1

We want to put a tv in the conference room so the big wigs can display images, videos and also cast web pages. The problem is 1/2 are android / windows laptops and 1/2 are iphone / mac laptops. I’m trying to find an “easy way” to make all users happy.

What screen casting tech do you use?
  • Roku
  • Chromecast
  • Miracast
  • Airplay
  • None
  • Some Thing Else
  • Intel Unite
  • Kramer via
  • Crestron
  • DLNA
  • Wired adapter
  • AirTame
0 voters
5 Spice ups
2

We use Crestron systems in our conference rooms, they support a wireless presentation program called AirMedia. It works very well from mobile devices that we’ve tested (Android phones and iPads), and our Windows laptops.

3

Why not get a cheap Android streaming stick, plug it into the tv and set up a webserver where they can upload the stuff to stream? Uploading would then be device agnostic.

4

I just ordered a new machine from Dell with Intel Unite installed. I haven’t used it yet as I need to finish the setup, but I saw it in action at Dell HQ a couple of months ago and it appears to be nice.

5

I work at a company that my boss just asked me to cut up my email and send it to him in 3 different emails so he could forward the information to 3 different people. Uploading anything is out of their wheel house. Also does not help my casting of web pages. They want to be able to surf the net from what ever device they have in their hand and that moment and cast it to the tv.

6

Get a miracast dongle for the android and Windows folks (like this: Amazon.com) . Throw an Apple TV on another input for the Apple fans. You’ll be hard pressed to find a single item that will accommodate both groups adequately.

Edit: Not to mention that they the users will feel more comfortable working in their own ecosystem and won’t have to call for support every time they want to do something to look cool.

7

Don’t use a Chromecast in a business environment! I have one for home and there is no way to secure it on the network at this time. If your C-levels are in a conference someone else can start to broadcast anything to the stick if they find it on the network. Could be funny, could get you fired!

8

Hi Bill! Not entirely sure of your budget, but have you considered a ViewBoard solution? @ViewSonic 's interactive display boards are compatible with an app called ViewBoard Cast. Presenters can control the content they want displayed from a phone, tablet, or laptop while Android and iOS device users are able to use ViewBoard Cast to connect to the board and even make annotations/notes as necessary. Below is a video showing how ViewBoard Cast works. If you have any questions, please feel free to tag or message me!

2 Spice ups
9

We sell and use a product from Kramer av. It’s called the via (go and pro). It allows Windows, Android, Apple. On the pro, you can connect up to 200 devices (dependant in wireless network) and display up to 4 screens simultaneously. You can even do screen share and collaboration on it. Apple unfortunately only let’s 2 Apple devices display at 1 time.

10

In our conference rooms that have a variety of users, We have Apple tv, Roku, Microsoft connect and an HDMI (and a drawer with all the different connections we most commonly see). One room we have a 2x2 video wall with a Crestron controller, the other 4 rooms have a Logitech Harmony Companion remote that takes some babysitting to keep functioning correctly but users like it!

1 Spice up
11

So, Intel Unite can support the following (in “Managed Mode” or Enterprise mode, depending on the docs):

  • Windows (7 and higher)

  • macOS (10.10.5 or higher)

  • iOS (10.1 or greater)

  • Andriod (inclusive, apparently)

  • ChromeOS (inclusive, apparently)

  • Linux (RHEL 7.x and Ubuntu 16.04)

The catch is that Managed Mode requires a MS SQL database (not express nor anything else). Typically, Managed Mode begins to make sense in one of two situations: you already have an existing MS SQL instance you can leverage; OR once you’re managing more than 8 Unite hubs. The Managed Mode also supports 3rd-party plugins, including offering an SDK in the event you can’t find what you want through existing plugins.

If you can limit to simply Windows and macOS, then you can happily use SMB mode (make sure you download the drivers from the hub OR pay attention as there’s a macOS client specific to SMB implementations).

What makes me a fan is that I’ve used AppleTV and other screen sharing options and while they’re pretty solid within their own native methods, they get very sketchy if you want to attach something outside their “normal” expectations. Yeah, a Unite-capable client isn’t cheap, but my experience tells me that it works pretty darn well. And most conference rooms have a PC in them (in my experience, ymmv).

12

I use a combination of DLNA and MiraCast (and the many variants of the name used for the protocol) - Rokus will connect to Chromecast, Miracast, and DLNA streams.

Intel WiDi has been killed off, sadly.

Here’s a good write-up on the differences between the 3 major protocols Chromecast, Miracast, and Airplay

When it comes to screen-casting, iOS is once again a sandbox that no one is allowed to play in.

13

I also have a Samsung and LG TV that I used to be able to cast to and I’m unable to with the pixel 2, I think you need a Chromecast or similar device which I’m not willing to buy

14

Yes, the Pixel 2 is locked to the Chromecast protocol unless you root your phone AND load a 3rd party ROM, which would then allow you to use Miracast. There are suspicions though, that Google changed hardware to remove Wifi Direct capability, which is required by Miracast.