Logitech and Barco Clickshare
Quick Note dated 10/17/2023: Barco recently updated their CX50 capabilities. They have release the Gen 2 of their CX50 product. I am testing and reviewing these new capabilities and will update this page soon. Stay tuned.
Basic Design Principles
Logitech is a leading manufacturer of high-end video conferencing equipment. And Barco manufactures wireless screen sharing and BYOD systems. It is common to integrate both systems. The following are some basic design ideas and concepts for integrating Logitech and Barco.
Barco’s line of ClickShare devices (CX20, CX-30, CX-50, etc.) work in two kinds of deployments. First they let you wirelessly share content from any device — PC or Mac, laptop or tablet — so you can easily collaborate wherever your team is located. Also, the ClickShare CX devices can turn meeting rooms into innovative hybrid meeting spaces and conference facilities with a BYOD (Bring your own Device), sometimes called BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting).
Wireless Presentation Only deployments:
Wireless Presentations connect via HDMI to the in-room Display or Video conferencing system and the network. For example, the diagram below shows that Barco Clickshare receives a network connection and also connects to the Logitech TAP for HDMI ingest into the Room System.
The following are other “Wireless Presentation Only” deployments:
Note: The Logitech systems use technology that automatically detects when an HDMI signal is present. If it detects one, the system will try to share content. Barco has a splash screen that is typically displayed and shows the information on how to use the Barco device.
If this splash screen appears from the Barco device, the Logitech system will try to share content — which can disrupt any meeting or other use of the room’s technology.
Turning off the splash screen when using a Barco Clickshare in the above deployments is recommended.
BYOD (or BYOM) Deployments:
BYOD (or BYOM) deployments are when the Barco Clickshare device replaces the UC engine (PC in the first example), and the Logitech device connects directly to the Clickshare. This allows Clickshare to provide BYOD functionality to whatever Laptop (or PC) wirelessly connects to the system. This allows the in-room display, camera, mics, and speakers to be available to the connected laptop (or PC). The laptop (or PC) effectively takes over the technology in the room.
As you can see from the above diagram, the Barco device is connected via HDMI and network, as well as to a USB cable from the Rally bar.
The laptop is now the UC engine and utilizes all of the in-room technology. Below are other examples of this type of deployment:
Logitech Swytch
The Logitech Swytch is a wired BYOD, HDMI, and USB Switching by Logitech. It has similar functionality to the BYOD option above. For instance, it provides a way for an end user to take over the technology in a room, similar to the outcome with Barco’s devices. However, the technology is different.
The Swytch is named that because it is an intelligent HDMI and USB switching hub. It literally switches the HDMI and USB sources from one system to another while providing a single wired USB connection at the table.
You will notice that in the BYOD section, there is no integration with Swytch. There would be several conflicting technologies if the Swytch were integrated into one of the Barco BYOD options above.
Note: there may be a way to accomplish the integration, but doing so would likely make the solution too complex for the average user.
You may also notice that the Barco Devices in Wireless Presentation Only” mode can integrate with a system that also uses Swytch. There is no conflict in using the Barco Clickshare as an HDMI ingest source. See the example below:
