How to connect a laptop to a Prowise or Optoma interactive screen

Before you connect anything

Check the exact screen model and look at the labels beside its ports. Port layouts vary between Prowise and Optoma models, and some screens have more than one HDMI input and more than one USB touch port.

You will also need to know what the laptop can output. A USB-C socket does not automatically support video. Look for DisplayPort or Thunderbolt support in the laptop specification and use a cable designed to carry video and data, not a charging only cable.

• Turn on the screen and allow it to finish starting.
• Connect the laptop to mains power for longer lessons or presentations.
• Use known working cables and avoid unnecessary adapters.
• If the screen has several inputs, note the number beside the port you use.

Option 1: connect with one USB-C cable

On compatible Prowise and Optoma screens, USB-C can carry the picture, sound, touch data and some charging through one cable. This is usually the neatest option for a regularly used room.

Connect the cable directly between the laptop and the screen. The screen may change input automatically. If it does not, open the screen input menu and select USB-C. Windows should detect the display within a few seconds.

If nothing appears, confirm that the laptop USB-C port supports video and that the cable supports video and data. A cable supplied only for charging a telephone may fit but still fail to show a picture or provide touch control.

Option 2: use HDMI with a USB touch cable

HDMI normally carries the laptop picture and sound to the interactive screen. It does not normally return touch information to the laptop, so a second USB connection is required if you want to operate Windows by touching the screen.

Connect HDMI from the laptop to the chosen HDMI input. Connect the screen's USB touch port to a USB port on the laptop. On many models this is a USB Type B socket on the screen and USB Type A on the laptop.

Some Optoma screens associate each touch socket with a particular video input. Use the touch port shown for the HDMI input you selected. On Prowise screens, select the correct HDMI source from the input menu after the cables are connected.

• HDMI only gives picture and usually sound.
• HDMI plus USB touch gives picture, sound and touch control.
• Keep HDMI cables reasonably short and use good quality cables.
• Do not plug the touch cable into an ordinary USB storage socket on the screen.

Choose how Windows uses the screen

Press the Windows key and P on the laptop to open the display choices. Duplicate shows the same content on the laptop and interactive screen. Extend turns the screen into a second desktop, which is useful for presenter notes or separate classroom material.

If the image is cropped or unclear, open Settings, then System and Display. Select the interactive screen and use the recommended resolution. Most recent Prowise and Optoma panels use a 16:9 widescreen format, but Windows should determine the correct setting automatically.

Make sure sound uses the interactive screen

Select the speaker icon in Windows and choose the Prowise, Optoma, HDMI or display audio device. Increase the Windows volume and the screen volume, and check that neither is muted.

If you are using VGA on an older screen, VGA carries picture only. A separate 3.5mm audio cable is required. HDMI and compatible USB-C connections normally carry sound without a separate audio lead.

Connect wirelessly

Prowise screens can offer Reflect, AirPlay, Chromecast or Miracast, depending on the model and configuration. Prowise states that Reflect can accept up to ten connected devices. For Reflect, AirPlay and Chromecast, the screen and laptop normally need to be on the same network and the same VLAN.

Compatible Optoma interactive displays use products such as Display Share or CreativeCast. Open the sharing application on the screen, follow the displayed device name or connection code, and use the corresponding client or supported casting option on the laptop.

Wireless presentation is convenient, but a cable remains the best fallback where video quality, sound timing or reliability is important. School guest networks may deliberately prevent devices from seeing one another, so casting can fail even when both devices appear to have internet access.

Quick connection checklist

• Select the same input number as the physical port you used.
• Use Windows key and P to choose Duplicate or Extend.
• Select the screen as the Windows audio output.
• Connect the correct USB touch cable if touch control is required.
• Use a full featured USB-C cable rather than a charging only cable.
• For wireless sharing, confirm that the screen and laptop can communicate on the network.
• Test the setup before a lesson, assembly or important meeting.

How Bury I.T. Support can help

Bury I.T. Support Ltd can install, configure and troubleshoot interactive displays, classroom computers, wireless presentation systems and the network connections behind them. We can also document each room so staff know which cables, inputs and casting options to use.