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Author Topic: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
jarinbress-
ler
Newbie
Posts: 9
Post Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: April 2, 2018, 23:29

Over the past months I have owned my Harrison, my friend Mike Everett of Etek, LLC has helped me cook up something that I believe is a game changer for these consoles.

Who would be interested in a product that allows you to interface a mouse and keyboard as a replacement for the CRT touchscreen?

Think about it, actually being able to use the slate function and type in names for your scribble strip quickly! Not having a clunky CRT monitor rolling around on the floor, benefits of HDMI out to a TV, etc. The proof-of-concept works on my console already with the mouse, and Mike has ideas on how to make the keyboard integration work next. So many ways that the usefulness of the console can be improved here. :)

maikol
Administrator
Posts: 78
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: April 4, 2018, 09:45

Hello Jarin,

That sounds interesting, thanks for sharing it ! For sure typing those slates on the touchscreen is a bit cumbersome. ;-)

I'm not sure however what you mean by "replacement" ? I guess you mean use a normal TFT screen with a mouse and keyboard instead of the CRT touchscreen ?

Having had to replace the CRT monitor which died years ago, I ended up using a TFT Philipps display (which accepts the mandatory SOG signal the Harrison video card outputs) and just placing/fixing the curved touch panel in front of it, so the clunkiness of the CRT is not a problem anymore for me, though it isn't perfect and looks a bit dodgy.

I also have to say I quite like the touchscreen thing, even if I really don't use it much else that to save/recall sessions and typing slates. I don't know, maybe it's just because I find it's pretty amazing technology for the 90's ? :-)

I'd think maybe the best would be to have both a real flat touchscreen AND a keyboard ? Do you think this would be possible ?

By the way, I was just recently trying to see if I could find a flat TFT touchpanel to replace the original curved panel. This would need to be directly compatible with the MicroTouch SMT2 controller Harrison used, as it has to use the original driver. I've sent a few inquiries to the rare sellers of what looked like possibly compatible displays, but haven't had any success yet.

This panel : https://www.8linesupply.com/shop/parts-supplies/flat-17-touch-screen/ looks like a potential candidate, but I haven't had an answer yet from the seller.

I realize I'm highjacking your thread Jarin, so maybe I should open a new one ?

Cheers,
Maikol
jarinbress-
ler
Newbie
Posts: 9
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: April 4, 2018, 17:50

I hear what you are saying, but in my opinion and working with other engineers, it just doesn't work for a modern workflow. It is way too slow. I have gotten rid of a separate screen altogether. I also don't want to rely on the outdated MicroTouch controllers. There are ways of using any monitor that you like, as it doesn't have to be one that accepts RGsB (or known as SOG) signal. You just have to know how to convert the signal, which can be a pain to figure out.

In the picture below, I have the Harrison shell up on my 75" TV screen in my studio with automatic switching back and forth from my DAW. Whenever I move my mouse to the edge of the screen, it switches over to the Harrison. It is beautiful and seamless. I bet nobody has ever had the Harrison shell that large before! haha

Image
maikol
Administrator
Posts: 78
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: April 4, 2018, 19:09

Ha ha indeed that is a laaaaaaarge Harrison Shell !!! :D

Let us know when your system is ready, and of course how much this nice option would cost ! ;)

jarinbress-
ler
Newbie
Posts: 9
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: April 9, 2018, 17:11

I will keep this forum up to date and let you all know when the product is ready for release! We are aiming for it to be a 1U rack unit to integrate into any Harrison setup easily and efficiently.
Studjo
Beginner
Posts: 45
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: June 1, 2018, 19:03

Awesome Jarin! I'm definitely interested of course ;)

Billsbuddy-
2
Beginner
Posts: 26
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: July 26, 2018, 21:50

How is it going with this product?
jarinbress-
ler
Newbie
Posts: 9
Post Re: Replace Touchscreen with a Mouse/Keyboard interface
on: August 9, 2018, 22:20

Well, unfortunately there has been a hiccup in the road. For reasons unknown, the person assisting me in the project has bailed and after repeated attempts to reach him, he has ignored me. For the time being, the project is dead in the water. Frustrating when we were so close to having it done. If anyone has connections with an expert serial communications debugger (RS232 and RS422 protocol), and can code in Python, please contact me. jarin@snowwoodstudios.com
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