Touch Screen TV or Interactive Projectors.

[Jewelz^]

Hi guys.

Any educational workers out there? Having a big debate at work at the moment about Touch Screen TV's vs Interactive Projectors.

In my opinion the interactive projectors are by far the better option. You can have a standard dry wipe board behind it if you don't want to use it, you can adjust the size of the image quickly and easily, 8 touch points (6 fingers, 2 pens(obviously model specific)) and they're generally cheaper.

I fear the TV's look dated now let alone in five years time, prone to finger prints, nonadjustable size and potentially poor viewing angles, not to mention the price! On the plus side, they do offer more of a Wow! factor and look smart on the wall. Have wireless picture mirroring, 10 touch points (8 fingers, 2 pens) and support 4K.

Although I've made points on the price, price is not an issue. We have a six figure budget and have 8 classrooms to kit out, we want the best you can buy right now.

Which would you guys go for?
 Is there something I'm missing?
 What would put you off about one or the other? or both?

[OldBloke]

Hi Jewelz

Well this is spooky

I attended the Bett show in London a couple of weeks ago looking at this for the school I work in. I looked at the screens first and was impressed but the disadvantages - all those you've mentioned plus the problem of direct sunlight or very bright rooms - left me less than fully convinced.

I then looked at the projectors ... and was blown away. Fully interactive, scalable, cheap(er) to buy and support (lamps were only £50), utilises any white surface including tables, lag free (some of the screens were embarrassingly laggy) ... and so much brighter and vibrant than the 84 inch screens I was looking at.

The Epson ultra-short throw models were the most impressive, beating the likes of Dell in all departments apart from price.

[Jewelz^]

Hi Jewelz

Well this is spooky

I attended the Bett show in London a couple of weeks ago looking at this for the school I work in. I looked at the screens first and was impressed but the disadvantages - all those you've mentioned plus the problem of direct sunlight or very bright rooms - left me less than fully convinced.

I then looked at the projectors ... and was blown away. Fully interactive, scalable, cheap(er) to buy and support (lamps were only £50), utilises any white surface including tables, lag free (some of the screens were embarrassingly laggy) ... and so much brighter and vibrant than the 84 inch screens I was looking at.

The Epson ultra-short throw models were the most impressive, beating the likes of Dell in all departments apart from price.

Perfect, Cheers Oldie. I was meant to go to the Bett show but my daughter had pneumonia at the time (She's alright now). Our supplier for the new school went to the Bett show and said the screens were amazing, hence this whole debate.

[TeaLeaf]

Interesting, our school went the other way.    Existing projectors are all being replaced with large LED touch panels.   Power consumption also played a part in the decision and across a whole school the cumulative power cost difference was quite big iirc.   We're replacing about 55-60 of the current projector systems.  Time might be a factor though, our decision was made 10 months or so back, so if it is brand new technology then our school's decision might be outdated.

[Jewelz^]

Interesting, our school went the other way.    Existing projectors are all being replaced with large LED touch panels.   Power consumption also played a part in the decision and across a whole school the cumulative power cost difference was quite big iirc.   We're replacing about 55-60 of the current projector systems.  Time might be a factor though, our decision was made 10 months or so back, so if it is brand new technology then our school's decision might be outdated.

What screens have you got TL?

[TeaLeaf]

Not sure, I'll take a look at them next time I'm in there.

[TeaLeaf]

I got an email response from the IT team, they installed 65" Genee LED 10-touch screens @ £1950 EA (including brackets & installation) in some departments.   That was 2015, so this year another set of departments come up for replacement and they are looking at the 65" & 80" as well as the 4k versions with the expectation that prices will also have improved.

Are the short throw interactive projector touch solutions really a better solution when running costs are also taken into account?

[OldBloke]

... Are the short throw interactive projector touch solutions really a better solution when running costs are also taken into account?

The cost-comparison argument hasn't arisen here yet as the (perceived) disadvantages of fixed screens is making the projector solution the only real game in town.

The final decision will be made way above my pay scale but I have urged that a proper side-by-side comparison is undertaken before orders are placed.

[TeaLeaf]

I'd be interested in the outcome!

[Jewelz^]

We're getting TV Demo's in soon too! We already have Epson short throws at my current school, so it'll be good to see them side by side. We're also getting the latest Smart board demo just for good measure, although I think they're slacking a bit in this race.

[OldBloke]

The demo I had at the Smart stand at Bett was poor. Their screen was very laggy and most of the touches were unregistered.