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WLAN projector: What the wireless projectors can do

Present wirelessly with our WLAN projectors

Many projector manufacturers equip their projectors with WLAN. A feature that is gaining more and more fans in the home cinema and business sectors. What is the secret of a wireless projector? We reveal the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Projectors with WLAN are becoming increasingly popular. This is not least due to the fact that more and more WLAN projectores are being fed with content wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet.

Content without a cable

For example, when installed on the ceiling, a projector with Wi-Fi only needs the power supply, no cable is required to connect to a playback device. This saves you money on multimedia cables and time when setting up the projector.

Discreet appearance

Another plus point is undoubtedly the visual appearance. Thanks to the wireless connection, a projector blends better into the overall appearance of a living room. A cable that runs along the wall or ceiling to the projector and may have to be hidden in a cable duct is not exactly a feast for the eyes.

Connecting mobile devices

Another great advantage is that you can also connect mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets wirelessly to your projector. This allows you to send presentations, images, texts or even videos to the projector.

Video transmission of high-resolution content

If the projector with WLAN also supports MHL, video transmission of high-resolution content may even be possible. Use an MHL-compatible Miracast adapter for this.

Data transmission via WLAN

Data can also be sent from the notebook to the projector via WLAN. This is a very practical feature, especially for presentations on the road: you remain flexible in positioning your notebook and can thus better adapt to changing presentation environments. So you don't run the risk of not having a suitably long cable to hand.

Home cinema use

In addition to its use in the business sector, WLAN is also becoming increasingly popular in home cinema. There are already several projectors that can receive and process a full HD signal in 3D via a wireless HD set. This solution is very practical, especially in the living room, where a signal cable can quickly get in the way or the installation could be difficult.

As a separate module or WLAN dongle

For projectors with WLAN, the WLAN function is usually supplied either as a separate module (WLAN dongle) or must be purchased as an option, also as a WLAN dongle. In a small number of projectors, the WLAN unit is permanently installed.

Disadvantages

However, connecting the projector via WLAN also has a disadvantage. For example, if you connect the notebook to the projector via WLAN during a presentation, simultaneous access to the Internet is not possible via WLAN: In this case, you need an additional LAN cable from the notebook to the router. Alternatively, you can set up a WLAN connection to the projector via the router.

Our WLAN projector highlights

How to make your projector WLAN-capable

You have 2 options for a wireless connection to the projector:

Your projector has a built-in Wi-Fi receiver:

Then simply connect your WLAN-enabled device directly to the projector. Some manufacturers include a WLAN dongle with selected projector models. This is simply plugged into the corresponding interface. Usually, the HDMI or USB is provided for this purpose.

Your projector does not have a built-in Wi-Fi receiver:

If your projector has an MHL-capable HDMI connection, then buy a WLAN dongle. If this is not the case, there are of course also WLAN dongles for HDMI without MHL support and USB dongles. However, you will need an additional power supply unit to power the dongle.

The two ways of connecting:

Project smartly: From smartphone or tablet via Miracast

Miracast is a screencast standard. It allows streaming of audio and video content from mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. For example, you can conveniently stream videos from your smartphone to a Miracast-enabled projector via Miracast. For this, your mobile device should also be Miracast-enabled. The situation is similar with WiDi (Intel Wireless Display).

Here it is even possible to stream from a device with a WiDi driver to a projector with Miracast support. Miracast and WiDi both support video resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD).

Wireless HDMI Sets: Experience Wireless Full HD

In addition to normal WLAN transmission, which can be used with a projector via USB dongle or MHL adapter, more and more projectors offer a wireless HD solution that can be purchased as an option.

This solution usually works on an HDMI basis and is either supplied with power via a separate power supply unit or via an MHL-capable HDMI connection. The wireless HD solution uses a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is usually connected to the source via HDMI. You can use a Blu-ray player, notebook, game console or set-top box as the source.

This solution usually works on an HDMI basis and is either supplied with power via a separate power supply unit or via an MHL-capable HDMI connection. The wireless HD solution uses a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is usually connected to the source via HDMI. You can use a Blu-ray player, notebook, game console or set-top box as the source.

Buy Wireless HDMI Set

Acer Wireless HD Set

The Acer Wireless HD Set consists of a transmitter and a receiver. In this case, the signal is transmitted via a 60 GHz connection, which ensures good transmission strength.

The transmitted signal can be up to 1080p / 60f. This also includes 3D compatibility. The transmission itself takes place at up to 4 gigabits per second, and without compression. Thus, the Acer Wireless HD Set is not only suitable for the Acer Hidden Port models, but also for all other projectors with HDMI connection. You then only need a power source for the receiver. A solution like the Acer Wireless HD Set makes the projector WLAN capability even more interesting - especially for home entertainment!

Acer Hidden Port Design

Acer goes one step further than other manufacturers when it comes to WLAN. Usually, the dongle is connected to the back of the projector - regardless of whether it is USB or HDMI. Now Acer has taken the step to so-called "Hidden Port Design" with the Acer H7550ST projector.

This design offers an MHL-capable HDMI port hidden in the projector's housing and a USB cable for powering a non-MHL-capable dongle. The small connection box is closed again by the top cover after installation. This solution is not directly visible, which has a positive effect on the projector design. It also protects the dongle from unauthorised access.

In addition to the HDMI connection and the USB cable in the hidden port box, the projector models described above also offer the same interfaces on the back. This means that you can even use them in two ways. For example, you can insert a Google Chromecast dongle into the projector and connect an Acer MHL or Wireless HD adapter via HDMI on the back. These match the design of the projector even better. In terms of Wi-Fi, the projector can even be equipped with two interfaces that can be selected separately.

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