are lcd touch screen controls better than glass touch controls pricelist

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LCD (liquid crystal display) is the technology used for displays in notebook and other automated industry computers. It is also used in screens for mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Like light-emitting diode (LED) and gas-plasma technologies, LCDs allow displays to be much thinner than cathode ray tube (CRT) technology. LCDs consume much less power than LED and gas-display displays because they work on the principle of blocking light rather than emitting it.

Each LCD touch screen monitor contains a matrix of pixels that display the image on the screen. Early LCDs screen had passive-matrix screens, which controlled individual pixels by sending a charge to their row and column. Since a limited number of electrical charges could be sent each second, passive-matrix screens were known for appearing blurry when images moved quickly on the screen.

Modern LCDs display typically use active-matrix technology, which contains thin film transistors, or TFTs touch screen. These transistors include capacitors that enable individual pixels to "actively" retain their charge. Therefore, the active-matrix LCDs touch panel are more efficient and appear more responsive than passive-matrix displays.

The backlight in liquid crystal display provides an even light source behind the LCD screen. This light is polarized, meaning only half of the light shines through to the liquid crystal layer.

The liquid crystals are made up of a part solid, part liquid substance that can be "twisted" by applying an electrical voltage to them. They block the polarized light when they are off, but reflect red, green, or blue light when activated.

The touchscreen panel a display device that senses physical touch by a person’s hands or fingers, or by a device such as a stylus, and then performs actions based on the location of the touch as well as the number of touches.

Touch screen glass can be quite useful as an alternative to a mouse or keyboard for navigating a graphical user interface. Touch screens are used on a variety of devices such as computer and laptop displays, smartphones, tablets, cash registers, and information kiosks.

A touch-screen digitizer is one piece in a multilayered "sandwich." In modern devices, the screen that produces the images is found at the bottom layer; the digitizer is a transparent sheet that occupies a middle layer on top of the screen, and a thin sheet of hard, protective glass forms the top layer.

Touching the screen triggers touch sensors immediately under your fingertip; a specialized electronic circuit receives signals from these sensors and converts them into a specific location on the screen as X and Y coordinates. The circuit sends the location to software that interprets the touch and location according to the app you"re using.

For example, when you dial a phone number, your fingers touch the numbers on a virtual keypad on the phone"s screen. The software compares the locations touched against the keypad and generates a phone number one digit at a time.

Touch Screen Glass– The bottom layer is the ITO glass, typically thickness is between 1 and 3 millimetre. If you drop your device, the cracked glass ends up resembling an elaborate spiderweb.

Digitizer – The digitizer is located above the glass screen. It is the electrical force that senses and responds to touch. When you tap your fingertip or swipe it across the screen, the mere touch acts as data input to the device’s center. If your device fails to respond to touch, it’s time for a new digitizer.

The touch screen digitizer is an electrical mechanism that is fused with the glass screen; so if you need to replace the digitizer, you’ll have to replace the glass, too, and vice versa.

Touch Screen Panel- Touchscreen is the thin transparent layer of plastic, which reads the signal from the touch and transports it to the processing unit. It is the part that you can touch without disassembling the device.

LCD – LCD display is an acronym for liquid crystal display. The LCD is the visual component underneath the glass that displays the image on the screen. You can not get to the LCD without taking the device apart first.

The best touch screen monitors allow you to interact with your desktop computer via tap, swipe and pinch-to-zoom. Alternatively, you can install it as a secondary monitor to use with an office-based laptop.

In this article, we"ve gathered together the best touch screen monitors available today – in a range of sizes from 21 inches to a special ultrawide monitor(opens in new tab) that"s 49 inches. If you"re after a smaller secondary monitor that can be carried with your laptop for use on the go, see our list of the best portable monitors(opens in new tab). (Portable monitors can also be had with touch sensitivity, but they"re smaller and are powered by your laptop"s battery, so they don"t need their own power supply.)

If you"ve already researched the best monitors for photo editing(opens in new tab) or the best video editing monitors(opens in new tab), you may have realized that none of them are touch screen monitors. But why not? Why would you consider choosing a new monitor without touch sensitivity?

After all, the best touch screen monitor will add an extra, more ergonomic form of user input, so must be better, right? Well, it"s not quite that simple. At the bottom of this page, you"ll find tips on what to look for when buying a touch screen monitor, including connectivity, size, and that all-important image quality.

