Screen question

[Sowanna]

Hi everyone, before i know gbz and this forum, i bought this screen for a gameboy project: https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B06X19 ... UTF8&psc=1

But this screen is pluged in the Gpio and not on the tv pins, my question is: is it compatible with the gbz build (as the pcb and other things are using the same gpio pins) or do i better buy a gearbest screen and keep this one for other project later?

I'm totaly new in electricity and stuff, and don't know many thing about it, but i'm relly motivated to learn, thanks if you help me with this

[Fredl]

Hello, while I'm certainly not a GBZ master, I'll try to help:

This guide here
http://www.sudomod.com/game-boy-zero-sc ... ernatives/
written by Wermy himself, states that using GPIO screens is rather complicated since you have to deal with drivers etc... Or is that already done with this one?

The fact that it uses the same pins as your input buttons doesnt seem too appealing to me as well...

So I'd say buy another one. Other forum user might know more though..

Cheers, Fredl

[VeteranGamer]

Hi everyone, before i know gbz and this forum, i bought this screen for a gameboy project: https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B06X19 ... UTF8&psc=1

But this screen is pluged in the Gpio and not on the tv pins, my question is: is it compatible with the gbz build (as the pcb and other things are using the same gpio pins) or do i better buy a gearbest screen and keep this one for other project later?

I'm totaly new in electricity and stuff, and don't know many thing about it, but i'm relly motivated to learn, thanks if you help me with this

using a screen that requires gpio connections isnt really an issue.....

the mintyPi project uses a SPI screen that utilises the GPIO and also for the controls....

i believe (could be wrong) but the Kite SAIO also using a similar setup but instead of SPI his kits use a DPI screen (a few more GPIO)


i'm also considering using a 3.2" SPI screen in a future build that uses GPIO, the display is alot clearer than the composite displays most people are using....


my only concern with the screen your conidering is the resolution, from what i hear that screen doesnt run pretty well for playing games at full speed...



this might help explain a little better

[Sowanna]

tanks for you're answers, so if i understand, composite screen are a better choice, but i can still use my screen for now and change later if it's not works fine. I'll keep update when i'll start my gb, i may have other question later i'd like to understand what I'm doing, not just wired stuff just because a tuto told me to x)

EDIT: I finaly ordered a composite screen on gearbest, after trying the entire day to install my screen's drivers without any kind of success i'll try maybe later if i got another project with a tactile screen

[jb32647]

Composite is the way to go. I used those GPIO screens, and even when the drivers were installed they had a poor refresh rate, only barely playable.

[tinkerBOY]

Composite is the way to go. I used those GPIO screens, and even when the drivers were installed they had a poor refresh rate, only barely playable.

Same here. I tested one 2.2" spi screen and not happy at all with the performance or refresh rate.

[Micktetley]

Hi guys, I'm new to the raspberry pi world but slowly getting more confident, I have bought a 5" screen and got it all hooked up to run retropie, I have tested it on a large monitor and it's fine but when I plug into the 5" screen about 20% on the right hand side is blank/ has line running down it. I have tried every way mentioned in the config.txt screen but nothing seems to work, any ideas would be much appreciated

[ICMF]

The problem is that your Pi is trying to display the wrong resolution - it defaults to 1080p, but the screen is 800x600. In order to force the Pi to display at the correct resolution, you have to append this to config.txt:

Code: Select all

max_usb_current=1
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_cvt 800 480 60 6 0 0 0
hdmi_drive=1

See http://www.waveshare.com/wiki/5inch_HDM ... spberry_Pi for more info.

And for what it's worth, I probably wouldn't bother setting up the touch screen. It's not accurate enough to use, and doesn't really do anything in a GBZ build anyway.

[VeteranGamer]

tanks for you're answers, so if i understand, composite screen are a better choice, but i can still use my screen for now and change later if it's not works fine.
EDIT: I finaly ordered a composite screen on gearbest, after trying the entire day to install my screen's drivers without any kind of success i'll try maybe later if i got another project with a tactile screen

Composite is the way to go. I used those GPIO screens, and even when the drivers were installed they had a poor refresh rate, only barely playable.

Same here. I tested one 2.2" spi screen and not happy at all with the performance or refresh rate.

composites are not the way to go (IMHO).... they're ok and bearable in some games, but there a pain in all the other aspects (menus and the whole look of most themes downloadable via retropie)....
But for now are just easier for people to work with and get a build finished (for a 1st timer, thats all that matters)

but the mintyPi SPI screens are alot better and clearer then any of the composite screens out there (and remember thats a 2.4")
i also had issues with 2.2" SPI screen, but as soon as i went up a size (2.4") no issues at all

the 3.5" waveshare screens that alot of people have unwittingly gone out a bought (without doing their research) have the wrong resolution (320 x 480) for them to run smoothly for games via SPI (this info is out there)

a 3.2" screen would be the best option for a GBZ build (or go slightly smaller and keep the original bezal), as most have a resolution of 320 x 240.... these can be a waveshare 3.2" (personally havent tried it, but others have had good success)
or get a bear 3.2" screen a similar type to that which is used in a mintyPi and wire direct (not easy)
or use one of the adapters moosepr designed

moosepr adapter
3.2" SPI screen
moosepr ili9341 guide


there are other options out there like a HDMI screen, or even a DPI screen.....
all are better than a composite
(this is due to the way the composite video signal is just sent throught one cable, and all the others screens dont)

if your a 1st timer, just get a build under your belt.....
but be aware if using a composite screen, there not clear (fuzzy at times) so know what your getting...

ohh and good luck in which ever route you take.....

.

[Micktetley]

The problem is that your Pi is trying to display the wrong resolution - it defaults to 1080p, but the screen is 800x600. In order to force the Pi to display at the correct resolution, you have to append this to config.txt:

Code: Select all

max_usb_current=1
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_cvt 800 480 60 6 0 0 0
hdmi_drive=1

See http://www.waveshare.com/wiki/5inch_HDM ... spberry_Pi for more info.

And for what it's worth, I probably wouldn't bother setting up the touch screen. It's not accurate enough to use, and doesn't really do anything in a GBZ build anyway.

Cheers for that,

I have tried adding those to the config screen before but when I have rebooted nothing has changed

I'll give it another go