wireless projection

346 views
Skip to first unread message

Marlon Yu

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 1:45:10 AM2/29/24
to Techies for schools

Hi everyone,

 

Curious to find out what wireless projection solutions are being used out there by other schools.

 

We mostly use MS Wireless Adapter. However, Microsoft has decided to pull out of that business so we’re now on the hunt (before they start failing) for a replacement that does not have any issues syncing video and audio.

 

We’re testing Epson’s iProjection but it only performs good enough when both projector and client are wired. I’ve read the comments in this forum from way back and I was hoping it had improved since then.

 

Marlon

 

*** RANGITOTO COLLEGE EMAIL DISCLAIMER ***
The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please advise the sender immediately and delete the email and attachments. Any use, dissemination, reproduction or distribution of this email and any attachments by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited.
*** RANGITOTO COLLEGE EMAIL DISCLAIMER ***

Jeffrey B

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 1:55:19 AM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Screenbeam 960 are expensive but good and can do airplay also. Cheaper to buy from Amazon directly.  The 1060 is cool and can do chromecast as well but those are truly painfully expensive.  Provides a CMS package so you can configure and update them centrally as well.


From: 'Marlon Yu' via Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 29, 2024 7:45:04 PM
To: Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [techies-for-schools] wireless projection
 
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Techies for schools" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to techies-for-sch...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/techies-for-schools/SY8PR01MB8997239A7BAB32971E8C1CB3B85F2%40SY8PR01MB8997.ausprd01.prod.outlook.com.

Matt Strickland

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 2:18:38 AM2/29/24
to Techies for schools
Same boat for us, tho we do have a few Airtame 2's units, the rest are the Microsoft Wireless Display Adaptors.

Has anyone tried those j5create adaptors? My guess is you'll need an external power adaptor as a TV/Projector wont provide enough, and I feel after a few years of always on the heat my get to them.

Matt

Shane Hannant

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 2:27:54 AM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
We use Vivi and have for a good number of years. It's expensive but works well for our mixed environment of pretty much every operating system.

Shane Hannant • Director of ICT
p: (07) 4132 7593 • w: www.stlukes.qld.edu.au
4 Mezger Street • Bundaberg QLD 4670

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/techies-for-schools/6ad767bc-e3e3-4d13-bf9a-9ea0d853d102n%40googlegroups.com.

Jeffrey B

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 8:10:29 AM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Tried them (j5 from PB) the software is ugly and not overly reliable.  Have resorted to built in miracast on tvs in some schools which is temperamental at best.
From: 'Matt Strickland' via Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 29, 2024 8:18:37 PM

To: Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [techies-for-schools] Re: wireless projection
 

David Jurgensen

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 2:42:49 PM2/29/24
to Techies for schools
We previously had been using a dual solution of Apple TVs and Windows W/Displays, but in the same boat at having to look at other solutions.  The casting direct to both LG and Samsung Commercial grade TVs has produced mixed success.  We are now trailing EZcast Ultras (https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPEZC0002/EZCAST-Ultra-Wireless-Display-Adapter-up-to-4K60p).  The interface isn't as nice as MSWD/ATV solutions, but it does allow all platforms to cast to it.  We have had some stability issues running off USB power supplied from the TV or Projectors, but for the most part it has been running well.  We are doing a test at the moment of three devices to see if wall powered will improve the stability (we suspect it will).  It is also worth noting we have had 2 (out of 14 we have ordered so far) that were DOA.  But PB Tech have been quick to sort that out.

Those j5 options - I ended up not trialling them because it appears you have to connect directly to their SSID to cast?  Can anyone (@synack) confirm this?  That would explode the brains of our staff here if we had a mixed environment were some you have to connect directly too first!

Grant

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 2:52:55 PM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
We have used MS Wireless Adapter, mainly as we had predominantly PCs connecting.

Experimented for a while with Air Server - we set up minix computers and installed to the machine - set them to reset each night and autologin using sysinternals and start airserver.
Airserver license is < $20 and a one-off.
Provides wireless projection for Windows, Chromecast and Airplay.
Not perfect, but possibly worth a look as machines can be managed with intune. 
We have now replaced older screens with newer ones so no longer using the airserver computers (I had setup 10).

Regards
Grant

From: techies-f...@googlegroups.com <techies-f...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of David Jurgensen <david.j...@beth.school.nz>
Sent: 01 March 2024 08:42

To: Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [techies-for-schools] Re: wireless projection
 

Stephen Rainey

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 4:39:06 PM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
For the EZcasts you have to use a USB wall charger as they require more current then either a TV or Projector supplies resulting in stability issues as we found out.