Dell"s P2418HT has fairly typical touch screen display credentials: a 23.8-inch screen size and Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. But it stands out from the crowd in other areas.

Its special articulating stand transitions the display from a standard desktop monitor to a downward 60-degree angle touch orientation. It also supports extended tilt and swivel capabilities, so you can adjust the screen to your task or a more comfortable position. Plus, a protective cushion at the base of the screen offers a buffer against bumps when the stand is fully compressed.

Marketed at commercial and educational settings as well as home use, the TD2230 boasts a 7H hardness-rated protective glass for extra scratch protection and durability. Super-thin screen bezels give the panel a modern, sleek look, plus there are integrated stereo speakers for added versatility.

The ViewSonic TD2230 boasts upmarket image quality thanks to its IPS LCD display that provides better color and contrast consistency, regardless of your viewing position, while the 1920 x 1080 screen res is high enough for crisp image clarity when spread across the 21.5-inch panel size. 250 cd/m2 max brightness and a 1000:1 contrast ratio are pretty typical, while HDMI, DisplayPort and analog VGA connectors ensure you"ll be able to hook this monitor to pretty much any computer running Windows 10, Android or Linux.

Want a larger than average touch screen monitor? This 27-inch offering is our pick, as it"s based around an IPS LED-backlit display. That translates more dependable color accuracy and contrast that won"t shift depending on whether you"re viewing the centre of the screen or the corners.

The Full HD resolution is spread a little thin across a 27-inch display, so images will look slightly pixelated, but this is an unavoidable compromise you have to make if you want a touch screen monitor larger than 24 inches. The PCT2785 does score well in terms of versatility though, as you get a built-in HD webcam and microphone, making it great for homeworking(opens in new tab) and video conferencing.

If you can get past the uninspiring black plastic design of the Philips 242B9T, this touch screen monitor has a lot to offer. It should be easy to connect to pretty much any computer, thanks to its full array of HDMI, DVI, VGA and DisplayPort connectivity and included cables for all but DVI. It"s even got its own built-in 2W stereo speakers, while the clever Z-hinge stand allows a huge -5 to 90 degrees of tilt adjustment, making it extra-ergonomic when using the 10-point capacitive multi-touch display.

The T272HL boasts a slightly above-average 300cd/m2 brightness, along with 10-point capacitive multi-touch. There are also a pair of 2w internal speakers, and the stand allows a large 10-60 degrees of tilt to enhance touch ergonomics.

If you"re after a larger-than-average touch screen monitor, the T272HL is a reasonable choice, but there are compromises to be made. For starters, this is still a 1920 x 1080 Full HD monitor, so while it may be physically larger than a 23/24-inch Full HD display, images will simply look larger, not more detailed.

At 21.5 inches, the Asus VT229H is one of the smaller touch screen monitors on this list, but it still sports the same Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution as larger 24 and even 27-inch touch screen displays, meaning you get more pixels per inch and slightly crisper image quality. This is also an IPS LCD, with wide 178 x 178-degree viewing angles and reliably consistent color and contrast, regardless of your viewing angle.

Most touch screen monitors are just that: a monitor, with a touch interface. But this 21.5-inch display also adds a pair of 2W stereo speakers for sound output, along with dual-array microphones and a built-in webcam for video conferencing. The IPS LCD display panel ensures decent color and contrast uniformity, while the Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution is easily enough to for crisp image quality on a screen this size.

The square black exterior is typical of Lenovo"s business-orientated products and may not be to everyone"s taste. Plus you"ll need to connect via DisplayPort only, as there"s no HDMI input. But otherwise this touch screen monitor offers a lot for a very reasonable price.

The obvious drawback with a touch screen monitor is the aforementioned size restrictions because if you want one larger than 27 inches, you"re out of luck. The next step up in size for touch screen monitors are 50+ inch displays designed for corporate presentations rather than home computing.

Even most 27-inch touch screen monitors have the same Full HD 1920 x 1020 resolution as their smaller 21-24-inch stablemates. So you"re not actually getting more pixels, only bigger ones. This can make your images just look more blocky unless you sit further away from the screen.

It"s not just outright screen resolution where touch screen monitors can fall short of their non-touch alternatives. Top-end screens designed for image and video editing are often factory color calibrated: they use LCD displays that can display a huge range of colors, or feature fast refresh rates for smoother video playback and gaming. However, touch screen monitors aren"t intended for color-critical image or video work: they tend to be all-purpose displays designed for more general applications like web browsing and basic image viewing.

