AliceOptoma’s new HDCast Pro device plugs into a projector or a TV’s HDMI port to enable wireless streaming of movies, videos, photos, music, documents or websites straight from a smartphone, tablet or laptop, although it will also stream digital content stored on a home network.
The Optoma HDCast Pro is capable of streaming 1080p formats including 24 and 30Hz up to 10m in any room.
Although the home seems like the obvious place to use the dongle, Optoma stresses that it is equally suited for business use, such as with projectors for laptop-free presentations, to browse the Internet or mirror the screen of a laptop or mobile device. It can even turn a mobile into a document camera/ visualiser.
The HDCast Pro App can be downloaded for free from the Optoma website or the Apple App store.
Once downloaded, any smart device can be used to control what’s on the big screen – including zoom, play, pause, rewind and volume.
The App also enables users to draw and annotate files on the big screen image from a mobile device.
“The HDCast Pro is primed for instant plug and play viewing, which means set-up couldn’t be simpler as no cables are required to connect a source to the projector or TV,” says Optoma’s head of product marketing, Justin Halls.
“It’s a great way to enjoy super-size images that previously could only be viewed on the tiny screen of a mobile device.”
Simple to use and setup, the HDCast Pro App can be used with mobile and computing devices for access to multiple file formats, cloud video and storage, as well as camera, music, video and web-browsing features.
The new dongle is also compatible with: AirPlay, facilitating wirelessly stream from an Apple mobile device or Mac to a projector, TV or speakers.
Alternatively, the user can mirror exactly what’s on a mobile device to the big screen.
Meanwhile, Miracast allows the user to mirror exactly what’s on an Android device directly on the big screen, while MHL turns a projector or TV into a smart display by connecting a MHL-enabled smartphone or tablet with a single cable to play games, stream videos and share photos on the big screen.
Lastly, DLNA can be used to watch videos and view photos stored on a home network.
Support for cloud video means content from YouTube, Vimeo, TED and other online video streaming services can be viewed.
Files can also be accessed from Dropbox, Google Drive and other cloud storage services.
For added convenience, a built in web browser allows users to surf the Internet on a screen that is big enough for sharing content with family and friends.
A full specification sheet and images for the HDCast Pro together with information on compatible products are available from the Optoma website.