The Complete 6x-series QXGA Thread

[Troels]

third descriptor block...

Indeed it is... remove it, and it won't display a proper image at boot (at least not for me - either black screen or color bars). This is what this EDID stuff is about in the T6x series.

EDIT: The LEN4049 stuff is just there to be "safe" since there's a chance that this may be used to trigger the lenovo monitor driver to identify what to call the display and thus also note what resolutions this is capable of.

[bhtooefr]

OK - makes sense. What's interesting is, Windows Update actually has a Lenovo-provided "driver" (color profile, I assume) for a Wide viewing angle & High density FlexView Display 2048x1536.

Here's something worth a shot just to see, has anyone pulled an EDID from an R5/T4's registry that's had a clean install with the QXGA panel? Just to get the "optimal" EDID data...

[jketzetera]

Does the ease with which EDID data now can be programmed (i.e. Powerstrip) open up a whole new world of possibilities in regards to the newer Thinkpad series?

Until now I have preferred the old Thinkpads over the new Thinkpads because you could either get or upgrade the the old Thinkpads with IPS-panels, while the new Thinkpads feature TN-panels that are even of sub-par quality for being TN-panels (I have an X200 so I know what I am talking about).

However, is it not now possible to buy e.g. a T500/T400 and buy the highest quality WSXGA+ or WUXGA panel available and with the help of Powerstrip enable it to work in the new Thinkpads?

Are there 14" or 15" widescreen IPS-panels available? If not, what other 14" or 15" widescreen panels today are considered to have the highest quality?

[Troels]

Well, if you really wanted/was desperate to get it to work, it would also have been possible by the cable method

Indeed that would be possible yes - buy your favorite thinkpad, grab the current EDID and flash it to a new, better panel. There are however, no 14" or 15" WS IPS LCDs.
My bets would be on the 15.4" Widescreen from the MacBook Pros, which has an awesome contrast, but still lost big-time in the comparison http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_ ... -9320-9876 .

But one must accept the worser resolution of 1440x900.
All the fun seems to happen with the 17" WS, with HP's "DreamColor" displays and Dells Precision M6400

[jketzetera]

My bets would be on the 15.4" Widescreen from the MacBook Pros, which has an awesome contrast, but still lost big-time in the comparison http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_ ... -9320-9876 .

But one must accept the worser resolution of 1440x900.

That is unfortunate. If I went widescreen I would prefer at a minimum to have WSXGA+ but even rather WUXGA. It feels like a substantial downgrade to go from 1200 vertical pixels (UXGA) to 900 vertical pixels.

It is also unfortunate that it is difficult to get a precise evaluation of the notebook panel quality from the many different review sites. I would never have bought my X200 if I had known beforehand how horribly bad the display was. However, none of the reviews I read before deciding to purchase it even made a mention of its low display quality.

Ah well, I might "invest" in a QXGA display instead.

[bhtooefr]

In the case of the X200, you MAY be able to get an X200 Tablet LCD in there after modification. If you get the flourescent backlit model, that's AFFS (read: IPS.)

[thinkpac]

I just got a replacement SXGA+ 15" screen for my T60.

2. Remove the three round screw covers and screws on the LCD bezel.

Those screw covers seemed intimidating at first, but I quickly figured them out. I used a tiny flathead screwdriver, and I recommend that you point it AWAY from the LCD screen.

3. GENTLY pop the LCD bezel loose. Set it aside.

I am stuck here now. Trying to lift one of the bottom corners, but it doesn't have much give. Do I just have to use force? I don't want to break the bezel.

[chazz]

[quote][/quote]I am stuck here now. Trying to lift one of the bottom corners, but it doesn't have much give. Do I just have to use force? I don't want to break the bezel.


you have to be careful here..there's a strip of double sided sticky tape on the lower part of the screen.where the inverter is placed. this tape is to secure the lcd plastic cover and the actual LCD ..to prevent a gap when open/closing the screen... so don't force it..sometimes the tape are pretty strong and you can actually damage the lcd by over stressing the metal part of the LCD
I've noticed on my T60p..Lenovo has been making the LCD bezel more of a loose fit compare to older thinkpad lcd bezels..

[Troels]

I am stuck here now. Trying to lift one of the bottom corners, but it doesn't have much give. Do I just have to use force? I don't want to break the bezel.

After you have removed all three screws, and you want to remove the bezel, i'd recommend that you find a knife, and use the blade (not the point/end) to remove the bezel. Start with the part to the left of the LCD ribbon cable, this is the easiest place to get started. Gently push the blade into where the bezel meets the LCD lid. Gently twist the knife, when it has entered a bit.
Of course, pay attention to the LCD cable.

[thinkpac]

Thanks. Everything else went fine. Although when I plugged the new LCD into the inverter board, I could have sworn I saw some tiny flashing lights on the inverter board, followed by a small burning odor. Maybe it was my imagination.

