Caltron Blogs

Posted in New Product Announcement, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor, high bright monitor

Tags: 10 inch 10.4 inch high bright monitor industrial monitor Open Frame Monitor

Caltron releases the next LED monitor of the series, the LBT-1904O

December 5th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

As the demand grows for more LED monitors and brighter screens, Caltron has kept up with the industrial trend and has just released the LBT-1904O, 19” Open Frame LED Monitor. The 19” Open Frame LED Monitor comes with a brighter screen rated at 350 nits, compared to the standard LCD Monitor, rated at 250 nits. While having a brighter screen and greater viewing angles, the LBT-1904O also uses less power to run the unit and in turn saves more energy throughout the lifetime of the monitor. The LBT-1904O is capable of handling harsher conditions and environments with a better temperature rating to improve the quality of the monitor. Like all of Caltron’s other Open Frame Monitors, the LBT-1904O has added touch screen options available. There is either a resistive or surface acoustic wave touch option in available with either a serial or USB touch interface. Various additional options like, adding on a BNC connector, s-video and composite or DVI options are also available. Having an LED Monitor has many advantages for integrators and industrial applications as the LED Monitors are built for rugged applications as are all of Caltron’s other open frame monitors. Caltron can usually accommodate most special requests if given enough lead times as well.

Posted in LED backlit, New Product Announcement, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: 19 inch monitor led monitor Open Frame Monitor

Caltron introduces 15 inch sunlight readable touch and non-touch open frame monitors

November 7th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

15 inch sunlight readable open frame monitor
Caltron Industries, Inc. introduces the next size to the already popular and growing line of High Bright Open Frame Monitors

The HBT-1503O, 15” Open Frame High Bright monitor is the next in the series of Open Frame High Bright LED Monitors to be released for integrators, OEMs and End Users to use in their applications. The HBT-1503O offers users more options when developing a prototype or products. The brighter screen allows for the unit to be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. The 15” High Bright Open Frame Monitor will be one of many sizes to be introduced into this line. All specs are similar to the currently existing LED Open Frame Monitors, including the mechanical dimensions and the only difference is that the brightness of the panel is rated at 1500 nits or cd/m2. Caltron tries to keep all of our monitors uniform, within the size range, so that integrators and designers have one less worry, when designing an enclosure. With the same robust and sleek design as our current Open Frame Monitors, the HBT-1503O will surely be a reliable monitor that integrators can use in their applications.

Tags: high bright monitor Open Frame Monitor sunlight readable monitor touch open frame monitor touch sc

Posted in LED backlit, New Product Announcement, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor, high bright monitor

6.5″ Open Frame LED Open Frame Displays available at Caltron

September 19th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

6.5 inch LED backlit LCD Open Frame Monitor and Touch Screen Monitor

Caltron has always been committed with bringing their customers with the latest product in the industry, and continuing with this standard, Caltron is proud to introduce the next item in our LBT line of monitors, the LBT-0651O, 6.5” Open Frame LED Monitor. This is the third release in our small form factor line of Open Frame Monitors and it’s available in both regular and touch screen version.
The LBT-0651O Open Frame LED Monitor will replace the current FBT-0651O with a few improvements like with the increased brightness of 800 cd/m2 compared to the current 450 cd/m2. There’s also an increase of contrast ratio and a wider range of operating temperature and viewing angle. And with LED technology, the LBT-0651O is operating at a smaller energy footprint with an increased of energy output to produce a higher quality display. For exact specs of the LBT-0651O, please visit our product page to view the data sheet.
Many industrial applications would like to get the most robust product that is best suited for their application the first time around and with the LBT-0651O having higher temperature ratings than the typical FBT-0651O and a longer MTBF from 20,000 to 50,000 hours, integrators and OEM’s can use these monitors into any application with minimal worry. The LBT-0651O is comprised of all the same durable industrial grade components and the form factor will be the same as the FBT-0651O. This makes it easy to adopt the new LBT-0651O with virtually no design change on the customer’s end.
For more information, please visit www.caltronind.com or contact a sales representative at sales@caltronind.com or 510-440-1800.

