Is Simplicity the New Smart? Kramer VIA GO 3 vs. InstaShow WDC15

The VIA Go 3 system is a Wi-Fi receiver that relies on the company network infrastructure for screen mirroring and requires extensive network configuration according to the Kramer VIA IT deployment guide. There are 66 TCP/IP ports that need to be configured on your network for the system to work properly, as well as setup procedures for both Miracast and Bonjour. You’ll also need to deploy the Kramer software app that runs on the presenter’s notebook to your employees and meeting room users.

The InstaShow is designed for secure collaboration right out of the box in less than 10 minutes without IT support. There is no software setup that is needed and the InstaShow button is pre-paired to the receiver, so it is ready to use. The InstaShow WDC15 has an advanced router chip that will automatically adjust to the best wireless frequency, eliminating the need to have the IT team configure the Wi-Fi channels in a crowded wireless environment. The unit can operate without any connection to the company network but does have a LAN port to allow IT managers to remotely access the unit. Testing by the publication My Tech Decisions indicated it took only a few minutes to connect and use.

For a visitor to access the VIA Go 3, they must first log in to the company network that is hosting the hub. Once connected to the hub, they will then need to navigate to the web page of the unit by entering the room name of the VIA Go 3 receiver into the computer’s browser. After connecting to the hub, the user has the option to either install the VIA software or run the software from the unit. This can present a challenge to certain visitors since many organizations “lock down” their notebooks from external third-party software to protect from malware and require IT support and approval for any application to be installed. Once the application is running on the notebook, the user then logs into the hub and has the option to enter a four-digit code to ensure the presentation is going to the correct screen. Then the visitor can begin presenting. The unit also supports Miracast and Airplay, which may also require network logins- but don’t require loading an app if the visitor has the correct drivers on their notebook.

The InstaShow is the easiest wireless presentation system to use. A visitor simply plugs in an InstaShow transmitter button to their notebook using the USB-C connector, or if they have an older notebook or media device, they can use the HDMI cable. No software needs to be installed on the visitor’s notebook. The button will create an encrypted transmission to the receiver host in about 10-15 seconds, and once it is ready, the button light turns green, and presenter pushes his button to present. The architecture leverages the notebook video output, so it can fully support any notebook that can output 4K UHD resolution to the display, enabling small fonts and highly detailed videos. The button also supports using HDCP content such as video clips from iTunes and Netflix on the screen.

The Kramer VIA GO 3 is an active network device, so its firmware and other security protections must be kept up to date over time to ensure proper protection to the company network. This is critical because in 2023, the Kramer VIA GO 2 had four significant vulnerabilities where a hacker could take over a device. Unlike the InstaShow, there is no third-party security testing CVSS certification for the Kramer VIA GO 3 shown on their website, so it may be difficult to determine what vulnerabilities the unit has in 2025. Another concern is that the administrator can turn off the encryption, which means that there is a risk sensitive content can be shared over the network without the presenter knowing. Encrypting the transmissions from the notebook using the client software and the hub is key to protect the content from unauthorized viewing or recording. Finally, Kramer uses an app that is loaded onto the presenter notebook, which can create risk if the app is not updated against new vulnerabilities.

The InstaShow buttons use a closed network and advanced 128-bit encryption to ensure that each presentation transmission cannot be captured or recorded. Unlike VIA Go 3, it does not require an application to be loaded on the laptop and does not require a connection to an enterprise network. The LAN port on the receiver is for configuration only and does not transmit any presentation information over the corporate network. The WDC15 also has been tested by ISO certified third party security labs and has passed the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) 4.0 standard against known vulnerabilities, which helps IT managers ensure that the unit keeps both their network – and their sensitive content safe from bad actors.

The Kramer VIA GO 3 generates a lot of network traffic and requires up to 40 Mbps per second for each stream of 4K UHD video. When multiple presenters are using the device, the bandwidth can soar up to 160Mbps, so if you have a lot of classrooms and conference rooms active at the same time, you’ll want to check your network capacity. To avoid Wi-Fi crowding, Kramer recommends that a wired LAN port is used for the device instead of Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi channels can be manually configured, but If multiple VIA GO3 units are in close proximity, you will need to configure the devices to stagger their channels or use LAN for some units to reduce wireless overlap.

The InstaShow buttons operate outside your network so there is no impact on your network bandwidth. The InstaShow WDC15 receiver has an advanced Wi-Fi router chip that identifies open wireless frequencies and will automatically switch both the receiver and the button to ensure clear, crisp text and smooth video at 4K UHD resolution. No configuration is needed by IT. If a frequency gets crowded, it instantly switches to another one without any visible delay in the image. You can put over a dozen InstaShow units in the same room, and they will all work as specified. 

The Kramer VIA GO 3 does not have support for touchback with interactive displays. You will have to connect your notebook to the display with a wired USB cable to enable touch support.

The InstaShow WDC15 button natively supports wireless touch back on your notebook from up to 40 feet away. If you’re doing a presentation, simply swipe the board to advance your slides. It also works with any app such as Microsoft Whiteboard to capture and share brainstorming sessions conducted on an interactive display. No more photos of your whiteboard that people can’t read after the meeting.