Steve

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/techies-for-schools/f2044491-b51b-43cb-8899-981a9e7e0f8fn%40googlegroups.com.

Marlon Yu

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 5:22:17 PM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com

Thanks for the info Steve. We’re currently testing EZcast2 and have been plugging it to the projector’s USB port.

 

A few questions for you:

 

  1. How many did you deploy and are you using its Miracast?
  2. If using Miracast, any problems on your wi-fi when these are used?
  3. Have you found a way to disable the details on the home page (it’s ugly and cluttered with too much unnecessary info for our use case; we were looking at putting up our own wallpaper in there with our own simplified instructions)?

 

Marlon

 

From: techies-f...@googlegroups.com <techies-f...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Stephen Rainey
Sent: Friday, March 1, 2024 10:38 AM
To: techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [techies-for-schools] Re: wireless projection

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of Rangitoto College. Be careful about clicking on links or opening attachments. If in doubt, ask IT.

 

Jeffrey Burke

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 5:39:30 PM2/29/24
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Sorry, I was wrong, we did not end up with a j5 but went with one of the ones recommended from the pb wireless display adaptor page


That was the one with messy software, project to screen was a mess and when I connected it up to the school network for firmware upgrades it had some weird ads or something display so had to reset it.  Not super stable, possibly due to power but not sure.
Sent: Friday, March 1, 2024 8:42:49 AM

To: Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [techies-for-schools] Re: wireless projection

Micheal Stoodley

unread,
Feb 29, 2024, 6:34:59 PM2/29/24
to Techies for schools
Interesting that I should notice this post today.  We needed to replace a TV, the sales rep mentioned a TCL model, but I couldn't see how that was adding any additional functionality.
There were plenty of complaints on a year old YouTube video about connectivity.
Early last year, we went all in on 4K MS Display Adapters, I wish that we purchased spares.
Great value for money, pretty solid devices.
I've heard a rumour about a Surface branded replacement, but nothing to suggest that it will "Surface" anytime soon, or that it is even actually for real.  

Steve Smith

unread,
Mar 3, 2024, 4:55:45 PM3/3/24
to Techies for schools
Hello all, just to add another device into the mix
The new Chromecast with Google TV built in works well for screen casting, as long as the Chromecast (or tv) is on the same network as the computer casting
Some existing TVs may already have a built in chromecast capability.
If students are trying to cast it will be managed by the cast moderator app, which adds a security code to the cast.

Dion McGovern-Allen

unread,
Mar 4, 2024, 9:13:04 PM3/4/24
to Techies for schools
Thats good to know, (Cast Moderator) its one of the main reasons why I've advised against chromecasts as students can muck with them! (Stop/Start/Hijack)

AppleTVs were good but don't work with windows - unless you got software like Airparrot.

Windows Wireless display adapters are good thanks to miracast and the quality was good.
So sad to see them go.

I've seen a couple of LG tvs that have airplay built-in, chromecast and miracast from memory and I don't believe they were the hospitality type sets.
UCOL from memory had one installed for their meeting room.
These came close to the wireless anything system that we all deserve!


Thanks,
Dion McGovern-Allen.

David Armstrong

unread,
Nov 12, 2025, 8:54:56 PMNov 12
to Techies for schools
Hi all,

I am currently looking into the different wireless casting solutions out there.
The majority of the schools I look after use aging Chromecasts.

With Google discontinuing the Chromecast w/ Google TV.
It seems that there is a hole left in the market.
And the Google TV streamer is out of the budget of most of my schools.

Does anyone have any further observations or suggestions for alternative solutions going into 2026?

Ngā mihi
David

Tim Porter

unread,
Nov 12, 2025, 8:58:16 PMNov 12
to Techies for schools

It does very simple casting like the original Chromecasts.

Regards,

 

TIM PORTER

Fusion Networks Ltd.
SYSTEMS

ENGINEER

M 022 618 8605

 

From: techies-f...@googlegroups.com <techies-f...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of David Armstrong <dav...@kc.school.nz>
Sent: Thursday, 13 November 2025 14:54

To: Techies for schools <techies-f...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [techies-for-schools] Re: wireless projection
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Techies for schools" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to techies-for-sch...@googlegroups.com.

Simon Wright

unread,
Nov 12, 2025, 9:01:25 PMNov 12
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Anything non-consumer is expensive... Vivi, Airtame...

All else I can say is "I'm working on something..."


Simon.


--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Techies for schools" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to techies-for-sch...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/techies-for-schools/9aafebcf-ff2c-4d15-b4e1-aea64110cfb5n%40googlegroups.com.


