2 Smartboards into 1 PC - does that work?

[sparkeh]

So I've been asked if its possible to plug x2 Smartboards into 1 PC and use them both interactively?

 

The issue is that we have a weird shaped classroom such that the teacher does the introduction to the lesson on the carpet (primary school!) and when the kids go to their tables they can't see the board very well so leaving resources up on the screen isn't very useful.

 

The current Smatboard is a traditional IWB with projector but we would kinda like to get a touchscreen in to the table area but have then both plugged into the PC.

 

Does any of this make sense?! :S

[3s-gtech]

In theory, if the displays are cloned (which may be interesting unless your projector will support 1920x1080) they should both be supported as USB input devices and just work. I'm not sure how it'll play if you used an extended desktop though. I have a PC here with both Smartboard and Wacom tablet plugged in, same principle really.

[sparkeh]

Thanks, the idea is to clone them.

[smithson83]

Do you really need a touchscreen for the second display? So long as the kids can see what is being done, thye can always walk to the IWB to make changes, and would save you a considerable amount of money.

[Michael]

Logically speaking it should work - presumably outputting the same computer screen on both interactive screens?

 

You just couldn't use both simultaneously, but logically I see no reason why it wouldn't work. I guess the Smart software would load the driver twice/two entries in Device Manager?

 

You'll have to let us all know, as I've never been asked to do such a thing

[sparkeh]

Do you really need a touchscreen for the second display? So long as the kids can see what is being done, thye can always walk to the IWB to make changes, and would save you a considerable amount of money.

Just working with what has been requested by management

Logically speaking it should work - presumably outputting the same computer screen on both interactive screens?

 

You just couldn't use both simultaneously, but logically I see no reason why it wouldn't work. I guess the Smart software would load the driver twice/two entries in Device Manager?

 

You'll have to let us all know, as I've never been asked to do such a thing

Heh yeah. When I was asked I said "Yeeeeeaaahh I think it should work but I'll ask around"

 

So yes the PC video output will be split between the monitor, the existing Smartboard, and the new one. I think it would work as really its just adding another input...

 

If we do it I'll report back