'Oscar' Adapter Connects Retina iPad Display Panel to Macs via Thunderbolt

[Intelligent]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Oscar, a new Kickstarter project currently seeking funding, is an Arduino-compatible adapter that's able to connect a high-resolution screen to a computer. The adapter comes attached to the same 9.7-inch display used in Apple's Retina iPads, and uses DisplayPort or Thunderbolt to connect to a computer.

When connected to a Mac, the Oscar adapter allows the high-resolution 2048 x 1536 panel to be used as a second screen.

YouTube: video​

The complete Oscar kit includes an LCD screen that comes with an acrylic case and a stand, allowing it to be used for a range of second-screen purposes. The adapter included with the display powers the LED backlight and controls the power supply. Because it's Arduino compatible, the adapter can be used to control variables like backlight brightness through USB.

Image​

The full Oscar kit, with display, laser cut acrylic case, power supply, stand, and DisplayPort/USB cables can be obtained through a £150 pledge, equivalent to approximately $250. The screen alone can be purchased for £110, or $183, and the panels are expected to begin shipping in July of 2014.

Update 1:09 PM PST: As MacRumors forum user rootyb has pointed out, a similar product from Adafruit is already available for purchase for $250.

Article Link: 'Oscar' Adapter Connects Retina iPad Display Panel to Macs via Thunderbolt

The redhead guy was very awkward, however i don't see why you would want a smaller screen or what this even is for?

 

[bloggie]

This seems to be trying to commercialize off a number existing projects, without adding much value.

Existing stuff:
http://mikesmods.com/mm-wp/?p=16
http://hackaday.com/2013/04/22/connect-a-retina-display-to-a-regular-computer/
http://www.tarduino.cc/2013/04/ipad-3-retina-display-adapter-to.html
http://dp2retina.rozsnyo.com/

and probably others I missed.
All of the above have been available more or less for at least a year, some more. And some (significantly) cheaper than the offered kickstarter.

About halfway down this page
http://applech2.com/archives/37396292.html
someone made an external monitor using old ipad parts as case, looks pretty pro. Probably better than laser-cut plexiglas, anyway.

Another example
https://twitter.com/pcjpnet/status/439159668905377792/photo/1

So yeah... What problem is this trying to solve again?

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Maybe make it somehow powered via USB? Or interpreted battery? Thinking if you're using this with a laptop, you have to find an outlet somewhere to use it?

 

[bloggie]

Maybe make it somehow powered via USB? Or interpreted battery? Thinking if you're using this with a laptop, you have to find an outlet somewhere to use it?

stuff from abusemark is "USB" powered.
http://www.ragemax.com/2013/12/Retina-LCD-with-ThinkPad.html
Doesn't look like any of the other projects I linked are, though.

 

[plasticphyte]

This seems to be trying to commercialize off a number existing projects, without adding much value.

Existing stuff:
http://mikesmods.com/mm-wp/?p=16
http://hackaday.com/2013/04/22/connect-a-retina-display-to-a-regular-computer/
http://www.tarduino.cc/2013/04/ipad-3-retina-display-adapter-to.html
http://dp2retina.rozsnyo.com/

and probably others I missed.
All of the above have been available more or less for at least a year, some more. And some (significantly) cheaper than the offered kickstarter.

About halfway down this page
http://applech2.com/archives/37396292.html
someone made an external monitor using old ipad parts as case, looks pretty pro. Probably better than laser-cut plexiglas, anyway.

Another example
https://twitter.com/pcjpnet/status/439159668905377792/photo/1

So yeah... What problem is this trying to solve again?

Free markets would call this "competition".

 

[bloggie]

so why isn't it cheaper than competition?
adafruit just dropped the price of her kit to $225.

 

[plasticphyte]

so why isn't it cheaper than competition?
adafruit just dropped the price of her kit to $225.

That right there is what happens in a free market with competition.

 

[shadowbird423]

I've been looking for something similar to this for a while.

I want an LCD display so I can use my MacBook easier in the sunlight.
I don't need color but it'd be nice to have shades of grey/gray.

I don't care if it's actually LCD, just so that I can read it in the sunlight. My old XO OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) looked excellent and was VERY legible in the sunshine.

It can plug into the USB or VGA (or lightning) or some combo of them all. I'd just like to be able to get some work done while outside and be able to see my display.

Thank you for ANY suggestions.

Well, here ya go: http://www.adafruit.com/products/1303
All you need to do is find/make an enclosure.

 

[charlituna]

whats this good for? did we just re-invent the wheel here

Feels like it a little

Call me when someone creates an adapter that let's me mirror to the computer. Wirelessly even. With my existing devices not ones I hacked up

Even better if it can do it in a window so I can screen capture for training materials. There are apps but they have horrid lag time.

----------

This is cool, but why isn't there a way to simply use an iPad as a second monitor? Also where do these guys get the iPad display from?

It's likely from the same place that all those 'you break it I void your warranty' shops get theirs

 

[garylapointe]

Well, here ya go: http://www.adafruit.com/products/1303
All you need to do is find/make an enclosure.

Interesting. It's too bad it's such a weird power supply / voltage issue. I can use with a decent power supply but not at the beach (or wherever).

The resolution is weird [Resolution: 1024 x 600 (color RGB) and 3072x600 (backlight off, grayscale] but my XO laptop was kind of odd too in terms of the resolution.

Thank you,
Gary