What kind of display can be used as a Raspberry Pi screen?

All Raspberry Pi models come with HDMI ports. So, in simple terms, you can hook up pretty much any computer monitor or TV to use as a Raspberry Pi display. But a lot of folks don’t realize just how many options are out there. A Raspberry Pi screen can be something basic like a standard flat display, or it could be as unique as a tiny 2-inch e-paper, a smart mirror, a car computer screen, a narrow strip display, a sharp “retina” display, or even something wild like a tridiminished rhombicosidodecahedron.

That said, the most popular choices for Raspberry Pi screens are usually small 7-inch or 10-inch LCD displays with touchscreen features. They strike a nice balance between being easy to carry, a decent size, and fun to interact with.

The Official Raspberry Pi Screen

The very first official screen made for the Raspberry Pi is known as the Raspberry Pi Touch Display. This screen is a 7-inch touchscreen with support for 10-point capacitive touch. It’s perfect for small, portable projects or anything that needs user interaction.

What makes the Raspberry Pi Touch Display different from other screens is how it connects. Instead of using GPIO pins or HDMI, it plugs in through the DSI port. Plus, its adapter board takes care of signal changes and power needs without any extra tweaks.

Another cool thing is that the Raspberry Pi OS already has touchscreen drivers built in. These support the 10-point touch feature and even include an on-screen keyboard. So, you can use all its functions without needing an external keyboard or mouse.

Raspberry Pi Touch Display Specification

Display size (diagonal): 7 inches
Display format: 800 (RGB) × 480 pixels
Active area: 154.08mm × 85.92mm
Touch panel: True multi-touch capacitive touch panel with up to 10 points of absolution
LCD type: TFT, normally white, transmissive
Surface treatment: Anti-glare
Color configuration: RGB-stripe
Backlight type: LED B/L
Production lifetime: The capacitive touch display will remain in production for at least until January 2028 (according to the obsolescence statement)

Price of the Raspberry Pi Touch Display

The cost of the Raspberry Pi Touch Display usually falls between $60 and $75.

What to look for in your next Raspberry Pi screen

Compatibility and Connectivity

HDMI is the go-to connection for most Raspberry Pi screens. But you can also link up almost any screen using a DSI port, USB, or GPIO pins. Don’t forget to check the power needs of the screen too. You want to make sure it works smoothly with your Raspberry Pi setup.

Screen size

Depending on what you’re doing, you might want a super tiny 1.5-inch screen or something big enough for a digital signage video wall. It all depends on your project.

Screen shape

You can find screens in all sorts of shapes like square, triangular, or round, and everything else in between. Odd shapes can be great for special designs in built-in projects.

Screen resolution

The most common resolution for Raspberry Pi screens is Full HD or 1080p (1920×1080 pixels). Just a heads-up, though, both Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 400 can handle two monitors at once with a sharp 4K resolution.

Monitor Refresh Rate

A basic 60Hz refresh rate is fine for most stuff. But if you’re into gaming or fast-moving videos, a higher refresh rate can make things look smoother and more enjoyable.

Touchscreen Functionality (Resistive touch vs Capacitive touch)

Capacitive touchscreens are the kind you see on phones and laptops. They need something conductive, like your finger, to work. They’re quick, accurate, and can handle multiple touches at once. On the other hand, resistive touchscreens work by pressing down with anything, even a glove. But they’re not as good with multi-touch.

Type of LCD Display (TFT vs IPS)

An IPS TFT LCD gives you a wide viewing angle, up to 178 degrees. That means the colors and clarity stay great no matter where you’re looking from. It also saves power and lasts a long time, making IPS a solid pick for ongoing use. Meanwhile, TFT screens are cheaper and work fine if viewing angles aren’t a big deal.

Additional Features

Some screens come with neat extras like built-in speakers, audio outputs, cameras, light sensors, or GPIO pins. Think about how you’ll mount the screen based on what your project needs.

Uses of a Raspberry Pi screen

Learning and Education

Raspberry Pi screens are popping up in schools as handy tools for teaching. They help students learn coding and computer skills with an easy-to-use visual setup.

Video Games

Hook your Raspberry Pi to a screen and a joystick, load up a retro gaming emulator, and jump back in time with old-school arcade games. It’s a blast!

Build a compact media center

Turn your Raspberry Pi screen into a small media hub. Use it as a digital photo frame, an internet radio display, or even a touchscreen for real-time weather updates.

DIY Home automation

Use a Raspberry Pi screen as a control panel to watch and manage smart (IoT) devices around your home in real time. It’s super handy.

Car infotainment system

With stuff like music playback, Bluetooth, and GPS navigation, you can build a budget-friendly entertainment system for your car.

Smart Mirrors

Turn a Raspberry Pi screen into a smart mirror that shows weather updates. It’s both useful and looks futuristic.

Digital Signage

Thanks to its low cost and great performance, Raspberry Pi is a top choice for digital signage. It’s one of the most common uses out there today.

Using a Raspberry Pi Screen for Digital Signage

Using Raspberry Pi screens for digital signage is a smart, cheap way for businesses to show lively content. By setting up a Raspberry Pi screen for this, you get tons of options for places like shops, eateries, or schools.

All you need besides the hardware is good software. Yodeck supports screen resolution up to 4K, so it fits any kind of screen nicely.

FAQ (häufig gestellte Fragen)

Can I use any monitor with my Raspberry Pi?
Yes. As long as it has an HDMI input or works with compatible adapters.

Do I need special drivers?
Most Raspberry Pi screens have drivers already in the RPi OS. Just double-check compatibility before you buy.

What’s better: Capacitive or Resistive touch?
Capacitive is more precise with multi-touch. Resistive works with more input types like gloves or styluses.

Can I build my own custom display solution?
Yes! Companies like Kadi Display offer custom LCM/TP/PCBA services to match your project’s needs.

Looking for a Raspberry Pi Screens Manufacturer: Contact Kadi Display

If you’re after top-notch Raspberry Pi screens made to your exact needs—whether it’s a special shape, brightness tweak, or built-in CTP modules—Kadi Anzeige has you covered with full solutions.

With over 20 years in the display business, Kadi Display owns a factory bigger than 5,000 square meters and a skilled R&D team for signal adapter boards. They also provide lots of custom options, including housing integration.Contact Kadi Display NOW for best offering.