Wireless presentation systems (WPS) allow users to share their ideas to the screen wirelessly from their device. In a classroom, they allow teachers to conduct more engaged, successful lessons, and allow for social distancing needs and are highly effective to allow students to connect to the presentation while maintaining social distancing. Modern flipped classrooms demand the alternative placement of displays; teachers are delivering on their promise of improved student performance, many IT administrators are looking at how they can incorporate wireless screen mirroring technology to enable students and teachers to mirror their screens in classrooms intuitively.
Here are important considerations for IT and technology managers when examining these solutions.
While Miracast, Chromecast, and Apple TV/AirPlay are inexpensive, they are not classroom-ready. For a classroom, they require a third-party application, which has to be licensed and managed for each type of device. For example, a teacher may be using a PC-based notebook while students are using an iPad or Chromebook, requiring three different licenses. As a result, staff is saddled with more labor than they originally budgeted.
Systems that rely on your network, such as Kramer Via and Airtame 2, can require lots network bandwidth — up to 25mps per user when sharing video. If four students are streaming to the screen, that’s already 100Mbps, which can impact overall network performance. IT managers also have to closely monitor security because these network-dependent solutions can create network vulnerabilities.
Keeping the campus network secure is critical – and wireless presentations that are highly dependent on network access need to be managed and updated to ensure that hackers don't use the system to access or shut down the network.
Solution – look for a system that minimizes the need to use your campus network – and keeps it safe.
From Chromebooks to digital microscopes and STEM Beagle Boards, more electronics have an HDMI port. In addition, school districts are using a mixture of devices. These are all sources that need to be shared to the projector or interactive flat panel (IFP). WPS built for the classroom should handle computers, Chromebooks, Blu-ray Players, microscopes, and any HDMI source on the horizon.
From Chromebooks to digital microscopes and STEM Beagle Boards, more electronics have an HDMI port. In addition, school districts are using a mixture of devices. These are all sources that need to be shared to the projector or interactive flat panel (IFP). WPS built for the classroom should handle computers, Chromebooks, Blu-ray Players, microscopes, and any HDMI source on the horizon.
IFPs are replacing projectors. With that in mind, look for a WPS that offers “touch-back,” which allows teachers to annotate files being shared from their notebooks
Eliminating software or license keys, BenQ’s InstaShow S is an affordable plug-and-play WPS. Designed from the ground-up with ease and security in mind, just plug it in, press the button, and present. It’s also the only WPS that can operate independently of the network, truly eliminating the access risk to the network, while ensuring a 100% 128-bit AES-encrypted content stream. InstaShow can present almost any source or device with an HDMI port, giving schools a scalable solution even as technology evolves. The WDC20 model supports up to 32 participants or sources at a time, and when paired with an IFP, the touch-back feature allows teachers to control their laptops directly from the screen. InstaShow S’s split-screen mode enables up to four laptops or devices to be controlled directly from the display.
According to Futuresource,over 30 companies are offering wireless presentation system today. So which popular systems offer the best solution for K-12 classrooms? Here is a comparison of a few of the popular systems being used today in K-12 classrooms.
|
BenQ InstaShow |
BenQ InstaShow S | Airtame2 |
Kramer VIA |
Mersive Solstice |
Maximum Resolution | BenQ InstaShow 1080p | BenQ InstaShow S 4K | Airtame2 1080p (720k for video) | Kramer VIA 1080p | Mersive Solstice 4K |
Network Bandwidth Requirement | BenQ InstaShow None | BenQ InstaShow S None | Airtame2 Up to 16 Mb/s per user | Kramer VIA Up to 25 Mb/s per user | Mersive Solstice Minimum 20 Mb/s bandwidth availability |
Dependent on-campus network for performance | BenQ InstaShow No | BenQ InstaShow S No | Airtame2 Yes | Kramer VIA Yes | Mersive Solstice Yes |
App Free Design | BenQ InstaShow Yes | BenQ InstaShow S Yes Optional wireless app | Airtame2 No - requires a proprietary app | Kramer VIA No - requires a proprietary app | Mersive Solstice No - requires a proprietary app |
Device Support | BenQ InstaShow Windows Mac Chromebooks Mobile devices (via HDMI button) Blue-ray & other media players Digital Microscopes Document Cameras Beagle Boards Any HDMI 1.4 output | BenQ InstaShow S Windows Mac Chromebooks Mobile devices Blue-ray & other media players Digital Microscopes Document Cameras Beagle Boards Any HDMI 1.4 output | Airtame2 Windows Mac Chromebooks (limited) Mobile devices Linux (limited) | Kramer VIA Windows Mac Chromebooks Mobile devices | Mersive Solstice Windows Mac Mobile devices |
Connection Method | BenQ InstaShow Simple - plug and play | BenQ InstaShow S Simple - plug and play | Airtame2 Requires network login - and Airtame app | Kramer VIA Requires network login- and Kramer app | Mersive Solstice Requires network login- and Solstice app |
Touchback Support | BenQ InstaShow No | BenQ InstaShow S Yes | Airtame2 No | Kramer VIA No | Mersive Solstice No |
The answer is simplicity. The InstaShow connects to your display without a hassale or complicated network configuration – and enables teachers to connect either with the InstaShow button (both version) or the InstaShare app, Miracast, or Airplay. With its 4K resolution and touchback capability, the InstaShow S is designed to work with any modern interactive flat panel, all at a cost that is much less than other leading systems – and still can be centrally managed by the IT team.
BenQ InstaShow, Barco Clickshare, and Mersive Solstice are the most popular AirTame alternatives. Learn more about these solutions and how to choose the one that suits your needs.
Protect Your Confidential Data from Eavesdropping. Choose BenQ InstaShow Wireless Presentation System with Enterprise-Level Security.