This post serves to show the history of Project: Spectrum, a monitor being developed by Eve and its community.
A history of Project: Spectrum
2019
February
- We sent out polls through our forums and an external survey site to decide on our next projects. Over two-thousand people respond!
March
- Based on inquiries with our supply chain and the survey results we picked monitors as one of four categories to pursue.
- We kicked off the project by trying to find our what is most important in a monitor. What is the purpose of our product and which features and specs does it need?
April
- Since we can’t have everything (at least not without breaking the bank), there are trade-offs with any product. So which trade-offs are we willing to make?
- Based on meetings with a number of manufacturers, we’ve listed and discussed a number of available display panels
May
- Something needs to keep the screen in place, and different monitors have different stands. So we discussed what our stand should be like. We also asked about the need for integrated speakers.
- Wanting to actually connect things to the monitor, we need ports. So we discussed the available options to make sure Spectrum has all the ports it needs.
- The idea of open-source firmware comes up, and we start looking into what it can do for our users.
- In an extensive post, we reveal what’s been decided so far based on community feedback. Among other things we lock down the display panel to use, stand adjustments, and some of the ports.
June
- A visit to the manufacturer yields many new specifications and a look into the factory.
- Over the course of a few hours, Konstantinos answers a bunch of community questions about the project, and adds others to a list to be discussed with our partners.
- Industrial design pops up for the first time, as we discuss what kind of design features are or aren’t important.
August
- We’re getting a pretty good handle on the specifications, though a lot of things still need to be discussed with the manufacturer.
- Our design partner Propeller has come up with initial design directions, giving the first ideas of what our monitor could look like.
September
- More time with our manufacturer lets us confirm more specs, including a few more ports and requested features.
- Based on user feedback, the initial design directions have been refined into actual 3D-rendered design concepts. Discussion about the looks of Spectrum intensifies!
October
- The response to the design concepts has been overwhelming, and raised some follow-up questions from the designers.
- Based on the heaps of feedback, Propeller went to work designing a final concept, which took some back-and-forth.
- A few more features were confirmed and updated.
November
- After some time where the team was hard at work behind the scenes, the first illustrations of the new design were released.
December
- The design team wants the monitor to look amazing. The manufacturing team wants to be able to actually manufacture and assemble it. After much discussion, measuring, adjusting, researching, checking, and adjusting some more, the industrial design was finally locked down.
2020
January
- After a period without news, suddenly there is lots! A big announcement revealed the final design, product name, estimated launch dates, launch prices, pre-sales… Oh, and instead of one, there are now three awesome panels to choose from!
February
- More specifications of the two new models are revealed, as well as an exhaustive FAQ.
- We take a deeper dive into the OSD, looking into what features should be in it and how it might be navigated.
April
- Much has happened behind the scenes, and we reveal the first sneak peek of the new bezel-less design.
May
- A new update shows off the improved design for the 240Hz and 4K models, as well as an updated array of ports for Spectrum.
- With an updated design and updated features, it’s time for an updated FAQ.
June
- With the monitor in the hands of the electrical engineers, we take a look at what else you might want on your desk to complement Spectrum.
July
- We whittle down the list of accessories, and make sure that we’re looking for the right things.
August
- A major milestone is reached, as the first Spectrum prototype is assembled, and Spectrum turns on for the first time!
- With a new milestone, comes an updated array of information about Spectrum…
September
- We inspected the first batch of Spectrum prototypes and provided constructive feedback to our manufacturer to improve Spectrum.
- Our project manager @Kira introduced Project: Spectrum’s timeline, detailing what is being finalized in each project stages.
October
- After worked hard behind the scenes, we kicked off the final tooling, developed packaging, and advanced firmware.
- The first generation of hard tooling was put in use to mold Spectrum’s enclosure. We also teased progress in OSD development and revealed long-lead-time component orders.
November
- Spectrum stand’s hard tooling was implemented, and we were exploring a safe stand packaging and performing more tests on Spectrum. We also proudly showed-off our community wallpapers on new samples.
- We took our community on a virtual journey to our factory where Spectrum’s box will be assembled. Spectrum printed circuit board (PCB) development samples improved and passed more tests. So far, we have tested gaming on Spectrum with various devices and will continue to test its compatibility with even more.
- It’s time to show our progress on the monitor’s and stand’s box so far! We focussed on three main criteria: safety, user experience, and your request for a sustainable solution.
December
- After putting the fourth generation of Spectrum tooling into use, we reviewed new development samples. These samples resolved most of the CMF and tolerance imperfections found in previous samples, and we were ready to improve them further based on the new findings.
- We shipped out a handful of new samples to the press and a few of your favorite reviewers. In addition to that, our China team has expanded and come together to make Spectrum better and offer higher quality pictures and videos to our community.
- How we get to making those samples on the assembly lines? The first step is to lock down the operators’ procedures. With in-text images and footage, you can see the mini build in action.
January
- Third-party hands-on of development samples was out! We were glad to have these objective views on our progress so far.
- We gave our community an in-depth introduction to Spectrum’s firmware and its current status. The team was concentrated on implementing more features and ironing out existing issues.
- During a factory tour to our stand manufacturer, we put our camera on and went in-depth on the testing equipment and how individual stand parts are put together on the line.
- Our project report brought an extensive update on the hardware and firmware status.
- Based on findings of the mini build, we optimized our monitor assembly line and zoomed into details while Spectrum prototypes were being assembled on the line.
- We explored various joystick cap directions that will potentially increase its functionality. At the same time, our team paid great attention to meaningful tolerance details and received improvement feedback from our manufacturer. We also asked the community for the inner protective bag folding direction they prefer.
February
- The OSD and firmware received a significant update that implemented many essential features.
- As the team shapes up Spectrum’s warranty terms, we had some open questions to our community about the kind of warranty terms they are looking for.
- Spectrum On The Line series was concluded by a step-by-step guide of how Spectrum prototypes were tested after the overnight burn-in.
- Spectrum has passed about half of the planned reliability and endurance tests. With the help of our customers, we made noticeable progress on Spectrum’s localization. We decided to use the “boilable” Cashew paint for Spectrum’s housing.
March
- In a voice-over video, we repaired a damaged unit, updated the firmware, and took a look at how our newly refurbished prototype behaves.
- The entry for becoming a community Spectrum tester has been opened!
- The balance payment preliminary information brought insight into the payment process.
- We surveyed the community on their use cases of the Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) for developing a test standard for a feature under exploration.
- Spectrum’s warranty draft is here! In addition to that, we provided shipping estimates for the main regions, and emphasized the significance of reviews in writing a valid community tester entry.
- We took the time to look into your questions regarding the balance payment for Spectrum, and have gathered the answers into a structured FAQ.
- An updated Specs & FAQs is released!
April
- You can pick the test item you would like to see from future community testers to help us decide on their selection!
- We have HDMI2.1, 100W charging, and user-upgradeable firmware working on our prototypes. Soon, development samples will be shipped out to third-party labs to ensure everything works as it should.
- The team members in China have been hands on to ensure Spectrum does what it is supposed to do. We made a voice-over video to give you another peek behind the scenes.
May
- Our China team enjoyed gaming on Spectrum during the Labor Day holiday, while the firmware team delivered three consecutive firmware updates focusing on bug fixes for factory command and various OSD items.
- We captured the moment when the monitor box artwork is printed for the first time in the factory.