Digital signage trends show that the interactive display market is growing exponentially resulting in an increase in the adoption of new technologies and a higher demand for touch-based devices.
Quick answer: An interactive display (a large touchscreen, like a giant tablet) gives sharper images, runs quietly and works without a laptop, but costs more upfront. An interactive projector is cheaper to buy and can project a larger image of up to about 100 inches, but its image dims as the lamp ages, its fan can be noisy, and the lamps need periodic replacement.
The growing demand may be attributed to the need to provide luring information to customers in the retail and travel sectors, the adoption of digital classrooms, conference room digital signage, and public education (especially on health and safety).
If you haven’t already introduced these user-friendly and interactive devices to your business, you’re missing out on a lot of benefits like reduced marketing costs.
Are you having trouble choosing between an interactive projector and an interactive display?
If you’re unfamiliar with digital signage trends, keep reading this interactive projector vs interactive display breakdown and we’ll help you make that decision!
What Is an Interactive Projector?
An interactive projector projects an image onto a whiteboard or wall and lets you control it with a digital pen or your finger, using infrared or DLP tracking.
This is typically used with an interactive whiteboard. It projects digital signage content onto the interactive whiteboard that acts as the display screen.
These projectors allow users to interact with the image that has been projected using an interactive pen or fingers.
The movement is recorded and reflected in the projection. Think of it like a wireless mouse flitting across a monitor.
This is made possible by tech such as infrared or digital light processing that can track movements after making contact with the interactive whiteboard.
Based on how they work, there are two classifications of interactive projectors:
How Do Infrared Interactive Projectors Work?
These have a camera, one or more infrared sensors, a touch detection module that emits an infrared beam on the screen, and a digital pen that reflects the infrared light to the projector when it touches the screen.
To work, infrared projectors require a line of sight between the pen and projector.
How Do DLP Interactive Projectors Work?
These come with a digital pen to facilitate screen interactions. The pens embed a special pattern into the projected image which appears and disappears faster than the human eye can detect it.
The movement of the pen on the screen gets reflected in the projected image digitally.
What Is an Interactive Display?
An interactive display is a wall-mounted screen with the added interactivity of touchscreens. You can think of it as a huge tablet.
Just like an interactive projector, an interactive digital signage display responds to fingertips, palms, or a stylus.
The two types of interactive displays that people choose are infrared vs projected capacitive screen.
The biggest advantage of interactive displays is that they don’t require input from laptops, tablets, or PCs.
If it needs more sources, you can input them by USB or through a content management system.
What Are the Differences Between an Interactive Projector and an Interactive Display?
The key differences at a glance:
- Image quality: interactive displays are sharper and don’t dim over time
- Noise: interactive displays are silent; projector fans can be distracting
- Image size: projectors can show an image up to about 100 inches
- Extra devices: displays work on their own; projectors need a laptop
- Several users: multi-touch displays let several people work at once
- Cost: projectors are cheaper to buy; displays cost less to maintain
Interactive digital display signage eliminates the need for using pens on interactive whiteboards which can look messy and require lots of time to clean up.
Both interactive displays and projectors allow for a more collaborative experience.
1. Which Has Better Image Quality?
An interactive display. Its image is as sharp as an HD TV, while a projector’s image gets duller as the lamp ages.
When deciding whether or not to choose an interactive projector or an interactive display, you need to consider the quality resolution, and clarity of the picture.
An interactive display provides high-quality images similar to a standard high-definition TV. When it comes to image quality, interactive displays are a clear winner.
When it comes to projectors, the image quality diminishes over time due to the finite nature of projector lamps.
The image still ends up looking duller compared to interactive displays and can result in eye strain.
2. Which Is Quieter?
An interactive display, because it has no cooling fan. Both improve engagement, but projector fan noise can disrupt quiet rooms.
This is yet another important factor to consider when choosing between the two. How do you intend to use the interactive solution?
The main reason why people get these devices is to improve their presentation and understanding.
Both of them are functional and increase viewer engagement so they serve their intended purpose. However, it’s worth noting that projectors can be quite noisy.
Interactive displays provide a much quieter operation because it does not depend on fans.
Although the whirring fan noise from a projector is not excessively loud, it can prove disruptive if the setting requires total silence.
3. Which Gives a Bigger Image?
A projector. It can project an image of up to about 100 inches, while an interactive display is fixed at the screen size you buy.
When looking at the size of the display, consider your audience.
When you get a small display or projector, there is the risk of the audience not being able to read the content.
With this in mind, projectors are capable of projecting an image as large as 100 inches.
An interactive display’s image size is fixed by the screen you buy, so choose a screen big enough for viewers at the back of the room.
4. Which Needs Fewer Extra Devices?
An interactive display. It works on its own with built-in software, while a projector needs a laptop, digital pens and a remote.
Interactive displays do not rely on extra devices like laptops to function.
