Wireless monitor: how to connect and configure?
Since its launch in July 2015, Windows 10 has offered the ability to cast your screen to any adapter or device, such as a TV or Blu-ray player, that is compatible with the popular Miracast standard. And with the anniversary update in August 2016, Microsoft's operating system began to support remote access to the computer display through Miracast signals sent from a phone, tablet or other PC running Windows 10.
How to make a monitor wireless?
If you have a small PC running Windows 10 (Intel Compute, for example) connected to the TV, then it can now also be used as a Wi-Fi display adapter for a smartphone or laptop. At the same time, screens can not only be duplicated, but also expanded. For example, this technology allows you to stream a movie on the receiving monitor and send emails on the main one. Or you can place your Windows 10 tablet next to your laptop and use it as a second display.
However, no matter how convenient a wireless monitor may be, not everything is so smooth. Most modern Wi-Fi enabled devices have the ability to send Miracast signals, but they are not always compatible. For example, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is not capable of projecting the screen onto a single computer running Windows 10. And even after successful connection, attempts to start the transfer sometimes have to be repeated 3-4 times. So you should have patience.
Microsoft Wireless Display
The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter does exactly what its utilitarian name suggests. It allows you to cast the contents of the screen (along with audio) of your computer or Android device to your TV. The adapter connects to a monitor or projector using an HDMI connector and is powered by a USB port. Otherwise the device doesn't do anything new. It does not have its own applications and requires an appropriate content source.
The adapter uses Miracast technology, which uses Wi-Fi Direct for direct communication between devices. This means that the computer and the set-top box do not have to communicate through a common router, but instead create a peer-to-peer network. In addition, the miniature size of the wireless adapter allows you to easily transport it, for example, from a conference room to a hotel room.
The device costs $59, and Microsoft faces stiff competition from similar products such as the $35 Google Chromecast or any Roku box, including the $50 Roku Streaming Stick. However, thanks to the integration of Miracast and Microsoft, this model, which supports Surface Pro tablets, can find a place in every owner's travel bag.
Design and functional features
The Microsoft Display Wireless Adapter is a modest, rectangular device that looks like a USB drive. Its length is 9 cm and its weight is 33.1 g. The adapter has one HDMI connector and a short USB cable attached to the case, which serves to provide its power. If the TV does not have a USB port, you will need to additionally purchase an extension cord and a power supply. Microsoft does not include them with the device. However, the user does receive a small HDMI extender in case the need arises.
Relatively painless installation
How to connect a wireless monitor? This procedure does not present any difficulty. You need to connect the adapter to the HDMI port on your TV or receiver, and then power it through the USB connector. The appropriate HDMI input must be selected on the receiving device. At the same time, a gray background with the Microsoft logo, model name and a message about readiness for connection will appear on the screen. The adapter currently supports Miracast-compatible Windows and Android devices with Miracast functionality, such as phones or tablets. Before turning on the wireless monitor, for a Windows PC, make sure that the operating system version is at least 8.1 or higher. You can add a display by activating the Charms panel on the right and selecting Devices > Projection > Add Screen. On the Android platform, you need to go to screen settings, click on Cast screen, and then click on the menu icon and turn on the wireless monitor.
The connection is established, what now?
A wireless screen adapter is just an adapter. It doesn't do anything itself, but just waits for someone to send it content. It can display video at up to 1920 x 1080 resolution, output audio in two-channel stereo, or provide 5.1 surround sound.
According to user reviews, the Surface Pro 3 finds the adapter quickly. If you follow Microsoft's instructions, after a few seconds you can see the PC screen on your TV. The Surface Pro 3's display is rendered in letter-box format to conform to the 16:9 standard.
Signal delay
There is a slight delay between devices. Swipes and videos lag slightly behind the original image, so this method of increasing the display is not suitable for games. The adapter is more focused on the ability to present something on a big screen. Videos and PowerPoint slides are examples of the content this device is designed to handle.
