What is an Open Frame LCD Monitor?
An open frame LCD monitor is a bare-chassis industrial display — the LCD panel, backlight, controller board, and mounting brackets, but no outer casing. Instead of sitting on a desk or in its own housing, it is designed to be built into equipment: behind a kiosk facade, inside a gaming cabinet, behind an ATM shroud, or into an OEM machine panel. Because the host equipment supplies the enclosure, an open frame monitor integrates with minimal depth and cost.
AplusLCD supplies two open frame families that share the same integration standard: the cost-effective LH series (250-800 nits) for indoor machines and the LD series (250-800 nits) with optional PCAP touch and IPS/VA wide-viewing-angle panels. Both are built from industrial-grade components rated for 24/7 operation, accept VGA/DVI/HDMI signals, and mount on standard VESA patterns. Since 2008 AplusLCD has shipped open frame displays to more than 50 countries, supporting every integration with engineering confirmation of panel, mounting, and interface fit.
Need a Panel or Mounting Confirmation Against Your Enclosure?
Send us your enclosure drawing or cutout dimensions and our engineers will confirm the correct open frame model, VESA bracket, and interface fit — before you buy. No MOQ.
Send Your Enclosure Drawing →LH vs LD Series: Which Open Frame Monitor Do You Need?
Selection starts with the application, not the brightness — both families measure 250-800 nits across 6.5"-19". The LH series is the workhorse for indoor equipment — gaming machines, ATMs, self-service kiosks, POS terminals, and industrial control panels under normal room lighting. The LD series keeps that brightness and adds IPS/VA wide-viewing-angle panels, so it suits displays behind glass or under bright retail lighting — and adds optional PCAP multi-touch for interactive terminals. For direct sunlight, use a purpose-built sunlight readable screen instead.
| Feature | LH Series | LD Series |
|---|---|---|
| Available Sizes | 6.5" ~ 19" | 6.5" ~ 19" |
| Resolution | 640×480 ~ 1280×1024 | 640×480 ~ 1280×1024 |
| Brightness | 250~800 NITS | 250~800 NITS |
| Contrast | 600:1 ~ 1200:1 | 600:1 ~ 1200:1 |
| Available Models | 6.5", 7", 8.4", 10.4", 12.1", 15", 17", 19" | 6.5", 7", 8.4", 10.4", 12.1", 15", 17", 19" |
| Touch | Display-only (no touch overlay) | Optional PCAP multi-touch |
| Best Ambient | Indoor machines — gaming, ATM, kiosk, POS, industrial control | Semi-outdoor & sunlight-readable — transit, marine, glass-front kiosks |
Both families share the mounting standard: standard VESA patterns (75×75 mm or 100×100 mm) or custom brackets, front OSD buttons that stay accessible through a bezel opening, and VGA/DVI/HDMI signals routed into your cabinet. Depth stays minimal so the unit fits behind thin kiosk facades, and the -20°C to +70°C operating range covers unconditioned spaces such as arcade floors, transit shelters, and warehouse terminals.
Available Sizes & Interfaces
Both the LH and LD families run from 6.5" to 19". Available single-size configurations are:
LH Series: 6.5", 7", 8.4", 10.4", 12.1", 15", 17", 19"
LD Series: 6.5", 7", 8.4", 10.4", 12.1", 15", 17", 19"
- Video inputs: VGA, DVI, and HDMI input options on both families for easy system integration
- Touch: display-only standard; optional PCAP multi-touch on LD series for interactive kiosk applications
- Power: 12V DC power input available on many models
- Controls: front OSD buttons for brightness, contrast, and color calibration
- Mounting: VESA 75×75 mm or 100×100 mm patterns; custom brackets for OEM projects
Open Frame vs. Panel Mount vs. Rack Mount: Mounting Comparison
Open frame is one of four industrial mounting styles AplusLCD supplies. The deciding factor is where your display's protective front lives:
| Aspect | Open Frame Monitor | Panel Mount Monitor | Rack Mount Monitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Behind a machine facade or inside an enclosure — no outer casing | Flush into a panel cutout with a front-sealed bezel | Slides into standard 19" rack rails |
| Front protection | Provided by the host enclosure (no front sealing) | IP65-IP66 sealed front bezel | Optional IP65 front panel |
| Best for | Kiosks, gaming, ATMs, embedded OEM builds | Washdown, marine, dusty industrial floors | Control rooms, server areas, SCADA |
| Touch option | Optional PCAP on LD series (behind your cover) | PCAP through sealed glass | Optional front glass |
Choose an open frame monitor when you are building the equipment. Choose a IP65 industrial LCD monitor when the display face itself must survive dust, spray, or washdown, and a rack mount monitor for 19" cabinets. Our industrial LCD monitor selection guide maps every mounting type to its application.
Key Integration Features
Industrial Grade
24/7 continuous operation rated with industrial components for long product lifecycle
Flexible Interfaces
VGA, DVI, and HDMI input options for easy system integration
VESA Mounting
Standard VESA mounting patterns for quick integration into any enclosure
Front OSD Controls
Convenient front-panel buttons for brightness, contrast, and color calibration
Wide Temperature
-20°C to +70°C operating range ensures reliability in challenging environments
Optional PCAP Touch
LD series supports PCAP multi-touch overlay for interactive kiosk applications
Applications for Open Frame Monitors
Kiosk & Self-Service
Compact open-frame design integrates seamlessly into self-service kiosk enclosures for retail, ticketing, and check-in terminals
Gaming & Amusement
Reliable 24/7 display solution for slot machines, video poker, and arcade gaming equipment
ATM & Banking
Industrial-grade reliability with long product lifecycle for ATM and financial terminal integration
Industrial Control
VGA/DVI/HDMI inputs for versatile industrial control panel and HMI integration
POS Terminal
Cost-effective display with front OSD and VESA mounting for point-of-sale terminal applications
Digital Signage
Compact display solution for indoor advertising, menu boards, and information displays
Spec'ing an OEM Programme or a 1-Pc Prototype?
Both are supported. Send your application details and enclosure constraints for a proposal with mechanical drawings — within 24–48 hours. No MOQ.
Request an Open Frame Quote →