Tatung VS-14428 / Merit Type-58 touchscreen...

[blueznl]

Got my hands on two touch-screens...

This is the second one, a Tatung VGA Monitor Type 58, according to the label. The controller looks to be a 3M SMT-3 MicroTouch, with a 'resistive' front panel. Where the Elo screen was 'factory fitted' this one appears to be 'user mounted', at least that's what the documentation on the 3M website indicates, and I'm pretty sure that's the case as the touch screen glass plate is currently NOT attached to the monitor but laying next to it :-) (Not as durable as the Elo I found, but good enough for home use, I guess.) Nice part: it's a bit larger than the Elo..

I *think* I've found the drivers for the 3M controller on the 3M web site, but haven't found the specs for the screen yet. This time I do not know what it was connected to, so that's a thing to find out. I'm also not that sure about the accuracy of the touch screen (didn't try this one yet).

Hints and tips welcome!

[Ken Layton]

"Type 58" means it definitely came out of a Merit Industries (www.meritind.com) "Megatouch" series countertop touchscreen game. Merit assigned type numbers to the monitor since they used so many different makes and models to keep up with production quotas on these very popular machines. The actual monitor model is a Tatung VS-14428.

www.tatungusa.com phone 1-800-827-2850. Monitor islisted on their site as open frame (kiosk) type.

Merit supplied these monitors with a glass Mictotouch touchscreen taped &glued to the face of the monitor tube.

[blueznl]

Thanks, I did find a label 'Meritind' on the thing as well. And you're right, the thing is exactly as you describe. So 640x480 it is... Unless...

I'm just a bit surprised at the 14" dimensions, as it's bigger I think (perhaps even 19"). I'll have to measure the thing when I return to the storage.

Is there a place where I can find a list which shows me Merit numbers?

[Ken Layton]

Then you might have a 19" monitor for a Megatouch upright cabinet. Merit has excellent troubleshooting/reference/info on the tech section of their site. Check out the FAQ there too and the 2006 tech update.

[blueznl]

I can get my hands on a number of them (I got one now, just didn't test it properly yet). Worth to get a second one? Looks like an interesting base for a Mame machine using a touchscreen. I've always been in love with touchscreens...

[Ken Layton]

Be forewarned that tech support at Tatung is not good. Every time I needed some help from them, I could never get anyone that spoke English! Plus when I got someone in the front office they charged me $20 for one schematic (a bad photocopy too) that I could get at Merit's website for free (a great copy). One thing to be aware of is to never power this monitor up without having the remote adjustment board connected as major damage will be done to the monitor. When the monitor works though, it has a great picture.

[blueznl]

Well, if it's a language problem, they can talk chinese for all I care... (My wife is  ) The screen appears to be 600x480, which is a bit surprising for such a large unit, but it matches the specs of the VS-14428 and is good enough for Mame. Screen is clear and burn-in free, so this one is going to find some use.

Think I got it now covered screenwise, just wondering about the controller, but first I need to have another good look at that Elo. Once I've figured out that screen I'll get back to this one and work on the controller side. No trackballs on my cabinets, only fingerpointing