Cheap, re-usable TFT displays! Yes!!!

[sorceress sarah]

Radio Shack is clearing out the TFT "picture frames" with the brand name "SmartParts." Rather apt. . . Since you can buy a 3.5-inch QVGA for under $20 and a 7-inch wide format WVGA for under $30. Digikey wants a mint for these kinds of things.

You can use either to watch your slide show, or hack them up. The smaller has an LED backlight and the datasheet is available HERE.

The larger is a Matsushita TFD70W11-F1 with a cold-cathode flourescent backlight and inverter.

Both devices contain SD card readers and the smaller also has a USB port. The larger device appears to have what may have been a JTAG port on the board, however, without a communications port, it might be best to hack the hardware up.

The little guy is intriguing, though, since it has that USB port and the remnants of what might have been JTAG. It might just be that this guy could become more than it's creators intended. Or less, if you just want that cheap TFT display.

It comes apart with a fingernail and won't even leave a mark. The TFT is attached to the logic board by a FlexTrace ribbon that is easily removed.

The larger cousin requires a screwdriver to disassemble, but do be careful of the logi-board connector for the ribbon. Some yutz put a SMD resistor in the way of the movement and it is easy to crack the left end of the conector.

[eil]

Nice. Those are good deals, even to be used as a digital picture frame. :) I'll have to call up the local RS and see if they've got 'em.

[sorceress sarah]

A little more on the smaller device here