Thanks to integrated digital signage software Malaysia, these displays don’t require additional tools for interacting with the screen. Users have more control over what’s happening on the screen and there’s no limitation to what you can view.
In contrast, projectors rely solely on laptops, digital pens, and remote controls. Plus, DLP projectors don’t support finger touch.
5. Which Is Better for Several Users at Once?
An interactive display with multi-touch or dual-touch technology, which lets several people write at the same time, even side by side.
Interactive projectors use infrared light to locate and react to touch on the screen.
However, digital signage Malaysia with dual touch technology allows for greater collaboration.
Multiple users can make changes to the displayed content as long as they have digital pens. Interactive displays with dual smart touch technology too, support simultaneous touch.
This gives a huge benefit over projectors because it can handle input from multiple users. The users can even work side-by-side by dividing the display in half.
6. Where Is Each One Typically Used?
Projectors suit classrooms, movie screenings and art walls; interactive displays suit self-service kiosks, public information screens and boardrooms.
Thanks to their ease of use, both interactive displays and projectors have quite several applications.
An interactive whiteboard can act as a movie screen, whiteboard for classroom collaboration and an art projection wall.
Corporate agencies can also use projectors for co-creation or to report visual information to their partners.
Interactive displays may be used in self-service kiosks and to broadcast information in public places like travel terminus or hospitals.
An interactive wall display would make a great video wall for marketing.
7. Which Is Cheaper Over Time?
A projector is cheaper to buy, but lamp replacements raise its running costs. An interactive display costs more upfront and less to maintain.
The purchase cost is higher for interactive displays and lower for projectors and vice versa for upkeep costs. Both solutions require a large enough space for installation
Interactive displays tend to be more costly compared to projectors but are a more sensible investment despite the higher initial costs.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that projectors are cheaper in the long run – the initial investment is lower but the projectors don’t stand the test of time. The projectors’ lamps need periodic replacement.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Interactive Displays vs. Interactive Projectors
| Feature | Interactive Displays | Interactive Projectors |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution and Image Quality | Provides high-resolution images via LED | Image degradation over time |
| Purpose and Functionality | Functional and quieter than projectors | Quite noisy because of their fans |
| Size of Display | Fixed at the screen size you buy | Offers wider screens and can be adjusted |
| Requirement of Extra Devices | Don’t require additional tools for interacting with the screen | Require coupling whether the connection is wired or wireless |
| Multiple User Support | Smart displays featuring dual touch technology support multiple users | Multiple users are able to make adjustments at a time |
| Typical Applications | Broadcasting bulletins, boardroom presentations | Watching movies, collaborating in classrooms |
| Cost, Installation, Maintenance | Expensive but a more sensible investment on matters longevity | Are cheaper to purchase and install but costlier to maintain |
Top Tier Multi-Touch Interactive Display Solutions by REV Interactive
Interactive display solutions are the future of presentation technology.
They’ve come a long way in changing the way we present information and how we retain the information fed to us.
The two interactive display solutions by REV Interactive listed below are amazing alternatives for modern display technology.
Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of each:
1. Multi-touch Projection Board by REV Interactive
Designed for workplace collaboration and professional training, the REV Interactive Multi-touch screen combines a premium touch experience with a razor-sharp display.
You can walk anywhere you like in front of the board without the projection falling on you.
The low-friction surface allows your finger to glide smoothly over the surface. The interactive display board provides an optimal view from any angle in the room.
2. IR Interactive Touch Screen Monitor Display
The Infrared interactive touchscreen display is sturdy and durable.
Its sensors can determine the exact location where a touch occurred, using photodetector pairs around the screens. These LED and photodetector pairs sense a disruption in the beams, and help to confirm the touchpoint.
The displays allow users to seamlessly read through the displayed content, manage daily business operations, make transactions digital, and ensure an efficient customer journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, an interactive projector or an interactive display?
An interactive projector is cheaper to buy and install. An interactive display costs more upfront, but projectors need periodic lamp replacements, so their running costs are higher.
Do interactive projectors need a laptop?
Yes. Interactive projectors rely on a connected laptop or computer, plus digital pens. Interactive displays can work on their own without extra devices.
Which has better image quality?
Interactive displays. They give bright, high-resolution images similar to an HD TV, while a projector’s image gets duller as its lamp ages.
Can several people use an interactive display at once?
Yes. Interactive displays with multi-touch or dual-touch technology let several users write or draw at the same time, even side by side.
Final Word
Interactive digital signage solutions are innovative, convenient, and more engaging so it’s goodbye to whiteboards.
But where to start? There are so many options out there that choosing just one can be a daunting task. As you sort through the options, sit down with your “needs” and “wants” list.
Are you ready to invest in digital signage but don’t know where to start?
Rev Interactive is a strong player in the interactive display industry. We have lots of options for interactive display screens available in different sizes and resolutions to suit your needs.
Visit Rev Interactive and browse our range of multi-touch interactive display solutions!