Projectors vs TVs in 2023

[barrytech]

We're looking to replace our aging EB-595wi (which were rarely ever used interactively).

 

In 2023, would you opt for a similar projector (EB-735Fi), large format interactive TV, or a large format non-interactive TV (85" +)

 

I'm leaning towards 85" non-interactive TVs. All teachers have 2-in-1 laptops so they can still annotate etc if they want, and the cost is considerably less than the interactive TVs. I would think glare would be less too as there's only one layer of glass.

 

Thoughts?

[Sibrows]

In the past 6 months I attempted something similar rolling out consumer grade non-interactive TVs with Chromecasts.

 

The big hang up from staff was the lack of freeze function. We’re now rolling out laser projectors as I want to avoid bulbs etc.

[ThomL]

In the past 6 months I attempted something similar rolling out consumer grade non-interactive TVs with Chromecasts.

 

The big hang up from staff was the lack of freeze function. We’re now rolling out laser projectors as I want to avoid bulbs etc.

 

This might be worth trying for the freeze function: https://github.com/askvictor/PauseToScreen

[TechMonkey]

Or teaching staff to use the extend function rather than duplicate.

TCO of projectors is higher than screens, even more so when you take into account man hours. We are replacing all projectors with large displays. Not going interactive as the staff all have touchscreen devices.

[3s-gtech]

I would be vary wary of TVs with plastic rather than glass fronts in a classroom. I’ve seen too many things leaned against IWBs as well as slips and kids messing with them - one hard prod of a plastic covered screen and it’s over.

[psydii]

After a fifteen-year decline, we have now gone from projector based IWBs (with broken/no interactivity) to 86" interactive screens. Interactivity on the previous traditional IWBs were used by about 8 people out of 200.

 

Almost everybody uses the interactivity on the new screens. All the interactivity sceptics have admitted they were wrong.

 

We have not rolled out any dedicated IWB software onto the computers, nor do we have the more capable modular PCs installed in the boards - we just have the basic built-in software and treat them as slightly-smart Interactive Screens - so they can perform much like projecting onto a drywipe board, but with something a of a roller-board-like capability.

 

They have transformed lessons. Ultimately they remove problems and restore basic capabilities to every single lesson that have been damaged through poor projectors/IWBS. Teachers' 'flow' is no longer hindered, and everybody is noticeably happier.

 

I have also run scenarios where the interactivity (pen/touch) were driven by the laptop hardware, and this can work, but requires skills and teaching styles that are not standard across the teaching body. Absolutely there are enthusiastic advocates for this style of set up, and in a small school where everyone pulls together to support this 'novel' approach it can be excellent.

 

However, basic board-driven interactivity is in my opinion an absolute baseline of capability, to not provide it is a false economy.

[Strawdog]

We replaced the majority of our projectors and IWBs with Samsung consumer grade TVs (Samsung UE75TU7020 75" Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV @ circa £510 each) over the last couple of years - we bought a hot swap spare to keep in a cupboard but thankfully never had to use it to replace any of the classroom displays... we did however end up using it to replace a very expensive 98" Iiyama display that we had on a mobile stand for assemblies which lasted less than a week before mysteriously killing itself whilst stored in a locked cupboard only staff have access to

 

Every classroom already had an AppleTV (3rd Gen), which have been in place since 2012 (all teachers have MacBooks), but the Samsungs also have AirPlay 2 built in along with all the usual smart TV functions, you can also use Wireless Display to wirelessly connect from a Windows 10 laptop but we've never used that at scale so I don't know how robust it is but it works for the odd guest who comes in with a Windows machine or who needs a loaner (we also have a bunch of really long HDMI cables and display adaptors available when needed).

 

They've been spot on so far - nice bright and crisp displays with good viewing angles (they're all on adjustable mounts - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bracket-Swivel-Max-VESA-600x400mm-Screens-black/dp/B01MS4N45A) and decent sound. My fear when we got them was either a smashed screen, due to something being lobbed across a classroom, or one being pulled clean off the wall due to someone swinging on it but our biggest headache to date has been trying to teach some staff how to use the remote "It's a TV... you know, like you have at home..." (apparently 'Source' and 'Volume' are arcane terms as uncommonly encountered as the need to turn plug sockets on at the wall).

 

We had a couple of departments that really wanted to keep their IWBs so we still have a few in use, we bought Epson EB-X39 & EB-X49 projectors (£300-£355) for those rooms - they're nice projectors but I'd much rather have TVs throughout as they just tick so many more boxes (resolution, brightness, audio quality, features, adjustable mount, ease of replacement, ease of use, no need to mess with focus/throw distance/keystone/filters, reduced interconnections/power requirements, etc.).

