DalekSec Posted September 21, 2017 Posted September 21, 2017 Scenario: Teachers wanting to walk around the class room with their surface while displaying on board. We currently use the Microsoft wireless display adapters, but find these very flaky and cuts out often. This we think is due to the congestion on the wireless range it uses. I've tested a Apple TV 4th gen as then i can plug it in over Ethernet so better stability, problem i've had with that is when it's playing videos it's extremely un-smooth and the FPS drops a lot. This might be because i've had to use 3rd party software (Parrot 2) to stream to them. and lastly tried a 'Startech' miracast box, which i have been completely unable to cast to bar with my android phone. We do have Surface docks and they work fine, but a lot of teachers (most of them) want to be able to move freely around the room. What do other surface based schools use to project wirelessly?
3s-gtech Posted September 21, 2017 Posted September 21, 2017 The continual issue with wireless projection - framerate and stability. I bought some WiDi adaptors a few years back to work with Surface 2s. Completely useless - getting them to connect was near impossible, and when they did (once, in many hours of testing) it was rubbish. I had hoped things had moved on, but I don't think they really have. Other than Apple TVs (which work well with Macs and iPads IME) I haven't had a lot of luck.
mdrabble Posted September 21, 2017 Posted September 21, 2017 What about ChromeCast devices? I've just ordered one to test as head of IT has a surface and wants to do the same.
DalekSec Posted September 21, 2017 Author Posted September 21, 2017 What about ChromeCast devices? I've just ordered one to test as head of IT has a surface and wants to do the same. Can you stream the whole screen to them? I was under the impression it was the chrome browser window only? Plus they are WiFi only and no Ethernet connection, meaning less stability. I have got one at home and it's pretty good, but can't see it working in a school/business environment, unless there's something i don't know about!
mdrabble Posted September 21, 2017 Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) Providing you have recent version (May 2016 onwards) of chrome installed you can now Cast your whole desktop. Edited September 21, 2017 by mdrabble
DalekSec Posted September 21, 2017 Author Posted September 21, 2017 Providing you have recent version (May 2016 onwards) of chrome installed you can now Cast your whole desktop. Ah right, i have the 2nd gen one at home which i believe is the correct one. Also just read you can connect them to Ethernet with a usb adapter, so might give it a go!
mattpant Posted September 21, 2017 Posted September 21, 2017 We have Surface Pro 3's in school and we use them in conjunction with NEC Network Projectors (NEC M260W) which work very well, they're an old model now so don't know the alternative - A small program sits on the device, which the user opens up and selcts which projecter they want to connect to (All labelled up as the Room Number) the software automatically switches the projector on, and has a small "floating" remote control to blank / freeze the screen / change source, and power off the projector so no remotes needed to be left in the rooms to get lost! The image is projected in it's native resolution too which is great! I'm currenlty looking at way to replicate a similar setup with large format screens (the don't need to be interactive as the Tablet will be the interactive part) - but I'm struggling to find a decent setup that will allow us to connect wirelessly whilst also projecting in the native format without squishing everything on the tablet screen or the main screen. Thanks Matt
jmak Posted September 21, 2017 Posted September 21, 2017 What about ChromeCast devices? I've just ordered one to test as head of IT has a surface and wants to do the same. I'm playing with Googlecast for education at the minute for this scenario - you need another PC connected to the projector for that solution, but don't need any extra kit. The Cast for Education extension runs on the teacher’s computer that’s connected to the classroom projector, and it doesn't require new hardware. Teachers receive casts through the Cast for Education extension, and students share their screens using thelatestversionof the Cast feature in Chrome. https://support.google.com/edu/castforedu/?hl=en
Laurence Posted September 22, 2017 Posted September 22, 2017 Hi, we tried to set-up a school with display over wireless about 4 years ago, but really struggled to get smooth video so went for small form factor mounted on the projectors, then used wireless keyboards or splashtop to present. However, we've been experimenting again and have been pleasantly surprised so far, the technology appears to have moved on. We have tried a range of miracast devices, and I'll happily share the details when we have finished our testing, but, our biggest issue is not being able to change the device name. Windows Wireless Display Adapter app always has the device settings greyed out. Anyone know what's up with that? 1
thimon Posted September 22, 2017 Posted September 22, 2017 I've just put forward a proposal for wireless projecting. With the three main choices being AirParrot 2, Ditto and AirServer. Ditto looks the most promising but the more expensive option. We used AirServer in my last school which worked well from what I remember.
DalekSec Posted September 22, 2017 Author Posted September 22, 2017 Just tried ditto as havent heard of it, started off promising. Put in the apple tv code and then only displayed a black screen :/
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