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AirTame HDMI display enabler review

Given that we’re all probably carrying around more video and photo data than graced the entire planet 20 years ago, I’m sure we’ve all been somewhere and wanted to show a group of more than 2 people a great shot. Perhaps you’ve wanted to actually present to a group, and you only had a phone with a pdf and a TV, and no cable to connect them. The folks at AirTame have seen your plight and have concocted a solution, in the form of an HDMI dongle that needs no setup other than with your phone or another device. It fits in the space of your earbuds, but it has a lot more hidden superpowers than this….

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The AirTame is a black dongle 3”x1.5”x.5” with an HDMI plug on one end. It looks like an HDMI thumb drive. On one of the sides, there is a microUSB port for power, and opposite the plug, there is a small button to power it on. When it’s connected and powered on, your device’s images show up on your HDMI display. Once it’s on your wireless or Ethernet network, however, it is also available to be seen by full computers (Mac, Windows, Linux) or ChromeOS. These devices can share full screen live screens.

What’s in the box?

AirTame device
USB-A< ->microUSB power cable (1m)
USB power brick with plugs for US, UK, and EU (US only is shown above.)
7.5” HDMI extension cable

Design and features

The AirTame is easy to set up, easy to carry along, and easy to use. I’ll cover the setup below. Once it’s set up, there’s little to do. As long as you are connected to the same network, you can send PDF and JPG files to any HDMI source from your iOS or Android device, using their app. If the files are on your device, you give the AirTame app permission to read them, and you’re off to the races. If you want to store them in a DropBox account, the design is there to allow you to access that account. (During testing, I ran into a snag with changes that are happening with the DropBox app, but I feel sure this will be worked through in due course. The solution is to open the PDF in your device’s PDF reader, and “Open In” AirTame. This will copy the document to the Files section of the AirTame app, where it can be accessed and displayed.)
For computers and ChromeBooks, the dongle is much more powerful. You can do full-screen sharing. You can use the app to find any AirTame on your network, and send your video to it. This is fantastic for tech support, training, or viewing remote computers (servers, network monitors, etc.).

Setup

Setup is simple. Connect to an HDMI port on your display of choice and connect the AirTame to power using a microUSB cable. These things can be problematic, however, due to the placement of the display, or other cables that are already in place. There is an extension cord in case the HDMI of your display won’t allow the wide and long AirTame to attach directly. In many conference rooms and boardrooms, you may need to invest in a gender changer, since the only option available may be an HDMI plug, rather than a port. Other than private displays, I can’t remember the last time I had access to the port itself.
AirTame’s idea, however, is to have organizations put one of these devices on every HDMI screen in an organization. The pricing model changes rapidly from 1-3 to 4-9 and more than 10. Being able to remotely log in to any display in your company or campus and show your screen can make for quick resolution of issues where groups need to be shown something. (Audio can be turned on or off.)

Performance

I found the performance to be acceptable. Since video files are not supported with iOS/Android devices, the display rate isn’t going to be a problem. Bringing up a multi-page PDF document allows a PowerPoint / Keynote-like screen on your device where you see the current and next thumbnails, rather than the full screen being the current image. If you export your slide deck to PDF, you’ll only lose the animations and sound/video links, but those have lost favor of late. (Clicking the green button in the multi-page PDF document below leads to a screen-by-screen slide deck presentation.)


For computers, there is a bit of a lag over Wifi. (The company offers ethernet adapters that will allow direct connection to a router, which will speed up screen motion and video display. I was not sent this to test.) It’s not really that bad unless you’re trying to show video or any other high-frame-rate media.

What I Like

  • Very easy setup and installation
  • Fast, clear display
  • Supports virtually all platforms

What needs to be improved

  • Device gets hot after 30 minutes or so
  • Limited file formats supported on iOS/Android
  • Would benefit from a battery that lasted 15-20 minutes for traveling users

Final thoughts

Presenting to a large screen seems to be the modern curse, and I see no end to it in our current businesses. Presenting from something other than a full computer, however, is quite nice, and this device covers the basics of getting an image before a group with little to no roadblocks. If you need sound, animations, active video display (for training or visualization of content), this device paired with any modern computer will most likely fill the bill. If you can be happy with images and PDFs from your handheld, this is a worthy consideration.

Price: $299.00 (quantity discounts available)
Where to buy: Manufacturer website and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by AirTame.

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AirTame HDMI display enabler review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 29, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The Revesun HDMI 2×1 Multi-Viewer with PIP is an affordable seamless switching solution


Over the past few years, social media and other online capabilities have become the new way of communicating and for getting content out to the world instantaneously. In the photography/videography industry, it has allowed us to stream live views of what were once all pre-recorded events. A few years ago, I introduced this capability to my Church with the ability to stream the sermons live on YouTube and Facebook. When we started, we were using 2 video cameras, and we are now up to 6 video cameras. In an effort to keep cost down, we were using a cheap manual HDMI switcher to switch between the output from our main Blackmagic Design Switcher and a laptop, to the input of our streaming box. We use the laptop for introducing “unplanned content” or other “spur of the moment” content. The cheaper HDMI switcher worked well for switching, but there was always a distinct “blackout’ period of a few seconds before the next source showed live. Of course, the issue here was that we needed seamless switching and eventually invested in a smaller but still relatively expensive Roland switcher to do the trick. Although we have a solution, I was still on a mission to find a simple seamless HDMI switcher that did not cost an “arm and a leg”.

