Interactive TVs

[rjf2019]

We are planning ahead for a refresh of boards in classrooms, and are looking at interactive TVs. We are currently all Promethean boards, and I wouldn't rule them out.

 

Another brand that I keep hearing good things about is C-Touch. Does anyone have any opinions on them? Or other brands that you would encourage me to look at?

 

And I guess also, any that you would discount?

[LukeRowberry]

Iiyama are very good by all accounts

[dmason2]

C touch are great can vouch for them

[JOrdan01070]

We have just refreshed 6 boards with promethean and I think they are very good, we will never use all the features thats fine as they where the cheapest. The other two where Benq and Iiyama.

[Chaniel]

Our staff wouldn't ever fully utilise the full functionality of Promethean/SMART interactive screens so we go with BenQs. Simple to use, simple to mount, integrated soundbar. Overall very happy with them

[Scifigirl]

+1 for Ben Q here. Been buying for a couple of years and have been happy with all the models.

[TechMonkey]

We use Prowise currently and have heard good things about Sharp boards.

[rjf2019]

Thanks everyone. I will wait for the quotes and see where we are from there.

 

Soundbars were mentioned, which I had completely overlooked. On the existing touchpanel TVs that we have, we have soundbars. The TVs are connected to the PC by HDMI, and the bar connects to the TV. They sound great when the TV is on.

 

However, if the teacher is working outside of the school day without the TV on, they don't get any sound.

 

Has anyone got a different / better set-up, that gets around this problem?

[fredesq]

We went with prowise after reviewing everything in that price range.

 

A few of the competitors talk to chinese servers we found (usually the ones with a cloud hosted control panel) and pretty much and just aren't feature-full.

For example, the Prowise boards are used in the DoD meaning they passed their security requirements, i really can't imagine these ones doing that.

 

The sound quality and volume is great for what they are.

After support has been good, updates have been consistent, extra features have been rolling out as we've owned them and the devices have been reliable.

Edited May 7, 2021 by fredesq
retraction of opinion

[paulkerton]

Everything apart from Prowise talks to chinese servers pretty much and just aren't feature-full.

 

Do you want to give examples of that, cause... you know... that's quite the claim...

[BenQ_Royce]

ThanQ for the brand support on this thread , we've tried to make the product fit the needs of UK teachers, whilst making the range still affordable too. If you need any help getting the best out of the boards don't hesitate to reach out, as a long term EduGeek sponsor we're here to help as well. I do hope the new UK addition of Oak National Academy content is useful (& Kahoot! everywhere); plus on many models, antibacterial glass and air quality sensors.......... both very relevant right now.

 

we have a new version of the EZWrite software coming very soon too.

 

Royce/ UK MD

Edited May 7, 2021 by BenQ_Royce

[kennysarmy]

We've recently tried SMART, BENQ, Viewsonic and Clevertouch.

 

Viewsonic impressed us for function of software and price point.

[SamanthaD]

We use Iiyama - they're latest version of the touchscreens have a nice USB hub on them as well, so you can add a camera and USB mic to your touch USB cable and get all 3 on the 1 connector.

 

Also - has a USB switch in the screen, so you can have a main PC attached to input 1 and laptop to input 2, when the screen displays input 2 the USB switches over as well, similar to a KVM. So the in room camera, touchscreen etc can be used with a laptop without having to unplug the main PC cables.

Edited May 7, 2021 by SamDavis

[fredesq]

Do you want to give examples of that, cause... you know... that's quite the claim...

You're right - i've retracted my sweeping comment. It was a while ago we went through the comparisons, it was a definate glaring issue for some of the boards.

[DavR]

We have used iiYama in a lot of locations here, we've had a few failures, but they've been quite happy to come onsite to replace them (5 year warranty).

 

We were previously all Promethean, and last year I was turned back to them with the Promethean Nickel range, which actually came in cheaper than the iiYamas (and means we can legit keep using ActivInspire).

[stevewill6]

Iiyama we use here. The warranty replacement is decent as well. Just had one replaced today due to a line of dead pixels.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi,

 

At BenQ we offer a range of interactive panels from 55" up to 86", with a range of features including account management, device management, broadcast messaging, germ resistant glass & eye care. If you'd like to know more, I'd be happy to run through the different options and can even arrange a remote demo for you.

 

Thanks, Chris.

[mw184]

I can +1 BenQ as well here. We have several and they have all worked flawlessly

[kxv2020]

Anyone come across this brand ibt ? https://discoveribt.com/

[Jawloms]

Just looking at some new TVs. We have a bunch of promethean boards, so obviously ActivInspire software and what-have-you. I assume the licensing goes with the board, so I can't buy other branded boards and use Promethean's software with them?

 

Stuart

[paulkerton]

You can license the ActivInspire software separately, but its about £500 a machine.

[slugshead]

Prowise across the board here. Integrated soundbar, oodles of connections (Display port on the new ones). OPS modules from VeryPC, works a dream.

 

Teachers never use the prowise software, but the microsoft whiteboard app from the store or onenote works perfect for them.

[Jawloms]

Anyone know if you can get a trolley which will move the TV from vertical to horizontal? I'd like one in art, and they might like to trace from it or use it interactively as a table.

[slugshead]

Anyone know if you can get a trolley which will move the TV from vertical to horizontal? I'd like one in art, and they might like to trace from it or use it interactively as a table.

 

We bought them from Prowise for this exact reason. Expensive and never used. The art teach insists on using a lightbox or a projector on a stand pointing down

[chazzy2501]

I have some Newline RS+ they are not good enough to write on, stay away.