BrightLink Pro Split Screen Function

Grant's Perspective on ... the Epson BrightLink Pro 1410Wi interactive projector.

Epson recently added the BrightLink Pro 1401Wi to the BrightLink line-up.

The BrightLink projectors have been the go-to projector for the education market and the 1410Wi model will be equally at home in the boardroom and meeting room.

The split screen feature is the coolest feature for business. It is ready for videoconferencing with one portion of the screen showing the video conference end point participants and the other side of the screen displaying the shared screen information from a tablet or laptop. Split Screen can also be a part of collaborative meetings as two devices can be displayed side-by-side.

BrightLink Pro Split Screen For Video Conferences

The 1410Wi also has all the interactive features that the BrightLinks are renowned for. See the Epson BrightLink Pro video overview below. Note that the Chief All-in-One System reviewed last week is shown in the video (15 second and 56 second mark)



Enjoy the May long weekend!

Grant

Hitachi EZ Pen: No Batteries Required

Grant's Perspective on ... the Hitachi Link EZ2-Pen, review part 2.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that Hitachi had released the Link EZ2-Pen that added interactivity to a regular projector. Our friendly Hitachi rep came by our Winnipeg location this week and dropped off our new Link EZ2-Pen system.

I really like the idea that the system only has the one piece digitizer unit and the pen. The digitizer quickly attached magnetically to our demo room whiteboard. The pen works as the mouse for the attached computer and allows for annotation.

The pen does not require batteries. This is great as it reduces the cost of ownership but more importantly it is hard to break the pen when compared to devices that have a battery because they contain other electronics that can be broken. The cost of replacing a pen that goes missing is much less than an electronic device going astray. The pen works as an infrared mirror that reflects back to the module. See the close up of the pen below. The reflective area is clearly visible.

digitizer and pen

close up of the pen

The system also comes with the StarBoard software so creating or sourcing great interactive lessons is a snap.

Give us a call if you want to try it out!

Grant

StarBoardLink Makes a Dry Erase Board Interactive

Grant's Perspective on ... the new interactive Hitachi StarBoardLink.

Hitachi has long been a part of the interactive market with their StarBoard series of interactive whiteboards. They have now brought the StarBoardLink to market.

The StarBoardLink is a good fit for the teacher that already has a projector and a smooth hard surface (standard whiteboard or wall) and would like to make their classes interactive, on a budget. This is the same technology as the Hitachi StarBoard but now without the board.

The StarBoardLink has an Infrared Image Sensor that is mounted at the top of the surface. The reflective bars are then mounted in a U shape around the Infrared Image Sensor.

The Infrared Sensor  is pre-drilled so that it can easily be permanently mounted at the top of your hard surface. With the sensor being mounted at the top of the surface it would be a good solution for rooms that have very low ceilings.

The interactive area is scalable. it can be set up with a 4:3 ratio ( 45" - 77") and the HD 16:10 ratio can be 45" - 90".

This adds another option for people that have been looking at interactive whiteboards or some of the other interactive systems such as the Hitachi iP-AW250N interactive projector and the Epson BrightLink and BrightLink Solo.

I have just read the StarBoardLink literature and look forward to getting my hands on the unit and putting it through some hands on testing.

Grant

Sharp Interactive Touch Screen 60" Monitor

Grant's Perspective on ... the new Sharp PN-L601B LCD touch screen interactive monitor.

 Here’s a good example of "Improved communication from technology integration, and a lot of other cool stuff too…”:  The PN-L601B brochure states, “Put the Power of Interaction to Work with a Sharp Integrated Touch-Screen Solution”.  That’s what I’m talking about.

This is totally the “executive” version of the popular interactive whiteboard.  As high-end boardroom design and installation is one of our forte’s, and knowing the fine ability of Sharp monitors to scale various video signals and the crisp image they produce, this is a product that will be requested and suggested as a great solution.

Here is a photo taken from the Sharp brochure and specifications sheet.

The key points from the PN-L601B announcement include:

• Ultra Bright Screen with Low Energy Consumption
• Super Accurate Touch-Screen Finger and Touch Pen Response via Proprietary Infrared Detection System
• Easy-to-Use System Interface and Original Pen Software

Besides the low power consumption, this monitor uses LED backlite technology. This means that it is mercury free!


The interactive marketplace is now a bit more crowded with Sharp Electronics announcement of the PN-L601B touch screen, interactive monitor.

It was just a few short months ago that the interactive choices were limited to whiteboards. Epson launched the BrightLink interactive projector this past spring and it has been enthusiastically received by our clients in the educational and corporate world. Now Sharp has introduced an interactive monitor. Now there are 3 options for people looking for an interactive communications tool.

I see many applications for the 60"monitor/touch screen in small seminar and boardrooms and look forward to integrating them into appropriate AV systems designs.

Our Sharp representative Joe informs us that the touch screen monitor will be arriving next week and our Edmonton office will see it first.

Grant

Epson BrightLink Video & Review

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson BrightLink information update.

I noticed a great Projector Central review of the Epson Brightlink 450Wi.

I also like this quick video overview of the BrightLink  posted on YouTube.



We have been busy hosting BrightLink demonstrations across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. They have all been well attended as people in education and training see the value of interactive projectors.

Grant