I just came across the Revesun HDMI 2×1 Multi-Viewer with PIP. The manufacturer claims that this switcher is capable of seamless switching while avoiding any residual artifacts. It is compliant with HDMI 1.3a and HDCP 1.2. It supports resolutions up to 1080P HD, with 2 HDMI inputs and 1output. It also supports the LPCM, AC3, and DTS digital audio formats.

If you would like to try out the Revesun HDMI 2×1 Multi-Viewer with PIP seamless switcher, you can purchase one on Amazon for $76.99.

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The Revesun HDMI 2×1 Multi-Viewer with PIP is an affordable seamless switching solution originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 1, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Feel free to connect with Freestream


Fashion shows are one of the events that I love to video, and on a few occasions, I have been a part of a team the included a live broadcast as a part of the event. The hustle and bustle of celebrity types lends a sense of excitement and adds energy to the environment. However, setting up multiple video cameras for these events can be a pain when broadcasting, because of the cables that need to be run from each camera back to the broadcast hub. This issue is even more complicated when we are forced to run cables across areas where models will be walking, since tripping is an inherent risk even when the cables are taped to the floor.

I have researched many wireless HDMI transmitter/receiver kits, but they have always been rather expensive, starting in the $1000S for one set.

Recently, I can across Freestream. It is an HDMI transmitter/receiver kit that claims to work with most HDMI enabled cameras. While we use SDI in most of our connections, we have the ability to use HDMI with no issues. Freestream features, an audio input to the transmitter, a removable and rechargeable battery, an LCD screen, 1080P 60 Hz frequency, a range of up to 1500 feet, and 4 channels that supports the use of up to 4 cameras simultaneously.

You can get more information on Freestream and pick one kit up with an included Pelican case for $699 at the Freestream website, or without the case for $599 at B&H Photo Video.

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Feel free to connect with Freestream originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 17, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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The DotStone 2 Port HDMI Switcher simply works!

For many years, since HDMI first became one of the standard ports included with audio/video devices, I have been in search of a HDMI switch that will allow me to connect more than one device to my TV or one of my monitors. In some cases, I needed it to work vice versa to connect one device to 2 separate displays, and switch between the two.

Over the years I have purchased numerous HDMI switches ranging in price from $80 to $400 and all have failed over a relatively short period of time, with a bit longer than a year being the greatest longevity. Most of the switches, especially the more expensive ones with multiple outputs and in some cases multiple inputs and outputs, required external power and seemed to eventually suffer their demise from the heat their circuits generated. I do suspect that the eventual failure had to do with burned out components or “cold” solder joints.

About a year ago, I once again found myself in a similar situation with a need to connect a Roku box and a Fire Stick to a monitor. Because of my failed history with HDMI switches, I was very apprehensive to try another one, but it seemed like the only sensible option. After extensive online research, I came across the DotStone bi-directional 2 x 1/1 x 2 Manual HDMI Switcher that was quite cheap, and therefore could not inflict the financial damage of its predecessors. Since it also had a relatively large number of positive reviews, I decided to give it a chance.

After using the very small but well-built switcher for almost a year, I am very pleased with its reliable and consistently perfect performance. I honestly was not expecting much, but I have been so impressed by it that I have now purchased a second one. Since I do not care about the convenience of having a wireless remote, this manual switcher is a win!! I have additional praise for its included feature of bi-directional switching, which I have tried it in both directions with multiple devices. I am happy to report that it has performed flawlessly.

You can purchase the DotStone 2 port Bi-direction Switch on Amazon for the amazing price of $10.18

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The DotStone 2 Port HDMI Switcher simply works! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 2, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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This tiny USB Type-C to HDMI adapter is perfect for travel

I have a USB Type-C to HDMI adapter that I use to connect my 12-inch MacBook to an LG 29″ monitor on my desk. The size of that adapter doesn’t matter to me because it never leaves the desk. But if I carried a USB Type-C to HDMI adapter with me in my gear bag every day, I would prefer to have the smallest adapter available. Nonda offers just such an adapter.

The Nonda USB-C to HDMI Adapter is very small and features 4K with resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 @60Hz in a fold-up form factor that you’ll have no trouble finding space to store it in your bag or pocket.

The wrap around braided cable helps keep the adapter small and compact, and the $22.99 price tag won’t empty your wallet.

Read more about the Nonda adapter at nonda.co or head over to Amazon to order one.

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This tiny USB Type-C to HDMI adapter is perfect for travel originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 9, 2017 at 2:37 pm.

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