On Saturday, September 27, 2014 9:48:27 AM UTC-7, hamilton wrote:
> On 9/27/2014 10:03 AM, edward.ming.lee@gmail.com wrote:
> 
> >>>> PC/others at low-cost (50USD) for quantity (1k-5kpcs) that is hackable with a custom firmware/software for my application that requires just the display and a RS485 two-wires ports.
> 
> >>>> I tried to contact some Chinese photo frames manufacturers, but they aren't available to let me install a new firmware and it's difficult to  find a UART port.
> 
> >>> Most likely, you are talking to some import/export or trading company.  They are not manufacturers.  Real manufacturers are always open to options.
> 
> >> It's difficult to understand if you are talking with the original anufacturer or only an import/export company.  Anyway the discussion  starts with my requirements and after some explanations about software  customization, they put an end.
> 
> > They don't want to waste time on something they can't deliver.  If you are getting your contacts on Alibaba, for example, they are most likely resell agents.  Real manufacturers are overwhelmed with works, they don't need to go on Alibaba.
> 
> >>>> So I'm thinking to design the product myself, starting with choosing the display. Could someone suggest a good manufacturer of TFT 4.3"-5" displays with a low price?
> 
> >>> Can you limit the color depth to 7 or 8 bits?
> 
> >> I think the graphical effect will not be good.  Do you have some pictures?
> 
> > Take a picture or drawing, save it as 256 color bitmap with MS paint.  With careful planning, 256 color is more than enough.
> 
> > We did a 5 inches 640x480 16 colors (end up for around $5 ea)
> 
> Do you still have a link to this display ?

I can link it to my memory cells.  It's chip on glass with a 0.5mm 20 pins FPC connector to the main PCB.  Standard 8 bits parallel interface.  SPI is available, but we did not use SPI.

I might still have the controller doc somewhere.  I'll have to look for it. 
 
> How many did you purchase to get that price ?

2500 pcs.

>   because full color would be too expensive.  For example, a 320x240 full color requires 200K on chip static ram.  Anything beyond would require external sram and/or dram, which drives up cost.

On 9/27/2014 10:03 AM, edward.ming.lee@gmail.com wrote:
>>>> PC/others at low-cost (50USD) for quantity (1k-5kpcs) that is hackable with a custom firmware/software for my application that requires just the display and a RS485 two-wires ports.
>>
>>>> I tried to contact some Chinese photo frames manufacturers, but they aren't available to let me install a new firmware and it's difficult to  find a UART port.
>>
>>> Most likely, you are talking to some import/export or trading company.  They are not manufacturers.  Real manufacturers are always open to options.
>>
>> It's difficult to understand if you are talking with the original anufacturer or only an import/export company.  Anyway the discussion  starts with my requirements and after some explanations about software  customization, they put an end.
>
> They don't want to waste time on something they can't deliver.  If you are getting your contacts on Alibaba, for example, they are most likely resell agents.  Real manufacturers are overwhelmed with works, they don't need to go on Alibaba.
>
>>>> So I'm thinking to design the product myself, starting with choosing the display. Could someone suggest a good manufacturer of TFT 4.3"-5" displays with a low price?
>>
>>> Can you limit the color depth to 7 or 8 bits?
>>
>> I think the graphical effect will not be good.  Do you have some pictures?
>
> Take a picture or drawing, save it as 256 color bitmap with MS paint.  With careful planning, 256 color is more than enough.
>
> We did a 5 inches 640x480 16 colors (end up for around $5 ea)

Do you still have a link to this display ?

How many did you purchase to get that price ?

Thanks

hamilton


  because full color would be too expensive.  For example, a 320x240 
full color requires 200K on chip static ram.  Anything beyond would 
require external sram and/or dram, which drives up cost.
>

On Friday, September 26, 2014 1:40:50 AM UTC-7, pozzugno wrote:
> It's difficult to find a read-to-use 4.3"-5" tablet/photoframe/panel 
> 
> PC/others at low-cost (50USD) for quantity (1k-5kpcs) that is hackable with a custom firmware/software for my application that requires just the display and a RS485 two-wires ports.
> 
> I tried to contact some Chinese photo frames manufacturers, but they aren't available to let me install a new firmware and it's difficult to  find a UART port.

Most likely, you are talking to some import/export or trading company.  They are not manufacturers.  Real manufacturers are always open to options.

> So I'm thinking to design the product myself, starting with choosing the display. Could someone suggest a good manufacturer of TFT 4.3"-5" displays with a low price?

Can you limit the color depth to 7 or 8 bits?

> I started with the idea of using Android, but even that choice isn't simple. So I'm thinking to use a different UI framework, even if it doesn't support multi-touch or fast movement. 

Yes, single touch resistive overlay is cheap and readily available.

> The target will be a product to mount to the wall, similar to a stand-alone GPS navigator (like this one 
> 
> buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/on-the-road/in-car-sat-navs/latest-range/nuvi-55/prod139770.html).

Send me (Edward dot Ming dot Lee at gmail dot com) an email and i can arrange for your order.  Most likely, at least 2K to 3K minimum.

It's difficult to find a read-to-use 4.3"-5" tablet/photoframe/panel 
PC/others at low-cost (50USD) for quantity (1k-5kpcs) that is hackable 
with a custom firmware/software for my application that requires just 
the display and a RS485 two-wires ports.

I tried to contact some Chinese photo frames manufacturers, but they 
aren't available to let me install a new firmware and it's diffult to 
find a UART port.

So I'm thinking to design the product myself, starting with choosing the 
display. Could someone suggest a good manufacturer of TFT 4.3"-5" 
displays with a low price?

I started with the idea of using Android, but even that choice isn't 
simple. So I'm thinking to use a different UI framework, even if it 
doesn't support multi-touch or fast movement. The target will be a 
product to mount to the wall, similar to a stand-alone GPS navigator 
(like this one 
buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/on-the-road/in-car-sat-navs/latest-range/nuvi-55/prod139770.html).