Interactive Touch Screen Buying Guide

Interactive touch screen displays are the latest innovation to enter the modern interactive collaborative classroom; they are set to replace the old interactive whiteboard and projector set ups of the past and offer many additional benefits. An Interactive Touch Screen is a large format commercial display panel with an interactive touch surface basically a very large Iphone or Tab. The screen connects to a PC and allows the user to take control of the computer and its applications as well as being able to write in digital ink and save lesson content. Most off the world’s major Audio Visual manufacturers are currently offering Interactive touch screens with a range of technologies and software available. AV installs has compiled the following guide on all the latest touch screens helping our customers to compare and make informed purchasing decisions about which hardware and software best suites their requirements.

Touch Screen Manufacturers:

Touch Screen Manuffacturers

Screen Sizes Available:

Interactive Screen SizesAs you can see above Sahara, Genee World & Ctouch have the largest range of screen sizes available on the market. When it comes to screen sizes in education we would advise 65” + screens for middle and senior schools and 55” + for primary schools. All Interactive touch screens can be wall mounted and there are also many electric height adjustable brackets on the market which lower the screen to make it more accessible for small children and disabled students. * Some screens can be used with special mobile trolley which lays the screen flat so that it can be worked on as though it was an interactive table.

Touch Technology Explained:

There are two main touch technologies on the market for interactive display panels, Infrared and optical, Both offer various options regarding how many users can simultaneously be working on the same screen at the same time known as multi touch.

Infra Red Touch Technology:Infra Red Touch Technology

Infra red technology may not be new, but it remains a favorite. It tends to be employed in large-format displays some kiosks and point-of-sale (POS) terminals. It has a long life, furthering its popularity in the digital signage and interactive display markets.

How Infra Red Works:

Infra red touch technology requires a perimeter to be placed around the display. The perimeter consists of infra red LEDs placed on two sides of the display and photo transistors placed on the opposing two sides. The two sides then work in pairs; the signal from the LED transistor is read by its opposing photo transistor. When that signal is interrupted, it indicates a blocked infra red beam, which, in turn, indicates a touch point. While most infra red displays don’t require a touch screen, a glass overlay usually is recommended in order to protect the underlying display.

Optical Touch Technology: Optical Touch Technology

Optical touch typically is found in large format displays and enjoys popularity with digital signage applications. Optical touch sometimes can be less expensive than infra red, but the cost begins to equalize when lighting conditions are considered. Optical touch also can be more difficult to integrate than some of the other touch technologies

How Optical Works:

Optical touch uses cameras in order to detect and pinpoint touch points. Two cameras or more are mounted on the surface of the glass or in the bezel – usually in the corners – of the display. The cameras, or optical sensors, emit infra-red light in a plane across the surface of the glass. The screen detects touch points when an interruption in the infra-red light occurs. In order to triangulate those touch points, the cameras work in tandem with the printed circuit controller board and its corresponding software program

Touch Screen Advantages

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