Has anyone here used FTDI FT800 "EVE" chips?

[bigtoy]

I'm thinking of using the FTDI FT800 EVE chip, for driving a low-cost 4.3" LCD.

https://www.ftdichip.com/Products/ICs/FT800.html

Yes I know there are microcontrollers (like some of the STM32 series) which contain in-built graphics controllers. But this project is an upgrade to an existing product, so we have to stick with the micro we currently have, and that micro doesn't contain a graphics controller. Hence the interest in using this chip.

Has anyone here used it?  If so, any comments?

Thanks.

[Checksum8]

Mikroelektronika has a lots of code examples for FTDI graphics chips. They also have displays and modules that use these drivers. I have not used FT800, when I found the Nextion displays I decided to not pursue the FTDI route.

The Nextion displays have a built in graphics controller. They are easy to add to existing systems. Great for user interfaces not meant for video type applications. I guess it would depend on your price point?

[bigtoy]

Mikroelektronika has a lots of code examples for FTDI graphics chips. They also have displays and modules that use these drivers. I have not used FT800, when I found the Nextion displays I decided to not pursue the FTDI route.

The Nextion displays have a built in graphics controller. They are easy to add to existing systems. Great for user interfaces not meant for video type applications. I guess it would depend on your price point?

Thanks for that. I hadn't looked at the Nextion displays, but now you mentioned it I took a look. They are a bit expensive - $44 for the 4.3" version. That would be OK for prototypes, but not for production. The FT800 is around $4 - $5, and we have a 4.3" touchscreen display we use in another product, that we buy in volume for less than $12.
https://www.buydisplay.com/default/tft-4-3-inch-lcd-module-touchscreen-display-for-mp4-gps-480x272
Price-wise the FT800+LCD makes for a reasonable solution.

I'll check out the Mikroelektronika examples.

[Checksum8]

The draw back to the Mikroe code examples. They rely on closed source and compiled in libraries. So you're stuck with their compiler.

This might help for your prototype
https://www.mikroe.com/eve-click

[bigtoy]

Thought I would close off this thread. We ended up doing the project using the FT800 chip and a 4.3" display. It turned out pretty fantastic; the FT800 works really well. I'd like to use it again for more products.

[bobcat1]

Hi

This controller is fine when you want to develop an ARM or RISC-V core for processing algorithm and not using the main controller for display operation.

Just search google with "FT800 github" found About 4,640 result of source code for this controller

All the best

Bobi

[nykt]

The FT800 is a great chip.
It makes it possible to display an overwhelmingly large amount of information on embedded devices that use low-cost microcomputers that could only be connected to 7-segment LED or 16x2 LCDs.
I'm using this module in multiple projects.
https://www.hotmcu.com/5-graphical-lcd-touchscreen-480x272-spi-ft800-p-124.html

[bigtoy]

Since my original post I've used the FT800 in a project at work, which is now shipping to customers. It's a great chip, I've enjoyed using it, and I'd be happy to use it again.