Xenium Clone

[Ging3rguy]

Hi, so I managed to get hold of a Xenium Clone, can someone tell me how I can check if it is suitable for the LCD Mod?
If so can you point me at a good guide and the other parts I will need.
http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/ging3rguy/library/

[psyko_chewbacca]

Well first you'll need a HD44780 compatible LCD. You can find cheap ones on Ebay.

Be warned that almost every units that has a 4lines per 20 characters will not fit on the front panel, above controller ports 3&4. For it to fit, you need a LCD that has a height of max ~40mm.

Second, you'll need a SPI to Parallel adapter.

Most expensive solution is sold here : http://cheaplpc.com/xenlcd/default.asp but is 100% comfirmed working with Xenium.

Second and cheaper solution is to try one of those "SPI Serial Interface Board Module for LCD" sold on Ebay. They are around $1.50USD on Ebay and might do the job but I don't think it's been confirmed that it does work with a Xenium (Clone or not). If someone can find the technical spec information for interfacing a LCD with the Xenium I could tell you if it will work or not.

[Ging3rguy]

Thanks for the info, will this work on all versions or just 1.0-1.3

[psyko_chewbacca]

If you're talking about interfacing the LCD through the Xenium to your Xbox, it will work regardless of the Xbox revision.

As long as you can boot your Xbox with the Xenium clone, LCD will be supported (in hombrew apps at least, I think not all version of the Xenium OS support LCD text output...).

[Ging3rguy]

How about something like this for a lcd
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-20x4-2004 ... 1719222487

[psyko_chewbacca]

How about something like this for a lcd
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-20x4-2004 ... 1719222487

I can't access item due to regional lockout... Stupid thing...

Anyway, just by looking at the title of the auction, I can tell you that the LCD will work with your Xenium, provided you have a working SPI to parallel adapter.

Fitting it in the front panel is something else. As I wrote earlier, if you want to place it above controller ports 3&4, you have to make sure it around 40mm max height (and around 140mm width but that should be no problem for a 4x20 LCD). If it's the model I think it is, it's too big and will not fit there.

[Ging3rguy]

That one has a 146 x 62.5 pcb back, the screen is 134 x 55, so I will keep looking, anyone have a link to a useable screen
Thanks

[psyko_chewbacca]

By the way, a LCD with 2 lines of 20 characters will fit in just fine.
Obviously you won't be able to display as much stuff as if you were using a 20x4 LCD but they can be easily found for cheap.

[Ging3rguy]

Hi Psyko what do you think of this one. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gwz4xkbdgu6kg26/LCD.pdf?dl=0
Thanks

[psyko_chewbacca]

Hi Psyko what do you think of this one. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gwz4xkbdgu6kg26/LCD.pdf?dl=0
Thanks

Yep it will physically fit for sure with its 27mm height. It's going to be a little small but it will do.

Note that these LCD all seem to require a ~3.3V supply opposed to the more common 5V (which all Xbox modchips output). A quick fix to drop voltage to acceptable levels is to place 2 general purpose (1n4148 and such)diodes in series on the voltage supply line that goes to the SPI-to-parallel adapter. Of course a LDO regulator is even better but a little bit more expensive.
The SPI-to-parallel adapter board you buy must be able to work with a 3.3V supply.

EDIT: Reading a little more, it would seem this LCD can be interfaced directly into SPI, potentially bypassing the need of an SPI-to-parallel adapter board. If someone can find the SPI protocol spec used by Xenimum, I could tell you if it's directly compatible.

[Ging3rguy]

Thanks, I will keeping looking around and see if I can find something bigger. I checked out the crystalfontz lcd but the postage was nuts