HP announced today that its Wireless TV Connect HDMI streamer will be getting a refresh. The new updated version bests the original with a smaller footprint and support for 3D media. Like its predecessor, the device has two components: a transmitter and a receiver. The former is now a radically scaled down HDMI dongle with an USB cable. The latter, which has been shrunk a bit as well, still connects to your television via HDMI. This duo allows you to stream 1080p HD content and 7.1 audio from across the room with "virtually no lag," according to HP. We got a chance to see the new Wireless TV Connect in action a few weeks ago, and true to HP's claim it seemed to transmit the video signal almost immediately. The streamer uses WHDI and works with almost all HDMI devices. HP says it'll release the updated version in December at a price of $179.99. See the gallery below for some more hands-on pictures and a press shot.
Joanna Stern contributed to this report.
Comments
A little expensive when the Apple TV is only $99.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 7:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That was my first impression as well. The need for a dongle is disappointing as well.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:02 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
From a technical side, this looks like it has a valid reason to be almost 2x as expensive as Apple TV.
A) 1080p
B) 3D
C) WHDI*, not 802.11n.
D) Powered via USB
Potentially a tech that will be in the next gen Intel wireless cards, so it could be more future proof than anything that Apple TV has.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:13 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
1080p is the best feature and a good one to have. I’m not a 3D fan and, if there is electricity, there most certainly is wi-fi so I don’t really see the need.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The main benefit of WHDI over WiFi is that your router isn’t hammered with the IP traffic to transfer the huge amounts of data. If you live in an apartment the spectrum may just be too crowded already for a lag-free 1080p.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
also this works with anything that has an hdmi port, not limited to AirPlay devices and apps.
Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 11:11 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
More HP fail.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:04 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The latest AppleTV is over a year old now though. It will be interesting to see what a new AppleTV will bring to the table.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:20 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I see a lot of potential in a enterprise environment as many people have to go to many different board rooms and setups which are a hassle and cables everywhere. A clean solution like this has a niche market but as a consumer it will have to deliver a perfect experience for that price.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:20 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
WHDI works well, I have a different WHDI device (BriteView) sending HDMI from a cable box to a tv in another room – mine has a pass through so I can have the signal going to 2 tvs. I notice no lag between the two (there is a little, but its so small I don’t notice it). The cable box is only 1080i though.
Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 11:07 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah, this is not really Apple TV competition, in my mind. Something like this goes up against Intel’s WiDi, except HP’s solution works with almost all HDMI devices. It really is just a wireless HDMI cable, especially since the lag is virtually non-existent. You can’t do screen mirroring with the Apple TV — it only grabs media and plays it. AirPlay screen mirroring only works with the iPhone and iPad.
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:30 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I’m half considering it just to fling video from my Macbook Pro to the TV on the opposite wall. While I’d never use this for a PS3 or 360, for low-quality video streaming it’s perfectly fine.
Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 2:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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