Posted in LED backlit, New Product Announcement, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: 6.5 inch LED backlit Open Frame Monitor touch open frame monitor Frame Monitor

Caltron MP-01 Digital Signage Player will soon obsoleted

August 8th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

MP-01 digital signage player

An update on our MP-01, Digital Signage Players. We will be discontinuing this model and there will be limited quantities on hand and the players will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Caltron has had the MP-01 around for about 5 years now and it has been a very popular player among our customers, but as time progresses, we have to constantly update our products. The MP-01 was a very popular player because of its ability to loop all content 24/7 and it is small enough to place anywhere discreetly. We will be replacing this model with a high definition standalone player, the MP-1080B, which will contain more features and price will be ready in September. We are set to release this player towards late September. This replacement player will have similar functions and ease of use as the MP-01, except that it can play high definition content. As the time approaches, more information and updates will be released in regards to the player. We still have some MP-1080A and MP-1080H players in stock in case there is a need for digital signage players before September. These players are also phasing out and we do have limited quantities in stock. All products that are purchased through Caltron will still have a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty, regardless of whether the unit is being discontinued or is still in current production. Caltron wants to ensure that all of our customers are properly supported when purchasing a Caltron product.

Posted in Digital Signage Product, EOL notice, General updates

Tags: digital signage player MP-01

Flexibility on OSD controls can benefit Kiosk and Equipment Manufacturer’s design in helping to make their work easier when creating an enclosure

August 1st, 2011 by caltron No comments »

open frame monitor OSD control

Open Frame Monitors and Touch Screen Open Frame Monitors are usually the best display solutions to Kiosk and Equipment Manufacturers when they wish to use a product that of off-the-shelf and trouble free. Caltron’s long running history of Open Frame and Touch Screen Monitors has helped many OEMs and Integrators because of our unique chassis design that does not change during the life of the monitor, even if there are component revisions or upgrades.

With Caltron’s monitors, some OEMs and Integrators have raised some concerns in regards on how to adjust the monitors screen settings once the unit has been integrated into the new enclosure. Generally, the OSD (On Screen Display) is located on the back of all Caltron monitors. Caltron’s OSD is a single PCB that can be relocated outside of the back cover. Caltron 12” and 15” monitors have locations on the side of the monitor in which the OSD can be relocated. In this scenario, a special OEM number will be provided for any future orders to ensure the proper location of the OSD. Caltron also accepts special requests in regards to cable lengths and other criteria that needs to be met for OEM volume that meets MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity). This option allows for OEMs and Integrators to have easier access to the controls without the need for special Kiosk or Equipment Design, creating less hassle.

Posted in New Articles, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: equipment kiosk manufacturer oem Open Frame Monitor touch screen open frame monitor

Caltron Works with OEM’s and Integrators find the perfect solution for Most Applications

July 25th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

With the Economy still struggling to make it back on its feet, many integrators and consumers alike are trying to cut costs while finding the perfect solution for their application. When it comes to trying to find a non standard shelf item, it can prove to be quite difficult or require extremely long lead times for a specific part or unit. Due to long lead times, potential projects can diminish due to clients not wanting to wait. Since there is an economic downturn, it is understandable that many companies try to cut overhead costs by reducing inventory on hand and only ordering when absolutely necessary, which can lead to long lead times when waiting for parts to arrive for assembly. Caltron Industries, Inc. carries a wide array of units that can work perfectly for many applications, whether it is Open Frame Monitors or Touch Screen Monitors. There is generally a need for specific parts or sizes that are not standard which Caltron can assist in obtaining within a reasonable time so that Integrators can meet last minute deadlines for projects or new prospects. If given a bit of time, Caltron can help to create a solution that is viable for prototypes and upon project approval, mass production of monitors, whether LED Backlit, Widescreen, High Bright to basic LCD Open Frame Monitors can be done within a matter of weeks. If it is an open frame monitor or touch screen monitor that Catron can’t produce in house, then it can be sourced from our vendors and the quality of the parts will not be compromised.

