Large screen to show powerpoint presentation

[mdownes]

Hi all,

A client wants to put a large screen on the wall behind the reception desk to show a repeating powerpoint slideshow. The receptionist will create a new presentation every morning and set it playing.

They already have this setup at another location, where a dedicated PC at runs headless (apart from the screen on the wall connected by HDMI). She accesses this PC via VNC from her regular PC. This is clunky for her, but it can't be run from her own PC as that sometimes handles patient records.

I've been thinking there must be a better way, for example:

• An ultra SFF PC mounted behind the screen and controlled with a wireless keyboard/mouse.
• Maybe screens exist with basic PC already built in (as in slim AIO with large screen but rudimentary PC)
• Use a wireless HDMI link like the IOGear GW3DHDKIT

Has anyone any ideas?

 

[HCHTech]

We have your "bullet one" solution at a client's office using a NUC which is mounted to the back of a 55" TV hanging on the wall. It's on the network so it can be accessed via RDP from one of the other computers, or from the nearby desk with wireless keyboard & mouse.

I also have an announcement board TV setup at a church which uses Chrome Sign Builder. It runs from an Asus Chromebit velcroed to the back of the TV, and we have a logitech wireless keyboard with a built in touchpad for when it needs direct access.

 

[Moltuae]

Does the reception area have a suspended ceiling? If it does a projector might be the neatest solution, with a mini-pc hidden up in the ceiling space. If you want a projector recommendation, take a look at Casio's Lampfree Advanced series. I've had one of these for a couple of years now. Best projector I've ever used (and, as an former AV technician, I've owned and used hundreds of projectors).

 

[Markverhyden]

There's plenty of options around. You can even use a Raspberry Pi to do that. I've got several different player versions/types lying round but you're on the other side of the pond so shipping would be a pain and expensive.

 

[mdownes]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I’m thinking the USFF PC and large monitor is probably the simplest solution. The projector idea is also good, and since this is a new build with a modern decor, the projected image would look great on the wall. If there’s enough height, I’ll look into that too.

 

[thecomputerguy]

Try this out ... speeds are acceptable for simply a PP presentation on loop. Can RDP in

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XRDG993

Or go a little higher end with an i3 NUC and spend about $450 ... mount/velcro to back of TV. Connect to WiFi ... done

 

[VISA MC]

We have one running in a marina. It’s an Intel computestick and google slideshow.

Set a shortcut for chrome to open directly to the URL of the show in kiosk mode and a scheduled reboot each day or just a keyboard hooked up to push F5 once she is done making the show.

In our case they can make the slides from anywhere in the world and as long as it’s done the night before it’s automatically displayed the next business day. Otherwise if they make changes on the fly and need them immediate they just have to refresh the screen.

 

[HCHTech]

We have one running in a marina. It’s an Intel computestick and google slideshow.

Are you using Chrome Sign Builder for this?

 

[VISA MC]

Are you using Chrome Sign Builder for this?

No. They are using Google Slides, google's power point equivalent. When you present the slideshow, it gives you a viewable URL that you can paste into a browser and view the show.

The other option would be to use a chrome cast to do the same thing. That way they aren't actually sharing their whole screen only casting that particular tab onto the TV.

 

[HCHTech]

Ok - thanks. I have one of these setup that does use Chrome Sign Builder. There is an Asus Chromebit velcroed to the back of the TV, and it also automatically loads a google slide deck on startup. The slide deck can be edited at any time by anyone with credentials to that account. I did this setup a year or so ago, so I don't remember the particular feature that made Sign Builder required, but I know it wouldn't work without it. I do know that it makes it easier to add additional displays should they want to expand the setup. It also controls power-up and power-down on a schedule, maybe that was the thing that led us to that solution. It was a pain in the neck to get working, I remember that. It's been chugging along without complain ever since, though, so I guess it was worth the effort.