Customer Reviews

IOGear Wireless USB 2.0 to VGA Kit GUW2015VKIT

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Representing a fairly large school district, we considered buying this product to use with our tablet pc's and mounted projectors. The first product we tried (PC2TV) did not even come close the features and quality of this product. Their solution uses wi-fi (802.11G) standard to connect which is very slow in comparison and interferes with our regular network traffic. When you have a lab with 30+ wireless tablets, you cannot spare the bandwidth for the pc2tv device. The IOGEAR product fixes all that.

Using the new Wireless USB standard (haven't seen another device using this tech yet it's so new) it has 9 times the bandwidth of wi-fi (480Mbps). What's that means, is that it can do really high resolutions and be very smooth. I was playing a standard DVD, at 1680X1080 resolution, and boy is it smooth. It does drop a frame here and there, but compared to the pc2tv device, there simply is no comparison.

Tested on Vista. Once the driver is installed, I can plug in the dongle to any usb port and it automatically connects and extends my desktop. To change to clone mode or resolutions, all you have to do right click an icon near the clock (system tray) and pick it. Changing USB ports does not require a driver reinstallation.

The dongle and the device come pre-associated, so you don't have to worry about the device in the next room interfering. However, if you want to connect to multiple devices, so far the only way is to briefly connect your laptop to the device using the supplied mini usb cable. Hopefully they will have a wireless method to do this in the future.

I ordered this kit after much investigation for a wireless method to link my Dell desktop PC to my Vizio 37" HDTV. I had thoroughly reviewed the specs at the IO Gear website and read many reviews from other suppliers. Upon receiving the unit, I was immediately concerned since the specs on the box state that the 30' wireless range is for a "line of sight" installation and that the range is limited to 15' for High Definition video. My PC is located on the second floor of our home and the TV is on the first floor physically about 25' apart. I should say that the unit was a breeze to hook up, load the software and set up the PC. It worked like a charm for viewing spreadsheets, word documents, surfing the web, etc. just as connected. However, for watching videos, I had to run the USB cable (comes with the kit) through the second floor and connect the small Wireless USB Adapter receiver unit so that is was in the same room as the TV and Wireless VGA Adapter. With this set up it worked just fine for streaming Netflix "Watch Instantly" movies. However, I also wanted to be able to watch network episodes from ABC, NBC, CBS, etc but it failed miserably!! While streaming these shows the sound and video would break up and pause on the PC and no video would be displayed on the HDTV...just a blank screen. I moved the VGA Adapter (and TV) to within 12' of the receiver and still the same result The online help from IO Gear was totally lacking and I sent the unit back.

As others have mentioned, the kit transmits only the video, not the audio from the PC. An audio cable has to be run from PC to TV but I knew that up front.

I have since order a 50' VGA cable with 3.5mm audio from Amazon part numberRiteAV - SVGA Monitor Cable with 3.5mm Audio - 50 ft. and this set up works great!!

This device transmits VGA video ONLY, it is not meant to transmit audio so don't judge it based on that. This is a great way of transmitting video, specifically slide-shows, wirelessly.

We use it for a presentation system in a conference room, the wired VGA out goes to an overhead projector while we use this to drive a secondary LCD display we can move around the room as needed. We've had it work fine with ranges up to 30 feet but keep it at about 20 feet. We use it at 1024x768 resolution, full motion video is touch-and-go but we only need it for display slides and charts/text so it does it's job. The video limitation is due to the maximum transfer speed of the Wireless USB standard so I can't blame the device itself.

It was easy to setup (on Windows XP) with no major issues. It comes with a USB extension cable so you don't have to plug it directly into the PC but you can. If you do plug it into the PC directly it will probably block your other USB ports by virtue of its size.

My wife and I like watching free KBS Korean Internet dramas. Having purchased a new Sony Bravia HDTV recently, I decided to get this IOGear product to enjoy our shows off the 46" screen atop the comfort of our bed.

As soon as I opened the box and went about setting it up, I found that I needed a VGA to VGA cable. Ugh... Wanting to get this thing going, I drove to a local Best Buy to get one (so add another $20-$30). The set up itself then was very easy and simple. After downloading the software, I connected the IOGear's VGA adapter to one end of the VGA cable and the other end to the HDTV's VGA port. With the provided velcro strips, I positioned and secured the VGA adapter to the upper end of the TV from its back so the antenna sticks out in clear view. Next, I simply plugged in the IOGear's USB adapter to my laptop, and voila!

