Many projectors are now being manufactured with what is loosely termed 'wireless' functionality. This article provides some general information on wireless technology, who can benefit from it, and what to look out for when buying a wireless projector.

See our range of wireless projectors

What is a wireless projector?

The term 'wireless' is used to describe how the projector receives a picture from its source. No projector is completely wireless, because it still needs a source of power, so it needs a mains cable.

What is the advantage of going wireless?

  • Cabling issues are removed, therefore the projector is easier to install, tidier, and there is no signal loss over longer distances.
  • Much easier to switch between multiple PC sources (especially useful if you have multiple people presenting from their own laptops)
  • Presenters can be more mobile in the room - they do not have to be near the projector or near a wall socket.
There are two main types of wireless projector:
  • 'Real time' wireless projectors
    • The projector has a constant link to its source over a wireless link. The projector displays the source image in real time.
  • 'Upload' wireless projectors
    • Files are uploaded to the projector over a wireless link. The uploaded files are later displayed by the projector with no need for a computer to be present.

Which type of wireless projector is better?

In most cases, you will find real time wireless projection to be a more useful technology. 'Upload' wireless projectors are only really useful where the same presentation is shown repeatedly using the same projector. Since this advantage is only applicable to a small minority (most users, at some point, want to make last minute changes to their presentation) we would generally recommend real time wireless capability.

'Upload' wireless projectors do, however, give you the advantage of being able to project without a PC. For this to be useful, however, you still need to have your PC within range of the projector at some point, whether it's at your office before you go to a presentation, or whether it's at the presentation itself. In the former case, you may as well use a cable. In the latter case, you need to have your PC and projector in the same place anyway, so the advantage is nullified.

What are the limitations of wireless projectors?

We have already covered the limitations of 'upload' wireless projectors. 'Real time' wireless projectors, though, also have some restrictions.

There is a slight delay while using a wireless projector between the source and the projector itself, due to the processing time involved in interpreting the wireless signal. This has a very minor effect for most presenters but it does limit animation.

The significant limitation, however, is that wireless projectors are currently unable to show full motion video in real time, because they are limited by the bandwidth of the connection. However, the next step in wireless standards will undoubtedly make full motion video possible and wireless connections will become commonplace.

What do I need to make use of a wireless projector?

Wireless projectors use different protocols to each other. Among the protocols is 'Wi-Fi' and Bluetooth.

The projector itself may come with one wireless card. However, to use the projector you will also need a wireless card for each laptop you want to project from. Wireless cards today are inexpensive and easy to install.

What about security?

You might have heard concerns about wireless technology and security. It's a legitimate concern - what if your competitor is sitting outside your building with a laptop? Can he pick up your presentation using a wireless card and get inside knowledge?

Fortunately you can encrypt the signal. This is a software option that comes with the projector software. You can normally choose 64-bit or 128-bit encryption. However, while this protects your data it also slows down the display refresh rate slightly, as the laptop and projector have to do more work to encode and decode the signal.

Conclusion

Wireless technology is rapidly gathering momentum in the projector marketplace. Look out for 'real time' wireless projectors which show your laptop's signal immediately, although animation and video are greatly limited by bandwidth. 'Upload' wireless projectors, where you need to transfer your presentation to the projector's local storage device, have very limited appeal.
 

Projectorpoint is a Toshiba Accredited Wireless Projector Reseller

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