[thimon]

Tried rolling out TVs. Luckily didn’t get too far, as the lack of freeze function is a huge no no from teachers.

[Strawdog]

Or teaching staff to use the extend function rather than duplicate.

 

We've spent the last decade+ trying to teach staff to use this, we've had a couple of successes :\

 

However anyone who complains about the lack of a freeze function on the TVs has it pointed out to them again and that generally stops the complaints (even if they still don't use it).

[DrCheese]

I used to be a projector fan, simply because of the cost. The Casio lampless projectors we have in the main cost me £500 a piece - Compared to the cost (2/3 years ago) of a 75ins interactive screen (£2k +) they were a no brainer, especially as we had so many older projectors that badly needed replacing. I could kit out 4 to 5 classrooms for the cost of just one screen.

 

However, in the past few years a lot of vendors have stopped making projectors and they now cost on average around £1.2k for a decent one - I can now also get 75in screens (Smart GX) for this price so it's a no brainer to switch to them.

 

I only buy tough education screens tho, There's just no way I would trust a normal consumer grade TV in a classroom.

[Strawdog]

I only buy tough education screens tho, There's just no way I would trust a normal consumer grade TV in a classroom.

 

I get the rationale, as kit rarely gets looked after or treated appropriately, but I worked on the basis that even with some breakages we wouldn't be in the position of having to replace every display multiple times (e.g. 2.5x based on a rough price of £1250 for a 75" 'classroom grade' screen) during their expected life span so overall it would be cheaper to go for consumer grade, plus we didn't have very much demand for interactivity from most curriculum areas.

 

On the subject of 'classroom grade' screens - we've just been quoted £1000.80 to swap out a Promethean Activpanel 75" (AP4-75) with a refurbished unit, it was bought back in 2016 (with a 5 year warranty... Sod's law) so it's not had a bad innings but it took over a month to get the quote from Promethean (I'd asked them for a repair quote as it's the lenses on the backlight that have dropped off due to the glue perishing*), if it had been a TV we'd have replaced it the same day.

 

*Replacement backlight arrays are available (e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124432141852) or I could even glue the lenses back on but I have neither the time or inclination to strip down something that size to service it myself.

 

Edited October 31, 2022 by Strawdog

[Brax]

I get the rationale, as kit rarely gets looked after or treated appropriately, but I worked on the basis that even with some breakages we wouldn't be in the position of having to replace every display multiple times (e.g. 2.5x based on a rough price of £1250 for a 75" 'classroom grade' screen) during their expected life span so overall it would be cheaper to go for consumer grade, plus we didn't have very much demand for interactivity from most curriculum areas.

 

On the subject of 'classroom grade' screens - we've just been quoted £1000.80 to swap out a Promethean Activpanel 75" (AP4-75) with a refurbished unit, it was bought back in 2016 (with a 5 year warranty... Sod's law) so it's not had a bad innings but it took over a month to get the quote from Promethean (I'd asked them for a repair quote as it's the lenses on the backlight that have dropped off due to the glue perishing*), if it had been a TV we'd have replaced it the same day.

 

*Replacement backlight arrays are available (e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124432141852) or I could even glue the lenses back on but I have neither the time or inclination to strip down something that size to service it myself.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66888[/ATTACH]

Have this exact same issue. To be fair it is an older promethean! Thanks for the link.

[GizmoIT]

We are currently in the process of rolling out 75" Promethean ActivPanels to replace our elderly ActivBoards & Projectors. Staff were initially hesitant (particularly older staff) but most have embraced the change and have been very positive. Our staff interact with them all the time and as the boards were becoming increasingly unreliable teacher stress was higher and our workload was increasing trying to keep the older tech going. Win Win for us.

[lmgtfy]

We replaced the majority of our projectors and IWBs with Samsung consumer grade TVs (Samsung UE75TU7020 75" Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV @ circa £510 each) over the last couple of years - we bought a hot swap spare to keep in a cupboard but thankfully never had to use it to replace any of the classroom displays... we did however end up using it to replace a very expensive 98" Iiyama display that we had on a mobile stand for assemblies which lasted less than a week before mysteriously killing itself whilst stored in a locked cupboard only staff have access to

 

Every classroom already had an AppleTV (3rd Gen), which have been in place since 2012 (all teachers have MacBooks), but the Samsungs also have AirPlay 2 built in along with all the usual smart TV functions, you can also use Wireless Display to wirelessly connect from a Windows 10 laptop but we've never used that at scale so I don't know how robust it is but it works for the odd guest who comes in with a Windows machine or who needs a loaner (we also have a bunch of really long HDMI cables and display adaptors available when needed).

