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Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: happypyro on June 04, 2005, 07:36:31 am

Title: Is this really a touch screen?
Post by: happypyro on June 04, 2005, 07:36:31 am

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here might know a thing or two about touch screens? I bought a used touch screen crt expecting there to be a serial connector on the back and expecting to determine touchscreen manufacturer for drivers but, there is no serial connector and i cant figure out who manufactured the touch interface - or is it even a touch screen? Seller knows very little other than it came from a kiosk in a grocery store. There are a bunch of pc boards inside but this is the first time ive seen inside a computer monitor to know if all monitors have these boards. The actual monitor is a hitachi. also, there are 8 small pins on the back (pins like a usb or power led connections on a mobo) without any labling.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Is this really a touch screen?
Post by: Ken Layton on June 04, 2005, 10:45:54 am

Apparently you don't have a touch screen glass or a touch screen controller. Touch screens are usually bonded, glued, or strongly taped to the monitor face glass. Your pictures show no touch screen glass.

The two major manufacturers of touch screens are Microtouch (good) and ELO (bad). Every touch screen manufacturer uses a proprietary controller board for use with their own products only. In other words an ELO controller will not work with a Microtouch glass and vice versa. Generally though all touch screen controllers output a serial signal.

Merit Industries (www.meritind.com) is the best manufacturer of the commercial game route operator's Megatouch countertop games you see in taverns. I believe their tech support and FAQ pages detail & explain operation of touchscreens and controllers.

Title: Re: Is this really a touch screen?
Post by: happypyro on June 04, 2005, 05:04:36 pm

Thanks for the info.  Had a feeling this wasnt complete.

Title: Re: Is this really a touch screen?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 06, 2005, 10:01:32 am

Quote from: Ken Layton on June 04, 2005, 10:45:54 am

The two major manufacturers of touch screens are Microtouch (good) and ELO (bad).

I've never had any problems with my Elo. It's always worked perfectly.

Title: Re: Is this really a touch screen?
Post by: Ken Layton on June 06, 2005, 10:32:08 am

I know from experience that ELO touchscreens don't hold up to commercial use. That's why Merit industries only used them as a secondary supplier on their Megatouch games. It was rare to have a Microtouch glass failure, but the ELO ones were failing left and right.

Title: Re: Is this really a touch screen?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 06, 2005, 02:20:43 pm

Oh, I'm not sure mine has ever seen a day of commercial use.