So a little research tells me I'm looking for an LVDS adapter as this is the main connection to my lcd.

The problem isn't just getting a connector. The "converter" you talk about is the problem here: each normal LCD (not in laptops) has a controller that converts the display signals from the computer into the horizontal and vertical coordinates of each pixel, turning it on or off accordingly. In laptops the controller is not there as the computer is designed to talk directly to that specific LCD to save space and simplify design. Therefore to run the LCD on another computer you need a special customized controller to run it. There are of course companies willing to do this, but cost is prohibitive here: we're talking at least $200 for the controller itself, plus the cost of development etc.

Your best bet would be to find some retail LCD display that uses that panel but in which the LCD is broken and steal the controller.

Read this if none of what I just wrote made any sense: http://www.applefritter.com/holygrail


I did read some where a while ago about a standard motherboard, or maybe PCI expansion card, that had an LVDS out, which I guess could be able to talk directly to the LCD. (I'll try and find that link)

Okay, I'm not just being cheap. I want this specifically. I don't want to buy a new monitor. I'm willing to shell out for a converter. Where do I get one built.

Am I looking for something like this http://store.earthlcd.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.255/it.A/id.3177/.f

Yup, that is what you're looking for. I'd give them a call to see if they have anything that is specifically specified as compatible with your LCD.

There are probably other stores too with other controllers. All that I've heard of though is Earth LCD as when I was researching doing this with an old PB LCD the project came to a dead end when my dog sat on the screen :pinch:

Anyone else know of any controller suppliers?

I just sent them an email. I'm wondering if I need a kit, or if, with the controller I can get the rest of what I need elsewhere for cheaper.

Pretty sure LVDS is a general term. There is no such thing as an LVDS to DVI or VGA adaptor. All PowerBooks and iBooks have an LVDS cable. They are of course all different.
I think all LVDS cables use pretty much the same pins (R, G, B, etc), just not in the same order. And of course not necessarily the same voltages etc.

You might have some joy determining the pinouts of your particular controller/GPU with a simple multimeter. An oscilloscope would be better I suspect. To get the R G B pins, it might help to have a program which can display red, blue and green screens for you. A red screen should give little or no signal on the green and blue pins. Just a thought.

I still wonder if laptops with the same GPU will have interchangeable LCDs. I suspect this is not the case. G3 Pismo PowerBooks used two different panels which had different cables. iBooks are even worse. There are dozens of diferent logic board, display cable and LCD variants used in white iBooks. Apple will generally not provide you with any of these parts unless you provide an appropriate serial number (and often an EEE code too). I was told they weren't all compatible, but it occurs to me that Apple would know which serial used which logic board without needing an EEE code if it weren't for the iBook logic replacement program which has seen some iBooks go through three or more boards. So some of them must be interchangeable.

I expect you're beginning to see the magnitude of this problem.

You might consider posting ads at your local universities. Maybe you can find a talented electrical engineering student who is strapped for cash.

Waragainstsleep wrote:


Not quite. Both the LG and Samsung displays use the same cables and connectors. I just replaced my Samsung with an LG, and used the stock cable. Everything fit just fine, and it's the same for the Lombard.

As for the iBooks, it depends on the revision. Displays between two of the same revision will interchange just fine, and even between a revision or two in some cases.

The pismos all use the same set up. I've owned five of 'em

primusluta wrote:


I think you need one of the "naked kits", like the one you linked to which includes the LCD Controller, Power Inverter, Cables, and Drivers.

The controller you definitely need. The power inverter I am almost positive is to control the backlight, which you could probably source from somewhere else more cheaply, or supply power to the backlight independently and maybe save a bit of money. Cables, looks like one for power to the inverter board, one for power to the LCD, maybe something else (in the picture it is sort of hard to tell), and a VGA cable. Definitely need the power to the LCD. VGA cable you probably don't need and could source elsewhere. And lastly Drivers, which assuming they use fairly generic components etc. probably aren't 100% needed. (I doubt they offer OSX drivers anyway, and a VGA device would most likely be recognized.)

So overall if they're willing to just sell you the controller (assuming they have one that will specifically work with the LCD you have) you may be able to save a bit of money, but then the extra shipping from different places comes into account too...

I knew the Pismo and Lombard panels were interchangeable. I've changed a few without really looking at the parts too closely and never had a problem. But they have different part numbers for the two Pismo cables. No idea why. And even when the two different parts are the same price, Apple make a big fuss about getting the right one.

With the iBooks, I mention them only because there are models with the same size and spec panel and graphics card which cannot be swapped. It amazes me that Apple and their LCD suppliers would make more work for themselvesthis way. But it seems they do.