Dell may not be as active now as they were when they mass-produced their technological innovations, but they remain a leader in wireless monitors. This 23-inch LED-backlit monitor has been repeatedly praised in many independent reviews for its picture clarity, affordable price, versatility, and great functionality. It is also one of the few models that, in addition to wireless connectivity, supports wireless charging of mobile devices.
Connecting Monitor to Computer with a Video Extender – HDMI WiFi Extender
The Video Extender is a wireless HDMI signal extender that allows you to send an over-the-air video signal from your computer to your TV. I already told you about using your TV as a second monitor. But we did it with cables – VGA, HDMI, DVI, etc. However, there is another convenient possibility to connect a TV or a regular monitor as a second screen for a computer or laptop wirelessly, via WiFi. It is very advisable to do this at some lectures or seminars, when the image from the speaker's computer will be displayed on a large monitor. To do this, you need to install a wireless hdmi extender, or a video encoder.
The HDMI wireless extender is not just one device, called a video sensor, but an entire kit consisting of a video signal transmitter and receiver. The transmitter, equipped with a USB plug, is inserted into a computer or laptop. And the receiver, which has one of the video outputs, with one of the video cables – to the monitor or TV.
Video encoder is not the cheapest, but this way you do not need to lay video cable in the room, which is especially important if such a connection was not planned before the repair and the appropriate communications were not brought to the place of the monitor dislocation.
Depending on the model, the range of such devices – from 10-15 to several tens of meters, and good models pierce even the solid walls. There are also models which have several inputs for different video sources. To such wireless video senders will be possible to connect not only the laptop, but also a file drive, video camera or some other multimedia console.
How to connect monitor to PC or laptop via WiFi?
In general, the essence of connecting a monitor to a computer or laptop via WiFi you have already understood. After docking the transmitter to the PC and wireless HDMI receiver to the monitor or TV, you do not need to make any other settings by and large. No, of course you can get into the control panel of the video sensor and manually set the encryption types and SSID. But there's no reason to do it when you just watch video – there won't be any important data to be strongly protected.
So we find and press WPS button on one device for automatic connection. And then do the same on the other, and wait until the receiver and transmitter from the video sensor kit automatically wirelessly start to see each other.
The computer perceives the second monitor connected via wifi as if it were connected by HDMI, VGA, DVI or any other cable. By the way, not only your monitor or TV, but also your wifi enabled audio system can be a receiver for the video sender. Only for it already need a set with sound transmission and its cost will be more expensive.
MIRACAST
So, a simple way to make a Wi-Fi monitor from a TV is Miracast technology. The standard is based on Wi-Fi Direct and is used to transmit multimedia "over the air". Here it is possible not just to transfer files stored on a mobile device or computer, but to directly duplicate their screen.
Miracast support is available on almost all modern devices – smartphones, tablets, TVs, laptops, etc. On Apple, the feature is called "AirPlay."
So, how do you make your TV a wireless monitor for your computer? The main condition is to have a Wi-Fi adapter and an OS no younger than Windows 8.1. To work on "seven", you will have to download additional software "Intel WiDi".
And now about how to connect your computer or laptop to the TV using Miracast:
- Turn on the option on the TV:
- LG – "HOME" button on the remote control – "Screen Share" section;
- SAMSUNG – "Source" button – "Screen Mirroring" item;
- On other models – go to settings, "Network" section and find there the item "Miracast".
The following video describes the wired and wireless ways to connect your PC to the TV:
DLNA
The second way to transfer media from your PC to your wireless monitor is to use DLNA technology. This is a set of standards that allows you to send and receive content between compatible devices on a local network.
Compatible devices can be connected via Ethernet and Wi-Fi. In this case, the TV and PC must be connected to the same network.
There is special software for connecting the TV and PC using DLNA technology. But here I will tell you how to turn your TV into a wireless monitor for your PC, using the Windows tools (instructions for "ten").
I wrote about how to set up DLNA on SAMSUNG TVs here.
And now about how to view all the files that are on the PC, of course, provided that you are allowed to access them:
- Go to "Control Panel" – "Network Control Center…" – "Multimedia Streaming Options".
- In the window that opens, click "Enable media streaming.
- In the next window you can set the name of the library, define to the connected devices access to the files stored on this PC. For additional settings there is a button "Configure…".
Now you can open any file on your TV that is on your PC.
About how to use DLNA on LG Smart TV, we told here.
Why is it needed?
The main purpose of the device is to view images and videos on the projector in real time. The device also allows you to watch photos and videos stored in gadgets. The adapter connects the TV with any mobile device, laptop or computer without wires. This allows you to connect your devices to a local network and exchange data over long distances.
The adapter allows you to use the TV as a second monitor when working on a computer or laptop, and to transfer media files without using a router.
Types of device
What HDMI Wi-Fi adapters can be found in network and online stores:
- An adapter for audio, video and player playback;
- A device for transmitting to the receiver screen any operations performed on the gadget;
- device with built-in battery – it can be charged via a USB-connector;
- Wi-Fi HDMI Adapter with software for viewing images and videos from the Internet. These are the most expensive models, which can be controlled by a smartphone using special applications, or by remote control.
The device itself has a Wi-Fi adapter and a small size board. The device receives the signal and forwards it to the TV through the HDMI connection. The faster the connection speed, the faster the movies or images are played back. Modern models are even capable of playing HD quality movies.
The HDMI Adapter differs from the USB Adapter in the higher speed and accuracy of the media transfer.
Chromecast Ultra
The Chromecast Ultra is not a monitor either, but a wireless adapter. The Chromecast Ultra can be connected to a TV or monitor, connect it to Wi-Fi and "stream" any content from your phone. Regardless of whether you have an iPhone or Android, with Chromecast Ultra you can display documents, photos, videos, movies, shows and more. In addition, support for Google Stadia, a streaming gaming service, is planned.
Our pick
Among the reviewed devices, only the Dell monitor is a full-fledged wireless display, which can be connected to various devices with built-in Wi-Fi. A separate feature is the presence of wireless charging for mobile devices with Qi support.
However, there are many devices that allow you to connect virtually any monitor or TV without wires. The best of the ones we have reviewed is probably the Nyrius ARIES. And it's not just about the range of more than 30 meters, but also support for a variety of audio, video, and various devices, which will satisfy the most demanding users.
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