Replacing an 80s LCD With a Modern One on an Amstrad PPC (Part 1)

It's time to replace the LCD that came with the Amstrad PPC512 with something you can actually see! Instead of just presenting the final solution, I try a few different approaches and I'll pick out the one that works best and is the least expensive at the end. For now we look at the MCE2VGA and the GBS 8200 converters.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Original mod
02:46 Modern LCD screen
06:08 Option #1: MCE2VGA
10:17 Option #2: GBS 8200
16:53 Interference
25:03 Conclusion

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#lcd #cga

[lfantoniosi]

MCE2VGA creator here, the flicker you are seeing is due to the Amstrad pixel clock not being exactly as the CGA one. If you find the exact pixel clock frequency it can be changed in Quartus II and a new FGPA code can be uploaded to the unit.

[RMCRetro]

Great idea Noel, As someone with a PPC with a dead screen this seems like the perfect project for a portable Maniac Mansion setup, great work

[GadgetUK]

Enjoyed that! Looking forward to part 2!

[minombredepila]

Yes, Noel!!!!. I love the journey even if it goes wrong. I do not want the classic "look how smart I am" approach but a real "sensation" of doing it. You nail your videos on that...

[BarnokRetro]

Thank you for taking us on the journey! Going through the decision making process drove several other ideas for projects that I may not have considered without your taking us through your thought process.

[thcub]

Top notch content as usual, Noel really deserve tons of additionals subscribers, keep up the good work.

[ownpj]

The LCD driver board seems to support composite inputs, so it may also support a 15kHz analogue CGA signal directly through the VGA input. This would eliminate the need for a CGA-VGA converter and only require a RGBI to analogue RGB circuit.

[TheRetroChannel]

Another great video. Looks like a very fun and interesting project, and it could be a great way to replace old or damaged displays in other old computers too.

Those LCD driver boards are really handy for repurposing exisiting LCD panels. The screen that sits on my shelves was actually built using one of them as it was a convenient way to add more inputs to an otherwise useless monitor (I think it originally only had a DVI input).

[wimwiddershins]

This is a really fun project. Messing around with video signals/connectivity is huge fun.

[suvetar]

I love that you include dead ends and your progress - Makes your videos even better for amateurs like me, to learn technique and best practice!

Thank you so much!

[retrohaxblog]

Absolutely fantastic ideas! I didn't even consider such solutions back then :D I can't wait for part 2!

[EmilOppelnBronikowski]

Another amazing video. The education value of your videos can't be understated. I constantly get the "aha!" moments watching you debug/construct stuff.

[voneschenbachmusic]

I love the journey - comparison and testing of different options. Well done!

[BigCar]

Wouldn't the GBS8200 fit in that space if you removed the connectors on the board (that you're not intending to use anyway)?

[FernandoelChachi]

I'm really enjoying this project and it's different indeed, showing different options and trying each one. I don't recall something like this.

[HAGSLAB]

What a great video! Very interesting, educational and informational. I like that you're trying different options and not just throwing money at the easiest solution. :)

[djdublo]

Wow, such a difference between screen types. Very much looking forward to part 2.

[BaratheonBC]

the journey IS absolutelly the interesting part :) great video

[frankowalker]

Brilliant. Nice find with the 4:3 screen. Looking forward to Part 2.

[thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

Wow. So cool to see an old Amstrad. I have one that is a tad older than yours