Screen recommendations for small collective use spaces (Teams etc)

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jonathan18

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#285725 13-May-2021 13:02

My work wants to set up a couple of small offices with basic systems for MS Teams/use as collective work spaces. They’ll each have two computers (two different networks for security reasons) and two screens - I’m looking for ideas and recommendations for suitable screens for this purpose.

Both computers need to connect to both screens so the user can select either dual screens for a single computer or one of each - this was easily achievable with another set-up I helped with as we used TVs, (just a matter of the user selecting the appropriate HDMI input).

In this case I had thought larger computer monitors were a better option, as we don’t need huge screens (probably 32”) and it’ll also make the UE easier (screens will turn on/off automatically, no need for TV remote etc). Plus the resolution of small TVs is normally crud...

Questions:
* would people recommend we use monitors or small TVs in this situation?
* if monitors, can we easily achieve seamless switching of each computer between the two screens? (eg, if we had the first computer using the DP inputs of both screens, and the second using HDMI inputs, what would be the easiest way for a user to switch which screen(s) the computers are outputting to?)
* are there any (not too costly) 32” screens that people would recommend? Curved is not a goer given the space/purpose, and really looking for ones that have fully adjustable stands.

Cheers and thanks.

nzkc

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#2706980 13-May-2021 13:39

Most monitors do not have built in speakers. You'll need to either find one that does (obviously) or provide external speakers/headsets.

"Small collective use spaces" to me sounds like a little calling booth or something. If its that a small(er) screen wont matter at all. Nor the resolution as webcams arent typically great resolution/quality anyway. If however; its more of meeting room for say 4 to 6 people I'd go with something bigger. This is typically where people use TVs too.

Depending on your budget there are devices that can help with meeting setup for microphones, sound etc that are worth investigating.

jonathan18

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#2707022 13-May-2021 14:09

Thanks for the reply; sorry, should have acknowledged how I planned to manage the audio issue if using monitors - we have spare (or can buy if they’re not adequate) speakers that’ll provide adequate audio (but headsets on-hand would be a useful addition if it’s only one person).

My biggest unknown is understanding the easiest way people will have switching between screens if using monitors - any tips on how this would be best managed?

The spaces are previously small individual offices - they’ll have space for two or three people, and yeah decent resolution is important as they’ll be for more than just video - eg, used to show/edit/collaborate on an Office doc.

Given the size of the rooms and closeness/similar distance of all participants to the webcam I believe that the built-in mic will be ok; I’ve purchased a Jabra Speak 510 for the another space with a similar setup, based off advice in another GZ thread, and that’s ideal for that situation, but that’s a much larger space.

jonathan18

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#2707349 14-May-2021 08:46

A bump for a new morning!

At this point I’m still siding of going with monitors - but the big unknown for me is whether there’s an easy and full-proof way to switch between inputs on monitors - ideally as close as easy as switching inputs on a TV, and also without needing additional software or hardware such as a switch (not possible given the secure nature of one of the networks).

I note my screens here at work have an ‘auto-switch input’ setting - would that be adequate for this situation, where the user need to be able to switch between inputs whenever they need to?

Thanks.

nzkc

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#2707361 14-May-2021 09:16

So you want two PCs both hooked up to two screens (so a dual screen set up) right?

I think you're going to get a few annoyances. Certainly my monitor allows for input switching and there are menu control buttons along the bottom for this. They're a bit fiddly and I wouldn't want to be using them often. And then you're asking users to do that twice (one for each monitor). You run the risk of someone leaving monitor A connected to PC A and monitor B connected to PC B and all the confusion that will come with that.

Perhaps some kind of HDMI switch boxes would be better. Something like these: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPPRM1033/Promate-SWITCH-HDMI-2-in-1-HDMI20-Splitter-High-De?qr=GShopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwnPOEBhA0EiwA609RedZYcOo-GA1qIQRrcJN9D6jYR3Xwlgrm5g3PzOTf-p3mg2n3tmJC1xoCehIQAvD_BwE

You're still going to need two of them and have your users switch both.

And we haven't addressed keyboard/mouse/etc yet. Most KVM systems only support one monitor. A quick google suggests ones that support multiple monitors gets expensive very quickly!

nzkc

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#2707363 14-May-2021 09:17

This one on Amazon looks like it might suit your needs and doesnt break the bank: https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Support-Wireless-Keyboard-Adapter/dp/B07ZYJD11D/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=KVM+switches+for+dual+&+multiple+monitors&qid=1604996849&s=industrial&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=growmedia-20&linkId=404fbda6be79990556ca4aea3f583175&language=en_US

jonathan18

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#2707370 14-May-2021 09:34

Thanks for all the further advice - what you’re helping me come to terms with is acknowledging it does seem like it’s going to get overly complex! Apparently we can use physical switches on our network, but it’s going to add both to the set-up cost and end user confusion. Given how much people are used to switching inputs on a TV remote, TVs rather than monitors are looking more attractive now.

32” TV screens obviously top out at 1080 - I think this’ll be adequate for our purposes even though people will be relatively close. The stands aren’t normally adjustable and often have wide feet, so adding a bog-standard height-adjustable aftermarket stand will sort that out - I’ll just have to check that the TV we go with has VESA mounts (not mentioned on Panasonic’s site for the model I was looking it).

For our current systems we are using the Logitech keyboard/mouse pack that provides for switching between up to three computers (switch on the keyboard and mouse) - works perfectly on one, but having problems getting it working on another (can’t install any software on the classified system which would probably solve the problem).

Any other things I need to be wary of/should look for?

Thanks again.

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gbwelly

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#2707533 14-May-2021 13:31

jonathan18:
Any other things I need to be wary of/should look for?

Will the end users be logging into these, or will they automatically log in with a meeting room account?

There will be a lot of tradeoffs with either option. Even using a Teams Room System there are compromises.