Antec Fusion VFD alternatives+Weather&RSS+Blue character

testerX · Post by **testerX** » August 17th, 2008, 9:26 am

Hi,

I'm new to this and i wanted to know what the best alternatives to the VFD Display drivers are for my Antec Fusion (metal case not the black).
In past i downloaded LCD Smartie, but the version was too early and it didn't work, also LCD Studio did not work. Also it seemed all a bit complicated when you are not a programmer.

1> I downloaded the following programs which i still have to test :
- LIS VFD (from this LCD Smartie site)
- JALCD (old german program)
- Crystalcontrol

Do you recommend one of these or LCD Smartie itself ?
Do you always have to program parameters,.... ? Just loading the plugin would be easier for all...

2> Which weather plugin (if possible with small character pictures) do you recommend? I downloaded the Yahoo & BBC weather, but are these both for LCD Smartie program itself, or also for LIS VFD?

3> Is there an easy to use RSS plugin ? So that you just need to fill in the RSS link in the plugin, no need to program parameters, numbers,...

4> The characters are green, how can i change them to blue for example? Screwing off the lcd display and then put in some see through plastic paper in blue or something as the easiest method?

So i downloaded some stuff allready, it's ready to test, but first i want your opinions before starting anything, that everything runs smooth...

Thanks!!!
Cheers,
TesterX

Post by **caesar** » August 17th, 2008, 5:11 pm

Download LCDSmartie, then extract this archive into the display plugin folder and use imon as display driver. http://czi.uni.cc/LCDSmartie/imon.zip
This should get you started.

2> You can search for Weather plugins on the forums.

3> LCDSmartie has support for RSS built in. Example feeds are included.

4> If the VFD is green you could try with some blue plastic but chances are low to succeed without making the VFD intensity too weak...

testerX · Post by **testerX** » August 18th, 2008, 11:33 pm

The Antec screen has only 2 lines and i find the text a bit small.
How can you set the text that the 2 lines are 1 big textline?

I downloaded a plugin called 'bignumbers' but i don't manage to get bigger letters. I see them on the software lcd screen on my monitor, but not on the lcd itself (half is displayed). I guess my lcd is not so big with only 2 textlines.

I tried various settings 1x20, 1x40, 2x20, 2x40, but half of it don't appear on the screen.

Has anyone a good tip for a plugin with big letters (2 lines as 1) or weatherplugin with nice animation for 2 lines (maybe also as 1).

Thanks!!!!

Post by **caesar** » August 19th, 2008, 6:18 pm

Big letters are not possible, only big numbers, there are not enough user definable custom characters.

testerX · Post by **testerX** » August 19th, 2008, 7:21 pm

So in fact the Antec Fusion VFD LCD is a bit basic (only 2 lines) and we cannot do so much more with LCD Smartie then with the VFD driver?

What are the advantages from LCD Smartie <> VFD driver then?
RSS possible and VFD not i thought? (only news from selectable sources).
.... ?

The Ram/CPU/temperature/mediaplayer info was allready possible with the VFD driver from 2007 if i'm not mistaken.

So displaying some kind of weather with Icons is impossible?

Thanks!
TesterX

caesar wrote:Big letters are not possible, only big numbers, there are not enough user definable custom characters.

Post by **caesar** » August 19th, 2008, 7:52 pm

Look at the plugin announcements and see for yourself!