Connectivity also tends to be compromised on touch screen monitors. You can forget about USB-C hubs(opens in new tab) with Power Delivery, and even DisplayPort connections can be a rarity.

These are the two primary forms of touch input. Resistive touch requires you to physically press the screen (which itself is slightly spongy) for it to register an input. It"s a cheaper form of touch input, and a resistive touch screen is also tougher than a capacitive equivalent, so they"re popular for use in ATMs and retail checkouts.

However, resistive technology doesn"t support multi-touch and won"t give the same fluid sensitivity as the touch screens we"re now accustomed to on phones and tablets. Consequently, most modern touch screen monitors use capacitive touch screens supporting 10-point multi-touch. These operate exactly like a phone or tablet"s touch screen, requiring only a light tap, swipe, or pinch to register inputs. All the monitors on this list use 10-point capacitive touch screens.

Put simply, even the best iMacs(opens in new tab) and MacBooks(opens in new tab) don"t support touch screen monitors. Consequently, all the touch screen monitors on this list will only work with Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and some Linux and Android operating systems.

Not all LCD monitors are created equal. LCD displays use three types of construction - IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). Each one of these three LCD types exhibits noticeably different image quality characteristics, clearly visible to the average user.

For image and video editing, TN-based monitors should really be avoided. These are the cheapest to manufacture and deliver compromised image quality thanks to their restrictive viewing angles. This results in highly uneven color and contrast across the screen, effectively hiding shadow and highlight detail in your images. IPS-based monitorsare the gold standard for image quality. These produce color and contrast that doesn"t shift depending on which part of the screen you look at, making image editing much more precise. Most of the touch screen monitors on this list are IPS-based, and the rest are VA-based monitors. These can"t quite match the image quality of an IPS monitor but are much more color-accurate than a TN screen.Round up of today"s best deals

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Mosaic Pablo video tile (46-inch diagonal). Includes display tile and electronics, Mosaic Power Supply Module, Mosaic Mount, Mosaic Project Designer software.

Mosaic Vincent video tile (55-inch diagonal). Includes display tile and electronics, Mosaic Power Supply Module, Mosaic Mount, Mosaic Project Designer software.

55in. diagonal edge-lit LED professional LCD. 24x7 reliability. 1920x1080. 700 nits brightness. Data, video, HD-SDI inputs. RS-232, Ethernet control. Landscape and portrait. Requires at least 1.2 in. mount depth (Compatible with WMT-MXL only).

55in Transparent display, OLED panel, black, ERO bonded glass, HDMI x4, DP x1 inputs, FHD (1920x1080), landscape or portrait - inverted or tiling mounting possible, internal power, standard mount

55in Transparent display, OLED panel, black, ERO bonded glass, HDMI x4, DP x1 inputs, FHD (1920x1080), landscape or portrait - inverted or tiling mounting possible, internal power, straight mount

Clarity Matrix LX46HD: 46" 1920x1080, 450 nit LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix LX46HD with ERO: 46" 1920x1080, 450 nit LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix LX46HD: 46" 1920 x 1080, 450 nit LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Portrait Only. Special Order Item Longer Lead time applies.

Clarity Matrix LX46 3D: 46" WXGA 3D LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix LX55HD: 55" 1920x1080, 450 nit LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix LX55HD with ERO: 55" 1920x1080, 450 nit LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix LX55HD with ERO: 55" 1920x1080, 450 nit LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Portrait Only. Special Order Item Longer Lead time applies.

Clarity Matrix MX46HD: 46" 1920x1080 LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix MX55: 55" 1920x1080 LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix MX55 with ERO: 55" 1920x1080 LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Landscape Only.

Clarity Matrix MX55: 55" 1920x1080 LCD video wall system. Includes 1 LCD module, required power supply, quad controller electronics and mount. Portrait Only. Special Order Item Longer Lead time applies.

46in diagonal touchscreen, full HD, ultra slim, LED backlight, 24x7 reliability, metal bezel, landscape/portrait mode, VGA, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort inputs, RS-232 control, speakers.

55in diagonal touchscreen, full HD, ultra slim, LED backlight, 24x7 reliability, metal bezel, landscape/portrait mode, VGA, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort inputs, RS-232 control, speakers.