For any questions or concerns, please contact a Caltron representative at sales@caltronind.com or by calling 510-440-1800.

Posted in New Press Release, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: oem system integrator var

Caltron launched new touch technology web pages

July 18th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

Caltron new touch screen technology web page

Caltron is constantly maintaining our site to try and make it as use friendly as possible, while providing useful information to help our visitors understand our products better. Caltron has recently modified a few pages to make it more easy and convenient. For quicker navigation, we have added our View By Touch Technology Page. Now when visitors want to find touch screen monitors by a specific touch technology, they can go directly to our View By Touch Technology Page located on our Caltron Home Page and Touch screen Monitors Page. Sometimes, visitors will do internet searches for specific touch technologies, whether it is for Resistive Touch screen Monitor or Surface Acoustic Wave Touch screen Monitor and will be directed to Caltron’s home page or to the improper page. With the touch technologies page added, this will help to refine searches more clearly and direct visitors to the proper location quickly and accurately. In the future, when more various touch technologies are added, this will help our visitors to locate what they are looking for with greater ease and less navigation needed.

For more information or assistance, please contact a Caltron sales representative at sales@caltronind.com or by calling 510-440-1800
.

Posted in New Web Page Announcement

Tags: new web page touch screen technology

Caltron’s Digital Signage Players support non-progressive image files

July 11th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

displaying progressive image

You may have had some experiences with progressive images when searching the web before. Sometimes, when you visit a certain website and see the small icon of a picture, which you click to enlarge, you notice that the large image takes a few moments to load. The first image that is loaded will be a low quality image and as the image loads more, it will gradually get better, hence progressive scan. Almost all images are stored as a baseline image which means that the image or JPEG file is saved as a top to bottom scan when the image is displayed. Most images for the web are saved as a progressive scan. When displaying an image on the web the image gradually becomes more clear and this is likely because it is a progressive image which add lines/layers until the image is completely shown. These photos are generally saved as a progressive image, which is basically a rearrangement of the same image in a particular order, but displayed differently and in a more complicated way to eventually display the same image as a baseline image. The viewer can make an earlier decision on whether to drop the selection or wait for the whole image to be displayed. This is generally more helpful for those with slower internet connections.

Caltron’s Digital Signage Players support baseline files like most other decoders on the market. When wanting to use a progressive image, please be aware that options will be very limited when trying to find a player that is compatible. Usually progressive images are better suited for websites and not so much digital signage players in general. Digital Signage players today are more suited for baseline JPEG files.

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Posted in Digital Signage Product, New Articles

Tags: digital signage player non-progressive progressive

Transmissive, Transflective and Reflective LCD Panel Displays

July 4th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

Transmissive, Transflective, and Reflective comparison

There are a few types of LCD panels out in the market currently. We will briefly go over each type of LCD panel to distinguish the differences and how effective each can be.

What is a Transmissive LCD?

A transmissive LCD has all of the light provided from the backlight of the LCD Panel. A transmissive LCD looks great in indoor environments, but can be quite dim when in direct sunlight. Sunlight is about a 1,000 times brighter than that of a typical LCD Backlight.

What is a Reflective LCD?

A reflective LCD involves a reflective mirror layer on the LCD or in the LCD. All light that is used to view the LCD goes through the LCD, bounces off of the reflective mirror layer and goes through the LCD again to display. This applies to both indoor and outdoor applications so a reflective LCD is not of the highest quality when used as a display. A reflective LCD generally uses a front light display so many factors can easily compromise the performance since the light has to go through the LCD twice.

What is a Transflective LCD?

