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Matrix Orbital MX630 USB 2x20 Green PLED Display
Written by Allen C. Haid (BigAl) | Date: 7.23.2006 | Manufacturer: Matrix Orbital
Introduction

Communication is a good thing - between you and your computer that is!


More than ten years ago there was a new item for case modders to try - the functional display panel. Early examples were the regular LED variety, and over the following years newer designs using LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) and VFDs (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) became available. Soon it was very fashionable to install one to finish off your case in style. Today the functional display panel concept has evolved into a much larger display that also perform as a second monitor with the proper configuration. These larger displays are really small monitors that cost several hundreds of dollars. But do we need that?

In this review we are going to look at the Matrix Orbital MX630, a 2-line display unit for your 5.25 inch drive bay that uses a new display technology - the PLED (Polymeric Light Emitting Diode). The PLED offers lower power consumption, a wider viewing angle (about 160 degrees), and a faster response time than LCD displays. If you search the Internet for more details on the PLED, you'll find that the polymeric light-emitting diode is an electroluminescent polymer that emits light when subjected to an electric current. It is a type of organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and can be used as a thin film for full-spectrum color displays and requires a relatively small amount of power for the light produced. See figure 1 to understand how the process is fabricated.


(click to enlarge)
Figure 1 The PLED is constructed as a type of OLED process, as shown in this diagram.


Perhaps some more detail on OLED technology is in order. An OLED is a thin-film light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive layer is an organic compound. OLED technology is intended primarily as picture elements in practical display devices. These devices promise to be much less costly to fabricate than traditional LCD displays. When the emissive electroluminescent layer is polymeric, varying amounts of OLEDs can be deposited in rows and columns on a screen using simple "printing" methods to create a graphical color display, for use as television screens, computer displays, portable system screens, and in advertising and information board applications. OLED may also be used in lighting devices. OLEDs are available as distributed sources while the inorganic LEDs are point sources of light. Prior to standardization, OLED technology was also referred to as OEL or Organic Electro-Luminescence.

Performance-PCs provided this review item with a few options and had the package shipped directly from Matrix Orbital (located in Canada). The MX630 comes standard with an external USB cable and the LCDC software package that controls the unit display functions. The shipping box arrived (figure 2) with all items protected from damage by using small plastic air bags. When I pulled all the stuff out of the box (figure 3), we had the MX630 with an attached external USB cable, the LCDC software CD, instructions for installation, and some optional items - three thermal probes and an internal USB cable.


(click to enlarge)
Figure 2 The shipping box from Matrix Orbital was well packed with air bags; no damage to our review sample!


Nothing beats opening a new package to see what's inside..


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Figure 3 Lots of stuff - thermal probes, an internal USB cable, the CD-R with software, and the MX630 itself.


The optional accessories (figure 4, the internal USB cable and three thermal probes) allow you to perform a cleaner install (avoid running the included external USB cable outside your case) and to monitor some case or component temperatures. In figure 5 I have opened the packaging for two thermal probes that I will use in this review, and I've also shown a fan extension cable so we can drive one of my case fans with the MX630.


(click to enlarge)
Figure 4 The Internal USB cable and Thermal Probes.

(click to enlarge)
Figure 5 Two of the thermal probes and my fan extension cable.


The MX630 itself is rather compact and carefully designed. In figures 6 and 7 you can see different views of the unit. Immediately I started wondering "Which way is up?"; there's nothing on the front panel to give you a hint. However, if you look at the circuit boards, there is some printing on them (Matrix Orbital), and usually these are printed such that they are readable after installation. So it's a 50/50 guess as to which way is up, but being a smart modder, I'm pretty sure the circuit board text should be upright. We'll see on the next page.


(click to enlarge)
Figure 6 Inside view of the MX630 showing the USB cable connection; which way is up?

(click to enlarge)
Figure 7 Side view of the MX630; note the multiple circuit boards.


Lets take a moment to review the marketing highlights and performance specifications from Matrix Orbital's web site and product documentation:


MX630


Don't let the imitations fool you. Get the original and best in USB PC Bay inserts. See why the world is catching on to the MX series and the wonders it can perform. Featuring new PLED technology, this display will give you 160 degree viewing angle, amazing response time and unbelievable contrast. The MX6 also allows you to plug 3 fans and 4 temperature probes directly into the back of the unit for all you quiet and cooling PC needs. Includes everything you will need to get going.


