Interactive monitors, abbreviated IFP (Interactive Flat Panel), are changing the way we share information, communicate and collaborate, redefining workflow and adapting to the needs of a world increasingly directed toward multitasking. In both corporate and educational settings, these multimedia devices are designed for group communication in contexts where it is basic to business and the achievement of well-defined professional or educational goals. Only a decade ago, at the height of the popularity of interactive whiteboards, few would have imagined that two or more people could write simultaneously and work in groups on “virtual” files via Android and Windows-based touch displays, interacting directly on a glass screen with pressure-sensitive pens. In the wake of smartphones and tablets, however, we have been hearing about large interactive monitors for a few years now, which using infrared or capacitive touch technology allow people to write and draw directly within PowerPoint presentations, image files and PDFs in order to illustrate their ideas and share them with their team of collaborators.
Audio Effetti has long grasped the potential of these work and teaching tools, and through its recent agreement with Philips professional displays, it has expanded its product offerings with best-in-class multimedia displays with unique features, dedicated primarily to corporate (C-Line) and education (T-Line) environments.
The essential requirements for an interactive multimedia display
Let’s start with the size: the Philips C-Line series monitors range from 55″ to 86″, while the T-Line monitors start at a much smaller size, even 10″ (thus ideal for use in limited space conditions) and go up to 86″. Equipped with anti-reflective tempered glass, they can be placed horizontally (landscape), vertically (portrait) and in some cases even placed on a flat surface. In this case, the monitor can be viewed exactly like a tablet, allowing those who intend to interact with colleagues during tabletop presentations a broad interactive experience. The resolution is almost always 4K, except for two models with a particularly small display diagonal. In IFP monitors, it is very important that recognition of on-screen input, whether with fingers or a pen, is highly accurate. According to the product lines, Philips monitors are capable of recognizing 5, 10, or 20 touches simultaneously (T-Line), so that annotations can be entered intuitively and smoothly using a pen directly on the screen. These multi-touch monitors are touch-activated and feature a Human Interface Device (HID) compatible USB connector for “true” Plug & Play operation. This means that no special installation or configuration is required: simply plug in your existing laptop or desktop to instantly enable touch functionality on the large screen.
Da Android un computer all-in-one tramite slot OPS
One of the peculiarities of IFPs is that they have the Android operating system built in, so they behave like large tablets. Philips’ Android-based interactive monitors are fast, versatile and easy to navigate thanks to built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Native Android Apps can be installed directly from the Google Play Store, and automatic updates ensure that they remain up-to-date and compliant as required features and security protocols evolve.
With a slot for OPS (Open Pluggable Specification), Philips C-Line 8051C series multimedia monitors (65″, 75″ and 86″) can be transformed into full-fledged all-in-one computers running Windows 10. OPS is a plug-in module format devised by Microsoft and Intel in 2010 to add processing capabilities to flat panel displays. The OPS slot contains all the necessary connections, including the power supply. The internal media player is based on a respectable hardware architecture, with an Intel Core i7 CPU, 256 GB eMMc, Nvidia GT730 GPU and 8 GB RAM.
Video-conference mode
The built-in video conferencing function enables fast, reliable and easy video calls. Simply connect a compatible camera and use the included software or connect via third-party Apps such as Skype, Hangouts, Microsoft Teams and many others to make calls. Audio will be played by a pair of internal speakers of 20 W each. This mode allows you to bring guests or teachers directly into your business, or classroom, from anywhere in the world with the ability to connect up to 64 devices to share content remotely. You can use your existing Wi-Fi network or the Interact dongle to instantly and securely connect present devices or to add speakers and alumni connecting remotely from time to time through an external network.
What else can you do?
The possibilities offered by Philips IFP monitors go far beyond what are considered the minimum requirements for this product category. A few examples?
- Interactive whiteboard:with this option, the display is transformed into a kind of super-responsive “blank canvas” on which multiple users (up to a maximum of 20 for T-Line models) can draw by hand or with the included pens. Everything on the screen can be streamed to notebooks for easy printing or file sharing.
- Smart connectivity:allows teachers to use their favorite Apps to share classroom content and online media on the display for more engaging lessons.
- Cloud: when you need to take notes, everything you see on the screen can be stored in the cloud so you can easily retrieve it and send it to your laptop (or favorite device) for printing or file sharing.
- CMND & Control:enables basic functions of software updating, settings management, and display status monitoring.
- CMND & Create:drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to publish any type of content, while built-in widgets and preinstalled templates ensure that images, text and videos are uploaded and usable in no time.
- Crestron connected(C-Line only): you can Integrate Philips C-Line monitors with your Crestron network for complete remote control via laptop, desktop, or mobile device: turn the display on and off, program content, manage settings, and easily connect external devices.