LCD seems to be working. When the T60 went into standby mode, however, I woke it up, but the LCD didn't wake up - it stayed black. I had to hard reset the computer. But the next 2 times it went into standby mode, the LCD woke up fine when I woke up the T60. Hopefully the first time was just some fluke and won't happen again.

[ZaZ]

Are these QXGA+ IPS screens supposed to be better than the regular IPS screens? I myself can't imagine using such a higher resolution. Even though I had thought about going with the UXGA, I'm glad I opted for the SXGA+. It seemed like the QXGA screens were going for about $300 for a while, then you could get a pre-flashed one for about $400. I saw a flashed one for $350 or make offer the other day. Maybe you could get it for less if they want to move them.

[bhtooefr]

The pre-flashed ones are horribly overpriced.

But, the resolution is the entire advantage. Keep in mind that these panels were state of the art in 2001, not so much nowadays.

They're using the best IPS technology from 2001, but that's not nearly as good as, say, BOE-Hydis AFFS, for example.

Response time is 30 ms for the IAQX10N, 60 ms for the IAQX10 and IAQX10S, but that's not great, and I'm pretty sure the IAQX10N is overdriven based on how it "bounces" around a transition to a medium color. (An AFFS panel can do ~25 ms without overdriving.)

Brightness is 150 nits on all of the mentioned panels. The newer AFFS panels can do 200.

AFFS is lower power consumption than 1st-generation IPS, too, IIRC.

[ZaZ]

Yes, the higher resolution leads to a sharper picture, but I don't know that I'd want a 30ms response time or 150 nit screen.

[sergi0]

Hi Folks,

Nice thread. since last year, I am on the verge of making a nice t42p QXGA. I recently bought a nice one but realize that it was not enough powerfull for my need. Especially, I liked to play hd movie (well, 1600x1200 is not a HD resolution, but with QXGA, it will be and use some 3D application and I want them to run smoothly.

Now I know that it is possible to make this mod for t60P, I am really happy (dual core, no pb to decode HD stream), but what about t61p? is there somehting that do not allow us to make the mod or is it possible as the t60p?

thanks in advance,

sergio

[bhtooefr]

There isn't a 15.0" standard screen T61p. If you want a T61p with the QXGA screen, you need to buy the following:

QXGA screen
15.0" standard screen T60 or T60p (preferably an SXGA+ or UXGA one, for the upgraded inverter)
14.1" standard screen T61p

Remove motherboard from T61p, install in T60/p. Then follow all directions.

[andykrej]

Will the QXGA panel work in the T60 with integrated intel graphics?

[Temetka]

Will the QXGA panel work in the T60 with integrated intel graphics?

I came into this thread to ask that question myself as well.

[Worzyl]

Will the QXGA panel work in the T60 with integrated intel graphics?

I wonder about this also.
I'm also interested to know what other resolutions the QXGA can be set to apart from it's native resolution and if those resolutions work just as well. For instance, how sharp would the QXGA screen set to a UXGA resolution be, compared to an LCD screen that does the UXGA resolution natively?



*edit* (Unlikely but I'll ask anyway). Are there any video demonstrations of this set up?
(A how to install would be nice )

[andykrej]

I wonder about this also.
I'm also interested to know what other resolutions the QXGA can be set to apart from it's native resolution and if those resolutions work just as well. For instance, how sharp would the QXGA screen set to a UXGA resolution be, compared to an LCD screen that does the UXGA resolution natively?

Don't count on that. My UXGA Panel looks horrible at SVGA, which in theory should look good, as it should map 4 pixels to 1. But it doesn't, probably because of some kind of interpolation.
If you want UXGA, then go for UXGA.

[yak]

Interesting that one can reflash the EDID using software only.

Could this be a way to get a Flexview display in a 14.1" T60? Anyone know of some IPS 14.1" panels? Preferably SXGA+ or higher resolution. Model numbers or other details, anyone?

[Troels]

Could this be a way to get a Flexview display in a 14.1" T60? Anyone know of some IPS 14.1" panels? Preferably SXGA+ or higher resolution. Model numbers or other details, anyone?

