Thrustmaster MFD Cougar Pack - LCD Home Edition

[Orrn]

So after it took me a while to find and finally buy one of the LCD-Screens suggested in this thread, I started building.

 

 

For the Build i use this screen twice:

 

https://www.pollin.de/p/display-set-ls-8-20-3-cm-8-hdmi-dvi-vga-cvbs-121059

 

I simply attached the LCD-Screen centered onto the MFD with double-sided adhesive tape (TESA Power Strips, cut into little 2x1 cm pieces). Since the Screens are covered with a protective foil, I have no worries about damaging them.

 

Regarding the control board I was facing two problems:

1. this one is a bit bigger than the one speedbird used in his original build.

2. the display connector is not in the middle of the board but offset

 

 

As one can (hopefully) see in the Image, the "offset"-issue is not quite a problem because the board does not stick out to the side of the screen.

 

 

After I customized the .lua file to match my screen setup, the result is quite pleasing.

 

 

My second screen arrived today so I will install it in the same fashion as the first one tonight.

 

After all, I have still two things on the to-do-list:

1. Cut plastic fields to the size of the "excess" -screen estate left and right to the MFD-Canvas to cover it up neatly.

2. Find a way to mount the control board behind the screen in an elegant fashion. (Maybe sticking it onto the backside of the LCD-Screen itself?)

 

Maybe you guys have some ideas on how to solve these two issues?

 

 

 

Of course, this is not nearly the build quality of the OP and the other folks who build their own cases and whatnot for the screen.

I admire your work and hope that you can give me constructive critizism and inspiration for my work.

 

 

Last but not least, hopefully this post was understandable, for I am from Germany and not a native english speaker. :music_whistling:

 

EDIT: I added two photos of the working complete setup with two screens. Really makes the DCS experience even better than it already is!

 

Fly save,

 

 

Orrn

Edited February 15, 2019 by Orrn

[noisy_lightning]

So after it took me a while to find and finally buy one of the LCD-Screens suggested in this thread, I started building.

 

 

For the Build i use this screen twice:

 

https://www.pollin.de/p/display-set-ls-8-20-3-cm-8-hdmi-dvi-vga-cvbs-121059

 

I simply attached the LCD-Screen centered onto the MFD with double-sided adhesive tape (TESA Power Strips, cut into little 2x1 cm pieces). Since the Screens are covered with a protective foil, I have no worries about damaging them.

 

Regarding the control board I was facing two problems:

1. this one is a bit bigger than the one speedbird used in his original build.

2. the display connector is not in the middle of the board but offset

 

 

As one can (hopefully) see in the Image, the "offset"-issue is not quite a problem because the board does not stick out to the side of the screen.

 

 

After I customized the .lua file to match my screen setup, the result is quite pleasing.

 

 

My second screen arrived today so I will install it in the same fashion as the first one tonight.

 

After all, I have still two things on the to-do-list:

1. Cut plastic fields to the size of the "excess" -screen estate left and right to the MFD-Canvas to cover it up neatly.

2. Find a way to mount the control board behind the screen in an elegant fashion. (Maybe sticking it onto the backside of the LCD-Screen itself?)

 

Maybe you guys have some ideas on how to solve these two issues?

 

 

 

Of course, this is not nearly the build quality of the OP and the other folks who build their own cases and whatnot for the screen.

I admire your work and hope that you can give me constructive critizism and inspiration for my work.

 

 

Last but not least, hopefully this post was understandable, for I am from Germany and not a native english speaker. :music_whistling:

 

Fly save,

 

 

Orrn

That looks great and is exactly what I am hoping to do soon. Do you run them from HDMI? If so did you have to install another graphics card to do so?

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[Orrn]

I have a Geforce GTX 970 installed which has 3 Displayports, one HDMI and one DVI-D input. I connect the LCD-Screens via a Displayport to HDMI cable with hdmi on the LCD-Screen side of it.

 

The only thing i had to install in addition was a little tool called "MEAZURE" to..well measure the size of the displayed area and soforth.

 

If you have any questions whatsoever about the build or need any help, dont hesitate to contact me!

 

Edit: Link to the HDMI-DP cables:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00Z05JMKO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[chief]

Hi all. I am new to this and want to build MFDs like this. My problem is the control board. The OP uses this https://www.ebay.com/itm/392211190487 for his 8 inch 800x600 screen. I like that control board harness. Would be easy to hide. But another builder uses this http://www.ebay.com/itm/7inch-800x600-Lcd-panel-LVDS-TTL-Tcon-board-DVI-VGA-lcd-controller-board-/181356421375?hash=item2a39af60ff for his 7 inch screen. But that control board and harness has two boards and would be harder and uglier to hide. I am tryin* to find a 7inch 800x600 screen that uses HDMI or DVI but has the smaller control board harness which is a PITA task so far. I found ones that use VGA but not HDMI/DMI. Anyone know where I can find what I’m looking for? Thanks in advance!

[Maulkin]

Is it possible to build this setup without the need of the HDMI control board (or even HDMI ports!) using this?:

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/8-inch-TFT-LCD-USB-Powered-Monitor-Lilliput-UM-80-C-NOT-VGA-input-just-USB/32831656663.html

 

This would not only reduce costs but I have a lot more USB ports than I do HDMI ports.

[hansangb]

Is it possible to build this setup without the need of the HDMI control board (or even HDMI ports!) using this?:

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/8-inch-TFT-LCD-USB-Powered-Monitor-Lilliput-UM-80-C-NOT-VGA-input-just-USB/32831656663.html

 

This would not only reduce costs but I have a lot more USB ports than I do HDMI ports.

 

 

Yes, but you can't run it with VR if that's in your future. You'll need DisplayLink drivers for the USB monitors. Here's what two 8" Lilliput monitors using USB looks like.

 

[xoxen]

I have 3 x 27" main displays and 3x 8" displays for the MFCDs. Please keep in mind that Nvidia cards are limited to 4 displays max. Respectively I´m running 1x GTX 1070 and 1x GT 1030.

Xoxen

 

Edit: I tried a GTX 1050 instead of the GT 1030 but no difference in FPS, so no need for a fast card just to fire up the small displays.

Edited March 29, 2019 by xoxen
Additional Information

[Magic Man]

Has anyone used Android tablets, e.g. Kindle Fire's, with suitable software to make them visible as external displays, for this?

[Svsmokey]

Has anyone used Android tablets, e.g. Kindle Fire's, with suitable software to make them visible as external displays, for this?

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=111920

[wilbur81]

So after it took me a while to find and finally buy one of the LCD-Screens suggested in this thread, I started building.

 

When you use this setup, can you still play DCS in (alt+enter) full screen mode? Does this method affect your FPS performance?

[DERacing]

3 MFD's

3 8" Neewer Displays

3 HDMI to USB adapters

 

 

I designed a monitor cover plate and built some adapter legs, etc to actually mount the monitor to the MFD base.

 

Perfect!

[zippoa]

Don't know if mentioned already, but there are much cheaper displays with hdmi US $37.80 Bought 2 of them here

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32325920866.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.78763c1740DKgI

[Mano]

3 MFD's

3 8" Neewer Displays

3 HDMI to USB adapters

 

 

I designed a monitor cover plate and built some adapter legs, etc to actually mount the monitor to the MFD base.

 

Perfect!

Nice setup

 

HDMI to usb then how to interface the video to USB?

 

Edit: the displays are just connected via USB to the pc? No need of video ports or something else?

 

Inviato dal mio CPH1877 utilizzando Tapatalk

Edited May 29, 2019 by Mano

[zippoa]

tstrck Thanks man for your dwg in metric system

[zippoa]

Here is my implementation of tstrck file in plastic and my own first design from 4mm plywood because I don't like glue :)

 

[Canadus]

Guys, I think I need a bit of advice.