(click to enlarge)
Figure 8 Matrix Orbital MX630 USB 2x20 Green PLED Display


Polymeric Light Emitting Diode (PLED) displays (figure 8) employ an advanced new electro-luminescence technology to produce one of the brightest displays commercially available. This new display technique virtually eliminates the concern about ghosting at high refresh rates and it allows you to be able to read the display from 160 degrees. The PLED display accomplishes all of this while lowering your power consumption as it does not require a backlight. Our PLED displays also offer extra features with standard and advanced General Purpose Outputs (GPO) as well as the ease-of-use with serial communication via RS-232, I2C and USB protocols.

PLED's are optimal for any high performance device and provides a bright and easy-to-read display. For an application use that shines, PLED's will provide an awesome and stylish look while being an excellent and practical display for all of your information needs. Our PLED's are currently being used in the aircraft, sports car, water craft and industrial industries. PLED displays are used in carbon-monoxide monitors , flow testers, computer cases, home theatre systems, and many other exciting applications!

Hardware Features:

-1-Wire bridge capable of communicating with most Dallas 1-Wire devices
-3 voltage options (on selected modules):
-5V
-9-15V (-V)
-9-35V (-VPT)
-Extended temperature option available from -40 to +85 degrees Celsius (-E), (on selected modules)
-Keypad options ranging from 12, 24, and 25 with a 10 key buffer
-General Purpose Outputs (GPO), (20mA drive) for control of other devices
-Advanced General Purpose Outputs (GPO), (1000mA) for control of other devices with PWM control and tachometer (on selected modules)
-Ability to fit our PC bay inserts without any modifications (on selected modules)
-Extremely low power requirements
-BASIC Stamp(r), Domino(r), PicStic(r), 8051, 68HC11, Microchip(r), PIC.
-Fully functional with ANY RS-232 or I2C embedded system, including PCs Software Control
-Ability to add a customized splash/start-up screen
-Built in font with provisions for up to 8 user defined characters
-Communication over RS-232, I2C or USB
-Speeds from 1200 bps to a lightning fast 57.6 Kbps
-Use of up to 127 modules on the same 2-Wire I2C interface
-Use of up to 100 modules on the same USB host
-Fully buffered so no delays in transmission should be necessary
-Use of Matrix Orbital's 'Remember' function to save settings
-Configurable time-out settings up to 100 min
-Software controlled brightness
-Horizontal and vertical bar graphs
-Line wrap and auto screen scroll
-Medium or large digits capable

All of our MX series products can:

- Monitor CPU temperatures
- Monitor hard drive space
- Control fans and LEDs.
- Watch frame rates per second
- See streaming stocks
- Watch network traffic
- Get up to date weather reports
- Provide WinAmp support: keypad controls, song information
- Check multiple email accounts
- Track breaking news on CNN
- Bring your MP3s to life with various exciting visualizations
- Watch SETI number crunch for humanity
- And so much more! You don't need to be a PC enthusiast to enjoy the many features the MX digital baybus provides.

Display Appearance

Character X Lines: 20 x 2

.........................Length.............Width.........Thickness
Module Size: 116.00 mm x 37.00 mm x 27.50 mm

.........................Length.............Width
Character Size: 5.50 mm x 3.20 mm

.........................Length............Width..........Background Color......Text Color
Display Size: 82.20 mm x 18.20 mm............Black.................Yellow/Green

Features:

Keypad..........One Wire........GPO.......Advanced GPO
....N/A.................4.................3..................3

Interface:

RS232TTL...........USB............Buffer............Other
19200.................19200.............80

Environmental Conditions:

Standard Temp (min/max).....Max Humidity
....0.00°c......to.....50.00°c.........90.00 %

Voltage Requirements:

Supply........Backlight.........In-rush
25 mA..........20 mA..............N/A

Package Includes:

PK202-24-USB Display

Black Aluminum PC Bay Insert (B2021-BL)

3ft USB cable

Mounting screws

Keycode for full version of LCDC

We provide all our manuals on line at our Tech Support site at http://www.matrixorbital.ca/manuals/ and questions may be posted on our forum site at http://www.lcdforums.com/forums



Now that we've gone over the specs, it's time to install this bad boy!
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