Using an ITX Motherboard with VFD in Linux

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alex
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A

Alex

Hi all,

I have an idea for a 'case mod' that I'm curious if anyone has experience doing.
I'd like to get an ITX motherboard, attach a VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent
Display) module to it, and then purchase the XM Radio PCR.

First... does anyone know of Linux software that will display content to a VFD?
I'm hoping that using the Open Source MMXMPCR software that I can send output
from the XM Radio to this display, plus play MP3's with song name and info to
the VFD.

Here's some links for the products and info I'm researching -

XM Radio PCR software - http://freshmeat.net/projects/mmxmpcr/
VFD's -
http://www.linuxcentral.com/catalog/index.php3?prod_code=M000-011
http://www.emjembedded.com/products/alnumdisplays/vfd.html
http://www.lillfab.se/auxiliary/serialdisplays/

And the final touch will be some serial device, whether a custom keypad or
something, that'll allow me to send command-line options to switch XM station or
switch to MP3's or an audio CD. In theory it shouldn't be too difficult, but
I've never done much case moding before. The purpose of this venture is to have
a small display to mount in my '55 Chevy.

Thanks for any info or suggestions... and take care,

Alex.
 
|> First... does anyone know of Linux software that will display content to a VFD?
|> I'm hoping that using the Open Source MMXMPCR software that I can send output
|> from the XM Radio to this display, plus play MP3's with song name and info to
|> the VFD.

There are a few VFDs which have the same electrical interface and protocol as
the widely used LCD controller HD47480. There are tons of source examples how to
use the parallel port for such controllers. The cheap VFDs have no controller,
and you have to do the image generation on your own. Doable, but tricky if you
want a non-flickering display just with a user space program and no extra
microcontroller.

But beware: HD47480-compatible matrix VFDs are not really cheap (esp. if you just
buy one) and generally get into trouble when displaying the same all the time
(burn in). Better use LCDs, they are quite cheap. And there are also inverted
"VFD-look-alike" LCD-versions out there.
 
Georg said:
|> First... does anyone know of Linux software that will display content to a VFD?
|> I'm hoping that using the Open Source MMXMPCR software that I can send output
|> from the XM Radio to this display, plus play MP3's with song name and info to
|> the VFD.

There are a few VFDs which have the same electrical interface and protocol as
the widely used LCD controller HD47480. There are tons of source examples how to
use the parallel port for such controllers. The cheap VFDs have no controller,
and you have to do the image generation on your own. Doable, but tricky if you
want a non-flickering display just with a user space program and no extra
microcontroller.

But beware: HD47480-compatible matrix VFDs are not really cheap (esp. if you just
buy one) and generally get into trouble when displaying the same all the time
(burn in). Better use LCDs, they are quite cheap. And there are also inverted
"VFD-look-alike" LCD-versions out there.
Click to expand...

Hi Georg,

I was actually looking at something from CrystalFontz -
http://www.crystalfontz.com/products/633/index.html - which does use LCD instead
of VFD. Plus these have controls that the Linux LCDproc software is supposed to
support.

Thanks for the heads-up :)

Alex.
 
Georg Acher said:
There are a few VFDs which have the same electrical interface and protocol as
the widely used LCD controller HD47480.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. I was wondering if I could use a VFD on my
microcontroller projects (I've been building insane musical
instruments.)
 
Thanks for this info. I was wondering if I could use a VFD on my
microcontroller projects (I've been building insane musical
instruments.)
Click to expand...

You could, but they could suck power, compared to LCDs, especially if
you don't use backlit LCDs.
 
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