COMPARE WIRELESS COLLABORATION SOLUTIONS

Discover the similarities and differences between Ditto and ScreenBeam 1100 Plus. This guide makes it easier to determine which wireless content sharing and digital signage solution is best for your organization.

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Key Points

• Both Ditto and ScreenBeam 1100 Plus deliver screen mirroring, digital signage and on-screen alerts to the places you meet, present and learn.
• Ditto is software that runs on popular hardware such as Windows devices and Apple TVs that are connected via HDMI to your displays. ScreenBeam is a proprietary hardware box connected via HDMI to your displays. 
• Ditto costs $99-$175 per year. The ScreenBeam 1100 Plus costs $1,199.
• Ditto users share wirelessly via the Ditto Connect app or webpage; The connection experience is consistent across device types as it does not rely on native mirroring protocols such as AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast. Screen Beam users share via native mirroring protocols; The connection process varies based on a user's device type.

Features of Ditto & ScreenBeam 1100 Plus

How Ditto and ScreenBeam work

Ditto software runs on common hardware and media players in your organization, such as Apple TVs and Windows devices.. Organizations connect these devices to TVs, monitors and other displays. They rely on Ditto software to wirelessly present and share content, display digital signage and send on-screen alerts to the connected displays.

ScreenBeam is a hardware box connected via HDMI to TVs and monitors. Similar to Ditto, organizations can display signage, alerts and wirelessly shared content from user devices.

However, the way these two solutions facilitate wireless collaboration is very different. 

The screen sharing experience

Both Ditto and ScreenBeam allow users to share content and collaborate wirelessly by mirroring device screens to larger displays. The way users initiate screen mirroring varies between the two products.

Ditto screen sharing:

All Ditto connections are established via the Ditto Connect app or Ditto Connect webpage. Users enter the room code displayed on-screen to begin sharing. Ditto automatically connects the user to the correct display. The connection process is consistent cross-platform to ensure a uniform connection experience for all users regardless of their device type. 

Ditto does not use native protocols such as AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast for screen sharing. Instead, it uses its own protocol called SSP. SSP reduces required network modifications as well as network traffic and ensures a more consistent connection experience.

Additionally, SSP provides greater reliability as it is not affected by changes that Apple or Google make to their operating systems..

Learn more about how Ditto screen mirroring works.

ScreenBeam screen sharing:

ScreenBeam utilizes native protocols such as AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast for screen mirroring connections. Multiple connection methods must be supported, as the connection process varies by device type. Users scroll through a list of available receivers and select the desired ScreenBeam destination from the list.

Native protocol mirroring requires networks to accommodate multicast traffic. Alternatively, ScreenBeam can broadcast its own network. To use this method,  end users must switch from an internal network to ScreenBeam’s network before mirroring.

The digital signage experience

Ditto and ScreenBeam both include digital signage capabilities. Displays can be used solely for signage, or they can transition from screen mirroring to digital signage and back again as needed.

ScreenBeam digital signage

ScreenBeam digital signage is limited, as admins have only one method of managing digital signage: manually changing a single URL in the CMS application. All signage must be hosted at this URL. ScreenBeam does not offer date and time signage scheduling. Third-party platforms or paid integrations are required to adequately display signage.

Ditto digital signage

Ditto offers more robust digital signage. Signage is created via customizable signage templates, integrations with design tools, web URLs or uploaded media files. Multiple signage lists containing different signage assets can be deployed and shown simultaneously. Admins manage signage and set signage schedules using the Ditto Account Portal to ensure signage appears where and when they need it. 

Administration and Scalability

Ditto is remotely managed via the web-based Ditto Account Portal. ScreenBeam is remotely managed via the ScreenBeam Central Management System.

Since Ditto runs on devices many organizations already own (like Windows devices and Apple TVs), Ditto cuts startup costs and deployment time. Admins can deploy Ditto software remotely without visiting each screen or space. The ScreenBeam box needs to be physically installed in each space it will be used.

Cost

Ditto has three subscription plans — Basic, Premium and Elite — ranging from $99-$175. A Ditto receiver such as Apple TV costs $130 if needed..

ScreanBeam 1100 Plus costs $1,199.

Note: The 1100 Plus is the premier ScreenBeam hardware. ScreenBeam has various other hardware models with fewer included capabilities that require paid add-ons and integrations.

Next steps

Since Ditto is a software solution, you can try Ditto for free now. ScreenBeam trials are not readily available.

Updated on 8/7/2024