I won a 6XX series matrix at a PDXLAN mod contest last year. Very very nice, much better than even the VFD models (I also own a 512-VFD).
Its so much better than the LCD models you won't even believe it. The lack of 4 line option is too bad, but I think MO stated (IIRC) that the availability of OLED stuff is pretty limited, and they can't get a 4 line product to work with, let alone produce for sale.
Originally Posted by Shadowed_fury Bah, naughty bit-tech.
Do you know how tempting you've made a 15"/17" LCD mod sound? :)
I do actually. It's something I've considered in the past, but LCDs were £300 then. Now that you can pick up a 17" for about £130, it's very tempting indeed. Except I'm still using a 17" CRT for work, so I should probably splash out on dual TFTs for work before embarking on a mod like this.
But feel free to give it a go yourself - just make sure you post your progress in Project Worklogs :D
Damn! You made me feel to mod again. And i have 2 pieces of 12" touchsreens laying in the dust that can handle 640 to 1024x768. My brain is going crazy with modding ideas allready.. pffuuwww
I find the GPOs on the Matrix more useful than the actual readouts. Software and system event interaction for LEDs, and Fiber optics, and the like ends up involved in just about ever Mod I do. Instead of wiring up a bunch of little SPSTs, I just crimp up a plug to the Matrix and then program the Hotkey into LCDC.
For guys like you Dgephri, the MX6 is outdoubtedly class. However, for people just wanting to display MP3 tracks and their Media Center information, well, my thoughts are in the review.
Originally Posted by The_Pope I do actually. It's something I've considered in the past, but LCDs were £300 then. Now that you can pick up a 17" for about £130, it's very tempting indeed. Except I'm still using a 17" CRT for work, so I should probably splash out on dual TFTs for work before embarking on a mod like this.
But feel free to give it a go yourself - just make sure you post your progress in Project Worklogs :D
Considering i'm being offered one for Fifty of our English Pounds for a 15" LCD, yes.
Just not sure if it'll fit with watercooling (2rads) ;)
EDIT: Damn you Geoff, 15" LCD screen on the way...
not sure if someone asked this or if you guys have talked about it. but do you know if there is linux based software for it? if not i could alwas use wine.
I'm going to have to defend the MX6 displays a bit. Now I know that they are fairly pricey, especially considering the fact that you can probably get a cheep LCD monitor for that price. I mean you could likely get a PIII for around 100 bucks these days. I don't think that's the point, it's really arguing apples and oranges.
The fact is that an LCD monitor is still not a PLED display, this is the only PLED display that I have ever seen sold on the consumer level and the fact that it is even semi effordable is amazing. PLEDs are brand new technology and as a result you pay a premium to be the only one on the block sporting one in your computer. I mean yay for PSone mods but they aren't even remotely similar to the MX6, they don't come with any of the same features and although it would be a cool mod to have, they only have around a 60 degree viewing angle and are damn near impossible to read across the room.
A PLED on the other hand can easily be read from quite a distance because they are so bright. Thats what makes them so good for use in a home theater PC system. Do you want to be able to read what song is playing when you are sitting on the couch? What about if your not at the optimal viewing angle? Does that matter to you? PLEDs have a 160 degree veiwing angle, that's the same as a plasma screen tv.
So why don't we start comparing the PLED from Matrix against some of its compeditors? Thats right there are none.
Originally Posted by TheModManSavage I'm going to have to defend the MX6 displays a bit. Now I know that they are fairly pricey, especially considering the fact that you can probably get a cheep LCD monitor for that price. I mean you could likely get a PIII for around 100 bucks these days. I don't think that's the point, it's really arguing apples and oranges.
The fact is that an LCD monitor is still not a PLED display, this is the only PLED display that I have ever seen sold on the consumer level and the fact that it is even semi effordable is amazing. PLEDs are brand new technology and as a result you pay a premium to be the only one on the block sporting one in your computer. I mean yay for PSone mods but they aren't even remotely similar to the MX6, they don't come with any of the same features and although it would be a cool mod to have, they only have around a 60 degree viewing angle and are damn near impossible to read across the room.
A PLED on the other hand can easily be read from quite a distance because they are so bright. Thats what makes them so good for use in a home theater PC system. Do you want to be able to read what song is playing when you are sitting on the couch? What about if your not at the optimal viewing angle? Does that matter to you? PLEDs have a 160 degree veiwing angle, that's the same as a plasma screen tv.
