Streacom VU1 Dynamic Analogue Dials
* Will be available mid-May 2024. Now accepting preorders to be shipped upon arrival.
Moving coil dials are nothing new, they have been around since the invention of galvanometer devices in the 1800s and are more commonly associated with audio equipment in the era of analogue audio where it was used to represent volume (hence VU, Volume Unit). What makes this kind of display appealing is its mechanical motion, a connection to the physical world, unlike something like an OLED screen that resides in the virtual.
Developed in collaboration with Saša Karanović, the VU1 is a modern take on this retro display technology. What makes the VU1 different from other dials is the inclusion of an e-ink display that transforms what would be a dedicated and singular application device into something far more versatile. For those unfamiliar, e-ink displays are commonly used in e-readers and give a ‘paper-like’ experience as they have high contrast and don’t emit any light. Using this as the dial face allows it to be repurposed on the fly, changing the units and graduations to represent entirely different metrics.
In addition to the moving coil and e-ink, we have included RGB lighting but unlike its typical superfluous inclusion on almost everything PC related, these have a practical function. As e-ink displays are passive (don’t emit any light), they can’t be viewed in total darkness, so the RGB is used to provide illumination to the dial face and provide an extra color-based dial value indicator.
Powering the VU1 is a robust open-source platform that has been designed from the ground up to be easy to implement so that support can be natively added to virtually any application. Rather than try to develop a parallel or competing application for every possible use case (which would also be impossible), we provide the Server App that acts as the gateway. With the use of industry-standard REST API, 3rd party developers and the community we help grow will create new and innovative uses for the dials.
A separate website dedicated to the VU1, 3rd party integration, community plugins and a discussion/support forum available at vudials.com
The VU1 is housed in a 55mm cube, machined from extruded aluminum and finished with our signature sandblasted & anodized surface giving it a premium look and solid feel. There are two types of device, a HUB and a DIAL and whilst they share the same design and construction, the HUB features an additional USB port for connectivity to the device that will be supplying power and data, e.g. your PC or Raspberry Pi.
Features
- Dynamic - Everything about the face can be instantly changed thanks to the e-ink display.
- The VU1 has a premium look and solid feel.
- Simple and scalable connectivity.
- Stack, stand or mount. Non-slip strips on bottom, rear panel M3 threaded mount, angled feet included.
Specifications
| Streacom VU1 Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Materials | All aluminum enclosure, glass panel | |
| Weight | 180g each dial excluding cable/stand | |
| E-Ink Display | Monochrome 1.5" 200x144 188dp | |
| Responsiveness | 50-200ms Bus update time: e-ink update is 5-8 sec / dial | |
| Ports | USB & VCB Type-C Connectors. USB2.0 and VCB protocols | |
| Cables | Included HUB: 1.2m Type-A to C - DIAL: 0.3c Type-C to C | |
| Materials | Fully configurable RBG dial face illumination | |
| MAX Dials | 32 / HUB - Limited by USB current supply | |
| Fixture | Rear Panel M3 Threaded Mount - Angled Feet Included | |
| Materials | All aluminum enclosure, glass panel | |
| Starter Kit Contents | 1 X HUB + 3 X DIAL, 1 X 1USB Type-A to C cable (HUB to PC), 3 X USB Type-C to C cables (DIAL to DIAL) | |
| Single DIAL Contents | 1 X DIAL, 1 X USB Type-C to C cables (DIAL to DIAL) | |
Please note: The VU1 HUB as stand alone item is not currently available, but should be soon. The VU1 HUB is included in the STARTER KIT. It is important to understand that the singular VU1 DIALS cannot be connected to your PC without the VU1 HUB. The singular DIALs are for customers who already have a VU1 HUB and want to add another display.
For additional detailed information please visit: Streacom website.
Additional VU1 Product Information VU1 Dials
If you are a reseller or a system builder we offer special pricing on bulk orders of this product. Contact us at sales@quietpcusa.com or call Toll Free (877) 205-2020 for more information.
