An LCD question

[Flood]

Now I know LCD questions are common, and normally the answer is 'don't bother' when it comes to wiring one up. Knowing this I went ahead and dismantled a ripspeed DVD headunit (in-car unit) which I had somehow came into possession of (I don't drive). Now, sitting in front of me I have a 4.2" Sharp TA042LWC0A full-colour LCD screen, along with all the other bits of board that were in the unit.
The screen has live/neutral power wires, a brown wire that I assume is an earth since it doesn't go anywhere special, and a very thin, wide brownish cable which I would think is the data/visual info cable. The exterior screen also has a thin cable, but it is considerably more narrow (a light?) All these wires/cables connect into a small board which in turn is connected to a socket that plugs into the main unit (containing dvd player, outputs/inputs etc).
So, and I'm aware the process isn't simple or inexpensive, how can I go about linking this to my GPU to use as a fanciful piece of case candy? If someone could even link me to some clear info somewhere that'd be great.
And I have been scouring google for info but most seem to refer to older tft's or laptop mods.
Aplogies for lack of photos, will try n get some up later on.

Much obliged ;)

[Collinstheclown]

With simple enough, if it has an input stock then you have no real modding to do. Just solder something up to that.




-CollinstheClown

[DaveW]

so you have your power cables, but only one for data? I'm not sure. Try sending a pm to xmastree, he's good with this stuff.

Also, look for a serial number on the screen itself and try googling for that. My final suggestion is hackaday, they have a lot of stuff like that. If you could provide pictures, I'm sure we could help more.

-Dave

[PHENOMenalGAMER]

Not trying to hyjack the thread but I was about to ask the same thing except mine has the red white and yellow rca cables. I want it to tell my my cpu/ram usage or something like that.

[Outlaw]

VGA to Analog (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=208017358&listingid=32535499&dcaid=17902#cRevSec)

Beware- Has 1 bad (and only) review.

[Flood]

Eh, don't think that adapter would do any good m8.

Found my camera so i'll post pics up before Friday.

[nevermind1534]

Most video cards (not onboard, though) have s-video output. You can get an s-video to composite (RCA or A/V) adapter pretty cheap.

edit: I'll bet you anything that the guy who left a review for that adapter was trying to run it at a resolution that was way too high.

[Outlaw]

Have to watch out. Some of the "S-Video" is actually a 7 pin for the adapter and not the typical 4 pin. Found that out with a friends computer who didn't have the adapter and couldn't hook up a standard S-Video Cable.

What about? VGA to Composite adapter (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001SJDESC?smid=A1YX7EB80E4EIU&tag=nextag-mi-delta-20&linkCode=asn) kinda pricey though.

[Luke122]

Not trying to hyjack the thread but I was about to ask the same thing except mine has the red white and yellow rca cables. I want it to tell my my cpu/ram usage or something like that.

If yours has red/white and yellow, then you are in luck. No controller is needed, all you have to do is plug it into an output from your video card and you are in business.

If your gpu doesnt have an output for a second display then you can just add a secondary gpu with a tv output, and just use that screen to display whatever data you want; it would work like having a second desktop on your PC. Does that make sense?

[Luke122]

4.2" Sharp TA042LWC0A full-colour LCD screen.

The screen has live/neutral power wires, a brown wire that I assume is an earth since it doesn't go anywhere special, and a very thin, wide brownish cable which I would think is the data/visual info cable. The exterior screen also has a thin cable, but it is considerably more narrow (a light?) All these wires/cables connect into a small board which in turn is connected to a socket that plugs into the main unit (containing dvd player, outputs/inputs etc).
Aplogies for lack of photos, will try n get some up later on.


Photos will definitely help! The wide flat cable is a ribbon cable to connect the LCD to the controller.

Earthlcd.com is a pretty good source for controllers, so you might have some luck with them. :)