Transcript: Windows Powered Smart Display, February 5, 2004
Published: February 20, 2004
Chat Date: February 5, 2004
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
Hi everyone. Let's go ahead and get started with our Smart Display chat!
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Hi, my name is Todd; I'm a Program Manager in Windows eHome.
Host: Barb (MVP)
I'm Barb Bowman and I'm a Windows MVP, an Expert Zone Columnist, and during the day, I'm a Product Development Manager for Comcast High Speed Internet.
Start of Chat
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: what are the ranges of Smart Displays?
A: Smart Displays use 802.11b wireless networking and indoors generally you can count on 100 feet or so depending on the construction of walls, floors, etc.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: What kind of people does this benefit
A: The benefit of Smart Displays is that they enable you to take your computing experience away from your desk, without needing to carry the full PC. They enable the usage of your computer in a relaxed setting; I find mine useful for everything from check
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Can we do any kind of development for smart displays ? is there any published API?
A: Smart Displays are a closed system made available to OEM's who can elect to add programs.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Outside of that range do the units still function? and if so in what capacity?
A: Smart Displays use Remote Desktop and should be thought of as an extension to your desktop monitor. If you are out of range, you can't connect. You might want to read my Expert Zone columns on Smart Displays for some more in-depth info on this.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Why were these discontinued....? I was gonna buy one when a 802.11g model came out.......
A: As part of our ongoing product development process we continually evaluate market trends to best position our products. Looking at current market conditions and taking into account factors such as pricing in the LCD market, we made the decision to suspend work on the next version of Smart Display technology. We know that there is a demand for the relaxed computing options enabled by Smart Display, so we will continue to evaluate where the market is and work with our partners to determine the best way to meet this demand.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: can you watch dvds/divx movies with a smart display
A: Not really. Remote Desktop limits the streaming capabilities and is not suitable for dvd/divx playback. Streaming audio works great, though.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: How are the heat ranges of the units- I know with my laptop it gets very hot to handle..?
A: They are very cool and don't have the heat issues of laptops.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: <<Adrian>> Q: What sort of price ranges are we looking at for these?
A: For the US, prices start around $700 for a 10” ViewSonic model, but vary by retailer and bundled features
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: So what advise do you have if I already bought one of the smart displays. keeping in mind that its discontinued
A: Answering from a personal perspective - I really love my Smart Display and find it to be very useful. I use it to check recipes from my kitchen, control the home theater PC in my family room, schedule recordings on my Media Center PC, and much more. This is just as true today as it was 6 months ago and I foresee it being true 6 months from now.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Any minimal requirements that we should note?
A: Smart Displays require a computer with XP Pro; beyond the need for a wireless network, Smart Displays do not add any requirements beyond those needed to run XP. In fact, I've used my Smart Display to administer my print server (PII-350 with 192MB of RAM).
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: from <<Bonobozoot>> Q: >>: Does this screen have similar features like the Tablet PC? Or does this only help you to use your PC in another room because this is portable?
A: A Tablet PC is a superset of the full Windows XP operating system. Smart Displays are based on Windows CE.Net and use a different operating system.
Host: Barb (MVP)
They work strictly using an optimized version of Remote Desktop to extend the reach of your monitor over a wireless connection. A Tablet PC is a stand alone computer while a SD is not.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: from <<Keito>> Q: Do you have to use handwriting recognition, or is there a sort of on-screen keyboard like on PocketPC devices, is the handwriting recognition comparable to the PocketPC one?
A: You can use either! I think the handwriting recognition is better on the SD (it is easier, too, because there is more real estate to write in).
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Is there any way I can get a log of which SD's have connected to my desktop machine ? Just for security purpose.
A: No - XP Pro supports one user session at a time, which can be used on the local monitor or remote monitor (Smart Display)
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Does SD's use WEP ?
A: You bet! You can use 64 or 128 bit WEP. I recommend you use the strongest that the rest of your wireless network supports.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: From <<OPaul>> Q:What's the difference between the Microsoft Smart Display and touch sensitive displays in general that have been around for years?
A: Smart Displays are wireless touch-screen monitors, so at a high level what is being added is the wireless monitor capability, allowing you to pick up your monitor and roam around your house. Along with that capability comes a lot of enabling software, such the components to ease setup of wireless networks, onscreen handwriting recognition, onscreen keyboard, etc.
