VG8 Screen fix ?

Started by Headless68, August 21, 2015, 05:19:50 AM

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Headless68

My VG8 suffers from the couple of lost pixel lines which some seem to develop but now is also sometimes fading out so I cant see anything
I am sure I read somewhere that heat applied to the ribbon where it attaches to the screen and pressure to re-make the contacts is a possible fix - before I attempt anything I just wanted to check see if anyone has any experience with this ?

Thanks
Headless

Elantric

#1
According to the Roland VG-8 Service Manual,
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11091.0

the VG-8 / VG-8EX  LCD is Display is:

Roland P/N  00568989 = OPTREX DMF-50374NYU-LY

The OPTREX DMF-50374NYU-LY is a 160x64 Full Dot Matrix LCD Display Module, and typically available from typical online resources - here is one on Ebay $49

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTREX-160x64-Full-Dot-Matrix-LCD-Display-Module-DMF-50374NYU-LY-1-Yellow-Yellow-/320998017537


Headless68

will take a look inside the VG8 to see if this looks do-able - with my soldering skills that is :-)   

Headless68

Been thinking about this one - (its on hold until after I get to beta test the memory card for the VG8)  - is it possible to substitute the stock screen for a larger one ?  would that scale up the display ?

kenact

If you're in the NYC area, I know an authorized Roland Service Center.
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Headless68

I'm in Nottingham in the UK  - next planned trip to NYC is to bring in the new year in 2017 to 2018 :-)

kenact

Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
Parker Midi Fly
Seagull, S&P 12
VOX Phantom XII
GR-55, 33, 30, 20, GI-20, RC-50, US-20, VG-99, VP-7
Sentient 6
Cyr 7

Elantric

#7
Quoteis it possible to substitute the stock screen for a larger one ?  would that scale up the display ?

No - that era the firmware is designed to communicate with the specific graphic controller IC built into the OPTREX DMF-50374NYU-LY LCD module

Roland VG-8  VG-8EX use the same LCD module as Roland S-760 Sampler

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/1000422-vintage-samplers.html
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/clouzeau/s760/lcd.htm

S-760's over the winter. I had to replace the encoders, Roland still stocks the alps part. They use them for so many functions it's no wounder it goes bad.

As far as the screens go, according to
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/clouzeau/s760/lcd.htm


Optrex 160x64 Full Dot Matrix LCD Display Module DMF 50374NYU LY 1 Yellow Yellow | eBay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTREX-160x64-Full-Dot-Matrix-LCD-Display-Module-DMF-50374NYU-LY-1-Yellow-Yellow-/320998017537?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abcf90a01&rmvSB=true

Should be the same thing, except has a led backlight.

With time, and depending on how much you use your machine, all LCD displays will fade (it is said around 2,000 hours of use). The S-760 is no exception although its display is more resistent than the blue Akai S-1000 model.
   
   However, you start seeing S-750/770 in need of an LCD/Backlight replacement, sometimes it is the inverter driving the display that fails. So what can be done?
   
   
   LCD/Backlight specifications
   
   The unit fitted inside the S-760 is an Optrex unit, passive graphic, model DMF-50374 NYU-LY with EL backlight, Roland part number 00123945. The LCD unit is 160x64, also known as size 2.5", a size that is not very common (in this range, 128*64 is common).
   
   Each display has a 6-digit code telling when and where it was manufactured. Digits 1 and 2 are the year, 3 is the month (1 to 9, X, Y, Z), 4 is the week (1 to 5), 5 is the factory code (letter) and 6 is the factory number (numeral).
   
   The bad news is this model is no longer manufactured nor available as it was custom-made for Roland. The good news is there is a possible replacement from the same manufacturer. The model you need is DMF-51026 NYU-LY. Note that the replacement will be the backlight only. You'll have to reuse the mechanical parts of the sampler display.
   
