How Does The BenQ Instashow Compare To The Epson Let’s Share Wireless Presentation System?

Both the Epson Let’s share and the BenQ InstaShow are designed to be easy to set up and use. This is because they both use transmitter buttons instead of relying on the enterprise network. The use of transmitter buttons instead of re-configuring your network and deploying proprietary apps makes both the Epson Let’s share and the BenQ InstaShow easier to install than most other wireless screen mirroring systems. The BenQ InstaShow has been tested by numerous reviewers, including the Commercial Integrator magazine testing team was able to set up the system in minutes – without any IT support.  

While virtually every wireless presentation system, including the Epson Let’s share and BenQ InstaShow, supports mainstream Windows and Mac notebooks, how well do they support other devices that might be used in a classroom or boardroom?

Mobile Phones & Tablets

Both the BenQ InstaShow and Let’s share offer the ability to wirelessly connect mobile devices to the display using a variety of methods. The InstaShow transmitter has the ability to directly connect to a mobile device using the transmitter button in the same way you connect your phone to a monitor. Both systems have mobile apps you can use, but only the BenQ InstaShow WDC20 can use AirPlay for iOS products.

Chromebooks

Chromebooks have become the most popular classroom computer in North America. The BenQ InstaShow is designed to directly connect any teacher or student Chromebook using the HDMI or USB-C interface to a bigger screen. This design eliminates the need for any extra app on the device, although you can use the BenQ InstaShare app with the WDC20 system. The Epson Let’s share only supports Chromebooks by loading the iProjection app on the device and does not support any audio output.

Here is how they compare:

Linux & STEM Devices

For schools looking to boost their inquiry-based learning, the ability to wirelessly stream images from a Raspberry Pi, digital microscope, or document camera can be an important part of the learning process.  The InstaShow will wirelessly stream HDMI output from these devices up to 45 feet away from the projector. The Epson Let’s share does not support wireless screen mirroring from their transmitters with Linux devices or other STEM devices that output HDMI signals.

Media Players and HDCP Content

In education, the use of copy-protected media from mainstream media companies is an effective way to reinforce learning.  To prevent content from unauthorized duplication, most companies protect their content using HDCP protection – which will not display on many lower-cost classroom screen mirroring systems.  The BenQ InstaShow will support HDCP content – and you simply plug it into your DVD or other media player – and tap the button to share. Epson Let’s share does not support the use of HDCP content. 

While both Epson and BenQ are market leaders for projectors - how well do these wireless presentation systems work with interactive displays being used in classrooms and boardrooms today?

Split Screen Support

Both systems can divide the screen into four different sections to display different sources. This is one key advantage both systems have over the Barco ClickShare – one of the first and most popular wireless presentation systems.

The BenQ WDC20 has the added benefit of being able to support four different 1080p screens on any 4K UHD display. This enables both teachers, students, and executives to see a much higher resolution image than splitting the screen on a WUXGA. 

TouchBack Support

Epson and BenQ both make interactive projectors, but according to Futuresource, over 7 million interactive displays will be sold in the next three years to companies and schools. The ability to support both passive projectors and networked interactive displays is critical for futureproofing a boardroom or classroom. The InstaShow offers integrated touch-back support from any brand or type of interactive display on the InstaShow WDC20 model – enabling a teacher or presenter to control their content directly from the display. The Epson Let’s share does not appear to support touchback for interactive projectors or interactive displays.

Before wireless presentation systems – the primary way of sharing a display was passing a cable from one presenter to another. To keep meetings running smoothly at large companies like Toyota, efficiency experts often recommend these systems to minimize the lost time between presenters.

The Epson Let’s share wireless presentation will support six different sources being connected with the receiver. This is the lowest of the three major display brands with offerings in the category. By comparison, the entry-level Barco CS-100 will support eight presenters, while the BenQ InstaShow WDC10 and WDC10C will support 16 connections. The InstaShow WDC20 will support 32 simultaneous wireless connections, enabling a meeting room or classroom to connect and share from a variety of different devices – not just the presenter’s computer.  

Because many wireless presentation systems connect to and rely on the main network to operate, IT managers are rightly concerned about security.  In 2019, Threatpost found eight different wireless presentation systems that had critical security flaws that could enable hackers to shut down a network.  In addition, one of the most popular wireless presentation models was found to have an error that enabled someone to sit in the next room and watch the confidential presentation in a meeting. So how do the Epson Let’s share and BenQ InstaShow compare when it comes to protecting the network from hackers – and content from being captured?

Both Epson and BenQ use AES 128-bit encryption from the transmitter button to the display. However, BenQ has been tested and certified as having no critical and high-risk security vulnerabilities by third-party security firms based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), version 3.0.  One security analyst who published a review of the product called the InstaShow design “Security Done Right” regarding how the network was protected from hacking even when the password was unlocked.

There are lots of other elements that make a wireless presentation system an asset to your collaboration space. You may want to consider these other advantages that the BenQ InstaShow delivers that can be easily confirmed by online reviews and other documentation.

Device and Centralized Management

The BenQ InstaShow is supported by BenQ’s central device management system (DMS) that enables IT managers to remotely control the device, including adding buttons and changing background screens.

Smooth Video Performance

The BenQ InstaShow delivers lag-free video performance with frame rates up to 60 frames per second with 1080p resolution.     

Digital Signage and Custom Backgrounds

The BenQ InstaShow enables you to change the background of the receiver when it is not being used – enabling it to be used as a basic digital signage player for the classroom or meeting room.  

Market Leadership and Experience

The BenQ InstaShow is widely recognized as a market leader in the wireless presentation market by industry experts and analysts. There are many reviews of the product, including detailed objective analysis from Wainhouse, who compares the InstaShow with the Barco ClickShare and Crestron AirMedia for corporate use.

If you are looking for a proven wireless presentation solution from a market leader in displays, you might want to take a closer look at the BenQ InstaShow. It delivers a corporate and classroom wireless presentation system that eliminates the need to manage bandwidth requirements and deploy software on each user notebook. The InstaShow is easy to install and set up without IT support and enables a teacher or student to connect to any device in just seconds – without any software hassles.

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