crystalfontz 16x2 632 (1 Viewer)

[RICHARDG]

Can anyone tell me if MP support crystalfontz LCD displays . I have a 632 in an nMediapc model 200 case.
Love the case, but the original display gave me nothing but grief. So I bought the compatible replacment. Just looking to see if MP supports it.

http://www.nmediapc.com/htpc200.htm
http://www.crystalfontz.com/products/632usb/index.html

 

[damaster]

I would also like to know if this display is supported by MediaPortal. I have seen that the 634 model is supported, but no indication about the 632.

RICHARDG, are you able to turn the 632 LCD off? I am receiving my nMedia 200 case in a couple of days and will order the 632 LCD from CrystalFontz if it's supported by MediaPortal.

Thanks

 

[Morph]

Hello,

does the display work? I want to buy a new case for my htpc and i think that the htpc200 case is great.

Thx

 

[damaster]

I just started building my HTPC in the nMedia 200 case. It's a good quality case, but here are a few things you should know:
- The clearance behind the optical drive to the CPU heatsink is tight. Make sure you try to get an optical drive that is no longer than 185-190mm. Any longer and you're asking for trouble.
- The case itself is very tight and it's difficult to do wire management in there.
- The included case fans are silent and impressively so. Nonetheless, I replaced the 2 60mm exhaust fans with SilenX fans that have rubber mounts, and the case is now a little quieter thanks to those.
- The front LCD is, how can I say this nicely, crap! Until I get around to replacing it with the CrystalFontz LCD, I'm just going to put some black electrical tape over it. I still don't know though if the MediaPortal plug-in supports the CrystalFontz 632.
- Make sure you don't get a tall heatsink. I made the mistake of purchasing the Scythe Mini Ninja heatsink which is 115mm tall, and it doesn't fit. I can't close the top of my nMedia case, so for now I'm building a convertible HTPC with the top down I'm in the market for a new lower profile heatsink.

All in all, the case is great for the price considering everything it includes (card reader, mount for MCE remote, SPDIF bracket, etc.). It also offers pretty good ventilation with the front 80mm intake fan and the rear dual 60mm exhaust fans.

 

[RICHARDG]

Hi all.
I have been using the same case for a while. All the advice above is good.
I found a short DVD LG drive that works fine and the heats sink didn't casue to much trouble. But yes wire control sucks. ITs a mess in there. As for the display, I have it working with the native driver and app, but sadly Mediaportal doesn't support it, silly really considering its a very common display sold by this manufacturer. right now I just get dumb port errors. I sure would liek to see it in action..someday maybe.

Oh one warning about ht ecase, there are plastic tabs that hold the front in place. They break real easy so put some tape along the bottom to keep them safe. Also the front cooling fan will likely start making noise on startup..not a big deal it goes away...but it happens.

Also the customization for the MCE remote works well, as long as the unit isn't behind glass.

Anyway....enjoy I am...nice case..

I shall continue to pray to the display gods to get the 632 display working.

cheers

 

[damaster]

Thanks for the updated RichardG. I was really looking to replace the LCD with the 632, and it's sad to hear MediaPortal doesn't support it. I'm a coder myself, so one of these days if I get time, I'll try my hand at the source code for the plug-in and see if I can enhance it to support the 632. It would be my small contribution to this huge MediaPortal project.

I'm not sure if nMedia has updated the 200BA case since you purchased it, but in addition to the plastic tabs that hold the front in place, they now also use 2 screws in the center of the front panel. They also now put some protective tape on the MCE metal rack to protect from shorting it out. Nice new touches. Like I said before, for the price, this is a great case. Wire management is gonna be hell though... I'm not looking forward to the day I have to do that (soon)...

I'm using the LG Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo drive which is 189mm long and the SATA connector just barely fits, and touches my heatsink. I have to replace this heatsink anyways, since the top doesn't close. Sad, because it's an awesome heatsink that keeps my dual core AMD X2 6400+ at a stable 34 degrees celsius when idle.

 

[RICHARDG]

Wow sounds like some nice mods they have done.
I am curious how you find the Blu Ray drive. Do you need a special video card to support the drive. Sorry to be asking something unrelated to the display, but you got me curious.
Also do you convert the dvd to store locally for use later. Just curious. I need to think of the technology change for the future.
Also if you do make some code changes for the display. I will gladly beta test for ya