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How to Choose a Screen Mirroring Solution?

BenQ
2020/07/29

For the last two decades, an effective conference or boardroom presentation system consisted of projectors that were connected to AV switchers, touch panels, and a lot of cables built in to the table. These systems costs typically start at $10,000 plus custom programming.

 

Modern wireless systems offer far more flexibility and ease of use – at a fraction of the cost of a traditional wired system. But how do you chooose the best one for your needs? There are three major types of wireless systems for screen mirroring available today:

  • Button Based Solutions – Use a physical connection to your notebook
  • WiFi Network Hub Solutions – Use the company WiFi network to connect your notebook
  • TV Based Wireless Transmitters – Single unit HDMI transmitter/receivers typically for consumer use

 

We will take a look at the three types of presentation solutions to look at the pros and cons of each system and what the trade-offs are based on your usage models. The key factors we will look at will be:

  • How easy they are to use, especially for visitors?
  • How much do they cost and how much IT support is needed to set up and manage?
  • How do these systems secure your presentation content from hackers and unauthorized viewing?

Button-Based Screen Mirroring Solutions aka Wireless Presentation Systems

These systems use a physical button transmitter that connects to a visitor’s laptop and wirelessly transmits the HDMI signal to a receiver located near the projector, TV or flat panel. To switch presenters, a new presenter simply presses their button, and the screen switches to their notebook or device. These systems also have major security advantages of these over generic systems since the wireless signal is encrypted to keep hackers and sniffers from viewing the signal on an unauthorized receiver.

 

From a setup perspective, they are IT-friendly and easy to install, since the receivers set up their own hidden wireless network and don’t require any special IT support for basic functionality. They have the capability to be managed over an enterprise network, and the self-contained hardware design eliminates many of the bandwidth issues found on wireless-only solutions.

 

The two most popular solutions using this approach are the BenQ InstaShow and Barco ClickShare wireless presentation systems. Both will work with nearly any HDMI source – including new laptops with USB-C – and can support between 8-16 sources on their entry-level models. The BenQ InstaShow’s unique feature is that it does not require any special software or app to work, enabling meeting room visitors to use to quickly connect to the system.

Fast, Easy & Worry-Free Wireless Presentation System BenQ InstaShow 

Wireless Presentation System WDC10
  • Plug in & Present


  • Works with any HDMI source
  • No Network or App needed

WiFi Network Hub-Based Solutions for Screen Mirroring

These solutions utilize the company network to enable laptops and other devices to mirror a screen. They use a receiver hub that is connected to the corporate network, similar to the receivers used in the hardware approach used by Barco and BenQ but relies on specialized software apps to capture and transmit the signal to the correct screen over the enterprise WiFi network.

For a visitor to use a system, they will need to:

  • Install the manufacturer’s display application software onto their notebook or device
  • Log onto the correct enterprise network to access the receiver
  • Pick the correct display receiver

Some devices have special passcodes to ensure that the correct screen is connected – which prevents confidential information, such as HR data or sensitive financial information, from being routed to the wrong screen.

 

The primary advantage of this approach for screen mirroring in the office is that it eliminates the button transmitters used in the hardware-based solution. In most cases, the signals between the laptop and display are properly encrypted to ensure that a network snooper cannot view the presentation over the network. Additionally, the cost of the receivers and software is similar to the hardware-based solutions above. However, the total cost of ownership may be higher for this type of system than hardware-based solutions.

 

There are two primary disadvantages of the WiFi network hub-based approach for screen mirroring:

1. The system typically requires a proprietary app to be loaded onto the laptop, which can be a major problem when a visitor does not have the rights – or is concerned that the software could contain malware or other hidden codes. Many companies “lockdown” their notebooks from third-party software to remove the threat of malware. This could delay a meeting – or cause the system to be unusable to a visitor.

2. These devices need to be installed and managed by IT staff. Typically, the visitor’s notebook used for presenting must be logged on to the same network as the presentation receiver hub. Since meeting rooms represent the most exposure to external threats, these might be set up on different VLAN networks, which would require more complicated setup and security protection from the IT department, including specific port usage. In addition, the bandwidth required to manage video and other rich content could require changing network priorities or settings. WiFi network solutions are completely dependent upon the performance of the corporate network. For a more detailed explanation of how different models of wireless presentation systems handle video, you can click  here.

 

There are many vendors that offer this type of system that enables screen mirroring, including Crestron, Huddle, Airtame, and Mersive.

TV-Based Wireless Video Transmitters / Receivers

The third type of wireless screen mirroring solution is designed for consumers to share video content from a source, such as a game console, to television and eliminate the need for an HDMI cable. These systems have the advantage of being less expensive than the other solutions and easy to set up. Most systems use a single transmitter that attaches to the HDMI port on a computer, with power coming from the USB port or DC power source. The receiver is attached to the display and configured with a remote.

 

The major disadvantage of these systems is that they do not provide any encryption or other security protection to protect the information sent from the transmitter to be received by an unauthorized third party. While this is not a major concern in a home environment transmitting a movie to a projector, it is a significant risk in a corporate or engineering environment where company information could be stolen.

 

The second disadvantage is that only one transmitter is linked to the receiver, making it difficult for multiple presenters to share their screens in a collaborative manner. This solution is best suited for a consumer application to overcome cabling issues or applications where there is no data confidentiality concern (such as a small house of worship).

 

There are a number of vendors that offer these solutions including Nyrius, IOGear, and StarTech.

Summary: How to Choose A Wireless Presentation System?

  Button-Based Wi-Fi Network Based TV-Based 
 
How does it work?
Button-Based
Plug and play
Wi-Fi Network Based
Load the app, then login to network, select screen and present 
TV-Based 
Set up, then change the source on the TV, and present
 
Number of presenters
Button-Based
Typically 8-16 per device
Wi-Fi Network Based
No limit
TV-Based 
1 per device
 
Security
Button-Based
Corporate-Grade Security
Wi-Fi Network Based
Corporate-Grade Security
TV-Based 
Not secured 
 
Network Requirements
Button-Based
Network not needed, optional network monitoring
Wi-Fi Network Based
IT setup and security configurations recommended 
TV-Based 
No networking
 
Approximate Cost
Button-Based
~ $1000
Wi-Fi Network Based
~$400 - $1200
TV-Based 
~300$

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