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
We've got about a half-hour left - these have been great questions so far, keep it up!
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Is Windows 2003 Enterprise Server a supported OS for the Smart Display?
A: Yes, Smart Displays work with Enterprise Server 2003. Bear in mind that SD's were designed for home users.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: <<Fredde87>>Q: When will this be avalible to Europe? The tablet PC still hasn't really been launched here yet. There is none in nearly any stores and it hasnt been marketed for the public. Will it go down the same road that the Tablet PC did or are you
A: Smart Displays are already available in the UK, Germany, and France.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Follow up on the previous question about log of users who have connected to the desktop... what if I wanted to see which SD's had connected to the desktop in the last few days? I meant that kind of log.
A: In order to log on to the host, the user must already have an account on the host machine. If you are worried about the security, make sure each user has a strong password.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: if you can have multiple remote desktop sessions you should be able to connect multple users, or am I missing how the smart display technology works?
A: Correct; note though that XP Pro supports a maximum of 1 Remote Desktop session.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Unsure if it is covered but what types of resoultion is availible to the SD?
A: The larger 15 inch Smart Displays will do 1024 x 768. The smaller 10 inch versions use 800 x 600.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Is there a connection for things like usb keyboards and also mem cards (thumbnail drives)?
A: keyboard and mice, yes. Storage devices, no.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: from <<ViperSnake>> Q: Will it have intergrational features with the Windows XP Media Center platform?
A: You can use a Smart Display to connect to a Media Center PC, view the program guide, setup recordings, look at pictures, listen to music, etc. (everything but TV and video).
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: What is the smart display?
A: It is a wireless touchscreen monitor that uses 802.11b wireless networking and Remote Desktop to extend the reach of a Windows XP Pro desktop to anywhere in the home. http://www.microsoft.com/smartdisplay
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
If you post a question and quite some time goes by without an answer, please repost the question as we want to make sure we get to as many as possible.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Can you boot your SD with any other OS, (Windows flavored) ?
A: No you cannot as this is a closed system.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: from <<Bonobozoot>>: Q: QDoes a wireless hardware have to be installed?
A: Smart Displays rely upon a wireless link back to the PC to function, so you will need wireless hardware of some sort connected to your PC. Various options are an access point connected via Ethernet to your PC and a local wireless network adapter in the PC (PCI) or connected externally to the PC (USB).
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
Hi everyone. We've got about 15 minutes left.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Do I need to create a ad-hoc peer-to-peer network or can I go thru my wireless router
A: You can use your existing wireless router.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: from <<Bonobozoot>>: Q: What will be the price, range of signal and what kind of advantages does this device pose over Tablet PC and a laptop?
A: The price and range questions are answered above. Regarding the differentiation question - Smart Displays are all about relaxed computing and taking your PC experience around the house. With a Smart Display you have a light-weight, cool-running, and quiet device that you can use in your lap, while in bed, etc. Unlike a laptop or tablet, Smart Displays are purely a monitor, so you don't have a second computer to administer or install programs on.
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
Okay, we'll be ending the Smart Display chat promptly at 4pm PST (in 5 minutes).
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
You're welcome to stay and continue to chat about Smart Display, though.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Do you need a special stylus for a Smart Display (wondering what happens if I were to lose one)?
A: I've used my fingernail, a paperclip, and a spoon on mine <G>. I know you can order replacement stylii from View Sonic.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Thought you couldn't RDP to a Media Center PC
A: with MCE 2004, you can access all the menus on MCE, you can't access live or recorded tv or play DVD's, etc. I often use a Smart Display to schedule recordings.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: the SD has handwriting recognition on the client?
A: Yes - Smart Displays have both an onscreen keyboard and handwriting recognition.
Moderator:Andrew (Microsoft)
This concludes our Smart Display chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Thanks for joining in everyone
Host: Barb (MVP)
Thanks everyone!
For further information on this topic please visit the following:
Newsgroups: Windows XP General Discussion
Transcripts: Read the archive of past Windows XP chats.
Website: Visit the home page for Windows Powered Smart Display