DRM protection
Since the signal reflects the contents of the PC screen, the user is not limited to specific applications. If content is displayed on a computer, it can also be seen on an external display, including DRM-protected videos on iTunes. In addition, the device allows you to turn your TV into a second or additional wireless monitor for your computer, rather than just providing mirroring. In this case, you will need a trackpad or mouse to control what appears on the second screen.
Support for other platforms
Because the adapter uses Miracast technology, some Android devices can also output their display content to a wireless monitor. For example, Nexus 7 (2013) allows you to do this. Screen mirroring works reasonably well, although the mismatched aspect ratio between tablet and TV means there are black bars around the edges of the image.
Maximum distance
The closer the transmitting device is to the wireless video adapter, the better the image looks. According to Microsoft, the maximum distance from the broadcast source is 7 m. But in a small apartment, when there are walls between the receiver and the transmitter, this distance is noticeably reduced and the signal is lost already at a distance of 4.5 m.
Multi-source operation
You don't have to worry about how to set up a wireless monitor when using multiple content sources at once so that they don't compete for access to it. According to owner reviews, the adapter interacts with only one device at a time. Nothing else can take over the display just because it can see it. To switch to a second signal source, you must first turn off the first one.
Receive and transmit content on Windows 10
To broadcast a signal to the display of a laptop or personal computer, you need to open the notification center in the form of a dialog bubble, click on the “Project” icon in the “Project to this PC” menu item. In the settings window that appears, select universal availability and the need to obtain permission to establish a connection. It is better to set the confirmation option only for the first broadcast. Since permission to transfer will already be requested, there is no need to set a PIN code.
After establishing a connection and confirming access rights, the application with the broadcast will launch in its own window. It can be dragged, resized and enlarged to fill the entire screen. In this case, the keyboard and mouse of the receiving PC can be remotely controlled by the transmitting device.
If you need to send content to another monitor, you should select the option to project to one of the available receiving devices in the notification center. This should only be done after turning on the wireless monitor. If necessary, you can search for it. Establishing a connection sometimes takes more than 1 minute. In addition, the user can allow the receiving device to control this PC. To use a wireless monitor as a second display, you must change the projection mode from Repeated to Extend. To complete projection, select Computer Screen Only.
Competitors' products
Microsoft's main competitors in the area of streaming images without a direct cable connection are Chromecast and Roku Streaming Stick, tiny devices the size of a pack of chewing gum that cost a little less.
All the differences between them come down to how to use the wireless monitor. If we are talking about adding another device to your home theater system, then there is no point in using a Microsoft Wi-Fi screen adapter. For the same price, you can purchase a Roku set-top box, which does not require any additional signal sources to display Internet content. There are also other Miracast-compatible devices available, such as Western Digital's WD TV, which offer apps that play online streaming and local media in addition to the built-in screen display system.
For Windows 10 users who want to be able to quickly display the contents of their tablet display on a wireless monitor, purchasing an adapter from Microsoft makes sense. Chromecast provides similar functionality by casting the contents of a Chrome browser tab, but is limited to what it can display.
Connecting your monitor wirelessly to your computer Wireless Display seems to be best used on the go. Other devices must be connected to a common router to see each other. And if you take a Chromecast with you, you still need a wireless access point and create a network to connect the screen and phone. At the same time, the Microsoft adapter uses Wi-Fi Direct to create a connection between devices without an additional router. This is useful when watching a video in a hotel room or a presentation without the need for additional equipment.
Conclusion
By offering a wireless monitor connection, Microsoft is not promising mountains of gold. The device simply allows you to simply mirror the contents of your screen or extend it with an HDMI-compatible second display. It is perfect for fans of the Windows operating system or those who need to quickly transfer content to a large monitor while traveling. However, in home theaters, the model is difficult to compete with the universal Chromecast, supported by a large number of compatible applications. In addition, a great alternative is the Roku set-top box, which does not require additional devices to display multimedia.