A transflective LCD, which is a combination of a transmissive and reflective LCD, begins with a transmissive LCD and adds a partially reflective mirror layer between the LCD and backlight. When a transflective LCD is used indoors the illuminated screen comes from the backlight. When the LCD screen is used outdoors, light has to go through the LCD twice before displaying, once on the way into the LCD and one more time out with the backlight. This can cause the LCD to not be an optimal solution when being used as an outdoor monitor compared to being used as an indoor monitor. There is also a certain point that makes the LCD very ineffective. At this point, it is caused by just enough sunlight overpowering the backlight, but also not producing enough light to be reflected back from the reflective mirror to produce an adequately illuminated LCD.

Caltron uses transmissive LCD’s on all of our monitors, whether it is our standard Open Frame LCD Monitors, LED Backlit Monitors or High Bright Monitors. Caltron feels that a transmissive can be most effective for a variety of applications. Although there can be some hindrance to direct sunlight, overall, it is still the most effective panel. Using a high bright panel can help to make an application more feasible in direct sunlight. Even creating a slight shading for the unit will allow for the optimal display for a transmissive LCD.

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Posted in New Articles, Open Frame Monitor, high bright monitor

Tags: lcd panel reflective transflective transmissive

Caltron Digital Signage Players accept RSS Feeds

June 27th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

What is a RSS Feed?

RSS is most commonly known as (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) and is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. Many news related sites, weather channels, weblogs would have their information readily available for anyone who is interested. For example, a sports bar might want an RSS feed from a sports site, which is generally, readily available. RSS Feeds help to provide real-time information and updates of the latest news.

What are the benefits of having a RSS feed on a Digital Signage Player?

A benefit from an RSS feed on a Digital Signage Player would be that an advertiser can display their digital content while keeping their targeted audience informed with the latest news from various sites from the web. It can also serve as an attention grabber by having dynamic, up-to-date feed with their content that will update automatically. With the abundance of RSS feeds out there, one can customize a specific RSS Feed cater to their content needs.

What Caltron players support RSS Feed?

Caltron currently has two Digital Signage Players that support the RSS Feed, the MP-02A and MP-02Z. RSS feed requires a “feed reader”. The RSS Feed feature is part of the software that comes with the players. Through iCAT, the RSS feed can be updated through the ticker tab and through CAT, the RSS Advantage will be required to support the RSS Feed. This program can be provided by a Caltron representative. In order for an RSS Feed to be used, the site in which the information is displayed must have an RSS option. For additional information, please download the user guide under the “documents” tab on the MP-02A and MP-02Z’s page.

You can find this blog/article at here for your later review.

Tags: digital advertising player digital media player digital signage management digital signage player rss feed

Posted in Digital Signage Management Software, Digital Signage Product, New Articles

Which video inputs do I need in my Caltron Monitor that will work best for my application?

June 20th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

VGA, DVI, S-Video, BNC, RCA Composite video ports

Caltron’s 6.5 to 24 inch wide Open Frame Monitors and Touch Screen Monitors all come standard with a VGA input, but additional video input options can be added should an application require something more than just a VGA input. Additional video input options available are DVI, S-Video, Composite Video and BNC. Generally the first order will require a slight lead time, but future orders can be accommodated quite quickly.

In order to support the different video standards, Caltron’s analog-digital conversion board supports various video inputs that different industries require. Some Analog video transmission schemes would be CCTV equipment in the surveillance industry using a coaxial BNC connector; Traditional VCR, camcorder or DVD players used in Kiosks, digital signs or other similar equipments use S-Video or RCA composite connectors to export video. Digital video transmission scheme, within the last 15-20 years, mostly widespread in the PC industry use a DVI output.

All of the above analog and digital outputs are video input examples only. Caltron also provides an analog input and 2 two-watt speakers that are available for all 6.5 inch to 19 inch FBT models. Please check each products “related models” tab to find the proper model number that best suits your project needs and contact a Caltron sales representative for further information and assistance.

The permanent location of this article is at What video inputs should I have.

