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[angrycrazymonty]

I have an old Sega Game Gear, I want to rip the LCD out of it and make an LCD display for my computer, anyone know if this is possible?

[endscape]

Well, I remember that there was a TV tuner add-on for the Game Gear, so it might be possible, but even if it was, would you be able to program it?  I guess it could be like a second monitor if you had a TV out card and ran it through a VCR or something, because I think it was just a coax connection to the gamegear

I do have a gamegear in here somewhere, so I may have to experiment.



Endscape

[angrycrazymonty]

Id imagine, I was looking around, there are some people trying to do what I want to do, I believe it runs through paralell, i dont know for sure, I have to find out if it will work first, so far I havent found a site saying it will, anyone know of any sites with info on this?

[timid1]

You're looking for a very general thing, honestly.  You'd have more luck if you looked for the type of controller the LCD uses.  My guess is that it's not going to be parallel--it'll probably be serial.  Find out what kind of controller it is then do a google for that controller.

Endscape is right about being able to program it.  You'd need to write your own specialized program to make it work unless it runs a standard graphics controller.

[TemplaraPheonix]

Timid1 is right. Most LCDs are very easy to interface, they use standardized controllers. The monochrome graphical LCDs that size use the T6369C or the SED1330. I don't happen to have a color LCD, so I'd assume you'd need to do some research to find what the controller is. Chances are the interface is simple enough, and if not in a direct serial or parallel configuration, can easily be adapted to a non-VGA or DVI port. Hower, the really annoying stuff is the software. I have a T6369C LCD, and I was able to use it parallel, and USB, but I can only run PowerLCD on it, since very few programs are designed for graphical LCDs. I will probably try to make something for it when I get the chance since I have some programming skills. However, your situation would be even worse since it would be much harder to program in color, let alone a driver that would allow you to do something like extend your desktop.

[angrycrazymonty]

nevermind, when I went to find it to get the controller chip number, i found out my mom sold it, damn it, oh well, thanks for the input

[I LOVE ED]

Well, I remember that there was a TV tuner add-on for the Game Gear, so it might be possible, but even if it was, would you be able to program it?  I guess it could be like a second monitor if you had a TV out card and ran it through a VCR or something, because I think it was just a coax connection to the gamegear

I do have a gamegear in here somewhere, so I may have to experiment.



Endscape

yep, it's possible.  here's a sample:

threethirteen.com

[daPyr0x]

I pulled my game gear apart the other day thinking the exact same thing.

What I know: The Game Gear does not have a seperate LCD controller.  Everything is on the main board so you would have to either build your own controller (which is possible) or find some way to hack the board's controller and solder onto it's pins....I dont know how possible that one would be though...

Also, the backlighting for the gamegear, while terribly efficient, is a flourescent bulb with a bent metal reflector behind it.  This would make it terribly not fun to try and install into anything...

The way the guy on the site there did it, while very possible, seems to me like kinda a cop-out....it's totally not a mod :-(

[timid1]

I'm having a real hard time believing that people are too cheap to spend $20-$30 for a bare HD44780-based LCD and just wire it up like that.  I've seen probably a good five or six posts in the last two weeks from people asking about non-standard LCDs. Just go out and buy a STANDARD LCD and wire it up.  Not handy with the soldering gun?  Go buy one pre-wired from CrystalFontz or MatrixOrbital.

[PIYIRIO]

but those are plain text lcd's, monty obviously is looking for a graphical lcd and the gamegear is in color too. i'd get a cheap 4 inch lcd that ricers here in my area seem to love and hook it up to a tv out. i've seen 4 inch lcds for around $90. allelectronics.com has a psone clamshell for $80.