Standard vs Custom Display Modules – What’s Better for Your Project?

When considering a display module for your project, sooner or later you’ll have to answer the question: “Should I design around a standard module or have one customized for my application?” The question is straightforward enough, but considerations that weigh into the answer can be as varied as the LCD module applications themselves.  

Here are some tips, common misconceptions and answers to common questions that will help you with your decision.

 

One common misconception is that custom display modules cost more than standard “off-the-shelf” modules.

While the above holds true for NRE cost, module unit pricing is often equivalent or lower for custom LCD modules than for similar off-the-shelf product. Here’s why:

Standard display modules are often designed to maximize their implementation potential.

This can lead to high pin counts that allow for variable interface protocols, high output back lighting to maximize application potential and generally conservative mechanical design practices (patented components, robust EMI solutions, metal bracketing, incorporated drive circuitry, etc).

For many applications, design-specific changes can reduce unit production cost through application-specific simplification, sometimes significantly so.

What about the additional NRE cost to customize?

For most Passive Matrix LCD modules, New Vision Display can deliver a custom LCD (active area size and resolution), with custom back light, mechanical housing and electrical interface for a total NRE cost of less than $10k USD.

Likewise, NVD can customize the back light, housing and mechanical interface of an Active Matrix LCD module for an NRE cost of less than $10k USD.

In these cases, the design flexibility that customization allows for often justifies the modest NRE required. [click to continue reading...]