Connecting other devices

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

  • USB drives, peripherals, and other devices

  • A second SMART Board interactive display

  • External displays

  • External video sources

  • 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.

The display includes the following USB receptacles. You can connect USB drives, peripherals (such as keyboards), and other devices to these receptacles and use the devices with iQ, connected computers, and OPS modules installed in the OPS accessory slot.

Position of USB connectors on the side connector panel and convenience panel that does feature a USB Type-C connector

This table shows the supported maximum USB speeds for each input:

Input

USB 2.0 Type-A

USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A

USB Type-C

iQ

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

USB-C 1

Hi-Speed

Hi-Speed

Hi-Speed

USB-C 2

Hi-Speed

Hi-Speed

Hi-Speed

HDMI 1

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

HDMI 2

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

HDMI 3

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

HDMI 4

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

VGA

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

OPS accessory slot

Hi-Speed

SuperSpeed

SuperSpeed

Notes 

  • Hi-Speed = 480 Mbps

  • SuperSpeed = 5 Gbps

Position of USB connectors on the side connector panel and convenience panel that does feature a USB Type-C connector

The display includes one USB Type-C receptacle and one USB 3.0 Type-A receptacle on the convenience panel. The rear connector panel also includes a USB Type-C receptacle and a USB 3.0 Type-A receptacle.

You can connect USB drives, peripherals (such as keyboards), and other devices to these connectors and use the devices with iQ connected computers, and devices installed in the accessory slot, such as the SMART OPS PC.

Note 

Connect only drives, peripherals, and devices to the USB Type-A and USB Type-C receptacles. Do not connect USB hubs.

You can connect the SMART Board interactive display to a second display by connecting a USB cable from the first display’s USB Type-C Out receptacle to one of the second display’s USB Type-C In receptacles.

The same input appears on both displays, and users can interact with the input by touching, writing on, drawing on, or erasing on either display.

You can connect an external display using the HDMI Out connector on the connector panel. The external display will show the same image. This is useful when you’re using the display in an auditorium or other large space where it would be beneficial to have a second display.

Important 

If the connected external display doesn’t support HDCP, the image on the external display is limited to 480p resolution. For full resolution output, connect a display that supports HDCP.

You can connect an external video source, such as a DVD player, media box, or cable box, to your display using an HDMI cable and any of the HDMI connectors on the display’s connector panels. To view the source content, switch to the connected HDMI input.

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

You can connect the display to an external audio system using the Stereo 3.5 mm Out connector. This disables the display’s internal speakers. Alternatively, you can connect an external audio system directly to a room computer.

In addition to the Stereo 3.5 mm Out connector, the display provides a Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) Out connector. S/PDIF is a digital audio transmission medium. You need an audio system that has an S/PDIF input to decode this connection to analog. Most external sound bars include an S/PDIF connector.

You can also connect an external audio system to the display using the HDMI 2.0 Out connector on the bottom connector panel.

If you have an external audio system with HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), you can output the display’s audio to the audio system by connecting the display’s HDMI In connector on the side connector panel to the HDMI Out connector on the audio system’s receiver.

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.

SeeManaging the display using RS‑232

Note 

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