Wi-Fi adapter for TV HDMI or USB

TV is increasingly becoming an entertainment center, on the big screen of which you can view in detail all the photos from a computer or other mobile device, local network or Internet. And watching a movie in HD quality can replace going to the cinema.

Therefore, more and more modern TVs can connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, thanks to the module built into them. But even if the TV does not have such a built-in device, it’s not a problem. Now there are a sufficient number of universal WiFi adapters for TVs, with the help of which all of the above options are available without the use of additional wires.

But how to choose the right Wi-Fi adapter for your TV and what is it anyway? Our article describes the main parameters that need to be taken into account when choosing a Wi-Fi adapter.

Wi-Fi adapter is...

A Wi-Fi adapter or wireless adapter is a device for connecting a TV to a wireless network. If your TV does not have built-in Wi-Fi, but does have a Smart TV function, in most cases it should support external Wi-Fi adapters. You can find confirmation of this in the TV menu or instructions for it.

Operating principle

The wireless adapter for HDMI Wi-Fi TV receives and transmits data using DLNA, Miracast, AirPlay technologies:

DLNA. It is a set of protocols that allow you to transfer files over a local network. The technology will not be able to duplicate the screen. With its help, you can transfer only a specific file.
Miracast. This technology allows you to transfer audio or video from one device to another. You can duplicate the screen from a gadget running Android and iOS, or a computer via Intel WiDi. Miracast technology is supported in most Smart TV receivers.
AirPlay. This is Apple's proprietary technology, which allows you to synchronize with devices only from this company. But not so long ago, information appeared that it would soon be supported on equipment from third-party manufacturers. It allows you to mirror your screen and view images and videos in real time.

What is it for?

The Wi-Fi adapter is designed for wirelessly receiving movies, audio and photos from the Internet, computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. to play this media on a big screen.

Using a Wi-Fi adapter, you can quickly synchronize your TV and another device. This makes it possible to set up a local network between a PC and a TV, without the use of wires and over a long distance.

You can simultaneously work on your computer and stream media content to your TV, or use it as a second screen without using a router.

What kind of device is this?

Wi-Fi HDMI adapter is a device that allows you to connect to the Internet from your TV. It will also help establish a connection between the TV and various devices - computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet. Outwardly, it resembles a flash drive, but is slightly larger in size. The device is inserted into the HDMI connector of the TV receiver.

The market offers a large selection of models from budget (from 1000 rubles) to expensive (from 5000 and above), equipped with a remote control.

Brands of high quality devices (adapters)

The following wireless adapters are now popular and of high quality:

Samsung WIS12ABGNX/NWT. This adapter expands the capabilities of a simple Samsung Smart TV. It provides access to the Internet and other compatible devices. No additional programs are needed to manage the connection;

LG AN-WF500. With this adapter you can connect to both the Internet and mobile devices. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapter work;

Philips PTA01/00. This wireless device allows you to watch movies from various online video stores. Thanks to the adapter, you can control your TV using your mobile phone and wireless keyboard. A cheaper PHILIPS analogue is PTA128;

Stream TV DIB-200 from D-Link. The adapter allows you to transfer HD quality multimedia files to your TV screen. The device is very simple and compact, and allows you to transmit the highest quality content over a Wi-Fi network;

UWA-BR100. WiFi adapter for Sony TV. Connects to the USB input on the TV and allows you to broadcast the picture in HD quality;

Toshiba WLM-20U2. Integrates the TV into your home local network and provides access to many TV widgets.

Please note

Depending on the ports on your TV, you can buy a Wi-Fi adapter with different outputs: USB, PCMCIA or HDMI. PCMCIA WI-FI adapter is an outdated option, since new TVs are produced without this connector. But if you have such an output, and the TV can be configured to connect to the Internet, then choose it.

TVs from Philips, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, LG, Sony and Toshiba may not work with regular Wi-Fi USB adapters that fit laptops. Often they simply don't see them. And there is no other choice but to buy a USB adapter from the TV manufacturer.

For TVs of other brands, alternative adapters with an HDMI connector, for example Stream TV DIB-200, are suitable. Its feature is high transmission speed and power from the USB port of the TV or external unit.

Adapter compatibility with TV

When choosing a Wi-Fi adapter, be sure to check its compatibility with your TV. The adapter itself is often labeled with compatible models or entire brands (for example, Samsung, LGSeries 5, etc.).

But what happens if you take a risk and buy a non-branded adapter? Because branded ones are much more expensive than regular ones. But there is a risk of throwing money away by buying a Wi-Fi adapter at random. But if the instructions for the TV say “universal external Wi-Fi module,” then feel free to buy any model you like.

