Issue 17.15
The only thing most people need to hook their computer to the big screen tv is a cable. However, what if you want to send the screen to the TV wirelessly? A couple of new developments are making this possible, not only for computers, but for cellphones and tablets as well.
Most people know about Chromecast which is a Google product. It allows you to send content to a wireless receiver hooked to your HDMI input on the TV. The drawbacks are that only certain programs work with it so you are limited in what you can share on the big screen. They are working to make more programs and phones, tablets and computers work with it, but there are limitations. For example, Netflix has only recently become capable of streaming through Chromecast as has Hulu.
If you want to actually see the regular screen of your tablet or computer on TV through Chromecast, you are pretty much out of luck for the time being. That brings us to a new product with its own limitations and benefits.
Actiontec has recently released a plugin device called ScreenBeam Mini2. It is similar to the Chromecast in that it connects to your HDMI port and must be powered either by a USB port or by a power adapter you can plug into the wall. It provides true 1080p HiDef video (if your tv supports it) and can display anything that is on your screen including websites, youtube videos and anything else you can think of. I was very excited because the cost is in the same range as the Chromecast. There are a bunch of “howevers” in this though.
The first is that only computers, tablets and phones that are WIDI or Miracast capable will broadcast to it. WIDI (Wireless Display) technology is only available on some of the newest Android phones and tablets and very few computers – usually high end laptops. Because of this, you will want to check carefully before going this direction because your laptop, tablet or phone may not yet be compatible and your IPhone or IPad is definitely not going to work with it. That may change in the future, but those are the facts as it stands today.
If it does work with your equipment, it is pretty fun to watch Angry Birds or Caterpillar Quest on the big screen while someone plays it on their cellphone or tablet. It is also a lot easier to read content from a website displayed on the big instead of the small screen. I see a lot of possibilities for this technology in the future, but you may want to wait until they make it a little bit more compatible or at least make sure that it works with your existing equipment – and always remember to back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.