Posted in New Articles, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: bnc composite video dvi rca s-video vga video outputs

How bright a monitor need

June 13th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

1500 nits 12.1 inch high bright open frame monitor and open frame touch screen monitor

How bright of a monitor do I need when considering a Caltron monitor for my application?

Pending on the application and where the Open Frame Monitor or Touch Screen Monitor might be placed will determine on how bright of a monitor you will need to maximize the effectiveness of the screen’s potential capability. Most of Caltron’s monitors range from 200 nits(and known as cd/m2 or candlelight per meters squared) to 500 nits. This brightness is ideal for most indoor applications. Sometimes, certain locations can have higher ambient lighting requiring a brighter monitor. Caltron also offers LED Backlit Open Frame Monitors and LED Backlit Touch screen Monitors with a nits range of 400 to 600. Some applications require an outdoor display which has bright surroundings and require a monitor with a higher brightness panel. Caltron also offers High Bright Open Frame monitors with touch screen options if necessary. These monitors are good for applications that require a sunlight readable or daylight readable display. High Bright monitors usually start off at about 1000 nits and above. Caltron’s HBT-1212O, 12.1” Open Frame High Bright LCD Monitor, for example is rated at 1500 nits.

How can I effectively create a solution to maximize my screen’s potential?

Sometimes when creating a display or placing a screen, using angles or some shading to prevent ambient lighting from overpowering the display. This can help to brighten up the screen’s display since there is reduced glare and ambient lighting. Generally, most screens indoors will not encounter this problem, but screens that are in direct sunlight can be greatly affected during certain times of the day when there can be direct sunlight on the screen. Most screens that can endure direct sunlight exposure will have to have at least a 20,000 nits brightness rating or higher.

Posted in New Articles, high bright monitor

Tags: high bright monitor sunlight readable monitor

Reasons to convert from a CRT to LCD monitor

June 6th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

LCD open frame monitor versus CRT open frame monitor
Many industries are converting from CRT over the LCD panels as big CRT monitors are heading in the direction of becoming obsolete. Many new and old customers opt in on using Caltron’s Open Frame LCD monitors because they have additional features and options like component add-ons at a very cost effective price or having a touch screen upgrade in case there is a need for a touch application in the future. Caltron’s monitors will have the same form and fit even if there are component revisions and updates. We like to ensure that our monitors remain the same throughout the life of the monitors so that integrators and industrial companies who decide to use Caltron’s monitors to replace their pre-existing monitors will not have to worry about redesigning any enclosures when there are part revisions.

LCD’s generally have a longer life span than the typical CRT monitors and are much smaller, so when integrated into any system or application, there will be plenty of space to spare. With CRT’s becoming more obsolete as each day passes, many integrators and industries come to Caltron Industries to look for industrial grade Open Frame LCD Monitors to integrate into their solution. When there is a failure in an LCD monitor, usually it is isolated to a single component that can be easily repaired or replaced. In the long run, these simple part replacements can end up saving a lot of costs on potential repairs. The light weight and size of Caltron’s Open Frame LCD Monitors makes it easy for any application to replace out their old CRT monitors. LCD’s are the newest generation of monitors and are expected to stay around for quite some time.

Posted in General updates, New Articles

LCD Panel Maintenance Guide

May 30th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

Caltron mainly specializes in Open Frame Monitors and Touch Screen Monitors and sometimes our customers would like some advice on how to maintain the LCD panels so they have an increase in the maximum lifetime. Generally, Caltron advises our customers to try and stay within the guidelines that are provided for each monitor so that there is minimal interference on the function of the units. Sometimes it is also inevitable for the LCD panels to stay in pristine condition and prone to get dirty, given some of the harsh environments that the units are put into. Here are some cleaning tips when it comes to handling the LCD Panels. Usually a soft cloth that is used to clean dust will work nicely for the most part when it comes to just removing dust particles that are on the LCD panel.
There can be times when a damp cloth is required because of more stubborn particles that are stuck on the screen. At times like this, we usually recommend dampening a cloth with water to clean the screen. There are times when you can use a window cleaner to get rid of the really difficult particles, but using a window cleaner is often not too recommended as long term use can lead to damage on the LCD panel. There are also commercial LCD cleaning solutions. Many electronic stores usually sell an LCD cleaning solution that will not harm most LCD panels. This is also a viable alternative when using a damp cloth will not do the trick in getting the LCD panel cleaned. Proper maintenance and cleaning can help to ensure that the monitor last to its full potential life span. Simple maintenance can also lead to cost savings in the long run from buying new replacement units. You can also see our LCD Panel Maintenance Guide for instructions.

