Philips Professional Display Solutions announced its new range of Google and Crestron-Connected certified B-Line UHD Pro TVs for collaboration in meeting rooms, education settings and hospitality environments. The new B-Line series is one of Philips’ most advanced and flexible Pro TV lines to date, providing a wide range of features to suit multiple industries. Combining the latest UHD display technology with Android, Chromecast and Crestron-Connected, B-Line brings a new level of simplicity for content-sharing and presentations in any meeting space, such as a boardroom, huddle space or classroom.

Available in 50”, 58”, 70” and 75” models, and with a 65” option in development, the new B-Line series opens opportunities for businesses to improve and streamline their digital communications, with an extensive range of dedicated features, including content creation and scheduling functionalities, inside an all-in-one, simple to manage solution. Running on the latest Android P software and with a TV tuner, B-Line displays provide instant access to a wide range of apps and services via Google Play.

Harnessing the power of Android P, Crestron-Connected and with Chromecast built-in, content can be created and wirelessly shared from any BYOD device — including laptops, tablets, smartphones and/or a corporate server. Better still, no new apps or additional hardware are required, ensuring hassle-free sharing for users and a simpler wire-free installation. Meanwhile, HDMI Hotplug detection caters for wired connections, with auto-switching between connected devices.

For meetings, participants can use the embedded Chromecast function to wirelessly connect to the B-Line, allowing them to securely, seamlessly and instantly cast content, such as a presentation, from their device, directly onto the display. Google Chromecast is the most universal solution for wireless presentation available.

Providing enterprise level connectivity, the Philips B-Line is Crestron Connected certified and compatible with both Extron and Neets systems. This enables content scheduling, settings management and the ability to switch each display on or off from a central location. Better still, it allows for fast, reliable, and secure wireless and wired content sharing from Apple, Windows, Android and Linux devices.

The B-Line series is also equipped to help restaurant and hospitality businesses offer an enhanced solution for displaying content and communicating important messages to customers. Scheduled or ad-hoc messaging can be created and displayed quickly, including ads for upcoming sporting and other events, changes to menus and important venue information.

Whether one TV or a thousand across multiple locations, B-Line displays come readily equipped with CMND, Philips Professional Display Solution’s end-to-end solution. This gives IT managers and staff full remote management and control of all TVs, including what’s being displayed, troubleshooting and updates — all via a single, easy-to-use interface.

PMA Research (PMA), the worldwide market information experts on large displays, has published their latest sell-through tracking report on large-format (32-inch and larger) flat panel displays being sold by leading U.S. Distributors who serve commercial markets. The data in that report showed that unit sales of professional displays with a built-in TV tuner represented nearly half of all the professional displays sold (excluding desk-top monitors and interactive displays) in August 2020. These displays, which can serve as both a rigorous-use television and a display used for content sharing are very popular in business and education.