While the video showed up perfectly as expected and advertised, there was no sound (add another "Ugh"...) The IOGear's Wireless USB to VGA Adapter Kit is ONLY for video, folks -- you'll have to figure out the audio part on your own. The way I did it was to use my extra set of cheap Cambridge Soundworks PC speakers and positioned them right next to the TV on each side (I tried placing the speakers on the bed side so I have the laptop with me, but I didn't like that placement at all). With the laptop wire-bound and positioned near the TV on the other end of the wall, I use my Microsoft Wireless "Arc" Mouse that has a very strong signal connection from the bed.

Of course this is a temporary solution until the wireless audio solution can be found. I haven't looked into this yet so I don't know what's out there for this solution. For now I'm just enjoying the show.

It is easy to install. Once installed the problems begin.

Intermittently, it will drop the connection. I have this set up in a room where the full intent was to utilize a 46" lcd tv as the monitor with a desktop PC.

The signal will drop way too often, which requires a reconnection(unplug the transmitter from the USB port then plug it back in. It will go through it's sequencing and 30 seconds later I will get a picture again).

It is sold as a solution to replacing costly and unsightly wiring. But it is too unreliable to be a legitimate solution.

Don't waste your time with tech support. I called and spoke to a person who neither listened to my particular issues, nor provided a viable solution. I had explained to her my complete setup(desktop pc, windows xp, tv as sole monitor). She had me disconnect the device from the back of the tv and leave it disconnected. Then she wanted me to go into a configuration into the computer. I had to explain to her since i was now disconnected I was without the monitor.

She put me on perma-hold. During my wait I got a monitor from another room and connected it to the computer thinking that she was working on a viable solution.

When she came back she explained that this device is intended for laptops, not desktops. This made absolutely no sense so here I am with a device that does not work as intended.

This is what I learned:
1. This product is not true wireless. Make sure that there is nothing between the transmitter and the receiver. Line of sight is the way to go.
2. This is not made for a desktop. This is built for laptops(I am not making this up. This is what their tech support told me)
3. This is not a viable replacement for cabling. Sad but true. I was so hoping that this would work as advertised but it does not.

Bought the product based on written and U tube reviews. Product works great. Wish there was a companion wireless audio to match.

The device worked as advertised. I use it in a classroom environment. My laptop is approximately 15 feet from the projector that I have attached the adapter to. The images projected of my applications (Office suite) are perfect. Playing video is a bit more problematical because the wireless connection has difficulty with the bandwidth demands. There was pixelation of fast-moving images. I recommend making a direct connection with the VGA cable when showing video. At home, the wireless signal penetrated a 5 inch thick wall of plaster and wood (not flimsy sheetrock) with no visible distortion (again, using Office suite applications). I am a teacher and this removes cable clutter that I dislike. I plan to purchase another, perhaps two, of these adapters.

I bought this unit because I saw it operating at a customer's meeting room and it was excellent displayed on a Sony 52" LCD, 1080p. IOGEAR's technical customer service spent almost an hour with me trying to get it to work. The unit worked very well displaying on a 19" LCD computer monitor but not my Toshiba 52"LCD 1080p. When I hard wire to the VGA connector using a VGA cable it displays but only if I am displaying 800 X 600 pixels - 1280 X 1024 will not display. The IOGEAR has a default setting that will not interface with my Toshiba and the technician could not override the auto setting that is not 4:3 ratio.As of this date the unit is not giving me the results that I had expected.
Jim of NJ

I bought this to use with my laptop on board room presentations to my sales team. We were excited to receive it and were excited to see it work wonderfully when we installed the hardware. Then the problems. If it is not a perfectly clear line of sight between the antennae, you get interruptions. I had people get up and walk to the bathroom, cross the line of sight and the thing went kaput. Unless you have the space for a clear line of sight, do not get this.

This product works excellent. It is connected to a ceiling mounted projector at our church.
The product replaces a vga via cat5 and is faster with better video and image quality.
I purchased a second sender for multiple computers and all connect up with ease. I highly recommend
this product.