What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

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linenfort
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What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by linenfort »

If you had a home theater pc like a Mac mini or Intel NUC and you wanted to have a small screen, what monitor would you buy for it? Is there such a thing as a test monitor? Not something to watch movies on, but simply to use to see menus for choosing songs and podcasts and things like that.

- no monitor at all is not an option
- Yes an iPhone or iPod Touch has a small screen, but I'm talking about something one could plut into an HTPC.
- I suppose broadcasting to an existing tv might work, but I'm still interested to see if there are tiny test monitors out there.
- Virtual Reality headsets? Those might work.
tecmage
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by tecmage »

Topic Author
linenfort
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by linenfort »

Hey, that's pretty good! I suppose that could be hooked up to a PC with a cheap adapter.
Thank you!
tecmage
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by tecmage »

No problem, make sure you read the comments on it since it is designed for a car it'll take DC input from 6V and up. It also won't turn on unless you have a video signal to prevent distractions while mounted in a car.
investor1
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by investor1 »

tecmage wrote:Somthing like:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045I ... 03_s00_i00

Or even smaller?
It might be difficult to navigate menus on a modern day operating system given such a low resolution. The reviews say it is 320x240. It would be best to verify your operating system supports that.
NuB 2013
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by NuB 2013 »

This is getting a little 'techy', but once you have a home theatre PC set up, you can control the play functions from a phone or tablet if you don't want a monitor in that room at all.

Here is an overview of one option that's out there:

http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Gizmo
tigermilk
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by tigermilk »

For a windows PC you can get remote desktop aps for a smartphone. Not sure if apple has one.
toblerone
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by toblerone »

What is the max viewing distance? You can get a tiny monitor, but if you want to be able to see the menus from the couch, I would choose at least a 23"-24" monitor.
mhalley
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by mhalley »

How about using a remote desktop app from a phone or a tablet?
Something like this
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LogMeIn
Mike
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Ged
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by Ged »

Do you need HDMI? Some devices I've seen have only HDMI out. And forget remote software - they are not computers.

Here's one sort of thing:

http://www.musthd.com/products/field-mo ... 7Aod0joA-g

Edit:

Here's another one - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130873226634 ... 1438.l2649
Last edited by Ged on Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
nordlead
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by nordlead »

For my HTPC I just installed Google Chrome and use the remote desktop feature on my phone/tablet. Works wonderful. If I don't have the TV on I can still navigate the menus.

I also have https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ech.Remote which works great.

I don't really see the point in buying a dedicated tiny monitor if you have a smartphone/tablet.
hicabob
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by hicabob »

TV studios have little monitors all over the place. This place has pro level stuff
Some have an hdmi input option although just about all facilities use sdi nowadays
http://www.markertek.com/Digital-Video- ... DI-7.xhtml
- of course you will need an XLR power supply too.
Topic Author
linenfort
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Re: What is the smallest monitor one can buy?

Post by linenfort »

Wow, thanks for the additional replies!

Viewing distance would be right up close, like a regular monitor is when you're seated at a desk.
Output - could be HDMI, VGI, DVI, etc. I have adapters aplenty, and could get what I don't have.

Setting up and then controlling via a smartphone would probably be the smartest way to go.

Thank you for the adafruit and makertek links. Neat stuff!
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