Smart 'frames' for LCD/Plasma TV's

[localzuk]

Have many people come across these? We're looking to replace some aging smartboards now and i'm looking to break the endless projector related cycle - replacing lamps, dusting them, bright days rendering the screen unintelligible, wrong source being chosen on the projector, etc... etc...

If so, what are your thoughts?

I like the idea as it would mean less maintenance, better image quality, less 'overheating' issues, and would get rid of the projector stuck on a pole.

[TronXP]

Really depends on the size of your classroom, generally speaking the LCD/Plasma will not be as big as the projector/smartboard combo, and the smart frame when I last checked was about the same price as a smartboard. So factor in the cost of a decent sized lcd/plasma it is more expensive for a smaller image size.

[localzuk]

Really depends on the size of your classroom, generally speaking the LCD/Plasma will not be as big as the projector/smartboard combo, and the smart frame when I last checked was about the same price as a smartboard. So factor in the cost of a decent sized lcd/plasma it is more expensive for a smaller image size.

The smart frames now come in sizes up to 65" I think, and we generally install 48" Smartboards.

[SteveBentley]

The big advantage of these is that you won't be in a shadow while trying to write on the thing.

[gaz350]

and staff wont write on them in pen!

[AngryTechnician]

I have to say I'm intrigued. I haven't come across any before - links anyone?

[flyinghaggis]

We looked at them briefly but as stated above at the the time the most cost effective size of TFT/Plasman Television you could buy was 46" which just isn't large enough for a classroom IMO and is only about half the size of an interactive whiteboard. Wont really be possible to seriously consider them until they can match a 80" Smartboard which will be a while.

I'll be having one in my lounge the day I can buy an 80" TFT for sane money though

[Cummins]

I'd suggest possibly looking at moving away from SMART completely then. Why don't you look at getting a dedicated touch LCD? There are currently two main brands available at present - CleverLCD Touch and VTron. The main differences being LCD Touch runs via a stand-alone PC similar to a SMART Board but VTron's have PC's built in. It saves you buying a consumer panel or a business panel then buying a frame (atleast then only 1 thing can go wrong too ) Again there avail up to about 65" similar to SMART and I believe both can run the SMART Notebook software.

[SteveBentley]

Although running the SMART notebook on non-smart hardware is a license breach

[TronXP]

The smart frames now come in sizes up to 65" I think, and we generally install 48" Smartboards.

65" plasma are around the £3000-6000 range so lets say £4000, plus the smart frame which is around £2000 thats £6000 on a 65" smart display. You could get a 680i 77" for around the £2800-3000 mark.

[localzuk]

Yes, we don't install 77" smartboards, we install 48".

Just got a couple of quotes back for these now. 50" @ ~£2700 and 52" @ ~£3700.

The only issue I've noticed is that the pens are the kind which have a battery in them. Not ideal.