55 in. diagonal edge-lit LED professional LCD. Ultra slim, narrow bezel, low power, and lightweight. 1920x1080 resolution with 400 nits brightness . DVI, HDMI, Display Port, VGA inputs. Supports up to 10x10 Video Wall mode. IR, RS-232, and Ethernet control. Landscape and portrait.

15 inch Black HID Compliant 5-wire Resistive Touchscreen LCD, dual Serial and USB controller, VGA, external DC power supply, speakers, -3 to 25 degree tilt range, 75mm VESA compatible.

17 inch Black HID Compliant single-touch 5-wire resistive LED LCD, dual Serial and USB controller, VGA, internal power, DC power connector, speakers, -5 to 90 degree tilt range, 75 mm and 100mm VESA compatible.

17 inch Black HID Compliant 5-wire Resistive Touchscreen edge-lit LED LCD, USB controller, VGA, internal power, speakers, -5 to 90 degree tilt range, 100mm VESA compatible.

19" Black 5-Wire Resistive Touch Screen LCD with dual serial/USB Driver, Analog/DVI-D, internal power, speakers, 5 to 90 tilt - Supports MSR Kit 997-5618-00

32-inch wide black projected capacitive multi-touch FHD edge-lit LED LCD, USB controller, HDMI, DP, DVI-D and VGA inputs, Control via RS-232, internal power, speakers, 600 x 200 mm, 200 x 200 mm VESA compatible, no desk stand.

86in diagonal, UHD, D-LED backlight, 500 nit brightness, 24x7 reliability, single- or quad-source viewing, speakers, embedded ContentSmart media player, landscape and portrait, ERO with Gorilla Glass, 20 pt IR touch

TD3200 LookThru 32 inch Transparent LCD Display Box, White, ERO(TM) Bonded Glass, HDMI Input, 1366x768 res, 29.5in x 17.5in x 15.0in (WxHxD), 200 x 200 mm VESA, External Power.

1) TWA Series 0.9mm LED Cabinet for MIDDLE/BOTTOM position with Integrated DUAL Power Supply, Leyard Control Software and power, control and video interconnects.

1) TWA Series 0.9mm LED Cabinet for MIDDLE/BOTTOM position with Integrated SINGLE Power Supply, Leyard Control Software and power, control and video interconnects.

1) TWA Series 0.9mm LED Cabinet for TOP position with DUAL Integrated Power Supply, Leyard Control Software and power, control and video interconnects.

1) TWA Series 0.9mm LED Cabinet for TOP position with SINGLE Integrated Power Supply, Leyard Control Software and power, control and video interconnects.

75in diagonal, UHD, D-LED backlight, 500 nit brightness, 24x7 reliability, MediaPlex Plus Processing, speakers, OPS slot, landscape and portrait, ERO with Gorilla Glass

75in diagonal, UHD, D-LED backlight, 500 nit brightness, 24x7 reliability, MediaPlex Plus Processing, speakers, OPS slot, landscape and portrait, ERO with Gorilla Glass, 32 pt IR touch

86in diagonal, UHD, D-LED backlight, 500 nit brightness, 24x7 reliability, MediaPlex Plus Processing, speakers, OPS slot, landscape and portrait, ERO with Gorilla Glass

86in diagonal, UHD, D-LED backlight, 500 nit brightness, 24x7 reliability, MediaPlex Plus Processing, speakers, OPS slot, landscape and portrait, ERO with Gorilla Glass, 32 pt IR touch. Single TouchMark key included.

Touch screens give the user control of a device through simple or multi-touch gestures. They enable the user to interact directly with what is displayed rather than using a mouse, trackpad, or other separate components.

You don’t need to pay high prices for a high-quality industrial monitor or touch screen; you now have an affordable option. We are extremely confident in our products and back them up with a standard five-year warranty and a 30-day total satisfaction guarantee.

Introducing Advantech’s new generation of industrial monitors – the FPM-200 series – aimed at providing quality-assured, rugged display solutions at an affordable price. Featuring an IP66-rated, industrial-grade design with true-flat touch panel, FPM-200 displays are extremely durable in order to withstand operation in challenging industrial environments. Meanwhile, the intuitive controls provide an exceptional usage experience, ensuring easy operation for wide range of applications.

