Connecting other devices

In addition to computers, you can connect a variety of other devices to the display:

  • USB drives and other peripherals

  • External displays

  • External audio systems (wired or Bluetooth enabled)

  • External audio systems

  • Room control systems

Warning 

Ensure that any cables that cross the floor to the display are properly bundled and marked to avoid a trip hazard.

External displays

 

The display includes one USB 2.0 Type-A receptacle on the front connector panel and one USB 2.0 Type-A receptacle on the side connector panel. You can connect USB drives, peripherals (such as keyboards), and other devices to the USB 2.0 Type-A receptacle on the side connector panel and use these devices with the display’s Android system. The front USB 2.0 Type-A receptacle will switch to the active input, including the display’s Android system, the OPS slot computer, or an externally connected computer.

Position of the USB 2.0 Type-A receptacles on the side rear and front connector panels

On some SMART Board GX displays, you can connect an external display using the HDMI 2.0 out connector on the connector panel (pictured).

Note 

Some displays do not include this connector.

The external display will show the same image as the display. This is useful when you’re using the display in an auditorium or other large space where a second display would be beneficial.

Position of the HDMI 2.0 out connector on the front connector panel

Important 

If the connected external display doesn’t support High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), no image will appear on the external display. For full resolution output, connect a display that supports HDCP.

Note 

The display’s default output resolution is 4K (3840 × 2160). The output resolution can also be set to FHD (1920 × 1080).

SeeImage, audio, and menu setting

The display includes two 15 W speakers, which are designed to provide sound at the front of a room. You might want to connect a third-party external audio system if you’re providing sound in a larger space.

You can connect an external audio system to the display using the stereo 3.5 mm out connector (pictured). Alternatively, you can connect an external audio system directly to a room computer.

Position of the 3.5 mm out connector on the front connector panel

You must enable use of an external audio system in display settings (see Image, audio, and menu setting).

Important 

Use a 3.5 mm stereo jack (15 mm long barrel only) to connect to the display’s stereo 3.5 mm out connector.

Notes 

  • You can use the display’s volume controls to adjust volume of an audio system connected to the display’s stereo 3.5 mm out connector.

  • If there’s an echo when the display is connected to an external audio system, try disabling the display’s built-in speakers.

    SeeImage, audio, and menu setting

In addition to the stereo 3.5 mm out connector, the display also provides a Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) out connector (pictured). S/PDIF is a digital audio transmission medium. You need an audio receiver that supports S/PDIF to use this connection with an external sound bar or other audio system.

Position of the Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) out connector on the side rear connector panel

Note 

When you connect an audio system to the display’s S/PDIF out connector, the audio system’s volume controls, rather than the display’s, adjust the volume.

Position of the analog video in connector on the bottom rear connector panel

You can connect an external analog video and audio source to the SMART Board GX display using the (AV in) connector.

Important 

Use a composite-to-AV adapter with a 4-conductor 3.5 mm plug. Make sure the adapter cable is no longer than 12" (0.3 m) in length.

Position of the yPbPr analog video and Audio in connectors on the bottom rear connector panel

The SMART Board GX display also includes a yPbPr analog video connector. When using this connector, audio is supplied with the Audio in connector (pictured).

Important 

Use a component to AV adapter with a 4-conductor 3.5mm plug which is no longer than 12" (0.3 m) in length.

Position of the analog video out connector on the bottom rear connector panel

You can connect an external display using the SMART Board GX display’s analog video (AV out) connector. The external display will show the same image as shown on the display.

Important 

Use an AV to composite adapter with a 4-conductor 3.5 mm plug which is no longer than 12" (0.3 m) in length.

A room control system enables users to control a room’s lighting, audio system, and possibly, the display. Some installations may require you to integrate the display with a room control system.

You can use the display’s RS-232 connector to connect a third-party external control system to the display (see Managing the display using RS‑232).

Note 

displays are not compatible with centralized remote control systems, such as a universal remote control.

 

The display includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A receptacles on the front connector panel and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A receptacles on the side connector panel. You can connect USB drives, peripherals (such as keyboards), and other devices to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A receptacles and use these devices with the display’s embedded OS or OPS slot computer. The display’s USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A receptacles will switch to the active input.

Position of the USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A receptacles on the side rear and front connector panels

You can connect an external display using the HDMI 2.0 out connector on the connector panel.

The external display shows the same image as the display. This is useful when you’re using the display in an auditorium or other large space where a second display would be beneficial.

Position of the HDMI 2.0 out connector on the rear connector panel

Important 

If the connected external display doesn’t support High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), no image will appear on the external display. For full resolution output, connect a display that supports HDCP.

Note 

The display’s default output resolution is 4K (3840 × 2160). The output resolution can also be set to 1080p 60Hz in display settings.

SeeInput and output.

The display includes two 20 W speakers, which are designed to provide sound at the front of a room. You might want to connect a third-party external audio system if you’re providing sound in a larger space.

You can connect an external audio system to the display using the stereo 3.5 mm out connector (pictured). You can also connect an external audio system directly to a room computer.

Position of the 3.5 mm out connector on the rear connector panel

Use of an external audio system must be enabled in display settings (see Input and output).

Important 

Use a 3.5 mm stereo jack (15 mm long barrel only) to connect to the display’s stereo 3.5 mm Out connector.

Note 

  • You can use the display’s volume controls to adjust the volume of an audio system connected to the display’s stereo 3.5 mm Out connector.

In addition to the stereo 3.5 mm out connector, the display also provides a Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) Out connector (pictured). S/PDIF is a digital audio transmission medium. You need an audio receiver that supports S/PDIF to use this connection with an external sound bar or other audio system.

Position of the Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) out connector on the side rear connector panel

Note 

When you connect an audio system to the display’s S/PDIF Out connector, the audio system’s volume controls, rather than the display’s, adjust the volume.

A room control system enables users to control a room’s lighting, audio system, and possibly, the display. Some installations may require you to integrate the display with a room control system.

You can use the display’s RS-232 connector to connect a third-party external control system to the display (see Managing the display using RS‑232).

Note 

displays are not compatible with centralized remote control systems, such as a universal remote control.

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