“Wireless HDMI dongle” is a generic name for transferring content between HDMI compatible devices. A wireless HDMI dongle replaces standard HDMI cables that let the user transfer high-definition videos and audio from a source device (like a PC, BluRay player, or gaming console) to a TV without the use of a wire connecting the two devices.
How does a wireless HDMI dongle work?
Using a wireless HDMI dongle is fairly straightforward. In summary, a transmitter is plugged into the source device and a receiver is plugged into the display device and the two send digital data packets back and forth to produce a quality HD picture.
Wireless HDMI dongles are an incredibly efficient and space-saving technology that free-up clutter behind your television and don’t burden you with wires that often fail, whether you picked up the premium HDMI cord or not.
There is typically no further configuration required. The two halves will detect one another automatically and connect. It is as easy as plugging in a wire without any in-between fuss. The transmitter or receiver may require a power cable, but most of the latest models can pull out power directly from the connected device.
How are HDMI dongles configured?
Follow the steps below to configure the wireless HDMI dongle:
- Connect the dual-cable to the dongle
- Plugin the dongle into the HDMI port on your TV
- Connect the cable USB end into a USB Adapter (if applicable)
- Align the WiFi end of the cable with the best WiFi reception
- Configure your TV’s input to the HDMI port where the dongle is connected
- The dongle will output the setup instructions on the TV screen
Range of wireless HDMI dongles
The wireless HDMI dongle range largely depends upon the location of your source device and TV. Though it’s typically between 10-30 feet (more if the WiFi receiver has a direct line of visibility to the router). With that said, another benefit of the wireless HDMI dongle is that it makes it possible to control the device even when the source is positioned in another room.
Why haven’t HDMI dongles caught on?
Unfortunately, wireless HDMI has several technologies holding it back. Of course, this doesn’t mean it won’t work with your device as advertised, but the technology itself hasn’t become mainstream (pre-installed and integrated into your smart devices) because of competing standards like WDHI, WirelessHD or UltraGig, and 802.11ad or WiGig.
Until an industry standard wins the race, we’ll have to make-do with purchasing the technology as an auxiliary piece of equipment. Something we highly recommend for die-hard streamers.
We wanted to cut the cord, after all.
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