We ordered SmartBoards with short-throw projectors and DID order the speakers for some of them: and I wish we hadn't. ;) (I guess the grass *IS* always greener on the other side of the Septic tank.)
The problem with the SmartTech speakers is that they are USB and basically amount to a USB sound card. So... who here orders computers that don't already have soundcards? Right. No one. So now, you have computers with 2 soundcards, which the teachers confuse all the time, and generate output to the wrong device on a regular basis. Not to mention - how many teachers will let you put their computer within 15 feet of the speakers? Yes: "None" is the correct answer. So then you go out and buy USB extension cables (because the teacher wants their computer 50 feet away from the SmartBoard at the back of the room). Now it's getting fun! SmartTech doesn't support or authorize USB-extender cables or USB-via-CAT5 extension converters (Which, by and large, don't work all that well, which is probably why SmartTech doesn't support their use). If I had it to do over again, I'd have saved myself $300 per "Smart" speaker set, and bought a $100 speaker set to sit on the teacher's desk. They'd be louder, produce better sound, and not create an additional soundcard to confuse everyone and complicate things. David From: tech-geeks-boun...@tech-geeks.org [mailto:tech-geeks-boun...@tech-geeks.org] On Behalf Of Alicia M.M.Kessler Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 10:30 AM To: tech-geeks@tech-geeks.org Subject: [tech-geeks] SMART Speakers We added a couple of mounted smart boards with short-throw projectors at the beginning of the school year. I didn't order the $300 audio system......now I'm questioning that decision. I have nice speakers I can run the computer audio out of......but for the dvd/vcr hook up in the external box.......no dice? There is an audio input jack - but it doesn't appear to route the sound. The display of the dvd is fine. Anyone circumvented a $300 setup? Am I missing something super obvious (I usually am). Thanks, Alicia M. M. Kessler It's a shallow life that doesn't give a person a few scars. ~Garrison Keillor ________________________________ Pursuant to Illinois' public records law, this written communication may constitute a public record which is available to the public and media upon request. Please be advised that this email communication may be subject to public disclosure.
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