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    #1

    Lifespan of VFD displays

    Does anybody know what the average lifespan is for VFD (vacuum-flourescent display) displays? I ordered one of these for my PC:

    http://www.amazon.com/Antec-30125-El.../dp/B001B8Y09C

    It's a rebadged Soundgraph iMON VFD. I wanted it mostly for the remote it comes with, but it also has a pretty cool-looking VFD that can display all sorts of things.

    It comes with a ATX pass-through harness:


    It can draw from +5vsb to keep the display on while the computer is off and show the time. As useless as this may sound, I think it's kinda cool and would like the leave the feature enabled.

    This is where my question comes in. This computer will stay in service for at least 10 years. If I leave the VFD on 24/7 will it get really dim in a year or two, or do these things last?
    Attached Files
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    #2
    Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

    depends on the quality of the vfd.
    i still see 30+ year old sony,mitutoyo,and newall dro's with good vfd's.this is with heavy use.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

      So are you just making your computer more interesting or is this a media center?
      Is that a Shuttle or just your PC on its side?

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

        I've got an old VCR here, not sure of the age but it's branded National rather than Panasonic. (the National name was dropped in 1988)

        Its VFD still works, maybe slightly dimmer but it's working fine. In fact if anything it's probably the power supply rather than the VFD itself.

        And that's with pretty much 24\7 use!


        But I bet you the new el-cheapo made-in-China ones won't last nearly that long.
        "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
        -David VanHorn

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

          The made in China units will use LED displays. VFD's are more expensive to manufacture.

          I still prefer the look of a VFD to an LED display any day though. LED displays look cheap and cheesy. Especially the ones with large digits on cheaper equipment they always seem to be too bright and harsh on the eyes. Unlike the muted glow of a VFD.

          Decently priced name brand electronics manufacturers still use VFDs.
          Last edited by Krankshaft; 12-12-2010, 04:43 AM.
          Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

            I seem to prefer the Futaba VFDs.
            My first choice in quality Japanese electrolytics is Nippon Chemi-Con, which has been in business since 1931... the quality of electronics is dependent on the quality of the electrolytics.

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

              I never really thought about it but aren't VFDs basically really complex nixie tubes?
              Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                If it's a true VFD then probably, but a lot of what I've seen advertised as VFD displays seems to actually be LED/LCD matrix displays.
                .
                Nixie tubes are old tech and inefficient - but very cool!
                Used to use a Nixie Tube Freq Counter that had something over 12 digits.
                Was fun to watch it hunt for the Frequency.
                .
                Last edited by PCBONEZ; 12-12-2010, 09:19 AM.
                Mann-Made Global Warming.
                - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
                -
                Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
                - Dr Seuss
                -
                You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                -

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                  That Antec iMon display is definitely VFD though. My friend has one.
                  "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                  -David VanHorn

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                    The picture I posted isn't mine, it's a picture I grabbed from a review. Mine doesn't arrive for a few days. It is an early Christmas present from me to myself. I'd also like to upgrade my stock intel 775 cooler to a nice Artic Cooling or Zalman model and add 2 more HDDs but that's a story for another day.

                    It is definitely a VFD, I made very sure before I ordered it. I have always loved the look of a VFD, there is something about that blue/green glow that I really like. When I found out I could add one to my PC while also adding a media center remote, I knew I had to have it.

                    Thanks for the info guys. I think I will leave the 24/7 feature disabled as I'm sure the VFD is a cheap China unit and not a nice Japanese one. VFD seems to be dying out and if this thing wears out two or three years down the road I won't be able to replace it. Might as well make this one last instead.

                    Krankshaft I agree, I also dislike cheesy LCD displays and those weird newer LED displays. VFD is far classier.
                    Last edited by weirdlookinguy; 12-12-2010, 07:56 PM.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                      It came in today, I just got it installed a few hours ago. The actual VFD is a Samsung unit. Anybody know if they are good?

                      Here are a few pics (it's hard to get a good one of a VFD!). The media center remote is boss.

                      Attached Files

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                        What exactly do those things display?

                        I've thought of using one for a HTPC but for the life of me I can't think of anything useful they display that isn't already on-screen in the TV set.
                        .
                        Mann-Made Global Warming.
                        - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
                        -
                        Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
                        - Dr Seuss
                        -
                        You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                        -

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                          With the right programs and plugins you can display pretty much anything...

                          My friend uses his to notify him of new emails, for example (among other things)

                          You can also make a VU meter or spectrum analyzer graph, display CPU temperature, filesystem usage... you probably aren't going to get those on screen in your HTPC software
                          "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                          -David VanHorn

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                            I would be more concerned about driver unit dying than the display itself. They can last a very long time. Have one on the kitchen stove and it is on 24/7 for 5 years or so now.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                              I still have VFD's and Numitrons in great working condition which are from the late 60's and early 70's. They are used 24/7 to display information about the RPM's of a wire-rod mill from 1964. Cleaning the glass once a year is enough to keep them going. Had a dead driver once and replaced it and the unit was working again. But i don't know how today's quality is, I susspect it's lower like everything else in the world of electronics ...
                              Last edited by Captain_Crash; 12-20-2010, 03:53 PM.

                              Comment

                                #16
                                Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                                Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I have seen a VFD with wear on certain segments on a DVR which is about 4 years old.
                                Attached Files
                                My first choice in quality Japanese electrolytics is Nippon Chemi-Con, which has been in business since 1931... the quality of electronics is dependent on the quality of the electrolytics.

                                Comment

                                  #17
                                  Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                                  Is it Made in China High Quality?
                                  "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                                  -David VanHorn

                                  Comment

                                    #18
                                    Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                                    Originally posted by Agent24 View Post
                                    Is it Made in China High Quality?
                                    It was made in China.
                                    My first choice in quality Japanese electrolytics is Nippon Chemi-Con, which has been in business since 1931... the quality of electronics is dependent on the quality of the electrolytics.

                                    Comment

                                      #19
                                      Re: Lifespan of VFD displays

                                      I don't have access to them anymore to get brand or country of origin but I've seen a fair number of microwaves there the VFD was shot in under 10 years of continuous use, with a black residue accumulation over one area under the glass. One of the microwave brands was Sharp, IIRC.

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