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Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2017 7:47 am
by matt
Looking to making another GBZ, my first one was alright (messy but works) but i want to make something that looks better,

Can anyone recommend a higher res screen than the standard BW Screen?

Im in the UK so will need something that can ship here.

Re: Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 1:20 am
by salami738
Hi,

if you want to make a good decision about your screen you have to take care of the following:
1) connection 2) outline / ease of build 3) energy usage 4) price

1.1) Composite
Pros: Easy to solder (2 wires), cheap, 60 FPS?
Cons: No sharp fonts, not pixel perfect, composite is a additional controller board to build in
Used in: original wermy build

1.2) DPI
Pros: Build in Raspberry Function, pixel perfect, low resolution (320x240 cheap, 640x480 extreme pricey - see kites saio), 60 FPS
Cons: Eats a lot of GPIO Pins (e.g. 18 Bit => 18 Pins + VSYNC + HSYNC + ...), Breakout for connector or all in one board needed
Used in: http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2508
Technical explanation: http://blog.reasonablycorrect.com/raw-dpi-raspberry-pi/

1.2) HDMI
Pros: Build in Raspberry, pixel perfect, medium or high resolution (480x320 cheap or 800x480 medium pricey), 60 FPS
Cons: High energy usage (this is bad on batteries)
Used in: http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 2&start=20
Power measurement: http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=4242

1.3) SPI (GPIO)
Pros: Easy to wire/solder (4 wires), cheap
Cons: maybe 30 fps and lags because you need a programm called fbcp to copy the framebuffer to the screen

2) You have to measure or get the outline from the seller to make sure the screen fits centered in the GB Case

3) Your battery life will depends mainly on the power consumption of the screen (Raspi Zero needs about 100mA, Screen more)

4) The very high resolution screens are pricey

Do you need links to buy any of those? I can provide aliexpress links, if you like

greetings from Germany.

Re: Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 3:58 am
by tinkerBOY
I used a 480x320 hdmi screen on my gbz build at http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=4135. It is certainly better than the more common composite screens.

Re: Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 2:31 pm
by YaYa
Salami you said everything i’ve learnt across many posts in just one post !!! Thank you !

Re: Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:44 am
by matt
salami738 wrote:
Sat Sep 30, 2017 1:20 am
Do you need links to buy any of those? I can provide aliexpress links, if you like
That would be amazingly helpful!!

Thank you for such a concise reply, I couldn't have asked for a better answer!

You've given me lots to think about, I best get planning my next build!

Re: Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:39 am
by salami738
Hi,

i made a guide from the informations in my previous post and additional information for all modders.
I linked the spreadsheet in: http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4282

greetings

Re: Screen with better resolution than the BW Screen

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:25 am
by matt
salami738 wrote:
Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:39 am
Hi,

i made a guide from the informations in my previous post and additional information for all modders.
I linked the spreadsheet in: http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4282

greetings
You sir are legend!

I tip my hat to you!