On-screen appearance is the bigger part of the story. Hi-res T-5 screens are developed in Composer software, where the designer will find a comprehensive toolset for manipulating images, text, and control objects for convenient workflow. Easily add logos, instructions, and backgrounds, create custom buttons and link multiple pages for increased capability and wider control. Completed screens are exported as SymVue files. Installing the finished screens into the T-5’s onboard storage is a very simple process. The batch function allows convenient exporting to a group of units.

The T-5 utilizes SymVue, the Symetrix technology used for creating customized Graphic User Interfaces. A SymVue screen interacts with a Composer DSP via direct network connection. This communication is nimble enough for live metering of audio signals, live previews of network video content, and real time control of any aspect of the AV system.

In addition to T-5, SymVue is available in Windows®, or web browsers supporting HTML5 (via Control Server). Mobile devices navigate to the Symetrix Control Server and log on to hosted SymVue pages. Identical layouts and screens can be exported to the T-5 and Control Server for a consistent look and feel across permanent and mobile controls. All command activity is managed by the DSP in real time, keeping all controllers in sync.

ER-TFTM050A2-3-3661 is 800x480 dots 5" color tft lcd display with RA8875 controller board and capacitive touch panel with touch controller,superior display quality,super wide viewing angle and easily controlled by MCU such as 8051, PIC, AVR, ARDUINO,and ARM .It can be used in any embedded systems,industrial device,security and hand-held equipment which requires display in high quality and colorful image.

Of course, we wouldn"t just leave you with a datasheet and a "good luck!".Here is the link for5" TFT capacitive touch shield with libraries,examples,schematic diagram for Arduino Due,Mega 2560 and Uno. For 8051 microcontroller user,we prepared the detailed tutorial such as interfacing, demo code and development kit at the bottom of this page.

Why put a large, touchscreen stereo in your dash? Fantastic looks are a great starting point, but there’s so much more you can get from a big screen stereo. You can see all the information you need at a quick glance, letting you get your eyes back on the road faster. You’ll also have expansion options like smartphone integration, navigation, and additional cameras available to you.

But, it’s all about the screen real estate and what it can show you. The large display and touchscreen controls make it easier to do anything on the stereo. Let’s talk about some ways to get the most out of a touchscreen receiver.

With a large screen acting as your receiver"s display, it"s a whole lot easier to read than the single-line displays of traditional car stereos. You can quickly see what’s playing, who’s calling, and where you’re going.

Many of these receivers offer the functionality of Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, which emulate your smartphone experience right on the receiver’s touchscreen display – great for keeping your phone out of your hand.

A rear-view or backup camera can help make your touchscreen stereo a valuable tool for staying safe while backing up and to help avoid accidents. Its wide field of view offers a whole lot more of what’s behind you than using your mirror, including areas that your vehicle"s body blocks from view. Many new stereos also offer multiple camera inputs, so you can incorporate factory cameras or add aftermarket cameras for areas like your side view – all viewable on the touchscreen display.

Are we there yet? Touchscreen stereos with built-in GPS navigation offer incredible convenience and assistance. But if you don"t want to spend the extra money for built-in navigation and future map updates, look for a touchscreen stereo that has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both of these options get your smartphone involved to use navigation apps, such as Waze and Google Maps. They appear beautifully on the stereo"s large display.

In addition to the music and caller info that you can see on the display, many touchscreen receivers let you customize the background and layout. So not only can you make a personal statement on the look in your dash, but you can organize the functions that you use the most.

When you’re looking for that perfect sound, you can dive into a receiver’s tone controls and see them clearly (while parked). We also offer iDatalink Maestro interfaces for many vehicles that can show off vehicle diagnostics in your vehicle, depending on the receiver you choose. It can even include climate controls in some vehicles.

We’ve heard comments from customers who worry that touchscreen receivers are a distracting hindrance rather than a help. And hey, we get it; we’re on the road, too. Here are some keys to using them safely (and maybe some things you didn’t know about): Adjust your screen settings before you drive. In the excitement of installing and turning on a new receiver (which we completely appreciate), some people will hit the road and try to adjust the settings on the fly. Simply put, don’t. In fact, most touchscreen stereos won"t let you access the menus while the car is moving. Before you put your vehicle in gear: Set the display the way you want it. That includes the contrast, backlighting, dimming, and variable color controls. Sure, you can reset them later if you need to…while you’re parked.

Call us with any questions you have about setting up your receiver. When you buy from Crutchfield, you get lifetime tech support, which includes helping you figure out the controls and set up.

