Viewsonic Viewboard Series 52 vs. BenQ Board RP Series

BenQ and Viewsonic are two of the fastest-growing interactive display brands that are challenging the market duopoly of Smart and Promethean as schools transition from interactive whiteboards to interactive displays. Both companies are market leaders in other display products such as classroom projectors,  monitors, digital signage, and classroom wireless presentation systems. The BenQ RP and ViewBoard Series 52 are the latest offerings from both companies for classroom interactive displays, so how do their latest classroom interactive displays compare – and which one is right for your school?  

Here are the key elements to review:

A bright display that is easy to read is a key feature in any classroom display.  IT managers have known for years that brighter displays with high contrast ratios are easier for students to read – especially from the back of the room. So how do these two interactive displays stack up?

Interactive displays are the perfect tool for hybrid classrooms. With the ability to run a Zoom or Team app directly from the display, as well as record and share lessons, these displays are far more functional than a projector or interactive whiteboard. So what are the functional whiteboard features you want to look for when comparing these two displays?

To better simulate the experience of using a real marker, the best interactive displays use highly sensitive IR touch systems that optically bond the sensor to the glass – enabling a near-instant response and a smoother, more intuitive writing experience. The BenQ system is called “FineIR,” Promethean’s system is called Vellum, while the SMART version of this is called HyprTouch. The Viewsonic Viewboard Series 52 calls their system Ultra Fine Touch.  

Both models recognize 20 points of touch using the Android systems built into the display, palm eraser recognition and can recognize inputs from both pens and fingers. The difference between the two is the BenQ RP interactive display has a special “Paintbrush” mode that will recognize the width of a real paintbrush being used on the screen – enabling the panel to be used for calligraphy or writing variable-width non-Latin characters such as Kanji or Hebrew. This kind of flexibility is essential to communicating thoughts and ideas that a pen alone simply cannot.  

Both Viewsonic and BenQ interactive displays are more than capable touch panels for in-person learning the ability for cloud-based whiteboarding was an important innovation – even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.  

BenQ is notable for having developed the world’s first dynamic cloud whiteboarding system in a classroom touch panel. With the teacher in the classroom, students can interact with the board in real-time via their device at home, making it easy for remote tutoring or coaching. For example, the teacher can send a link or a QR code and broadcast directly from the board to a student's Chromebook or iPad logged into their home network. The teacher can also allow the student to interact directly on the board with the device with a single tap on the whiteboard – say to allow the student to solve the math problem on the board. Since the system is network agnostic, it enables unprecedented flexibility to both teachers and students that complement other classroom systems such as Zoom or Teams. Powerful cloud whiteboarding features like this are why BenQ’s RP series is the world’s most awarded education touch display. There are no additional licensing fees for this software for the life of the display.

The standard MyViewboard software that comes with the Viewsonic Series 52 does not include any cloud whiteboarding capability, but you can upgrade your software to the Premium version that will cost a school district currently priced at $59 per year per display. Like the BenQ solution, remote students can view and interact with the display. According to the COSN TCO Calculator, this cost should be factored into your total cost of ownership calculation for the expected life of the display.

The ability to record, store and replay lessons to students who are not in the classroom is a key element in improving student performance in hybrid classrooms. Why? If a student misses a day or two of Geometry class – it could take a long time to catch up to the rest of the class. These two interactive displays have the right hardware, software, and networking architecture for recording a classroom lesson - but what should you look for to ensure your teachers can easily store and share their lessons?

The best interactive displays make it simple to record any lesson – at any time – using any software running on the panel – and store that lesson anywhere on the school network or the cloud.  

The BenQ RP interactive display enables instant recording directly on the board from any application with a single two-finger tap.  This enables a teacher to record any lesson – without having to open another application. Just tap the screen and hit record – that simple. This system has been tested with private and public schools around the world for years to learn how to make it easier for teachers to record their classes.

The Viewsonic Viewboard Series 52 offers a screen recording application on the standard version of the MyViewboard software. Teachers will need to follow a five-step process to open, configure and use the application. Both systems are free with the purchase of the board and don’t require subscriptions like other brands of classroom displays.

Teachers have known the most effective lessons combine both visual and audio information. So how well do the BenQ RP and Viewsonic have state-of-the-art array microphones built into the display to capture the teacher’s voice for lesson recording?

The BenQ RP series display comes with an 8-microphone array built-in capable of recording the teacher’s voice from 15 feet away. This system has advanced sound recognition software similar to a smartphone that cancels out background noise and “follows” the teacher as they move around the room.  

The Viewsonic Series 52 has an array microphone system with similar specifications, and both displays sport advanced speakers that beat both the Newline RS+ and Promethean Titanium by using high-powered soundbars matched with sub-woofers for excellent voice, music, and video audio quality.   

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created a new paradigm for schools and elevated the need for student and teacher safety. BenQ has been integrating key safety features into their displays since 2017, and the latest models from BenQ RP Series and Viewsonic have a variety of safety features that school administrators are looking for. Here is a breakdown of the important safety features on each display. 

Both Viewsonic and BenQ’s screens feature heat-tempered hardened glass, that is designed to withstand a significant impact from an errant football or elbow, and will shatter into small pieces if broken to reduce the hazard of a student suffering a deep cut on exposed glass. The hardness is measured by a MOHS scale, and the BenQ has a 9 out of 10 rating, and the Viewsonic uses a 7 out of 10 rating for the glass used on the display. Both models are treated to reduce glare.  

