3rd Party BYOD Options and Logitech
The Logitech Swytch is a powerful device. It allows for seamless use as a BYOD-only solution and adds BYOD into a room with a dedicated room platform such as Teams or Zoom.
For more information about these two use cases, please see my article here:
https://medium.com/logitech-design-guide/byod-options-with-logitech-1579a88419ee
There may be certain situations where the Logitech Swytch cannot be used. The reasons for this could be:
- Users must allow guests outside their organization to use their room systems with BYOD, and the guests must install DisplayLink drivers and may not have admin access.
- The IT department may not want to deploy DisplayLink drivers, internally or externally, for various reasons. (https://prosupport.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052321873-Deploying-DisplayLink-drivers-to-support-Logitech-Swytch)
- The system may become too complex if more than one USB input is needed, and adding a Hub may be the only way to deploy Swytch.
- The system may start maxing out the number of USB tiers of the USB connection.
For the above and possibly other reasons, looking for a third-party USB/HDMI switcher may be prudent.
For more context, the Logitech Swytch is ideal for rooms with mainly Logitech products and when a company controls laptop connectivity. DisplayLink drivers must be installed on the connected laptops as that technology allows the transmission of HDMI and USB over the same connection. If guest users need to use BYOD capabilities for mission-critical purposes, it may be necessary to explore alternative options.
In addition, the Swytch Hub has only one USB port for connecting the A/V system. This is because the device was initially designed for the Rally System, which allows audio and video transmission through a single USB cable. The Swytch Hub is perfect for use with the Rally system, as well as with the Logitech Rally Bars and other all-in-one systems.
Every device the BYOD laptop or room system uses must flow through the Swytch. The Swytch is simply an intelligent USB and HDMI switcher. This means that to use the Swytch with multiple USB inputs for A/V, one must add a hub in front of the device, and then the issue of USB tiers comes into play. For more info on that subject, please see the following articles:
As you see from these articles, a system becomes more complex the more hubs, and therefore more Tiers, are used. The Swytch already has 3 USB tiers. One begins to run out of USB tiers rather quickly.
There have been positive reports about specific types of HDMI/USB switchers. While Logitech doesn’t officially recommend any particular product, I’ve compiled a list of some alternatives that could be helpful. These alternatives simplify the process and eliminate the requirement of installing DisplayLink drivers on your laptop. However, it’s essential to note that these examples are not exhaustive, and you should carefully examine the specifics and design of each product with their respective manufacturers.
- Lightware Taurus UCX, a universal matrix switcher designed to tackle the common challenges of meeting rooms and collaboration environments https://lightware.com/product-families/taurus-ucx
- The Barco CX 50 now has a passthrough feature, meaning it can be connected to a room system and used for BYOD meetings. https://www.barco.com/en/product/clickshare-cx-50
- Extron has a series of both HDMI and USB switchers https://www.extron.com/
- Inogeni 4K BYOD/BYOM: 2 PCS SWITCHER FOR USB 3.0/HDMI DEVICES https://inogeni.com/
Note: In certain situations, using a BYOD laptop may require connecting an HDMI and USB cable instead of a single cable connection. Additionally, the Swytch “Y” cable feature that allows USB C and USB A connections will not be available without another adapter.
Please remember that Logitech does not provide explicit support for integrating third-party components into Logitech solutions. As a result, any third-party components used in the integration will not be covered by Logitech’s support. The component manufacturer or the integrator overseeing the integration will be responsible for providing support for those specific components.