There’s usually a one or two button sequence that can disable the display completely and quickly. The audio still works, so your music will keep playing, and navigation apps can still tell you where to go. And it"ll automatically turn back on when you touch it.

Get used to the controls. Many folks have mentioned that there are no “muscle memory” buttons and knobs on touchscreen receivers that can be reached without looking, which is a great point. But many models actually do have handy knobs or easy-to-find toggle buttons for volume control or other important adjustments. Some of the knobs are multi-functional for a variety of settings, not just the volume.

JVC incorporates a feature called "Gesture Control" for simple, quick controls for less distraction. Some receiver makers provide for some simple “no-look” controls on the display itself. For example, JVC’s "Gesture Control" lets you swipe the touchscreen display to the right for track forward, left for track back, and a circular motion to adjust the volume – all with your eyes still on the road.

Keep your steering wheel controls in play. Since you’re probably already familiar with these factory controls, why not use them with a new receiver? We offer steering wheel control (SWC) adapters for a wide variety of vehicles and receivers. In many cases, you can actually program more functions you’d use more often into your controls.

Example: I programmed a “Pause” on my steering wheel controls to simply stop the music without reaching for the screen. It’s great for keeping my eyes on narrow drive-thru lanes.

Take advantage of voice controls like Siri and Google Assistant. While talking to your stereo can seem a little weird at first, they really do help in finding you info on the fly without a lot of distraction. Read more about voice control in the car.

Add a compatible remote control. Many touchscreen receivers work with a trusty handheld remote control. Sometimes it"s included, sometimes it"s optional. For example, once he learned the remote button layout, my Dad loved using the remote to control his stereo without looking at or touching the stereo. This from a person who asked “Why do I need a remote control for a car stereo?”

Know the driving laws in your state. It’s a good idea to reach out to your local governments to see what the rules are governing smartphone and touchscreen display use. Read our article about phone safety in the car.

Regardless of which one you choose, the elegance of a touchscreen receiver makes them fun to use and incredibly handy. Use our handy vehicle selector tool to see which stereos will fit your vehicle. And our Advisors are available by phone or chat to help you choose the right touchscreen receiver for you.

Selecting the most suitable type of touch screen for your project can improve device functionality and durability, which can mean a significant increase in customer adoption.

This article highlights the unique advantages and drawbacks of common touch screen technology, to help product design engineers make an informed decision.

Resistive touch is a legacy form of touch screen technology that was broadly popular for many years, but has been replaced by capacitive touch for many applications. Currently, resistive touch has a smaller range of common uses, but can still capably address certain needs.

The core elements of a resistive touch screen are two substrate layers, separated by a gap filled with either air or an inert gas. A flexible film-based substrate is always used for the top layer, while the bottom layers substrate can be either film or glass. A conductive material is applied to the inner-facing sides of the substrate layers, across from the air gap.

When a user applies pressure to the top surface, the film indents and causes the conductive material on the top layer to make an electrical contact with the conductive surface of the bottom layer. This activity creates a difference in voltage that the system registers as a touch. The location of this contact is pinpointed on the X and Y axes, and the touch controller then interprets the action. Because physical force is needed for a resistive touch screen to function, it is similar to a mechanical switch.

Resistive touch screens must be calibrated before they are used to ensure accurate and reliable operation. A user must apply pressure to the four corners of the screen, and sometimes on its center, to calibrate the screen with the rest of the system via a lookup database.

Because resistive touch screens interpret physical pressure as a touch, they are effective in a variety of environments using single touch. Any object capable of applying force to the screen can be used with the same result. For example, in applications where end users wear gloves, resistive touch screens offer reliable single-touch functionality.

Since resistive touch screens area actuated via mechanical force, they continue to function as intended even when liquids or debris are present on the surface. This makes them especially useful in situations where substances could disrupt the function of other types of touch screens. For example, on single-touch applications within agricultural equipment, boats and underwater machinery.

Besides the functional advantages of resistive touch screens, price is a common reason why OEMs select this option. In projects where cost is a top concern, companies can use this option to realize savings that may not be possible with alternatives.

The configuration of a resistive touch screen removes the possibility of gestures, such as pinching and zooming, or any actions requiring multi-touch functionality. These screens cannot determine the location of a touch if more than one input is present.

