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Dashstudio USB Displays

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Wotever edited this page Jan 31, 2024 · 30 revisions

Introduction

SimHub supports various USB only displays,

  • VOCORE (4", 4.3" and 5")
  • USBD480-WQ40 (and most variations available on the market, except the outdated Z1 sim wheel display)
  • AX206 based lcd (only 3.5 model has been tested yet, but other models should work)
  • Turing Smart Screen (3.5" version only)

AX206 WARNING

AX206 is a hacked photoframe, meaning the firmware could vary and not work properly, Some variations have been found to miss the partial update command which makes them extremely slow (around 2FPS). Some not working at all.

Impossible to give a proper buy link for a "complete firmware" at this date as sellers have proved to be swapping AX206 with "complete firmware" and AX206 with "incomplete firmware" without any clear warning or informations.

Due to this gamble game sellers and manufacturers are inflicting us, you should only buy this screen in complete conscience of the risks ;)

On the known side about those incomplete variations, one of them is called "SmartCool", this variation does not support partial draws and will only do around 2FPS. Comparison of Smartcool (without partial refresh) and true AX206 firmware (with partial refresh) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U19ELsCJD_M

If your AX206 screen does not connects or keep connected, it could be due to one of those "incomplete" firmware variations

  • Unplug it
  • Disable partial draws option in simhub's screen options

image

  • Plug it back
  • If you are lucky ... it might work.

Where to buy ?

VOCORE

  • Vocore Screen : https://vocore.io/ (You only need the "Vocore Screen" as shown on the listing)

USBD480

AX206

No buy link see : https://github.com/SHWotever/SimHub/wiki/Dashstudio---USB-Displays/_edit#ax206-warning

Corsair nexus LCD

Turing Smart Screen

  • Turing Smart Screen (3.5" version only) (Aliexpress)

WARNING The turing smart screen is a Serial port based screen, which makes it a "low refresh rate" option, it works better with slow refresh rate content, or small refreh area, a whole screen refresh takes about 3s, but SimHub only sends changed regions, allowing to make it a viable option with the appropriate content.

Wiring

  • Make sure to use a data compatible cable, lot of them, usually randomly taken from the "scrap drawer", lacks of data line and won't work ;)
  • Vocore may not work with some 3.1 usb ports, try to switch to an usb2.0/3.0 port.
  • If you have display issues, check the cable quality, and make sure to route the cable away from EMI sources (motion, DD ...), A ferrite core can help in case of parasites "unfriendly" environment.
  • Restart Simhub after first display plug or after changing the usb port being used.

Configuration

  • Plug the screen with a good quality USB cable (make sure it has data lines)

  • Download and install the appropriate driver from this page (Corsair nexus does not require driver) : https://www.simhubdash.com/devices-driver-installation/

  • Restart simhub

  • Enable the appropriate kind of display in dashstudio :

image

  • Select a dashboard to be displayed

Tip : you can also choose the dashboard from the dashboard list run menu :

Advanced options

  1. USBD480 only : Allows to specify a specific screen to be connected based on it's serial number
  2. USBD480 only : Allows to reduce refresh rate in case of USB bandwidth issues.
  3. Allows to put the display upside down
  4. Allows to enable or disable the touchscreen behaviors (warning some USBD480 are not touch)
    • Warning USBD480 is a resistive touch, which makes it less sensible and the advanced touch mode may not be concincing on this model.
  5. Allows to specify a behaviour when the game is not running
    • Power off : the screen will be cleared and put at the minimum brightness
    • Idle dashboard : the screen will automatically switch to a specific dashboard when the game is not running.

AX206 Specific

Multiple screen support relies on the device serial number, on the models I had in hands this seems generated from the manufacturing date, it's eventually possible that those Ids are not unique preventing reliable multiple screen usage.

Vocore Specific

Sometimes the screen display can get misaligned, this can be due to emi,or voltage drop or anything causing parasites between the main vocore-board and the screen. When this happens simply unplug and plug back the screen. Unfortunately the manufacturer does not offer a software reset to workaround this situation.

Despite being the best bang for the bucks, the overall vocore screen reliability in intensive PC usage still has to be improved by the manufacturer.

If screen gets misaligned straight after plugging it a firmware update has been released by vocore : http://vonger.cn/misc/screen/v2touch-win64.zip (see readme available in firmware folder). NB : if you can't download the file copy and paste the url in a new browser tab, chrome and some other browsers now block http downloads in most conditions)

A few vocore model does not supports properly dynamic brightness change (it will turn dark), if it occurs to you make sure to restart the screen by disabling/enabling the device in SimHub.

Vocore testing

In order to test the screen outside of simhub you can download this archive : https://vocore.io/misc/v2scrctl-release.zip

  • Uncompress the file
  • Go inside the v2scrctl folder and start v2scrctl.exe
  • The screen should light up and display the vocore logo.

If the screen does not work with the manufacturer example

  • Make sure drivers are installed (it should be out of the box since SimHub V9)
  • Try to change the usb port (ideally remove any hub, try with an usb 2.0 port)
  • Try to change the usb cable
  • Check that there is no parasites around (DD...).
  • Avoid USB hubs if any are used to plug the screen

If it still does not work you can contact Vocore support at support@vocore.io

Screen and leds combinations

Since SimHub 9.1.1 "composite" devices (IE leds + screen) will only get screen connected until the correct LEDs are.

This is intended in order to help with device hot swapping, save resources, and ensure the correct device profile is being used.

As a side effect, In the case you are using a screen with the wrong profile or an outdated LED firmware the screen won't connect anymore.

How to detect it ?

  • LEDs shows as disconnected in the device "led" panel and screen won't connect anymore
  • The leds are still working (they are appearing as connected in "Arduino")
  • The device don't even have LEDs, but there is a "LEDS" tab inside the device in SimHub image

The most common cases:

  • GSI Formula Pro Elite (either USBD480 or VOCORE)

  • SimCore DS5

  • Grid DDU 10/DDU5

    • Make sure to have your firmware up to date using GRID race director

  • Chimaera Racing CR-5 (in opposition to "CR-5 Pro")

    • This device includes "arduino" LEDs and is not supported officially : make sure to use a "Generic Vocore screen" which won't expect the LEDs to be connected (see below).

  • Any other non officially listed devices :

    • If the seller/manufacturer provided you a device profile, please use it, if it does not work please contact the seller so they can provide you the appropriate device profile.
    • Any other cases : Please use a "standalone" "Generic Vocore screen" or "Generic USBD480 screen" (Statistically Vocore is the most common now) instead of a randomly picked device profile (see below).

How to add a "Generic VOCORE screen" or "Generic USBD480 screen"

  • Click on add device,
  • Type Generic in the search box
  • Pick either a "Generic Vocore Screen (4",4.3",5",6.8")" or the correct USBD480 variation ( with or without touch)
  • The screen will now connect with the new device profile image
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