VGA Controller

[IceMetal]

I know this forum is more for software but I have a hardware question maybe you know, I have a PIC24 that output 8 and 16bit data to a LCD screen, I'm looking for a VGA controller chip, so I can convert that 8 bit or 16 bit data into VGA instead of using a LCD screen have anyone came across to a chip like that?

[arunb]

I did a datalogger project that needed to output some data to a television. I used an interface card for this.

The card could be accessed via RS 232, there were several commands to setup the screen, print and format data etc. The card could be connected to the TV via a RCA plug.

I am not sure if this what you are looking.

[Douglas Kennedy]

There are PCB modules Ex I've used BOBII several years ago to put a limited number of lines on a TV screen. You are looking for VGA basically a 5 pin interface RGB HS VS. It needs a character generator a video frame buffer cursor control etc. I've used a xilinx FPGA to do it but it's a whole new learning curve to program VHDL verilog etc. so you may not want to go that way. I don't know of a commercial chip that would do it for you.
If it is just more lines and a 4" screen is acceptable then
a number of surplus handheld GPS devices Ex V7 have a Windows CE OS ..the rs232 output from the ARM CPU can be brought out . If you have a way to program Windows CE you can write a terminal emulator. I've had success with Lazarus and cross compiling to the V7 device.
I've also used Palm III as a terminal emulator.

[bkamen]

I've also wanted to make something with the PIC24FJ256DA210 and was looking into some uses for one client...

The replies bring up some good questions:

What are you trying to display? (Text or Graphics too?)
What REZ do you want to display?
Do you really want Analog or are you also shooting for Composite/S-Video?
Last, you are not wanting Video Overlay capabilities, do you?

If you just want to go from Digital to Analog, you just need a video DAC and the right drivers for all the outputs (H/Vsync and RGB) at 75ohms.

(one example: http://www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/ta/10623.pdf )
-Ben

Edit: AD8073 looks nice (http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/AD8072_8073.pdf)

Here's a chip from NXP that might do it too:
http://www.nxp.com/documents/data_sheet/SAF7167AHW.pdf - DIG DEEP though. Make sure for sure. (looks like the RGB 5:6:5 mode would be what you want) NEATO! I'm saving this datasheet.
_________________
Dazed and confused? I don't think so. Just "plain lost" will do. :D

[IceMetal]

yeah I explain wrong, what I'm looking for is to build something like this
http://www.cutedigi.com/product_info.php?products_id=4271&osCsid=0c12f6a25bb0da50f73af83e9ec369d4

so I can have the option to use the LCD or just plug into the VGA monitor.
I know is a technology that been around for over 20 years every laptop has it, but I haven't found anything maybe I'm using the wrong keywords.

[IceMetal]

bkamen, does SAF7167AHW would do what I need, I was looking at the datasheet seems a bit confusing.

[temtronic]

A quick look at www.sparkfun.com came up with a PICASO video controller chip...for about $60.
It looks like what you could use....and at that price is well worth it.

[IceMetal]

[bkamen]

[arunb]