Welcome to Limitless AV’s inaugural featured product review. We’ll be highlighting the features and benefits of one of the industry’s leading lines of wireless presentation evices. The Barco Clickshare.
At the time of this review, there are currently four unique models of Clickshare which range in price and in feature-set. Therefore, enabling a model for just about every application. No matter the budget.
Here is a simple comparison chart with regards to the four Clickshare models currently available.
What is Clickshare?
Let’s first mention the history of the Barco Clickshare and their initial offering the CSC-1. It’s typically referred to as ‘The Classic’. Originally, back in 2012, from the well-known and trusted Belgium manufacturer. Barco released and featured a solution that was quickly adopted in a variety of collaborative spaces and applications, from education to corporate. This offering consists of a base unit. This simply connects directly to a display or projector. By the DisplayPort or VGA. Then a set of four USB buttons, or pucks as we sometimes refer to them up here in Canada. Lastly, a set of antennas connected to the base unit to enhance signal strength. The idea behind the unit was that a user would simply connect a USB button to their device of choice. Whether MAC or Windows and launch an executable on their device situated on the USB button storage drive. Then by pressing the glowing white circular center of the button and VOILA! Content from the device is visable on the desired display device or projector. It is done wirelessly and in high-definition.
That wasn’t quite all the unit had up its sleeve though.
The unique feature and offering, in addition, was the ability for a second, third and fourth additional user to connect a USB button. This allows their device to simultaneously share content in a split screen variety. Especially useful on larger projection systems which allowed for unique collaborative experiences which were available to all at the push of a button.
As this technology developed, it quickly adopted more seamless integration with iOS and Android devices to work in conjunction with the USB buttons. Above all, creating a BYOD utopia for meeting rooms, interactive classrooms, lecture theatres and more. The higher-end models can even have up to 32/64 devices connected to the base unit simultaneously, with the ability to have a moderator control for larger applications.
The Clickshare impact
Barco was far ahead of their time with the CSC-1, as it is still available on the market for purchase today. Nearly six years after it’s release. That’s pretty unheard of in the technology industry today. For example, we have the latest and greatest phones, tablets, laptops and televisions being released annually, sometimes even more frequently. Barco’s technology continues to evolve and adapt. Now offering to lip-sync audio, 30fps video, 4K, iOS Airplay or Googlecast support, and many more features thanks to frequent firmware releases.
Approximately two years ago, Barco did introduce the CS-100 and CSE-200. These offered an identical user experience at less than half the price. These units don’t currently support 4K. They donot allow any more than two simultaneous screens in split screen. Single screen in the case of the CS-100. However, they are continually supported by firmware updates, support the latest iOS and Android devices. In addition, they offer an entirely affordable entry into the world of wireless presentation.
The Clickshare is sucessful at avoiding all painful IT-focused network integration and messy coordination by creating its own wireless LAN. Each button is specifically synced to and each mobile device or tablet also connects directly to. This protects the integrity of internal company networks and offers a level of security that is trusted by many large organizations moving confidential data.
The Future of Clickshare
It would be nice to see future hardware versions have an enhanced Wi-Fi band (AC in particular), a form of Bluetooth 4.1/5.0 connectivity and slightly trimmed down price point to boot – but these are only very minor gripes with an overall fantastic offering from a smart, forward-thinking manufacturer with an excellent reputation for their products, both past, and present. They even come with a three year warranty, which can be increased to 5-year if requested.
In review, the Clickshare family is a top-tier product in the wireless presentation market space. It achieves all it sets out to do and is every bit as simple and intuitive as promised. The industry has also taken note and the lineup has received highly-touted award recognition from rave publication, inAVation, and infoComm.
For a live demo, estimate or for more information on the Barco Clickshare family of products contact Limitless AV.
