Connecting and using computers
The displays come with a one-year subscription for SMART Learning Suite (including SMART Notebook software and SMART Learning Suite Online). You can download SMART Notebook software from smarttech.com/downloads and install it on a room computer.
You can purchase additional copies of SMART software to install on other computers. Contact your authorized SMART reseller (smarttech.com/where) for more information.
Note
In addition to SMART Notebook software, you need to install the following software on any computers you connect to the display:
Software | Description |
---|---|
SMART Product Drivers | Enables connected computers to detect input from the display |
SMART Ink | Enables you to write and draw in digital ink over applications, files, folders, websites and any other open window |
The following table presents the recommend resolutions and refresh rates for the display’s input sources:
Input source | Resolution | Refresh rate |
---|---|---|
HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 | 3840 × 2160 | 60 Hz |
HDMI 3 | 1920 × 1080 | 60 Hz |
VGA | 1920 × 1080 | 60 Hz |
If possible, set connected computers to these resolutions and refresh rates. See the connected computers’ operating system documentation for instructions.
SMART Board interactive displays support full high definition (FHD) 1080p and 4K ultra high definition (4K UHD) resolutions, provided the source device meets the minimum requirements for such resolutions.
Resolution | Pixels | Details |
---|---|---|
FHD (1080p) | 1920 × 1080 (2.1 megapixels) | Most modern video devices (computers, laptops, DVD players and Blu‑ray disc players) support FHD resolutions. Check a device’s specifications to see which resolutions it supports. SMART recommends a digital HDMI, DVI or Display Port connection for best results with FHD. Although an analog VGA connection might support FHD, the video quality may be degraded, particularly if the VGA cable is longer than |
4K UHD | 3840 × 2160 (8.3 megapixels) | A 4K UHD display has greater pixel density than an FHD display. A 4K UHD display can show up to four times as much visual information as FHD displays. Notes
|
SMART advises against the use of an analog video connection for displaying FHD or 4K UHD because analog video connections can not display high-resolution images with adequate picture quality. If you want to use FHD or 4K UHD resolutions and the source device supports only an analog video connection, you will likely need to upgrade the source device.
Resolution | Input source aspect ratio | Mode | Refresh rate |
---|---|---|---|
3840 × 2160 | 16:9 | UHD / 2160p | 59.94 Hz / 60 Hz 50 Hz 29.97 Hz / 30 Hz 25 Hz 23.98 Hz / 24 Hz |
1920 × 1080 | 16:9 | FHD / 1080p | 59.94 Hz / 60 Hz 50 Hz 29.97 Hz / 30 Hz 25 Hz 23.98 Hz / 24 Hz |
1360 × 768 | 16:9 | [N/A] | 60.015 Hz |
1280 × 720 | 16:9 | HD / 720p | 59.94 Hz / 60 Hz 50 Hz 29.97 Hz / 30 Hz 25 Hz 23.98 Hz / 24 Hz |
720 × 480 | 16:9 | 480p (DVD Player) | 60 Hz |
Resolution | Input source aspect ratio | Mode | Refresh rate |
---|---|---|---|
1920 × 1080 | 16:9 | [N/A] | 60.000 Hz |
1600 × 1200 | 4:3 | [N/A] | 60.000 Hz |
1360 × 768 | 16:9 | [N/A] | 60.015 Hz |
1280 × 1024 | 5:4 | SXGA 60 | 60.020 Hz |
1024 × 768 | 4:3 | XGA 60 XGA 70 XGA 75 | 60.004 Hz 70.069 Hz 75.029 Hz |
800 × 600 | 4:3 | SVGA 60 SVGA 72 SVGA 75 | 60.317 Hz 72.188 Hz 75.000 Hz |
640 × 480 | 4:3 | VGA 60 | 59.940 Hz |
Displays can support different refresh rates, typically 30 Hz or 60 Hz. Higher refresh rates can result in smoother, flicker-free video. This is most evident when using 4K UHD.
Most computers support a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Using the highest frame refresh rate possible will provide a better experience when using the display, provided the connected device supports the refresh rate. If it doesn’t, you may need to set the device’s display settings to a lower refresh rate.
Note
To display 4K UHD at 60 Hz on the display, use the HDMI 1 or DisplayPort inputs. The HDMI 2 input supports only 30 Hz at 4K UHD.
You can connect computers to the display (see Connecting cables for room computers, guest laptops and other input sources) and then view the computers’ input on the display’s screen.
Notes
To connect computers using the side and bottom connector panels, see Connecting cables for room computers, guest laptops and other input sources
For full interactivity, connect a USB cable to the associated USB Type-B receptacle on the connector panel or convenience panel (as shown in the above diagrams and install SMART Product Drivers and SMART Ink on the connected computer).
If your display is configured with firmware 2.0.6 (and later), you can configure the HDMI version for each HDMI connector as either HDMI 1.4 or HDMI 2.0. This allows you to connect HDMI 1.4 devices that are incompatible with HDMI 2.0 connectors and would otherwise appear as DVI devices, see HDMI [connector number]-EDID version.
Your organization’s installers might have connected cables to the side and bottom connector panels or the front control panel and run the cables behind a wall or under the floor to a desk or table where you can place your computer.
To view a connected computer’s input
Connect a device to the display’s HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, or VGA connectors.
Note
To enable touch control of the device, connect a USB cable to the associated USB port.
Open the launcher.
The launcher appears.
Tap.
OR
Press on the front control panel.
The Input selection menu appears.
Note
Inputs with devices connected are blue, and inputs without a connection are black.
Tap the input you want to view.
The display looks for a connection, and the computer’s desktop appears on the display’s screen.
After you’ve connected a computer to the display and used the Input app to view its input on the display, you can use the SMART software to present content and enable collaboration.
For information on SMART Learning Suite (including SMART Notebook software), see SMART Notebook.