Hi all,

Some time ago, I asked you guys about touch panels. Now I've found a few, but it seems a lot of them are driven by so-called LVDS-interfaces. I had never heard of these kind of interfaces, up to now. It seems it's some kind of low-voltage interface especially built for touch panels which can also, apart from driving the display, deal with the taps on the screen.

Of course, now I need a motherboard that has an LVDS interface built in, so I can get this touch panel to work with it. This is no problem, I've already found such a motherboard. But my only question is: are all LVDS interfaces the same? In other words, if I buy a motherboard that has an LVDS interface on board, can I be sure it'll work with my touch panel? (like you can connect every DVI capable screen to every graphics card with DVI output?). I'm only asking because I'd hate to fry my touch panel is this were not the case.

Thanks!

Nobody? Anybody?

Bueller?

Not all LCDs have the same plug on them even if they do have a LVDS interface. There are also variations on LVDS etc...

Basically, its not quite that simple as DVI. Check the motherboard manual to see if there are any approved displays.

Damn. That's what I feared. But can you actually damage a panel by connecting it to an LVDS interface that's not 100% compatible?

Probably, yes. Especially if the screen and motherboard use different signalling voltages.

LVDS just means low voltage differential signaling anyway. I'm not sure who started the whole lets-name-all-internal-LCD-interfaces-LVDS idea but its a bit annoying. The actual protocol they use is FPD-Link, LDI or OpenLDI. I'm sure there are others as well which I've not heard before.

Hmmm... that's scary!
But fortunately I've learnt by now there's also another option. I've found touch panels that accept normal VGA or DVI, and the touch part is controlled by a regular RS-232 interface. Since the motherboard which I'm going to use ( Kontron Atom based board) also features several COM ports, this is probably the better and easier solution.

IMHO Elo are the best, the linux support is pretty good. I've got an Elo 1515L running with an Alix 3C3 eurocard sized solid state board running Ubuntu (with Mark's aufs patch) at work.

Elo is indeed very good (almost all pharmacists in the country here use their solutions), but I don't believe they make what I need. I need a couple of in-wall mount panel touch screens. (like this eg.). I've browsed the Elo site and I don't believe they have those in their range.

They have open-frame ones like this one. I'm sure you could just get a nice bezel made for it to suit.

Thanks a lot for that link! Why didn't I find that? The screen you're referring to (19") is a bit big to built into a wall, but this 12" screen looks just about perfect. Price is not too bas either. The way I read it, this screen even accepts USB as its input for the touch screen. I'll dig a little deeper before I draw my final conclusion, but this looks just about perfect! Thanks!

Looking at the specs the controller's dual format (serial and USB). If you're thinking about using KVM extenders then serial is probably the easiest and most reliable way of doing it. Most of the USB+VGA extenders I've tried appear to be a little hit and miss.

I won't be using any extenders. The idea is I will be building the motherboards in the walls as well, behind the panels. If anything, I need very short cables. But thanks for the consideration.

I really like the ELO panels. Too bad they only support VGA and no DVI. I think DVI might be better should I want to upgrade those panels in say ten years from now. Mabybe VGA won't be available by then any more...

Still, they are very nice panels, and their price is not bad either...

mmmm...Decisions, decisions!!

I think the bigger panels support DVI, I've got a 19 inch one that does.

Ok, update.
I've given your idea of using extenders some thought, and you're right: it would be easier to use extenders and keep the electronics in one centralised server area. This way it should be a lot easier for me if I wanted to upgrade the motherboards in the future. (I wouldn’t have to remove the panels every time, avoiding the risk of damaging the plaster on my walls)

I’m quite lucky in fact. For one panel I don’t even need an extender since I will be able to put the cables throught the wall (the server room is literaly behind the wall where that panel will come). This also has the advantage that, instead of having difficulties to mount the panel in a self-chisled alcove in the wall, I can actually make a hole in the wall and secure the panels from behind. The other panel upstairs will be built into a false wall, and will also be easily accessible from behind. I intend to get to the panel using RapidRun cables. (I stole that idea from Oliver in this post - I only hope it won't be too difficult to find them in Europe).


I immediately believe you when you say this, but 19" is just a *tad* too big to install inside a wall.