Anyone Using Third-Party MIPI DSI Displays with SBCs?

Hi everyone,

I’m evaluating several display options for an embedded project and have noticed that many developers prefer HDMI because it is relatively straightforward to implement. However, for compact devices, MIPI DSI often seems to be the better choice due to lower power consumption, reduced cable requirements, and tighter system integration.

One thing I’m still trying to understand is how different SBC platforms handle custom DSI displays. In theory, if the display interface is DSI, the connection should be relatively simple. In practice, though, it appears that display drivers, panel timing, initialization sequences, and kernel support can make the process much more complicated.

For example, while researching Raspberry Pi display integration, I found that many setup guides spend more time discussing software configuration and compatibility than the actual physical connection. A technical explanation I read about Raspberry Pi DSI integration highlighted how important device tree configuration and panel support are when bringing up a new display module:
How to Connect Raspberry Pi to a DSI Display?
This made me wonder whether the experience is similar on Khadas boards.

For those who have worked with custom MIPI DSI panels:

  • Which Khadas board are you using?
  • Did you need to modify drivers or device trees?
  • Are there particular display controllers that are easier to support?
  • How much effort was required compared to an HDMI solution?

I’d be interested in hearing about real-world experiences before finalizing the display architecture for the project.

Thanks!

@Alan12 ,
Hello, may I ask what system you plan to run on the SBC? Linux or Android?
All our SBC boards support MIPI display interfaces, and we also officially offer pre-tested 5-inch and 10-inch screens. When selecting a screen, the hardware interface must match that of our SBC board to be compatible—this is something you need to pay special attention to.
If the interface matches, you only need to modify the DTS, adjust the panel parameters, and rebuild the system.