Video: How to set up Wi-Fi adapter comfast cf-wu720n

Signal transmission standard

Also, when buying an adapter, pay attention to what standard it works by. You need to look at the standards of the router that distributes Wi-Fi and select a model with the same data. There are now several Wi-Fi standards. The data transfer speed depends on the selected standard.

The highest quality signal reception and transmission is provided by IEEE 802.11n, with a throughput of 300 Mbit/s:

802.11a - max up to 54, real up to 2

802.11b - max up to 11, real up to 3

802.11g - max up to 54, real up to 24

802.11n - max up to 150, real up to 50

802.11n - max up to 300, real up to 150

But, as you can see, in practice Wi-Fi adapters have lower bandwidth. This occurs due to interference through walls and other obstacles, and the transmission speed depends on the number of devices using Wi-Fi. Therefore, initially choose the best router and adapter for your TV to ensure fast signal transmission.

Device operating frequency

When choosing a Wi-Fi adapter, carefully look at what frequency it operates on. If your router operates at 5 GHz and the adapter operates at 2.4 GHz, then they will not work together.

The adapters operate at a frequency of 2.4 – 5 GHz:

802.11a - 5 GHz

802.11b - 2.4 GHz

802.11g - 2.4 GHz

802.11n - 2.4/5 GHz

Transmitter power - stability of operation

Its speed and stability of operation depend on the power of the adapter. In a large apartment, it is better to choose powerful transmitters so as not to receive low signal quality. Models with a power of 17-20 dBm are optimal. In this case, a stable and high-quality connection is guaranteed.

Radius of action

When choosing a Wi-Fi adapter, consider the distance between the TV and the router, or rather, the operating range of the transmitter. Keep in mind that the greater the distance and the amount of interference on the path to the signal, the lower its speed and power. Even if you are in the desired coverage area, if there are enough obstacles, the signal will not be very good.

Channel protection

The Wi-Fi channel must be protected, as it can be hacked and thereby degrade the signal supplied. It is better to buy adapters with the WPA or WPA2 encryption algorithm.

They guarantee network protection from hacking. And the WEP protocol is less reliable and already outdated.

How to connect a monitor to a computer or laptop via WiFi?

In general, you already understand the essence of connecting a monitor to a computer or laptop via WiFi. After connecting the transmitter to a PC, and the wireless HDMI receiver to a monitor or TV, there is essentially no need to make any other settings. No, you can, of course, go into the video sender’s control panel and manually set the encryption types and SSID. But for simple video viewing, all this is of no use - no important data that needs to be strongly protected will be transmitted over the radio bridge.

Therefore, we find and press the WPS button on one device for automatic connection. And then do the same on the other, and wait until the receiver and transmitter from the video sender kit automatically begin to see each other via a wireless signal.

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The computer perceives a second monitor connected via wifi in the same way as if it were connected by an HDMI, VGA, DVI or any other cable. By the way, not only a monitor or TV can act as a receiver for a video sender, but also an audio system that has WiFi support. Only for it you will already need a kit with sound transmission and its cost will be more expensive.

Are there alternative WI-FI adapters for TVs?

Those who do not want to buy an expensive branded receiver can buy an inexpensive Wi-Fi router. It needs to be installed near the TV and connected to it using a network cable. After this, the router must be configured in bridge mode with the main router from which the Internet will be received.

A more complex scheme for Samsung TVs is to buy a Wi-Fi adapter D-Link DWA, TP-LINK TL-WN727Nv3 or Zyxel NWD2105 and flash it.

You can embed new identifiers into the adapter in the Ubuntu Linux operating system. Other operating systems are not suitable as they may damage the adapter.

To flash the transmitter firmware you need:

download an ISO image of the Ubuntu operating system;

write the downloaded image to removable media;

download the Wi-FI adapter driver;

flash VID and PID identifiers to # iwprivra0 e2p 208=04e8 and # iwprivra0 e2p 20a=2018;

but any wrong step can damage the adapter and make it completely unusable.

Advantages of HDMI over USB adapter

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. This port transmits a high-resolution digital signal. If you have a TV with a very clear screen resolution, then for accurate and better display of audio, video and photo content, it is better to choose an adapter with HDMI output. It differs from USB in that it has greater speed and accuracy of data transfer, so even a movie that takes up a lot of space will be displayed very clearly on the TV screen.

When choosing a Wi-Fi adapter for your TV, you need to consider: