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Introduction:::...
The
term "Multifunction Display" had come to have
a huge range of possible meanings, and it seems most companies
offer at least one variety in their product lineup.
From
simple fan controllers to more advanced temperature monitoring
units, and even those that offer the best of both and, in
some cases, automatically control your fans based on temperatures,
there's certainly no shortage of models to go at.
So
with all that in mind, what chance does Matrix Orbital have
of making any inroads into this already saturated market?
What's so special about them that differentiates them from
all the other similar looking hardware on the store shelves?
Well.....quite a bit actually.
To
begin with, Matrix Orbital were supplying their serial interface
LCD and VFD display technology to enthusiasts and specialist
users long before they became fashionable.
But
it's not just their history that makes Matrix Orbital displays
special, it's what they can do, but we'll get to that in
due time.
On
test today I have one of the latest USB interface M-series
modules, in fact it's the MX212 I have here to be precise.
These 20 character by two line displays come in a variety
of display colours and fascia types to suit your needs,
or tastes, and all fit a regular 5.25" drive bay.
Before
we get too far in let's get the specs out of the way.
Includes
- USB
LCD Display with wide voltage (20 characters x 2 lines)
- Product # LK202-24-USB
- 7-key
keypad overlay, bracket, USB cable, and mounting screws
- Software
and manual on CDROM
- LCDC!!!
Interfaces
- Interface
with up to a 24-key keypad
- Use
3 General Purpose Outputs
- USB
communications (Connect up to 100+ displays)
Functional
Capabilities
- Display
text, horizontal and vertical bar graphs
- Software
controlled speed, start-up screen, line wrapping, scrolling,
contrast, backlight and time-out setting (up to 180 minutes)
- Memory
chip saves settings
- Custom
start up/splash on screen
Speed
- USB
mode: 19.2 Kbps
- Fully
buffered - no delays in transmission
Power
Requirements
- Operates
at 0ºC to +50ºC
- Supply
Voltage: 5Vdc
- Supply
Current: 25mA typical
- Backlight
Supply Current: 115mA typical
Display
Colour Options.
In
addition the the standard black fascia (MX21x), you can
also specify a brushed aluminium (MX22x) or black asluminium
(MX23x). For more details on colour options take a look
HERE.
Anyway,
that's the basics covered, what about the display itself?
Let's grab a look.
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