Posted in New Articles, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: lcd maintenance lcd monitor open frame touch screen

What is VESA Standard

May 23rd, 2011 by caltron No comments »

-What is VESA Standard?

VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association; it was founded in 1989 by NEC Home Electronics and eight other video display adapter manufacturers. VESA supports and sets industry-wide interface standards for the PC, workstation, and consumer electronics industries.

-How does this relate to Caltron’s products?

All of Caltron’s Open Frame Monitors and Touch Screen Monitors are compliant with VESA VBE Standards. VBE stands for Video Bios Extensions, and it is widely used in the industry for many standard definition monitors. Some of the graphic modes in the VBE Standard for our monitors are 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, and 1280×1024.

-What if I’m using a graphic mode other than the Standard?

It is highly recommended that you follow the VESA VBE standard when choosing a graphic mode. Even with the horizontal and vertical frequencies within the range of the monitor, it can still have displaying issues. If possible, always stick to the VESA VBE standard to eliminate any possible errors and any downtime that’s associated with those errors.

-What does it mean when the monitor display “Out of Range”

Typically when the monitor displays “Out of Range”, it means the graphic mode or resolution is not supported or out of the maximum resolution that it support. Even when the resolution selected is supported by the VESA VBE Standard, each individual monitor will have a maximum range. Turning down the resolution usually solves this problem.

Tags: Open Frame Monitor open frame touch screen touch open frame monitor Touch Screen Monitor VESA VBE

Posted in New Articles, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tips on designing a kiosk

May 13th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

Non-Touch and Touch Kiosk Monitors

Many of Caltron’s customers have ordered our touch screen open frame monitors and open frame monitors for their kiosk projects. Every kiosk applications have something different, but they share some common aspects, used in public locations and to provide convenience for users are an example. Caltron has some helpful tips for those kiosk VARs and OEMs to design their products that will make their kiosk’s operation last longer with less maintenance.

Consistency
Hidden costs can result in lost revenue and time, avoiding them is a key aspect to VARs and OEMs on their future production. That’s why it’s important for the layout of the product to stay the same in the duration of its life time. For example, Caltron’s 12.1 inch open frame monitor, our oldest product, has been in service since 1997 and used at least six LCD manufactures/models, but the layout has never been changed. This eliminates the need of redesigning the kiosk if a newer version of LCD is introduced because the layout is the same. Caltron has an article about What’s an Open Frame Monitor, it provides an entire view on display selection.

Touchscreen
Determining which touch technology is suitable for your kiosk is important because it can minimize down time and maximize usage of your kiosk. Check our touch screen technology comparison page article to know the pros and cons.

Environment
To ensure the protection and longevity of your components and your users, a protective bezel should be installed. For example, front splash proof bezel, shock absorbers, ventilation can protect against vandalism, heat, weather, quake, power outage and anything that can possibly damage or ruin the kiosk operation should be thoroughly considered.

Thermal management
Outdoor kiosks need to consider operating and storage temperature range of all electronic parts they use. On display part, LED backlit LCD panels accept wider operating and storage temperature range than traditional CCFL back LCDs. For differences between these two LCD technologies, check out Caltron’s article about When should I choose a CCFL LCD Monitor. Proper thermal management is needed for the whole kiosk to prevent problems from outdoor environments.

