» Overview of Flat Panel Overlays for Interactive Whiteboards / Displays

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Flat Panel Overlays for plasma or liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panels convert them into an interactive whiteboard or display. Overlays can provide all interactive whiteboard functionalities including allowing the user to draw, display images, control software applications and show videos on the underlying display.

Interactive Overlays have some advantages over front projection interactive whiteboards:

• no problems with shadows cast by the presenter
• up to 15 times the lifespan with plasma and widescreen displays compared to a projector lamp
• more attractive, space saving set up options with the slim profile and wall mounting options some plasma or LCD displays provide

Overlays are available in numerous sizes to fit commonly available LCD and plasma display sizes and brands. Ideal properties for the overlay include; minimal display light loss, anti-glare, robustness (to protect the display underneath), scratch resistance and suitability for cleaning with common chemical surface cleaners.

Flat panel overlays come with special driver and application software either supported by the overlay hardware or loaded onto a connected PC. Depending on the application, an important purchasing factor may be the software support and access to resources such as graphic, templates, images and other presentation support content. The tools available through the interactive whiteboard software vary and suitability for the particular application intended should be considered.

Some displays are powered only by a USB cable. Remote controls are available to allow a presenter to move away from the display.

Some common functionalities available through a Flat Panel Overlay interactive display include:

• controlling computer software
• navigating websites
• displaying presentations
• writing over software applications or presentations
• capture work on screen and save to a file
• burn-in prevention for plasma displays

Three Screen Overlay for flat panel displays manufacturers are SMART Technologies, PolyVision and Numonics Corporation.