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Crystalfontz USB 634 LCD Kit |
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Intro
Crystalfontz has been around for quite a while now (well, "quite a while" to me is is anything over 18 months when considering the break-neck pace that the tech industry moves at). If you are one of the few people who are a PC enthusiast who also has never heard of Crystalfontz I can easily sum up what their focus is... kick ass LCD products. Need more info? You should already know what an LCD is first of all... Liquid Crystal Display. These types of displays are extremely commonplace in this day and age and are used in an overwhelming large number of fields ranging from a simple wristwatch to extremely high tech military applications. So how is this a useful item for a PC? First be sure to check out our original review on the Crystalfontz 634 kit we did a year or so ago. I won't be rehashing very much information from that article simply because I am the type of person that does not like repeating themselves nor do I like to read repetitive info. If you haven't read the former article I highly recommend that you go here and do so before you continue reading this one. It will probably answer many questions you would have upfront.
Specs
Here are the specs on the unit that are (as always) shamelessly ripped from the Crystalfontz website:
USB Interface: The USB interface version of the 634 has the full feature set of the serial interface 634, but allows connection to a USB port--using only a single cable for both power and data. Full compatibility with existing software is preserved by using our "Virtual COM port" driver. Connect the display, install the driver, and your computer will now show an additional COM port any time the display is connected.
Full 634 v2.0 feature set: This USB version retains the entire feature set of the original 634 v2.0:
- The LCD material for the positive displays is FSTN (Film compensated Super Twisted Nematic) instead of STN. FSTN gives better contrast, faster response and makes an all-around more readable display.
- The display as the ability to store a customized boot screen of your design in its EEPROM. All features of the display are controlled: characters displayed, user-definable characters, backlight setting, contrast setting, cursor position, cursor style, “wrap” setting, “scroll” setting, and even the scrolling marquee.
- The CGROM is an enhanced version with many more useful characters: numeric superscripts, icons, mathematical symbols, some fractions, a great variety of arrows, many currency symbols, and more.
- Available with 634 PC Mounting Bracket
- Large, easy to read characters: 7.3mm (0.287") character height
- Available with bright, even, software adjustable LED backlighting or in a low-power reflective model
- Software controlled contrast
- "Gapless" horizontal bargraphs
- Software controlled terminal style automatic scrolling and line wrapping
- Unique "Scrolling Marquee" feature continuously scrolls a message across the display without host intervention.
- Buffered communication
- Large display area in a compact 130mm x 63mm (5.12" x 2.48")package
- Thin:
- Reflective is 15.9mm (0.626") including DB-9 connector
- LED Backlit is 19.9mm (0.783") including DB-9 connector
- Negative voltage for contrast generated on board
- Printable 1:1 Acrobat template: Serial 634 one_to_one.pdf
Package and Contents
Crystalfontz is now batting 2 for 2... The unit arrived unscathed in a nice little package. The package contained the LCD unit with mounting bracket, two different USB cords for hookup, mounting screws, a business card, and a fancy-shmancy (is that a word?) pen. The contents were tightly wrapped in bubble wrap and the LCD unit's screen had another layer of bubblewrap on it as well for extra protection.
The two cords included in the kit allow for two different methods of hookup. One cord is a very long (6 ft.), is an obnoxious light khaki color, and has a regular USB jack on the end while the other cord is shorter (30" long), black, and is used to connect the LCD unit directly to a USB header on your motherboard.
The LCD Unit
The unit I am installing is the 634 Blue backlit USB diplay. When our last review was posted of the 634 unit Crystalfontz did not sell any colors beyond the standard yellowish backlit units. Since that review Crystalfontz has added more units with different color and lighting configurations.
Crystalfontz also offers the bracket in 3 different types. Good old beige, black, and brushed aluminum.
When comparing the USB 634 alongside the older unit you can see that they are the same except for the added riser card which allows for USB hookup versus the serial/fan header combo used before. Also notice that the USB unit (unit at the top) is marked as V2.2. You can also see here where you connect the USB cord.