In terms of visibility, the film substrate commonly used as the top surface in resistive touch screens is less transmissive than glass. This leads to reduced brightness and a certain level of haze compared to touch screens with a top layer of glass. The film layer can also expand or contract based on temperature, which alters the distance between the two layers and affects touch accuracy. Additionally, the film substrates are susceptible to scratches and can start to wear away with repeated use, necessitating occasional recalibration or replacement over time.

Capacitive touch screens were invented before resistive touch screens. However, early iterations of this technology were prone to sensing false touches and creating noise that interfered with other nearby electronics. Due to these limitations, resistive touch screens and other options, like infrared touch screens, dominated the industry.

With more development and refinement of controller ICs, projected capacitive (PCAP) touch screens became the preferred touch technology for a majority of applications. For example, this technology is now commonly used on tablets, laptops and smartphones. Though PCAP stands for “projected capacitive (PCAP) touch”, it’s more commonly referred to as “capacitive touch”.

The foundation of PCAP touch screens is an array of conductors that create an electromagnetic field. As a user touches a PCAP screen, the conductive finger or object pulls or adds charge to that field, changing its strength. A touch controller measures the location of this change and then instructs the system to take a certain action, depending on the type of input received.

For a device with PCAP touch technology to acknowledge an input, users simply need to touch the screen. No physical pressure is required, unlike resistive touch screens.

Another key difference from resistive touch technology is that PCAP screens can accommodate a variety of inputs, with different gestures and more contact points instructing the system to take a variety of actions. PCAP touch can support multi-touch functionality, swipes, pinches, and zoom gestures which aren’t possible with resistive touch screens.

A PCAP touch screen is very similar to a solid state switch, as its mechanism of action requires a change in the electrical field over a control point.

The value that comes with recognizing multiple inputs is a clear and positive differentiator for PCAP touch screens. Users can initiate a variety of commands, providing more functionality in devices where this technology is used. Consider how consumers now expect smartphones, tablets, and interactive laptop screens to support actions requiring two fingers, like pinching and zooming. In more specialized settings, such as multi-player gaming applications, PCAP touch screens can support more than 10 inputs at a single time.

PCAP touch screens do not require initial calibration, offering a simpler experience than resistive touch screens. Additionally, PCAP touch screens are highly accurate even as they support a variety of gestures and subsequent actions by the system.

Since their top layer is usually made of glass, PCAP touch screens offer a high degree of optical transmission and avoid the appearance of haze to users. Additionally, the glass top layerprovides improved durability compared to the film top layer of resistive touch screens – even for the largest sizes of up to 80 inches (and growing).

Operation in environments where a PCAP screen may be exposed to liquids or moisture — including conductive liquids like salt water — is possible through specialized controller algorithms and tuning. PCAP technology has evolved to support medical glove and thick industrial glove operation, as well as passive stylus operation.

PCAP touch screens can be customized with different cover lens materials (soda lime, super glasses, PMMA) based on application specific needs. Cover lenses can be ruggedized with chemical strengthening and substrates that improve impact resistance. This can be especially valuable for public-facing applications, like ATMs, gas pump displays, and industrial applications. Specialized films or coatings – such as AG (anti-glare), AR (anti-reflective), AF (anti-fingerprint) – can be added to the cover lens substrate to improve optical performance.

Unlike resistive touch screens, PCAP touch screens depend on variations in an electrical field to operate. While a passive stylus can activate this screen, a non-conductive tool like a pencil can’t.

If cost is a top concern for a project, PCAP may not align with budget limits. It is a more expensive technology than resistive screens, although it continues to grow more accessible in terms of price as the technology advances and improves.

The below table compares the advantages and disadvantages of projected capacitive touch vs resistive touch screens.CharacteristicsPCAP TouchResistive TouchRequires calibrationNoYes

As a leading manufacturer of touch and display products, New Vision Display can help you determine the specific needs of your project and tune your PCAP touchscreen controllers to meet them. Our PRECI-Touch® products are based primarily on PCAP touch technology and can be customized for a variety of applications using a wide range of materials, stacks, and controllers.

Whether your product will be used in a life-saving medical device, the center console of an automobile, or the navigation controls on a yacht – we can deliver an effective solution for your application. To get started on your project, contact our specialists today.

Ready to get started or learn more about how we can help your business? Call us at +1-855-848-1332 or fill out the form below and a company representative will be in touch within 1 business day.