), http://www.blakespot.com/list

Posted on Sep 17, 2006 7:38 AM

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Answer 1

LSE

Level 1

15 points

Sep 17, 2006 7:43 AM in response to blakespot

Never heard of this app, but it sounds very intruiging.

I checked the specs and what they mean by LCD is probably better defined as an LED display unit, like the ones you can get on HiFi. They include a pic: http://www.bresink.com/osx/216202/Images-en/LCDisplay.jpg

Have you tried some of the widgets for Tiger, namely iStat, because they show a lot of information, albeit not nearly as much as this app?

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Answer 2

blakespot Author

Level 1

69 points

Sep 17, 2006 7:58 AM in response to LSE

Ya it seems a number of units / chipsets for LCD displays are supported, but I'd like to get one that's in a little enclosure that can sit on a desk, ready-made.

I don't want to go Widget because I like the info in front of me all the time - and an LCD beats the actual desktop display of Hardware Monitor because you can see it during fullscreen apps, such as games, unlike the desktop HW display.

Would be reather cool.

blakespot

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Answer 3

blakespot Author

Level 1

69 points

Sep 17, 2006 8:01 AM in response to blakespot

Ahh, this is looking like it:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/avcards/7e3e/
http://www.everythingusb.com/gameopticsx2040_usb_lcddisplay.html

If compatible, I'll grab one...

blakespot

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Answer 4

blakespot Author

Level 1

69 points

Sep 17, 2006 9:12 AM in response to blakespot

Hmm, this actually looks nicer - nicer display colors:

http://www.crystalfontz.com/products/634xe/index.html

blakespot

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Answer 5

blakespot Author

Level 1

69 points

Sep 17, 2006 12:27 PM in response to blakespot

Sadly none of the above unit will work w/ Hardware Monitor.

I just received this email from the author after inquiring about the above displays compatibility w/ Hardware Monitor:

- - - - - -

Unfortunately, these vendors are completely unknown in Europe and
they only offer drivers for Windows, so no support for these modules
is possible so far.

If not, is there a ready-made, external (already in a little
enclosure) unit that does?

No, I am currently not aware of any ready-made units. Unfortunately
the market for these devices seems to be so small that no worldwide
vendor has established an industry standard yet, or could provide
an open software layer for Mac OS X. When such a solution exists, we
will immediately support it in Hardware Monitor.

For more information about LCD unit support please see the chapter
"Controlling external alphanumeric displays" in the reference manual
of Hardware Monitor.

blakespot

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Answer 6

blakespot Author

Level 1

69 points

Sep 17, 2006 12:30 PM in response to blakespot

Here's the section of the Hardware Monitor manual dealing with driving external, LCD displays:

http://www.bresink.com/osx/216202/Docs-en/lcd.html

blakespot

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Answer 7

blakespot Author

Level 1

69 points

Oct 17, 2006 7:55 AM in response to blakespot

I thought I'd follow up.

I went ahead and soldered together a IO-Warrior 24 controller and tied it to a Crystalfontz LCD and got a status LCD working great.

(with gallery, movie link)

Since then, however, I've put a second IO-Warrior/LCD combo together and now have Hardware Monitor driving TWO 4-line LCDs.

See pic:
http://www.bytecellar.com/media/dualstatuslcd.jpg

Thought some folks might be interested.

blakespot

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