Can I replace the Zire 31 LCD with a Tungsten E/E2 LCD??

[Dr3wster]

Hey Crew!

I know it sounds like a weird thing to do, and I know you're all thinking the same thing... is this guy insane?! Well, I'll have you know that I'm actually thinking quite clearly!!

So, I was wondering if it was possible at all, to switch a Zire 31 LCD and install a Tungsten E / E2 LCD in its place.. Why? To try and achieve better clarity in picture quality. Is it at all possible? Or is the only dilemma a case of fitting it back into the original case? As long as it works, I don't mind about the case thing!!

Any ideas???

Thanks in advance!!
Andrew

[raspabalsa]

Sorry, this is not possible. The Zire 31 uses a low resolution screen at 160x160, while the E/E2 use a high resolution screen at 320x320. The Z31 simply does not have the circuitry built in to handle the high resolution LCD.

[Dr3wster]

Hey raspabalsa! Thanks for your quick reply What would happen if I tried to put the LCD on? Would it burn out the motherboard on the Zire??

[hal]

Hey raspabalsa! Thanks for your quick reply What would happen if I tried to put the LCD on? Would it burn out the motherboard on the Zire??

I've never attempted such thing, but most probably you would get nothing more than a non-working screen. Raspabalsa points out that the Zire 31 doesn't have the proper circuitry to make a hires screen work. The Tungsten E's screen, being hires, needs four times fold of connection density than the Zire 31 has. And, as a far shot, even in the case that it were possible to make it work, you would (theoretically) have only 1/4-th of the pixel count working. That, if the electric specs don't get in the way.

I'd suggest you don't place such a good device as your Zire 31 at an unnecessary risk. Get the proper screen.

[106112909]

The ribbon cable from the E/E2 screen wouldn't even fit the Z31's motherboard as the E/E2 screen has more pixels and therefore more connections. If you want the high resolution then get yourself an E of E2. They are fairly cheap on eBay.

[philpalm]

You may prefer the Tungsten E because you can use the same charger and data connection cords as the Zire 31. Do not use the same hotsync name though but transfer the data either by IR or cut and paste via the desktop.

If you do decide to get a higher res device and like the 320x320 form factor, then a High res Sony Clie, Treo 650 and TE2 are other options. The ATT Treo 650 can use a sim card and allows you to go to Europe to use the Cell phone feature.

The TE2 requires buying an update to allow using higher than 1gb data card. It also has charging problems and speaker problems but it is still better than a Zire 31 in terms of usage and high resolution. If you pay over $150 that would be too expensive IMHO unless they throw in accessories and some purchased programs.

[106112909]

The E2 has an added advantage over the E in that it will retain data even if the battery dies completely. The same is true of the Treo 650.

[raspabalsa]

Hey raspabalsa! Thanks for your quick reply What would happen if I tried to put the LCD on? Would it burn out the motherboard on the Zire??

You're welcome, Dr3wster. I see you already received several replies pointing why it's a bad idea to give it a try

I've never attempted such thing, but most probably you would get nothing more than a non-working screen. Raspabalsa points out that the Zire 31 doesn't have the proper circuitry to make a hires screen work. The Tungsten E's screen, being hires, needs four times fold of connection density than the Zire 31 has. And, as a far shot, even in the case that it were possible to make it work, you would (theoretically) have only 1/4-th of the pixel count working. That, if the electric specs don't get in the way.

The ribbon cable from the E/E2 screen wouldn't even fit the Z31's motherboard as the E/E2 screen has more pixels and therefore more connections. If you want the high resolution then get yourself an E of E2. They are fairly cheap on eBay.

Well, it's not really a four-fold increase in connector points, it's less than twice as much connectors, but still enough so the E2's screen's cable won't fit in the 31's socket.

I agree the E2 is a good choice if you want to upgrade to a hi-res device.

The E2 has an added advantage over the E in that it will retain data even if the battery dies completely. The same is true of the Treo 650.

Other advantages of E2 over E are: BlueTooth, faster ARM processor, and better battery runtime (because it uses Flash memory instead of RAM).