I ended buying a pair of these, which turned out to be exactly what zippoa has linked.

 

Don't know if mentioned already, but there are much cheaper displays with hdmi US $37.80 Bought 2 of them here

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32325920866.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.78763c1740DKgI

 

I have tried to hook them up and attached a 12V power supply, but they won`t fire up.

Can someone take a look at below pictures and check if I can use them with the parts I received and what I need additionally (have some HDMI and HDMI-to-DP-Cables here already)?

 

 

 

I was under the impression that I know a few things abouts computers and that this project would be a walk in the park, but maybe I`m a bit too stupid... :music_whistling:

[chief]

Hey Canadus. You say it won't fire up. How is it working if it's all connected and NOT plugged into the computer. Are you getting the blue display on the LCD and also can you bring up the brightness, contrast, etc menu? I have done this with my MFDs and it works pretty easily

[Oceandar]

Guys, I think I need a bit of advice.

 

I ended buying a pair of these, which turned out to be exactly what zippoa has linked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have tried to hook them up and attached a 12V power supply, but they won`t fire up.

 

Can someone take a look at below pictures and check if I can use them with the parts I received and what I need additionally (have some HDMI and HDMI-to-DP-Cables here already)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was under the impression that I know a few things abouts computers and that this project would be a walk in the park, but maybe I`m a bit too stupid... :music_whistling:

You need something like this

 

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/qqgjPds4

[Canadus]

Oooookay. No I really feel like an idiot.

Tryed a different power supply and display came to life. :D

[obious]

I have two 7” displays arriving next week hopefully as the 8” I’m using I find is far too big for the TM MFDs. How well do the 7” screens fit?

[Oceandar]

I have two 7” displays arriving next week hopefully as the 8” I’m using I find is far too big for the TM MFDs. How well do the 7” screens fit?

I'm using 7 inch (800*600). It's vertically well fit with very very little wide on both side.

[Matchstick]

I have two 7” displays arriving next week hopefully as the 8” I’m using I find is far too big for the TM MFDs. How well do the 7” screens fit?

 

Which 7" displays are you getting ? I'm currently using an 10.1" 1080p display with 2 MFDs on it side by side but I'd like to add an extra one for the Hornet AMPCD

Edited September 2, 2019 by Matchstick

[Canadus]

I'm using 7 inch (800*600). It's vertically well fit with very very little wide on both side.

 

I can confirm. Vertically it fits very well and for the sides, there is not much, which needs to be covered with some small sheet of black plastics.

Edited September 2, 2019 by Canadus
Typos

[feiercrack]

Hi,

i just found 2x LCD 12volts 8"( i think 1024x768 ) monitors, RGB, VGA, USB, which i bought couple years ago.(for Falcon 4.0 / BMS)

now, i like to attach them to DCS also.

i simply forgot which software is needed, and what adjustments in DCS has to be done to get this to work...i can remember, that there was an software, where we can use tft´s, which are conneted to an other pc via network...kinda that...

 

now i have an ASUS ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 OC 8GB with 1x DVI, 2x HDMI 2.0b, 2x DisplayPort 1.4 connections.

 

this is an thread only about the hardware. what´s about the software needed?

there should be an software to adjust the resolution, etc? ?

whats that USB Cable for? May i use it for the Video connection, instead of the VGA (adaptor to DVI / HDMI needed) ?

or is this just plug and prey?

Many thanks.

 

cheers ;-)

 

Update: MFDExtractor was used for the Falcon / BMS thing, and UltraMFCD for DCS, but now that UltraMFCD isnt working/supported? anymore.. What can i do then?

Edited January 16, 2020 by feiercrack

[BaD CrC]

feiercrack, you don't need any software in DCS. Just a few lines in a couple of lua files and the displays will be exported pretty much anywhere you want, but you need to have your additional screens connected to the PC that runs DCS.