Hmm, you could try contacting Hydis regarding information on HV141P01, which was supposed to be a 450:1, 200 nits AFFS 14.1" SXGA+ LCD. I believe it never got further than the "Planning" phase - and was thus likely never put into production. Maybe you can buy a sample of it - it's worth a try

Regarding if QXGA will work in an integrated graphics T60. AFAIK no-one has tried this yet. But it's interesting to note from the part list for the 15" T60/p series, that for SXGA+ and UXGA LCDs, 195x-CTO systems are also supported. Systems with 195x are systems with integrated intel graphics.:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 62806.html
I mean, if it supports UXGA, why not QXGA (?). Not that i'd set any guarantees myself though

[mani99]

Regarding if QXGA will work in an integrated graphics T60. AFAIK no-one has tried this yet. But it's interesting to note from the part list for the 15" T60/p series, that for SXGA+ and UXGA LCDs, 195x-CTO systems are also supported. Systems with 195x are systems with integrated intel graphics.:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 62806.html
I mean, if it supports UXGA, why not QXGA (?). Not that i'd set any guarantees myself though

My QXGA panel worked in my 1952-CTO T60 with integrated graphics. I just booted it once to see if it worked as the panel was cracked, but I didn't notice anything strange

[yak]

Hmm, you could try contacting Hydis regarding information on HV141P01, which was supposed to be a 450:1, 200 nits AFFS 14.1" SXGA+ LCD. I believe it never got further than the "Planning" phase - and was thus likely never put into production. Maybe you can buy a sample of it - it's worth a try

I don't think I'm the first one but I mailed them anyway. Thanks for the tip.
It's a pity these displays weren't widely available (or at all available). This would make for an ultimate 14.1" T61.

[bbq]

Here is a totally crazy (OT?) idea for using a dozen of IAQX10N in a "super-duper-Franken" way:

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006/03/28/ ... hey-did-it

Find six display cards for cheap and then get one of those motherboards with six PCI-E slots. Then hook them up with IAQX10N in order to make an 8192-by-4608 (4*2048 and 3*1536) video wall just like this:

http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/ga ... asp?ID=594

12 QXGA LCD panels could be had around 1,500 bucks and the computer with six PCI-E display cards should cost roughly a grand or so.

Those LVDS-to-VGA conversion kits should be pretty cheap to boot and finally we simply need to figure out how do we put all LCD panels together. So basically we could accomplish all this with a few grands and I wonder if anyone would like to have such video wall with 37.7 megapixels.

[yak]

Hmm, you could try contacting Hydis regarding information on HV141P01, which was supposed to be a 450:1, 200 nits AFFS 14.1" SXGA+ LCD. I believe it never got further than the "Planning" phase - and was thus likely never put into production. Maybe you can buy a sample of it - it's worth a try

I don't think I'm the first one but I mailed them anyway. Thanks for the tip.

Hey Troels, guess what, I actually got a reply!
Here's the essential part:

I'm afraid to say that we couldn't delivery this product.
In fact, we had been to develop 14.1" SXGA+ with FFS not AFFS in 2003.
But it hadn't continued to do mass production. It just ended by Engineering
Run.
We had just developed for some reason such as several tests.
So, we couldn't supply this module to you.
We can supply product on the web site.

It seems that he's talking about a different display then, right? It would seem that they had made a few samples but they don't have them anymore. Note that I specifically told him that I'm interested in samples too.
Anyway, it was worth a try. The last sentence probably means that they can supply only what's on their website. Oh well.

[Troels]

Great to see they are still kind at replying, even if you're just an individual person and not some huge multi-national company which actually order large amounts of panels. Really cool!
Hmm, there's a chance that this 14.1" was just postponed further and further and that they at some point made the shift to AFFS on all products, so that this "coming" 14.1" would also feature this. I mean, why have multiple production lines producing both AFFS and FFS when AFFS is superior to FFS, and probably the same price.
I guess this means that a few engineering samples existed back then, but are gone now. Oh well, it was worth the try as you also said.

[andykrej]

Did the swap yesterday and have to admit: I'm simply shocked by the quality of this display. Set the dpi to 150 in Windows 7 and words just can't describe how good icons, text and everything looks on this screen. This must be the best laptop screen ever built...

Thanks too everybody who contributed to this thread and especially bhtooefr for organizing the guide. And many thanks to troels for his recommendations (I got a perfect IAQX10N from Japan: http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/jnh/dp-iaqx10n.html).

[Worzyl]

Did the swap yesterday and have to admit: I'm simply shocked by the quality of this display. Set the dpi to 150 in Windows 7 and words just can't describe how good icons, text and everything looks on this screen. This must be the best laptop screen ever built...

Thanks too everybody who contributed to this thread and especially bhtooefr for organizing the guide. And many thanks to troels for his recommendations (I got a perfect IAQX10N from Japan: http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/jnh/dp-iaqx10n.html).

How does it fair in other resolutions?
Particularly the UXGA and SXGA...?

[andykrej]

How does it fair in other resolutions?
Particularly the UXGA and SXGA...?

It's a bit blurred. Even XGA, which should scale perfectly(4:1), is blurred. However, the blur is not as noticeable as any other LCD I've seen because the pixels are smaller. But you would have to judge for yourself.

[Troels]

Andykrej, Glad to hear you got the QXGA and nothing was wrong with it, must take some time getting used to 4x XGA resolution.