Antimicrobial coatings are used in surgical lighting and other sensitive areas to keep germs from growing on the display. This feature has been available from BenQ since 2018 and is also available on other brands of interactive displays. These anti-microbial coatings must be carefully applied and baked onto the glass. The BenQ RP series has been certified by Europe’s TUV against the five most common types of bacteria, including e. Coli, Salmonella, and pneumonia. The BenQ display is also certified as classroom safe and toxin-free under Japan’s SIAA standard tests for potential risks such as long-term touch and oral toxicity.

The latest Viewsonic Viewboard Series 52 does not offer any antimicrobial protective coatings on the glass.

Both the BenQ and Viewsonic interactive displays come standard with blue light filtering features built-in. The sensor on the BenQ’s display senses when a teacher or student approaches the display – will adjust the blue light automatically, minimizing the risk to students and teacher from excessive blue light exposure.  

A unique feature of both the BenQ and Viewsonic interactive displays is the use of flicker-free screen lighting makes long-term use of the board much easier on one’s eyes. Unlike other classroom displays with traditional incandescent or fluorescent backlights, LED-powered displays can have a nearly invisible flicker that can be harmful to the eyes. This was originally a problem with LED-powered gaming monitors, and so BenQ invented a flicker-free backlight that provides great color and brightness – without the harmful flicker. The BenQ display also has been tested and certified by TUV for flicker-free performance. 

Recent studies have even demonstrated that higher levels of CO₂ in a room cause people to become drowsy and pay less attention. Companies such as 3M have been working hard to improve the quality of the air in classrooms using advanced filters. But can teachers and facilities managers tell if it is working?

The BenQ RP interactive display comes with a built-in CO₂ meter that alerts the teacher it’s time to open a window. BenQ even takes this approach a step further, and will also alert the teacher if levels of dust and particulate matter in the room are dangerously high. 

Managing a large number of classroom interactive displays requires an effective remote management software system or Device Management Systems (DMS). Both BenQ and Viewsonic offer systems that permit admins to push settings, updates, apps, and campus-wide text and video messages to any or all boards in their network. 

There is a significant difference between the two. The BenQ system is designed in-house and has no charge for any of the features. Viewsonic DMS system is run by a third-party company, and to access some of the features, you will need to subscribe to plans ranging from one to seven years. Here is a table that compares the two device management systems.

In addition, to reduce the extra work of managing a special database for these displays, school IT admins will like the fact that BenQ’s account management system also integrates with Active Directory. 

Both the BenQ RP and the Viewsonic Series 52 Viewboard can be set up to enable teachers to securely log into the display and access network and cloud files directly from the display. Both displays are more advanced than many other brands that require teachers to type in passwords every time they access a Google drive. Here are the key differences between them.

The BenQ Board RP models are on their third generation of Tap ‘N Teach technology that enables unprecedented teacher access to enable a personalized display with access to cloud-based files from any display on campus. Here’s how it works:

The IT manager creates a teacher account in BenQ’s Account Management System software database by linking it to their Active Directory infrastructure. Then they assign the teacher their specific rights on the panel to keep key network settings from being changed, but enabling the teacher to change their background and which apps are on the main page.

This approach enables IT, managers, to ensure that the settings are correct – and that there are no age-inappropriate apps loaded on the panel (such as FaceBook being on a first-grade teachers' board). Once logged in, all of the network drive from Google, Microsoft OneNote, and school network drives are automatically connected.

The best part about Tap N’ Teach is how easy and fast it is for a teacher to use. Using the same secure technology used for Apple Pay– a teacher simply tap’s the panel with their card or badge – and in a few seconds, the display is personalized for that teacher, complete with background, apps, and network connection. When they are finished – they tap the display again and the display returns to its generic state. Teachers can also use a QR code that will enable them to securely type in a password on the phone to log into the display – avoiding the risk of typing directly on the board in view of the students.

The Viewsonic myViewboard sign-in process is more complicated and does use NFC technology. The teacher will log into the panel with either email. Google, Microsoft, or Apple account, which is then used to access the display. Viewsonic also has a companion app that a teacher can open on their phone to use a QR code that securely logs them into the display.

While both models share similar features such as 4K resolution, array microphones for voice recording, wireless screen mirroring, whiteboarding software, and centralized management software, understanding the key differences will help you decide which brand of interactive touch display will be right for your classroom. 

It’s important to do research and consult important stakeholders before deciding which board your school district should adopt. But there are some major advantages that BenQ brings to the table that can make a difference to a school that might want more flexibility in its curriculum. When deciding on your chosen solution, consider the following differences:

• The BenQ interactive display has advanced IR sensors that are optically bonded to the glass and has advanced object recognition that allows the use of a generic paintbrush to apply a variable-width stroke for drawing calligraphy or Kanji characters.   
• The BenQ board has an integrated cloud whiteboarding software ecosystem that works on any display included for free – without the cost of an premium subscription that will increase the TCO of the display.
• The BenQ smart board has more advanced classroom safety features, including anti-microbial glass, certified blue light filters, and a flicker-free screen that helps protect the user’s vision.
• BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach NFC technology enables instant, wireless, secure teacher login – and even integrates with Active Directory! With a single tap, an enrolled teacher can transform any board on campus into their board in under 10 seconds.
• BenQ Device management software allows school IT admins to manage BenQ displays, projectors, and even equipment from displays from legacy brands including Epson, NEC, Hitachi, and Casio – without requiring a subscription
• BenQ interactive displays are designed and tested to run a wide variety of classroom education curriculum including Smart Notebook, ActiveInspire, Google Classroom, Microsoft Whiteboard, and dozens of other curriculum software platforms (including Mimeo) to enable teachers to switch learning.