After considering other both LCD and plasma technologies, we have decided to concentrate on a relatively new technology, DLP. The main reasons for this choice are:
Although DLP has only recently appeared in televisions the technology has been used for some time in digital cinema projectors, and business and home digital projectors.
An overview of DLP technology can be found here.
Listed below are a number of possible DLP screens that could possibly be used. There are no doubt other models on the market and it is likely that more models will appear shortly. However, those listed give an idea of current prices, physical size, etc.
All the screens have a digital (DVI or HDMI) connection which, in principle, should allow the screen to be driven by a suitable PC at the screen's full resolution. However, it has proved very difficult to confirm in all cases that the screen can be driven at its highest resolution by a PC. A vital requirement.
I am reasonably confident that the Samsung models will work - Samsung make computer monitors and their manuals seem clear. But we need to check!
The Optoma user manual clearly shows a PC connected to the DVI input, but says little more about using a PC. So, we would need to check.
The Toshiba user manual does show a PC connected to the screen, but not through the HDMI input. In fact, the manual gives no example of anything connected to the HDMI input!
The Sagem user manual says "make sure that you configure your graphics card to a resolution lower than 1024 x 768". Unfortunately, the French version says something else! I have emailed the company for clarification.
| Product | Size |
Typical Price
(inc VAT) |
Supplier Link | Manufacturer Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAGEM AXIUM HDD45HG4T | 45" | 1799.99 | comet |
Overview
Glossy User manual |
The user manual says:
"Resolutions accepted (DVI-D and VGA entries): To ensure that the projection display is operating correctly with your computer make sure that you configure the display mode of your graphics card to a resolution lower than 1024 x 768." This seems perverse. I have emailed Sagem to question this. There is also a another model - HD-D45S - which appears to be the same except it has a silver case, rather than black. |
| SAMSUNG SP46L6HXX/XEU | 46" | 1399.00 | comet |
Samsung
User manual |
Manual seems to imply there are no problems with connecting a PC via the DVI input. |
| Toshiba 46WM48 | 46" | 1099.38 | Empire |
toshiba
User Manual |
OR go to
Service Centre
and enter 46WM48 in the "Search Model No." box, click on the red
arrow and then follow the links.
Manual only talks about connecting via VGA interface not HDMI. |
| Optoma RD50 | 50" | 1996.00 | HiFiBitZ |
Optoma
Glossy User manual |
|
| SAGEM AXIUM HDD50H | 50" | 1999.99 | comet |
Overview
Glossy User manual |
NB - FAQ why can't I get a 16/9 screen .... |
| SAMSUNG SP50L7HXX/XEP | 50" | 2199.99 | comet |
Samsung
User manual |
|
| Toshiba 52WM48 | 52" | 1454.72 | Empire |
toshiba
User Manual |
OR go to
Service Centre
and enter 52WM48 in the "Search Model No." box, click on the red
arrow and then follow the links.
Manual only talks about connecting via VGA interface not HDMI. |
| SAGEM AXIUM HDD56B | 56" | 2499.00 | comet |
Sagem
User Manual Glossy |
See notes on SAGEM AXIUM HDD45HG4T
Comet model no. is HDD56EU, but this appears to be the same. |
| Optoma RD65 | 65" | 3996.00 | HiFiBitZ |
Optoma
Glossy User manual |
The next most important items in the system are the graphics card in the computer and the cable to connect it to the screen. An example of each is given below. Cables are surprisingly expensive!
| Item |
Price
(ex vat) |
Supplier Link | Manufacturer Link | Notes |
| Graphics Card - 256Mb ATI Radeon 9550 AGP | £41.28 | ccl |
ATI
ATI Manual |
The graphics card is the heart of the PC in this system. The card needs to be able to drive the screen through its HDMI/DVI interface. I suspect that this card is over specified for this application. The card needs to be checked out before purchase. |
| Belkin PureAV HDMI to DVI-D Cable | £35.73 | ccl |
Need to identify exactly what cable is required. There are lots of variants.
There are three types of DVI connections: DVI-A (analog), DVI-D (digital), and DVI-I (integrated, capable of either analog or digital). Some of the screens have HDMI connections. |
The remaining computer components are all fairly standard and other equivalent components could reasonably be substituted. Those chosen as examples are often not the cheapest available, but could be expected to have a reasonable life and be easily replaced in case of failure.
The choice of CCL as supplier does not imply a decision to use CCL as the supplier. CCL's prices are typical of those currently available.
| Item |
Price
(ex vat) |
Supplier Link | Manufacturer Link | Notes |
| Mainboard - MSI K8T Neo-V | £33.42 | ccl | Microstar | Includes on-board sound. The on-board sound should be more than adequate for the initial application, but could be replaced by a more hi-fi (and expensive) audio system if required. |
| CPU - AMD Sempron 2600+ 64-bit | £40.37 | ccl | AMD | Retail version includes CPU fan. |
| Case Fan - Akasa 80mm Ultra Quiet | £3.78 | ccl | Akasa | Given this system is likely to be housed in an cupboard, it is desirable to increase the air flow through the case by adding a case fan. |
| Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (OEM) | £51.92 | ccl |
This should be adequate, but I'm more familiar with Windows 2000 which
would cost £83.71.
It may be that the railway would qualify for a Educational Licence. See Microsoft. Microsoft also sell multiple licences which might be cheaper if we purchase a number of other machines for "kiosk" systems. |
|
| ML0112 Keyboard, Mouse & Case Bundle | £17.01 | ccl | As the keyboard and mouse will only be used occasionally, there seems little point in buying more expensive items. Similar the case, as it will not visible. | |
| Memory - 2 * 256MB CCL Choice DDR400 | £13.46 each | ccl | Microsoft claims that Windows XP requires a minimum of 128MB of memory. Few suppliers now stock these - 256MB is the smallest commonly available. The board manufacturer indicates that performance is improved by installing two memory modules. | |
| Hard Disk - 80Gb Hitachi Deskstar 7K80 | £30.84 | ccl | Hitachi | This should be more than adequate. 40Gb drives are available but these only cost a few pounds less. |
| CD Drive - LiteOn LTR-48246S 48x CDRW | £9.99 | ccl | Lite-On |
A CD drive is required to install software on the system and transfer files
such as the presentation. A CD writer is required to make periodic backups
of the system.
This package does not include any software. A suitable freeware package is available - see. It would be advisable to consider installing a DVD drive and appropriate software to allow the system to be used as a DVD player. It is possible that the graphic card package selected includes such software. |
| Sony Floppy Disk | £4.89 | ccl | Probably not needed. | |
| Bronze-Level System Assembly | £25.00 | ccl | Hardware assembly only. No Software installation. |
In addition it would be necessary to build or purchase a lockable cabinet to house the computer and stop visitors fiddling with it. A sufficiently large cabinet could serve as a stand for the screen and provide storage space. The cabinet would need to have ventilation slots, at least, to stop the computer overheating. I am not able to estimate the cost of this item.
I have assumed that the screen's built in speakers would be adequate. If not, it would be neccessary to purchase speakers and maybe an amplifier.
The whole system needs a main supply, but it is not intended to connect the system to a network.
Last updated: 22/10/05