 

They've been spot on so far - nice bright and crisp displays with good viewing angles (they're all on adjustable mounts - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bracket-Swivel-Max-VESA-600x400mm-Screens-black/dp/B01MS4N45A) and decent sound. My fear when we got them was either a smashed screen, due to something being lobbed across a classroom, or one being pulled clean off the wall due to someone swinging on it but our biggest headache to date has been trying to teach some staff how to use the remote "It's a TV... you know, like you have at home..." (apparently 'Source' and 'Volume' are arcane terms as uncommonly encountered as the need to turn plug sockets on at the wall).

 

We had a couple of departments that really wanted to keep their IWBs so we still have a few in use, we bought Epson EB-X39 & EB-X49 projectors (£300-£355) for those rooms - they're nice projectors but I'd much rather have TVs throughout as they just tick so many more boxes (resolution, brightness, audio quality, features, adjustable mount, ease of replacement, ease of use, no need to mess with focus/throw distance/keystone/filters, reduced interconnections/power requirements, etc.).

Can I ask where your buying the TVs from? I'd love to get a few in to try. I guess they've gone up a bit in price in the last year though?

[Strawdog]

Can I ask where your buying the TVs from? I'd love to get a few in to try. I guess they've gone up a bit in price in the last year though?

 

I'll PM you.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi, Chris from BenQ here, we have a wide range of interactive screens. I would echo some other users comments about suitability of TVs in the classroom down to plastic chassis and next to zero screen protection. What may be of interest to you is our RE01 range (65"-98"), yes these are interactive but you can disable this or just keep the bare minimum of interactivity (in built freeze and blank). With the added protection of reinforced tempered glass on the screen, wall mount in the box and if registered within 30 days of purchase the warranty goes from 3 year de/re-install to 5 year de/re-install. At best a consumer grade TV will be a swap out warranty. The RE is our "Essential" range, if you are interested or would like to know more then send me a message. If you are now considering interactive you of course have the RE01 range but we also have our RM03 "Master" range and RP02/RP03 "Pro" range which are both available in 65"-86".

[howartp]

We installed 36 Iiyama TVs last year (65" and 75") and just about to tender for about 50 this year.

 

All four models we have (TE7504MIS, LH7542UHS plus 65" versions) have freeze but on one remote it's the "pause" button and the other it's the "blue" button.

[Bev]

We use normal 65in TVS, mostly Hisense.

 

We have them attached to the PC and also with AppleTV so they can be used with iPads.

 

Staff do write on them with whiteboard pens sometimes. They work fine. We had some issues about the lack of Freeze initially but now most staff can extend their screens instead.

[Lister]

I'll PM you.

 

Hi Strawdog, could I be cheeky and ask you where you were sourcing your Samsung TV's as well?

 

Thanks!

[Strawdog]

Will PM you

[nicholab]

There a massive cost issue should you hang £3.5k on the wall if not all teacher have laptops? At some stage there needs to be a compromise for cost purposes.

[localzuk]

We shifted to Vestel touchscreens here. 65" multi-touch 4k interactive screen is less than a grand. 75" just over a grand.

 

Only place this isn't the case so far is maths - they have a specific need to use physical equipment on the display - giant compass', protractors, etc..., so an interactive projector is more suited for their specific use case.

 

If we pay a tiny bit more on top, we can get ones with a built in whiteboard option, so the teacher can turn it on and use it without needing their computer. Surprisingly popular. Especially as you can sign into OneDrive directly on it. Though, it does introduce the question of longevity - how long will that install of Android be maintained and secure?

[DrCheese]

There a massive cost issue should you hang £3.5k on the wall if not all teacher have laptops? At some stage there needs to be a compromise for cost purposes.

 

That's only if you're going for ones that have integrated PC's - We don't bother & just hook up our normal Windows Desktops. Costs us just shy of £1300 all in for a 75 inch

 

If we pay a tiny bit more on top, we can get ones with a built in whiteboard option, so the teacher can turn it on and use it without needing their computer. Surprisingly popular. Especially as you can sign into OneDrive directly on it. Though, it does introduce the question of longevity - how long will that install of Android be maintained and secure?

Ah, we hide/kill off that as much as we can - Most of the affordable screens ship with Android 8 - Yuck!

[nicholab]

Also can you move over to MS whiteboard or Onenote as the primary software?

 

I very interested how cheap screens now seem to be. The issue was always software you get a cheap screen and your not licensed for the software you use on other boards.

[DrCheese]

Also can you move over to MS whiteboard or Onenote as the primary software?

 

I very interested how cheap screens now seem to be. The issue was always software you get a cheap screen and your not licensed for the software you use on other boards.

 

Aye, our Maths teachers just use MS whiteboard. I cancelled our smart subscription that we had for our old boards as it became completely unused. The built in tools in Windows are great now.