So why don't we start comparing the PLED from Matrix against some of its compeditors? Thats right there are none.
Why the hell did you just post this under MrMatrixMan, and again under this name? :?
Related: But you can't play games on PLED screen ;P
I'll start with the important issue: Shuttle Booth Babe from Computex 2005.
Moving on to TheModManSavage, it's horses for courses mate. If you *have* to have a PLED, spend the money. If you only want to display simple information, or GUI-based stuff, and maybe your HTPC is under your TV (thus your viewing angle isn't an issue) then there are far cheaper options than an MX6.
I don't dispute that PLEDs are nice: plenty bright, and you really can still read the text from side on if you ever had the need. However, there's no escaping from the fact that the MX6 is:
a) expensive
b) has software that is hard to use for beginners
c) has zero Media Center integration
d) can only display 2x20 lines of characters
As I said in the review, if you're happy to spend time programming a bunch of custom stuff from scratch, go right ahead. But this product is limited to Advanced Users - everyone else should find an alternative.
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The PLED does look like a big improvement though, glad MO finally got it on the market.
Oh btw, typo on the last page:
;)
Do you know how tempting you've made a 15"/17" LCD mod sound? :)
Its so much better than the LCD models you won't even believe it. The lack of 4 line option is too bad, but I think MO stated (IIRC) that the availability of OLED stuff is pretty limited, and they can't get a 4 line product to work with, let alone produce for sale.
I do actually. It's something I've considered in the past, but LCDs were £300 then. Now that you can pick up a 17" for about £130, it's very tempting indeed. Except I'm still using a 17" CRT for work, so I should probably splash out on dual TFTs for work before embarking on a mod like this.
But feel free to give it a go yourself - just make sure you post your progress in Project Worklogs :D
http://www.aslr97.dsl.pipex.com/lcd1.jpg
:D
That's just my preference tho.
Considering i'm being offered one for Fifty of our English Pounds for a 15" LCD, yes.
Just not sure if it'll fit with watercooling (2rads) ;)
EDIT: Damn you Geoff, 15" LCD screen on the way...
I need to see what Samurize can do for me, I have a few PS1 LCDs laying around: get the solder gun and GO!
Geoff Richards
Deputy Editor
Yes, you!
Never make me spend money again :p
Find yourself at the same bit-meet, and yeah go on then ;)
Who the hell is she, and where can I find her?
:) :) :)
The fact is that an LCD monitor is still not a PLED display, this is the only PLED display that I have ever seen sold on the consumer level and the fact that it is even semi effordable is amazing. PLEDs are brand new technology and as a result you pay a premium to be the only one on the block sporting one in your computer. I mean yay for PSone mods but they aren't even remotely similar to the MX6, they don't come with any of the same features and although it would be a cool mod to have, they only have around a 60 degree viewing angle and are damn near impossible to read across the room.
A PLED on the other hand can easily be read from quite a distance because they are so bright. Thats what makes them so good for use in a home theater PC system. Do you want to be able to read what song is playing when you are sitting on the couch? What about if your not at the optimal viewing angle? Does that matter to you? PLEDs have a 160 degree veiwing angle, that's the same as a plasma screen tv.
So why don't we start comparing the PLED from Matrix against some of its compeditors? Thats right there are none.
Why the hell did you just post this under MrMatrixMan, and again under this name? :?
Related: But you can't play games on PLED screen ;P
Bah, none of them are OLED, and your pic demonstrates the rubbish viewing angles of the normal ones!
I wanna know too !!!
Moving on to TheModManSavage, it's horses for courses mate. If you *have* to have a PLED, spend the money. If you only want to display simple information, or GUI-based stuff, and maybe your HTPC is under your TV (thus your viewing angle isn't an issue) then there are far cheaper options than an MX6.
I don't dispute that PLEDs are nice: plenty bright, and you really can still read the text from side on if you ever had the need. However, there's no escaping from the fact that the MX6 is:
a) expensive
b) has software that is hard to use for beginners
c) has zero Media Center integration
d) can only display 2x20 lines of characters
As I said in the review, if you're happy to spend time programming a bunch of custom stuff from scratch, go right ahead. But this product is limited to Advanced Users - everyone else should find an alternative.