DISCLAIMER
This e-mail is intended for the addressee only and may contain information which is subject to legal privilege. This e-mail message and accompanying data may contain information that is confidential and subject to privilege. Its contents are not necessarily the official view Otago Boys’ High School or communication of the Otago Boys’ High School. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this e-mail or any information in, or attached to it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender immediately or return the original message to Otago Boys’ High School by e-mail, and destroy any copies. Otago Boys’ High School does not accept any liability for changes made to this e-mail or attachments after sending.

Jeffrey Burke

unread,
Nov 13, 2025, 2:48:55 AMNov 13
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Lots of stuff to consider, the protocol it uses is called mirracast, supported by windows and android.  It shares the screen, or acts as an extra screen over a wifi peer to peer link or over infrastructure if possible.  When in peer to peer the laptop wifi adaptor switches backwards and forwards between the miracast link and the network wifi, that can make real time video like conferences choppy.

Infrastructure is better but relies on the devices being on the same network, impossible under N4L SA as it needs to be on student or staff negating use by both.

Products wise the ezcast is alright but a bit choppy sometimes, there are also the j5 create ones.  Some of these support Apple aircast also.

The beefier solution is screenbeam.  They are much more powerful hardware and can be centrally managed as well as supporting aircast.  The 960 is about $600 from Amazon or $800 from NZ.  The 1100 supports chromecast and digital signage too but is like $1200 minimum.

There is also https://www.airserver.com/ that lets you use a little pc as a receiver, good if you have spares able to handle it which is down to the cpu and wifi card onboard. You can also use a standard windows 10 or 11 pc as a receiver but it needs more steps https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/screen-mirroring-and-projecting-to-your-pc-or-wireless-display-5af9f371-c704-1c7f-8f0d-fa607551d09c#id0ebd=windows_11

Some TVs have it built in but it is generally junk, some projectors do and its alright but less reliable in practice than it should be.

The more devices you have on wifi around it the better your receiver needs to be otherwise it is more likely to drop out.

Interested to hear what Simon is working on when its ready, always good to have more options.

Jeffrey.



Subject: Re: [techies-for-schools] Re: wireless projection

Craig Knights

unread,
Nov 13, 2025, 4:21:27 AMNov 13
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
There's a screen beam at my work. It was playing up this week just before something important, so a mad scramble for hdmi cable and usbc adaptor.

So even they need a backup option.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/techies-for-schools/SEZPR04MB6901D1B6DD793BA5C0E302ECA0CDA%40SEZPR04MB6901.apcprd04.prod.outlook.com.

Jeffrey B

unread,
Nov 13, 2025, 4:34:37 AMNov 13
to techies-f...@googlegroups.com
Craig, very much so, Wi-Fi is a public spectrum and you can't carve out safe zones for it to exist, especially now.  It is a best effort tech, great when it works but nowhere near 100%. It also relies of random appliances not blasting interference and laptops having been rebooted in the last month as it gets less reliable the longer the device has been on, especially with p2p mode as the drivers are usually best effort for that config.  It is way better for real-time rendering of a screen instead of offloading YouTube playback like a Chromecast.  But real-time streams show every deficiency in network design, hardware and environment.  Best effort is the best description.

Most don't want to go back to being tethered by a cable unless absolutely required through. The new prime math stuff has made this more noticeable as even those that prefer old style are forced to new methods.  We have also implemented Bluetooth slideshow control rings to lighten the literal load on teachers presenting the new curriculum without needing to carry the whole laptop.

Jeffrey.


From: techies-f...@googlegroups.com <techies-f...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Craig Knights <craig....@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2025 10:21:11 PM

Dael Sutton

unread,
Nov 16, 2025, 2:43:05 PMNov 16
to Techies for schools
We've had Vivi's (liked them, but expensive), Microsoft Wireless Adapters (love them, but as mentioned previously, on their way out, and other Miracast-type devices sort of suck.

We've settled on the Epson iProjection solution for the moment, and have found that if we physically cable the projectors in to the network & put them on the VLAN that staff wireless devices are also on, the application for Windows works well.  Great video performance (streaming Youtube etc) compared to the Miracast devices, at the tradeoff of thumping the laptop's CPU, as the connection to the "projector" is an emulated screen done entirely by the CPU. Modern laptops definitely have more than enough horsepower to handle this, but you may want the teachers to have their chargers with them in the classroom. The audio can be routed out to the projector, and from there to speakers connected to the projector should you wish, or you can do it however you usually do - as far as Windows is aware you've plugged in an HDMI TV as the second screen. Projectors are found by broadcast by the app, and so it's best to enable the passcode feature so that only the person who can see it can connect to it.

HTH

D.

On Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 7:45:10 PM UTC+13 marl...@rangitoto.school.nz wrote:
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages