With CES nearly upon us, the leaks and pre-announcements continue to pile up. Next is Netgear’s Push 2 TV box, which just hit the FCC. So I helped myself to a few test photos and took a quick gander at the manual. The Intel-based technology sounds a lot like “Projector” functionality offered by SlingCatcher. Basically, video output of a computer is wirelessly streamed to Netgear’s small set-top box, which is connected to a television. From the manual:
Intel Wireless Display allows consumers to use their HDTV as a huge, remote screen for their laptop. With Intel Wireless Display, consumers can connect their laptop to their TV and enjoy and share their personal media collections, latest YouTube videos, downloaded or streamed movies, music, or a variety of other Internet content from the comfort of their couch.
Intel Wireless Display appears to be both a hardware and Windows 7 software solution. Which may be bundled into a variety of upcoming laptops (pic immediately below). And I imagine Netgear is likely one of numerous vendors to support the spec for piping Internet and personal video from PC to TV.
I’m curious if there will be any output limitations (think DRM-ed video or the Hulu-dream-destroyer) and of course wonder what sort of price point we’re talking. ($149?) I assume these mysteries will be cleared up next week and I plan to hit Netgear’s press conference bright and early Wednesday. Stay tuned! (Thanks, Brad!)
Click to enlarge:
By the way, given Netgear’s placement in this configuration it should probably be called Pull 2 TV. I’m just sayin’.
Meh, does anyone really want this?
Originally I was hyped up… but upon further review, maybe it’s just because I stumbled upon an unreleased product.
On Twitter, Ross Rubin asked me: did you have much success with the SlingProjector functionality? I did not with D-Link’s PC2TV product.
Bringing up an interesting point on the practicality of this solution. The DLink wasn’t great, partially due to resolution, but the trackball remote was kind of cool. Unlike SlingProjector which offers no remote. On the PC, the software could cleverly snap to window elements or be drawn around an area (or full screen), but from the TV there was no control – limiting its usefulness. Conceptually ZeeVee was better with a touchpad remote control and custom app/web launcher on the PC. But the execution left something to be desired. This Netgear product doesn’t appear to involve a remote, which seriously limits the possibilities…
At the end of the day, I think we need boxes/services designed for TV output or services built into other products that do NOT involve a PC (like Netflix on Roku, YouTube on TiVo, etc) versus screenscraping hackery like this. Even personal media playback is better served by something like DLNA on PS3. For laptop->TV output, just buy a model with HDMI and connect it straight the the TV.
Agree, Dave. Wi-Fi-based solutions will likely give way to WHDI or WirelessHD within two years. These technologies are optimized for HD video.
I don’t know, this makes me think that Intel is shooting for a way to replace traditional wired connections. If I can display my wifi connected laptop desktop on my wifi connected IPTV over the network without any cables then that is sorta neat.
the last thing I need is another remote control on my coffee table
Just saw it today at a local BBuy for $99. I don’t think there is any remote needed with this box. Once it is setup to “listen”, the PC can stream video to your TV…and, YES the sound and video are synced. Check out videos from CES.
BMurf, I played with it myself at CES. No two-way control is a limitation. But the price is right.
Just purchased the new Toshiba with intel technology from BBuy with the NetGear unit included for free. I love this unit!
Sound and audio is awsome. I watch a lot of hulu TV and stream movies online. I have really enjoyed the hours of wireless video streaming from this technology.
Has anyone tried to connect the Net Gear unit to a projector.
Sony had it on their web site as an accessory. Guess what? will not work except with specific models of Dell, Sony, Toshiba computers which is very limited. (see Netgear site). I could not make it work. Sony support agreed it would not work with a VPCF1390x with an Intel I7-740. This is not one of the listed compatible systems processors. Irritated that Sony listed it as an accessory (which I purchased) then took it down off the site.