Question: Were TNG Transporter panels touch sensitive or faked?

SurferGeek

SurferGeek

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
I say they were actually touch sensitive.

A short while ago a friend and I were watching a, I think, Season 1 TNG episode that showed the Transporter operator actually running his hands up the "controls" causing the lights to illuminate. I commented to my friend that they were touch sensitive and he didn't believe me.

I recall reading about and thought I had some good picture examples of the brass touch sensitive contacts they used in the early seasons for some of the LCAR panels but wasn't able to find anything other than the one below.

Also, if anyone who watched the bumbling Capt Stone stubble around the sets of TNG you'll recall him playing with the transporter control panel. And, no, his hair didn't look OK. :lol

This cap is from "Where No One Has Gone Before".
o44441wherenoone010l103.jpg
 
Last edited:
I often suspected that early on there were some kind of "real" controls on the panel. Can't recall what episode but I seem to recall a shot where it looked like there was a push button that was flush with the panel. However, I have a late model (season 7/Generations) transporter panel and it's just a straight plexi.
 
Yes, I recall the video of Stone operating it and it actually functioning. No special effects there.
 
contec said:
Where would one find the video of captain stone?
Click to expand...


It used to be on Youtube but I'm not sure if it's still there or not. I did a quick search and couldn't find it. It was in four parts... ending in the twit almost getting caught by someone.

If you look at some of the ST:TMP props like their version of the PADDs and you'll see a few examples of the brass contacts used to trigger flip-flops or lights. Here's a link to Rich Coyle's site with an example.
 
Last edited:
Definitely good for a laugh but you also want to smack the twit when he damages some sets...
 
BrundelFly said:
Maybe that had some sort of light chaser...but....

it was JUST a Graphic.
Click to expand...

Which season is that panel from? It's likely that they changed the setup after the first season as I'm sure it wasn't really reliable enough.

Check the video linked above, you can see he is actually changing the sequence of lights, even turning some on and off.
 
SurferGeek said:
Which season is that panel from? It's likely that they changed the setup after the first season as I'm sure it wasn't really reliable enough.

Check the video linked above, you can see he is actually changing the sequence of lights, even turning some on and off.
Click to expand...

Im told there were only two of those.
That one was removed from the GENERATION SET, which used the same sets from the TV Show. I would think it would be the latter of the two used. NO idea when they swapped out.

Yes, I see from the video there is a column of either WHITE DOTS...or SILVER electrical connectors.
When touched, a light comes on under the panel.

Odds are....its white paint and someone standing off to the side turning on a light when a certain area is touched.

I doubt it was anything sophisticated...but..who knows.

I know who to ask, Ill send this thread to him.
 
Last edited:
The one I have doesn't have screw holes - perhaps it was a spare. The plexi edges are cut to fit the console that was also the same style as Conn/Ops. Is that pic above the graphic alone? The edges look different.

While we're on the subject - does anyone know how those were built? I've been dying to build the right box for Transporter Panel, but I have NO idea how they made those curves, etc. The ones in the Vegas Exhibit were close, but not exactly the same.

DSC01251.jpg


DSC01255.jpg
 
Quinn
Its just the graphic. The Smoked acrylic it was in was trashed.
Mine is just smashed between two pieces of acrylic to protect it.
Did you get yours from Profiles? They sold one, and said it was one of two.
Im guessing there are more as all the graphics were routinely replaced.
 
Interesting thread


lol What is with that footage? hes not one for ad libing is he...

Did he break into the sets at night to do this?
 
I got mine off the 'bay years ago ('02, I think) when Paramount was clearing out everything but "Enterprise". Whomever the seller was, they had quite a few consoles - only one of each, though. I was told mine was from the Season 7/Generations.
 
Very cool. It would make sense there were multiples.

We got to visit the enterprise set.
By then were were making the graphics via Transparencies, and had BOXES full of em.
They gave us each several as souvenirs.
 
The thing that kills me is I'm almost 100% certain I remember having a screencap or watching a sequence of the transport process where the actor is touching the contacts and the lights coming on. Yes, it's just as likely that it was done out of view but again, I'm just following the logic that the exact setup, i.e. the brass contacts, was used in props for the first Trek movie.
 
Well....I would agree with you. Had I not ever visited a set.

I got to see VOYAGER and ENTERPRISE. All very impressive, but trust me, if there is a easy CHEAP way of doing anything, thats the route they take. They even pull monitors from one set and use in another, so they dont have to buy so many.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

drsyn71
Transporter Pattern Enhancers
Replies
3
Views
346
alexbailey
alexbailey
Cmdr.Kerner
Star Trek - TNG Holodeck Panel
Replies
9
Views
612
Cmdr.Kerner
Cmdr.Kerner
Quick2
TOS Star Trek Transporter Console graphics. Where to get?
Replies
6
Views
661
feek61
feek61
BolianAdmiral
TNG Prop Help
Replies
0
Views
354
BolianAdmiral
BolianAdmiral
monker67
Playmates TNG Tricorder prop build
Replies
6
Views
1,033
riker12
riker12
Back
Top