Wireless TV

We feel the coolest advances are taking place in the area of wireless TV. Currently we see three different options for wireless TV, additional details are included below. One option is simple a TV that comes with a sender and receiver, best part of these is that they can run on batteries, therefore truly wireless. Second option is a transmitter/receiver system that allows you to create a wireless connection to almost any TV, effectively creating a wireless cable TV setup anywhere you would like a TV. And the third option, called SlingBox, allows you to send TV programming to any computer that has Internet connectivity. Yes, you read that right; you can watch TV on your computer, at the office, during work (not that you should or would of course), on your laptop using a wireless connection at the airport, in a hotel room halfway around the world. Options are almost endless.

Option 1 – TV with sender and receiver
There are two choices for this option at the moment. Both work well, are easy to setup and provide battery operation therefore can be carried around.

Sony 12.1" LocationFree TV - LF-X11
We really like the Sony Wireless TV, although smaller then the Sharp, it has recently been upgraded and provides some features not found on the Sharp. One such feature is that it operates on the 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless frequency ranges and automatically switching between the two to avoid interference from other devices such as cordless phone or microwave ovens. Also uses the high quality MPEG 4 video format. Sony provides an on screen remote where you touch the screen once for the buttons to appear then control things from the buttons. Battery life is 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the brightness setting.

Sharp Aquos LC-15L1US Flat Panel Wireless LCD TV
The Sharp Wireless TV has a slightly bigger screen then the Sony and provides a separate remote control. One issue we have with it is that it only operates in the 2.4 GHz wireless range, therefore is susceptible to interference from cordless phones and microwave ovens. Depends on brightness setting, but battery life is generally 1 to 3 hours.

Option 2 – Wireless Video Transmitter and Receiver System

Apple recently announced the AppleTV. Although not expected to be released until early 2007, the AppleTV will definitely be something to watch in this space. See our Apple TV page for the details, also be sure to sign up for our Newsletter to keep up with the latest developments in this space.

The advantage to a transmitter and receiver system like this is that you do not need to buy a new television. Unless you have a really old TV, this should be able to hook up to it allowing you to place a television in a room you never thought possible or even transmit the video source in one room to another room without having to move the DVR/Cable/Satellite box. This provides remote control extender functionality allowing you to utilize your existing remote to control your video sources. Only one we are aware of at this time is the Belkin Pure AV Remote TV. Although this operates in the 2.4 GHz range and uses the MPEG 2 video format, we did not have any problems with this and overall were impressed with how well it worked.

Option 3 – Wireless TV to your laptop or PC
The wonderful world of Internet is once again providing technology that will change the way we live. The Slingbox provides the ability to send TV programming to just about any PC or laptop that has Internet connectivity. That means you can watch TV while at the office, on your laptop while waiting at the airport, in a hotel room while on a business trip to some other part of the world. You can even watch TV on your Windows based Smartphone or PDA, endless possibilities for this. Do not worry Apple users; the Macintosh version is on the way. Check back often or sign up for our ezine and we will update you when it becomes available.

You cannot beat the price for the Sling Media Slingbox AV ( SB240-100 ); it is an excellent gift for that traveler or college student in your life. Or for yourself if you would like to watch TV from various areas around the house rather then moving to the TV room.

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