Sunlight
Direct Sunlight or strong light condition will reduce the usability/visibility of the kiosk, proper shading will prevent waste on energy or damage on the materials behind the LCD caused by long time bright sources exposure. Especially on touch screen kiosks, heat will accumulated between touch glass and LCD panel caused by sunlight.

Caltron has a permanent location for this article/blog for visitors check back later.

Posted in New Articles, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: LED backlit Open Frame Monitor Touch Screen Monitor touch screen open frame

Caltron Industries, Inc. releases the LBT-1503O, 15” Open Frame LED Monitor

May 9th, 2011 by caltron No comments »

15 inch LED backlit LCD Open Frame Monitor and Touch Screen Monitor

With technology advancing towards a greener world, Caltron has released the LBT-1503O, 15” Open Frame LED Monitor. This monitor can have a touch screen option added for special projects that require a touch screen monitor. The LBT-1503O has a higher energy output to produce a higher quality display, but at the same time use less energy than a typical LCD monitor. Caltron provides an LED option to make our Open Frame Monitor and Touch Screen Monitor Product line more extensive and readily available to projects that might require various types of monitors. Many project applications do require larger size screens, so Caltron tries as best as possible to accommodate all project types by increasing our product line so that designers and integrators have a myriad of options to choose from.

Not only is the LBT-1503O robust and capable of handling many harsh environments, but it is well equipped and sleekly designed to easily fit into many enclosures and can be designed into many applications. Integrators and OEM’s now have the option of using a monitor with higher brightness and clarity without the worry of paying an absorbent amount of money. With the LBT and FBT models both having the same chassis design, it will be easy for integrators to swap out the units with ease, if necessary. Some project applications also require special add-ons that are not standard for our units for their project needs and Caltron can accommodate project needs by obtaining the required parts for the unit.

Many industrial applications would like to get the most robust product that is best suited for their application the first time around and with the LBT-1503O having higher temperature ratings than the typical FBT-1503O and a longer MTBF from 20,000 to 50,000 hours, integrators and OEM’s can use these monitors into any application with minimal worry. The LBT-1503O is comprised of all the same durable industrial grade.

Posted in LED backlit, New Press Release, New Product Announcement, Open Frame Monitor, Touch Screen Monitor

Tags: 15 inch industrial monitor LED backlit Open Frame Monitor touch open frame monitor Touch Screen Monitor

CAT versus iCAT

May 2nd, 2011 by caltron No comments »

The Network Digital Signage Player MP-02A and Multi-zone Network Digital Signage Player MP-02Z comes with the CAT software and also iCAT. Pending on the user’s application and resources, sometimes one software that is offered for the player can be more effective for our user over the other that we offer for Caltron’s Digital Signage Players. Caltron provides options for our players to make our players as easy to use as possible. Caltron’s technical support will always try their best in assisting with networking as well as product support, but please note that since networking is not an actual “product” of Caltron, sometimes full support can’t be offered and a third party would have to come in for assistance.

CAT is generally meant for an intranet setting (local area network [LAN]), but can also be used in an internet setting. There is one stipulation when wanting to do this. The user has to have a static IP address so that CAT can locate the same IP address for updates. There are ways of creating a static IP address through having a dynamic IP address, but Caltron usually recommends having a third party handle this portion of networking if the user is unfamiliar with networking themselves. Caltron can usually assist our customers to a certain degree, but with networking, Caltron requires our customers to have some knowledge in networking or asks our customers to hire a third party that has knowledge with networking for assistance. Caltron can provide full support for our players and products, but we can’t offer full support for networking issues. If MP-02 users have trouble with acquiring a static address we usually recommend using iCAT as a viable alternative. This is basically like CAT, but it is the web based management system. This is a service that Caltron provides for free for the first year and if there is growth in players each year, then Caltron can waive fees for each future year. If there is no player growth and our customers would like to continue using the service, then there will be a small annual fee assessed. With this free service for iCAT, there are some restrictions and limitations, like a 100MB maximum file storage cap. For more information, please contact any of Caltron’s sales representatives.