Hey, SMART Technologies, Sharp's Gunning For You

Grant's Perspective on ... rAVe Publications review of the Sharp 70" touchscreen monitor.

I read the review of the new Sharp PN-L702B 70" touchscreen titled Hey, SMART Technologies, Sharp's is Gunning For You.

rAVe's main point was "... the big story here is the price, $7,750 - that's less than half of what SMART charges the same sized display."* Cost is always very important, but I think another important point to consider is how many executives will actually use the technology. Large touchscreen monitors are much more intuitive than an electronic whiteboard. 

User-friendly systems will be adopted quickly. Everyone is busy, so it is much easier to get people to use a new tool if they are already relatively comfortable with the technology. As we represent Sharp products in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba I have seen clients reactions first-hand when they try the Sharp touchscreens.

Cost-effective and user-friendly makes a great combination. 

* Please note that rAVe is an American publication so the price quoted are in US dollars.

Grant

InfoComm 2011: The Center Of IT All

Grant's Perspective on ... InfoComm 2011

The InfoComm website tells me that there are 26 days until the annual pro AV industry show.  I will be making my annual pilgrimage to the June 13 - 17 show that is being held in Orlando. They have 950 exhibitors and over 300 seminars planned with over 32,000 delegates registered.

We expect to see the latest advancements in 3D, unified collaborative conferencing, digital signage and interactive technology.  I was talking to our Sharp rep (Joe) yesterday and he said there should be a new PN-L601B 60" touchscreen on display. The 60" touchscreen was a hit at our Open House event last January. I would love to talk more about the increased interactivity but Joe made me promise not to let the details out ahead of the show.

I will try to see as much as possible and post my thoughts on what is happening.




Grant

Sharp 60" Touchscreen At Inland AV Winnipeg Show

Grant's Perspective on ... touching the Sharp 60" monitor.

At last week’s New Wave of AV event (Inland AV’s annual Open House) one of the products featured was the Sharp PN-L601B 60" Touchscreen.

This item is a 60” LCD monitor with built in touch screen – a fantastic tool for interactive communication.  It is designed for presentations, meetings, training seminars, videoconferencing, etc, etc, etc.

Pictured below is Mr. Joe Ng from Sharp doing a product demonstration of this unit.  

 

I noticed there was a lot of interest and many questions. It quickly became a common topic of discussion throughout the event.  Some of the topics, in no particular order of popularity, were:

• Everyone liked that it’s a monitor and touch screen all-in-one.
• The unit looks really good and it’s not bulky.
• It’s impressively large yet everything is within arms reach.
• The image quality is amazingly sharp (no pun intended).
• Very bright!  “It’s bright enough to work in our boardroom with the blinds open!”  And on that note, this unit is Mercury Free – no fluorescent tubes. think Green.
• People took note of the energy savings – cool how so many attendees are concerned about this.  This is accomplished by the backlighting (where these units get their light from) done with a full array of LED’s.  That’s where the energy saving comes in as LED’s use way, way, way less energy
• Everyone liked the technology involved in the interactive abilities. There are multiple infrared sensors that detect one infrared LED light in the pen.  This means the system can precisely detect detailed touching points. It also works with your finger!
• Everyone liked the simple and intuitive user interface.  Some mentioned that the folks back at their office would be able to use it with ease, and therefore be more effective in their presentations.  In the photo, on Joe’s left, you can see that Joe moved his selection of favourite tools to the left side of the board.
• It was asked if this unit was shipping now, and it is!

So definitely a winner product – and a one of a kind in the market place.

Thanks to Joe for his stamina with answering all the questions all day.

Grant

Sharp 60" Touchscreen at New Wave of AV Show

Grant's Perspective on ... Sharp PN-L601B Touchscreen coming to Winnipeg January 28, 2011.

I was privileged to have been invited to a sneak preview of the Sharp 60" touchscreen monitor, A.K.A. an LCD Whiteboard, at the 2010 InfoComm last June and again more recently at the Canadian introductory event.  Now this impressive unit will be featured at the Inland AV New Wave of AV event.  It will include a seminar for the PN-L601B touchscreen conducted by everyone’s pal Joe Ng from Sharp.

The touchscreen will be on demonstration all day and our clients will love the opportunity to get their hands on this interactive  monitor - literally get your hands on the pen and take it for a test drive! (no digital obscenities please - LOL)

I think the unit will be a huge hit for boardrooms.  The monitor when wall mounted will look quite elegant and with the excellent video image will be worthy of any high-end décor.

They can also get their hands on the Epson BrightLink interactive projector that will be on display as well.

Grant