Multiple Monitors - How do you manage them on a large scale...

[CyBeRkId2002]

This summer we are completing a project replacing all fixed teaching PCs with a Laptop / Dock alternative. Each room will have a USB-C PD dock plus an additional monitor and connection to the projector. The issue that has just occured to me is that not every rooms layout is identical.

 

The best I can come up with regards multi-monitor setup is:

 

• Ensure all rooms are wired identically - VGA dock port goes to Projector, DP to Monitor
  
• Docks in all classrooms will be positioned to the left of the monitor (no exceptions) so I can somewhat standardise the movement between laptop screen and monitor, and staff moving from classroom to classroom should have a fairly frictionless transition
  
• The above should provide some consistency but I cannot account for some whiteboards being behind the teacher to the right, and some being to the left... I think I just have to pick a side and train staff that the projector display is off to the right of the monitor
  
• The above also doesn't account for work areas where their is going to be a dual monitor setup but again, as long as I stick to using VGA for the furthest monitor on the right, DP for the monitor on the left it should work the same as in classrooms I hope
  

 

The above, plus some pretty proactive hands on support in the first few days and some training on how to sort these issues using the monitor setup menus should suffice I hope!

 

Can anyone who does similar advise on any better setups?

[stevewill6]

We have dual screens for all staff. We are a small school with about 60 dual monitor setups for staff. We have a few different setups in different rooms. Would love to standardize to the same setup in every room, have done where possible but its not always possible.

Main thing is to teach staff how to use the windows display settings and how to arrange the screens in the correct order. That solved the majority of issues, other issue we see is the interactive tvs only work interactively on the primary monitor so something to keep an eye out for.

[Oaktech]

After making sure the setup is consistent, this is less of a technical issue and more of a staff training one.

 

We've not long done this and it's all slowly coming out in the wash with some people still struggling to understand the multiscreen behaviour of their devices despite very clear email and video instructions.

 

We have 1 type of dock and 2 types of teaching laptops in use and they both behave slightly differently on the same dock. One automatically goes to dup/dup/ext with the lid open and ext/ext with the lid shut and the other goes to ext/ext/ext with the lid open and ext/ext with the lid shut.

[RKing]

Just thought that I would ask. Have you thought about these: iiyama ProLite XUB2492HSN-B5 (LED monitor - Full HD (1080p) - 24")

They have built in docks, so there will only be a USB cable coming from them.

These are what we are going to test, as we have given teaching staff laptops and are thinking about removing the desktops from staff rooms.

 

The downside is, many of the manufacturers are doing away with the VGA port.

[mavhc]

Do you duplicate the large screen with another screen?

 

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/multi_monitor_tool.html should let you script the setup

[SamanthaD]

I would recommend you duplicate the monitor and the projector together, so the monitor becomes a confidence monitor rather than a separate display. Then it's a simple hardware distribution amp (ie splitter) from a single output on your dock, so that config etc becomes a non-issue. If teachers want a second display they have one on their laptop!

[skywalkergr]

Why not use a smart touch tv?

Eg

https://newline-interactive.com/eu/products/lyra/

[CyBeRkId2002]

I would recommend you duplicate the monitor and the projector together, so the monitor becomes a confidence monitor rather than a separate display. Then it's a simple hardware distribution amp (ie splitter) from a single output on your dock, so that config etc becomes a non-issue. If teachers want a second display they have one on their laptop!

 

Funnily enough, this is what we decided on a week or so ago. Triple monitor is going to be completely unmanageable, a frustration for staff, a headache for us. We are going down this route for sure!

[Rob_D]

You could use the desktop background to help - have arrows with "this way to projector" on. If you can get a custom layout to stick then maybe consider "up" as the universal direction for the projector (it's above them, right?).

[DrCheese]

Out of interest, what docks are people using? I do like the idea above about integrated monitor docks (eg https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/dell-24-usb-c-hub-monitor-p2422he/apd/210-bbbg/monitors-monitor-accessories)

 

Like the OP, I struggle that we have so many different room setups - Some have HDMI + a TV to match (So audio can go via that) & then in others still have VGA + 3.5mm so have to account for that in a dock (Or buy a USB to 3.5mm)