   The replacement unit costs $33.79 + relevant tax and shipping (Jan. 03) but maybe more when bought from a retailer. To know where to buy it, go to the Optrex American website here, and click on 'products/graphic LCD' from the menu bar. Once you've find the entry for model DMF-51026, click on 'Stock'. This will show who has got a supply of that particular model. As I write, the only company listed worldwide that can supply one piece is Apollo Display Technologies LLC., whose website you can find here. However, they do not sell to end-users and they have no credit card payment facility so I was told to order from Digikey on 1-800-DIGI-KEY or +1 (218) 681 6674 for international users. Digikey have a website here where you can buy online. Maybe another of Optrex's distributors listed as having this component would agree to sell to end-users.
   
   I had a word with both UK and French distributors, and they need a minimum order of 100 units to sell you this particular model since it is not common. So I'm afraid it's end-users worlwide unite, and buy in the US, meaning extra shipping and potential customs duty!
   
   I am still looking into the possibility of getting a display from another manufacturer that would work when replacing the backlight unit.
   
   
   Getting the LCD/Backlight replaced
   
   There are two places who specialise in replacing the LCD display of electronic musical instruments. Both get good reports in several mailing lists.
   
   In the US:
   
   You can contact Telesis, P.O. Box 19015, Anaheim Hills, CA 92817, T/ +1 (714) 998 3001, F/ +1 (714) 998 3121. Website.
    http://www.telesisgear.com/


   In the UK:
   
   One company specialised in LCD/Backlights replacement for the music industry is Backlight UK, T/ +44 xxxxx. Email. They are currently reorganising their website.
   
http://www.midi-rakete.de/


bob parr

I just bought a brand new VG-8EX off eBay and when I turned it on, the screen's light turns on but doesn't seem to be showing anything. Is there any way to fix this? I have tried resetting it and replugging the AC adapter with no avail.

Elantric

QuoteI just bought a brand new VG-8EX off eBay

Actually you purchased a 17 year old 1998 VG-8EX - and electronics that age often need some maintenance.

Read all posts above to solve your problem.

chrish

#10
Reguarding the new old stock vg8 ex, is it possible that the screen contrast setting needs to be adjusted? edit to add. Since you can't view the screen to try this as a trouble shoot, just follow the button pushes outlined in the manual to get to the contrast settings page.

Piing

#11
I was about to purchase a VG-8 with several damaged lines at the display, but I've made a research of the display availability and I could not find any replacement at ebay or from the usual suppliers

There is one company "A.S.A.P. Semiconductor" that has it listed in stock at their webpage. I've requested a quotation, specifying that it is for personal use, to be shipped to Thailand, and for the replacement of a Roland VG-8 guitar processor, and now they are asking me all this:

What is the name of your company?
What is your company website?
Do you have an email address with a non-public domain?
Where are you located?
What is the country of end use?
Who is the end user for this?
What is the application/platform for this part?
NSN?
OEM?
Alt part numbers?
Next higher assembly part number?
End application? (What does it go on or go into?)
Target price?
Do you have IPC reference? CMM?

:o ???

Anyway, I have decided that I am not going to buy one of these old units for two reasons: the damaged display and the 110V power supply. The cost of replacing the display (if it were available), plus extra shipping expenses, and the transformer (I need 230V) may not be worth.

Headless68

its true - at this time it is just cheaper to buy another with a good screen (....and the right power supply for your area) - still selling for just over £100 / $100 for a good one, its a lot of kit for not a lot of £$

gumtown

Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

Piing

Quote from: gumtown on October 11, 2020, 01:39:04 PM
You can still find the part with a google search, but they are pricey compared to newer models

https://www.cafr.ebay.ca/itm/OPTREX-160x64-Full-Dot-Matrix-LCD-Display-Module-DMF-50374NYU-LY-1-Yellow-Yellow-/320998017537

I says  0 disponibles / 121 ventes réussies

It seems like someone someone did hoard them all