Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.
1980s stereos used them a lot. IMO they’re the best looking of the older display technology. As the article mentions they’re power hungry and complex-ish for displaying multiple words. Ends up being done as a 9 segment style or preformatted(custom made) words. Noritake still makes these. I would say, however that oled can look very similar and in most aspects is superior.
I have a Noritake Itron display with a 256x128 resolution, which is probably the biggest VFD that's widely available. High voltage is generated by an onboard supply, and you drive it with an 8 bit microprocessor interface, so it's just about a drop-in replacement for a typical small LCD module. Pretty easy to use in hobby projects.
Back in the 70's... everything seemed to be red LED. When I first saw the various VFD displays...well, that was cool. I thought they were dead...but here is an interesting take on VFD technology... amplification!
https://korgnutube.com/en/
I'm a bit surprised at the display choices. I thought most hand-held calculators in the 70's used LED displays, which I assume would use less power than VFD's. Also I don't recall LCD's coming into widespread use until a good bit later, well into the 80's I would think.
[+] [-] mysterydip|5 years ago|reply
[+] [-] janekm|5 years ago|reply
If you need a very small number of segments then Dalibor Farny can make a custom Nixie tube, which is similar technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nHkhJ52iA4 Also a good introduction to how they are made (making a VFD would be similar but more difficult): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxL4ElboiuA&t=32s
Otherwise Noritake itron still make VFD monitors for industrial applications (seems they have high temp advantages over LCDs): https://www.noritake-itron.com/site2017/index.php?option=com...
[+] [-] S_A_P|5 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Gracana|5 years ago|reply
[+] [-] AkBKukU|5 years ago|reply
Gas plasma displays were made in larger sizes though. A common example would be the orange screens on arcade machines.
[+] [-] manaskarekar|5 years ago|reply
What's cool to me are the amber monochrome monitors, which we've used in the past. They are truly a sight to behold in person.
[+] [-] numpad0|5 years ago|reply
There are some early laptops in pre STN LCD era with black on orange monochrome gas plasma.
[+] [-] deevious|5 years ago|reply
[+] [-] krallja|5 years ago|reply
[+] [-] oldandcold|5 years ago|reply
[+] [-] watersb|5 years ago|reply
I wonder how the Korg Nutube compares to Tripathi style amplifiers.
[+] [-] tgflynn|5 years ago|reply