neilault Posted September 25, 2013 Posted September 25, 2013 Hi People, About a third of the school is being rebuilt and the money is not there to fit the rooms with Smartboards this time. We have been told it is cheaper to go for the new Smart LightRaise Interactive Projectors. Just wondering really if anyone has used these at all? If so can you give us a run down of how good they are etc? I don't suppose anyone in the South-West would happen to have any installed that we could come and see? We've also started to look at the Epson Interactive Projectors but the staff here are obsessed with the Smart software which now has a check for 3rd party hardware and then doesn't work! So not sure what to do really. Many thanks, Neil
pcstru Posted September 25, 2013 Posted September 25, 2013 We have just fitted 10 of the new 60wi projectors - they come with two pens but can be used with just fingers. They seem to work really well, very responsive to touch no perceptible lag (unlike the older 40wi pen only units). They can be a bit fiddly to calibrate but that should be a one off job. They're also fussy about boards and won't work with a surround that comes out more than 3mm from the board (forwards of the board). 2
witch Posted September 25, 2013 Posted September 25, 2013 Ohh - Spooky I have just had a discussion with the head about replacing our aging smartboards and the projector came up as a possibility. @PSctru Not quite clear on what you mean re the board? Did you buy special ones?
pcstru Posted September 25, 2013 Posted September 25, 2013 Ohh - Spooky I have just had a discussion with the head about replacing our aging smartboards and the projector came up as a possibility. @PSctru Not quite clear on what you mean re the board? Did you buy special ones? The first boards that were fitted had a bezel that protruded 15mm from the board - I think it increases contrast. The projectors touch sensors (LIDAR I think) don't like it. The spec is the surround should protrude no more than 3mm out from the surface of the board. 1
neilault Posted September 25, 2013 Author Posted September 25, 2013 We have just fitted 10 of the new 60wi projectors - they come with two pens but can be used with just fingers. They seem to work really well, very responsive to touch no perceptible lag (unlike the older 40wi pen only units). They can be a bit fiddly to calibrate but that should be a one off job. They're also fussy about boards and won't work with a surround that comes out more than 3mm from the board (forwards of the board). Thanks pcstru. Did you have them installed or do it yourself? Any rough idea on the price you paid for them?
pcstru Posted September 25, 2013 Posted September 25, 2013 We had them fitted. I think the projectors themselves were around £1300.
fiza Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 @pcstru - Are the boards you had fitted dry wipe boards? Can they be used to write on as well as being used with the projector?
VeryPC_Colin_F Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 Hi Neil, I Will fire you over a PM to help you with demonstrations Col
pcstru Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 @pcstru - Are the boards you had fitted dry wipe boards? Can they be used to write on as well as being used with the projector? Yes. (which is apparently too short a reply to post)
TheScarfedOne Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 Hi Neil, I Will fire you over a PM to help you with demonstrations Col @VeryPC_Colin_F Can you send info my way too please....
neilault Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 Having looked into the SmartRaise projectors we have decided against them. Our previous Smart projectors were based on DLP technology and it seems that the new LightRaise one is too. In the past our experience with the colour range and clarity over time of DLP is poor. We have compared them side by side with the Epson Interactive projectors which use 3LCD technology and it is completely clear that Epson wins. On top of that we get the Epson Hub agreement for spares, replacement bulbs are only £50 and they are cheaper in the first instance.
witch Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 Having looked into the SmartRaise projectors we have decided against them. Our previous Smart projectors were based on DLP technology and it seems that the new LightRaise one is too. In the past our experience with the colour range and clarity over time of DLP is poor. We have compared them side by side with the Epson Interactive projectors which use 3LCD technology and it is completely clear that Epson wins. On top of that we get the Epson Hub agreement for spares, replacement bulbs are only £50 and they are cheaper in the first instance. That is very useful info
fiza Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 Having looked into the SmartRaise projectors we have decided against them. Our previous Smart projectors were based on DLP technology and it seems that the new LightRaise one is too. In the past our experience with the colour range and clarity over time of DLP is poor. We have compared them side by side with the Epson Interactive projectors which use 3LCD technology and it is completely clear that Epson wins. On top of that we get the Epson Hub agreement for spares, replacement bulbs are only £50 and they are cheaper in the first instance. What will you do about the Smart Notebook Software?
neilault Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 What will you do about the Smart Notebook Software? Most of the projectors we are getting are going to be for the Maths department and they actually like the Epson software that comes with it. We can purchase a license bundled with the Epson projectors for the Smart software if we wanted too but they are generally happy (for once!) to change over. The rest are for the head, meeting rooms and conference room in the new build as well and they will be fine with the Epson software.
fiza Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Most of the projectors we are getting are going to be for the Maths department and they actually like the Epson software that comes with it. We can purchase a license bundled with the Epson projectors for the Smart software if we wanted too but they are generally happy (for once!) to change over. The rest are for the head, meeting rooms and conference room in the new build as well and they will be fine with the Epson software. Do you know how the epson software compares to the Smart software? What are you doing about Teachers who have built up smart note resources over the years. I guess these will no longer work with the epson software?
neilault Posted November 8, 2013 Author Posted November 8, 2013 Do you know how the epson software compares to the Smart software? What are you doing about Teachers who have built up smart note resources over the years. I guess these will no longer work with the epson software? During the demo they were pretty impressed with the software however they have not been able to completely use them yet as they haven't moved into the new build currently. They are happy to modify the resources they have to work with the Epson software. If there are any real problems we can still purchase a separate license for the Smart software to use on the Epsons and we will still have saved money compared to the LightRaise projectors.
fiza Posted January 20, 2014 Posted January 20, 2014 @neilault - Did you get the Epson Interactive Projectors in the end? We are looking at replacing our aging boards and projectors with cheaper Interactive Projectors but it seems Smart are the only ones that make Interactive Projectors that are Pen and Touch. All the others are pen only so lose the pen and you cant use the board. Will be looking at Interactive Projectors at BETT to see what the options are but have to be Pen and Touch.
neilault Posted January 20, 2014 Author Posted January 20, 2014 Yes we got 20 of the Epson EB-475WI projectors in the end. We currently have only installed one of them as the new build is still in progress. They seem to be happy with it and they are very smart and bright. Unfortunately the Smart projectors are the only ones that can do touch. As far as I can tell from our Epson rep this isn't going to change anytime soon. You get two pens with each projectors and replacements are about £35 I believe. We became part of the Epson Hub agreement as we purchased a few projectors which means we keep spare bulbs, pens etc in stock and then only get charged when we take one. I shall be spending my time at BETT looking at tablets no doubt! Neil @neilault - Did you get the Epson Interactive Projectors in the end? We are looking at replacing our aging boards and projectors with cheaper Interactive Projectors but it seems Smart are the only ones that make Interactive Projectors that are Pen and Touch. All the others are pen only so lose the pen and you cant use the board. Will be looking at Interactive Projectors at BETT to see what the options are but have to be Pen and Touch.
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