# The Spark Gap - Episode 31

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2015-04-22
- Length: 52m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-31

## Summary

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss the evolution and pitfalls of embedded displays, ranging from basic LEDs and 7-segment units to character LCDs, graphical displays, and TFTs. They highlight the high cost, power consumption, and supply chain instability of modern screens, noting that many are obsolete cast-offs from cell phones. Carl argues that for many products, using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to display data on a user's phone is a more viable and cost-effective alternative than integrating a dedicated screen.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=0) Introduction and Basic LED Displays
- [4:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=267) 7-Segment Displays and Decoders
- [8:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=495) LED Matrix Displays
- [12:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=733) Character LCDs and the HD44780 Controller
- [24:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=1448) Graphical LCDs and Nokia 5110 Legacy
- [32:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=1973) TFT LCDs and Supply Chain Nightmares
- [42:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31#t=2527) Alternatives: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Tablets

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Arduino (company)
- Digiki (company)
- Spark Fun (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- Nokia 5110 (product)
- HD44780 (chip)
- WaveShare (company)
- Chumby (product)
- Deal Extreme (company)
- Seeed Studio (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Sipping Coulombs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-04-23-sipping-coulombs) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Endless Y2K](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-23-the-endless-y2k) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Custodial Arts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-08-21-the-custodial-arts) (The Amp Hour)
- [Once Every Couple Months](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-07-23-once-every-couple-months) (The Amp Hour)
- [eReaders, datasheets & board assembly - Yearly Yeasty Yapping](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-12-18-ereaders-datasheets-board-assembly-yearly-yeasty-yapping) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-04-22-the-spark-gap-episode-31. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Spark Gap.