Teknoids

April,

We have implemented a full Crestron solution here at our school. We have both wired (7" variety) in some and wireless (the older 10" variety, that were made by View Sonic) in other rooms. I have been completely satisfied with the wired version, and completely unsatisfied with the wireless ones. The older 10" models we have are based on a version of Windows CE that has horrible wireless features (drops the wireless signal every time it goes to sleep, and intermittently while you are using it), and extremely bad power management (we only get about 45 minutes off of a fully charged battery - read below for other battery problems). The newer 8" wireless panels Crestron is now offering are based on Windows XP embedded which is much better in both areas.

Also, one of our wireless panels is wall mounted. Now speaking only on the 10" model as I have not seem the wall mount for the 8" panel, it is a nice feature and keeps it secure but if you do not place the panel in the mount just right the unit will not charge (even though it locks the panel into the wall mount). So what ends up happening a lot here is that people put the panel back into the mount and think they're good, but unless a little green light comes on the panel is not charging. Then of course when the next person comes in to use the panel it is completely dead so has to stay in the wall, thus defeating the wireless feature all together.

Again, our experiences are with the 10" panel, not the 8" which I am assuming you are talking about since Crestron discontinued our model. Our AV vendor has shown the new 8" model and we love it, and will be replacing both of our wireless panels this summer. Having said that, I personally would not put a wireless panel in any more of our classrooms until we really see what the new 8" model is like in practice. Just not 100% sold on them yet. Plus the wired ones just work, and work flawlessly.

Also, look into to Crestron's Roomview software. This software is great for managing the rooms and even allows instant messaging between your help desk and the panel. Also has the ability to monitor device errors or needs (such as projector bulb life, etc...).

Hope that helps!

Dave Bachechi
Assistant Director of IT
Phoenix School of Law

-----Original Message-----
From: teknoids-bounces@ruckus.law.cornell.edu [mailto:teknoids-bounces@ruckus.law.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of April Barton
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 11:47 AM
To: teknoids@ruckus.law.cornell.edu
Subject: [teknoids] Lectern/Touchpanel question

We are building a new law school building, and along with it, new smart lecterns for all of our classrooms. We had initially planned to build the Crestron/AMX touchpanel into our smart lectern, but are now considering mounting the touchpanel on the wall. In particular, Crestron offers a wireless touchpanel that can live on the wall, but can also be carried over to the lectern if a professor wants to have access to it during class.

The wall mounted option is attractive to us because it frees up valuable lectern real estate. We feel that most professors will adjust the lights, audio, media input etc, before class and thus would not need access to the touchpanel during class. However, I worry that having the touchpanel in one location (wall) and the computer in another (lectern) might not be wise.

My questions are:

1. Do any of you have wall mounted touchpanels rather than lectern installed touchpanels, and if so, how have these worked out for you?

2. Does anyone have experience with the Crestron wireless touchpanels?

3. Do any of you think we are making a dire mistake by considering putting the touchpanel on the wall rather than built into the lectern?

I greatly appreciate any input on this.

Best,
April

April Mara Barton
Assistant Dean for Academic Computing
Villanova University School of Law
299 North Spring Mill Rd.
Villanova, PA 19085
610-519-5201