Forum Discussion
Experiences with SRS/Logitech SmartDock
No, nothing active, just 10m HDMI cables and USB extensions. Our installers have plenty of experience and knew which ones to pic to ensure they worked reliably. We've not had issues due to cable length.
We have had some issues with the Logitech docks not retaining cables very well, no cable locking means the cables can just work themselves loose.
Steven Collier
Hi Steven, I hope your still updating this, it's been awhile.
We are in the process of updating our conference room and was looking at the Logitech smartdock. But I need to know if the Surface pro that is being placed into the hub, if it retains it's ability to work as a normal computer if we needed to do a in house presentation without using Skype.
Also, what content formats does SfB with the smartdock, display natively within the conference call?
As an example, if I have a powerpoint presentation to make with SfB and it's stored locally on the Surface, can I display it in a conference call? And what file types are supported natively this way.
The end goal of this is to replace a desktop computer for presentation and Skype with one Smartdock/surface device that can both present in multiple formats and conference call with multiple formats. We like to avoid using another separate computer for this. Thanks in advance.
Jayson-L No, it's not possible to continue using the Surface in the SmartDock as a normal Windows computer. It will at boot automatically login and start the app automatically in fullscreen and you can't minimize it. You either need to bring a laptop or have another dedicated computer where the users logs in and connect it using HDMI or actually join the Skype meeting from there.
I've heard that there are plans for you to be able to attach PowerPoints to the meeting invite and present them in the meeting. Discussion regarding that here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Microsoft-Teams/MTR-Device-Attached-PowerPoint-Not-Showing/m-p/376065
We don't yet support PPT control in Teams meetings on MTR (we do in SfB meetings though). That's on our roadmap for sure. With Teams meetings, in the future, you'll be able to not only add a PPT file to the meeting invite but also just add a cloud link and we'll be able to open the PPT on MTR.
You can hook up a keyboard/mouse to the SmartDock, and tap the Windows key 5 times in succession, and it'll invoke the "switch user" function of Windows, allowing you to log in as another user on the SmartDock. This isn't necessarily what it was designed for... to switch to using it as a regular computer, but it does "work".
Alternatively, you can enter the SmartDock "Settings" feature, then "Windows Settings", then then "Go to Admin Sign-In" log in as another user. This actually logs out the Skype user.
These functions may have password popups and domain/admin credential requirements depending on how your SmartDock is set up.
In my view it would be better to bring in a laptop and "pass through" the SmartDock with the HDMI In, but I thought I'd at least share the other possibilities as well - if not ideal.
