Vizio Wireless HD Kit

When you order an M14x or ask for it on the M17 or M18, you can order an optional Vizio Wireless HD kit. You can currently order this product from dell as part of a package deal or you can buy it from Amazon. You can buy the chip installed on your machine for @ 100 dollars US.

I recieved my Vizio Wireless HD kit well ahead of my machine and have been playing around with it and just wanted to drop a few notes for those who might be looking into and provide you with one nerds opinion.

Its a pretty sleek looking device. You get a reciever and a transmitter, each has its own power cord and its a semi big plug which makes it inconvient to plug in a power strip, I suggest you save it for the end. It comes with a set of hdmi cables, each end has a L bend on the end of it, so it can look semi flush and not stick up too much out of the triangle brick. The bricks themselves remind me of a very large glossy black toblerones.

I got mine in a very plain brown cardboard box, you should note that the Serial Number is on the box, and not the on the black boxes, in case you want to write that down in case you need to contact vizio or for security/insurance reasons etc.

The transmitter had four in slots for hdmi in, and you get a remote so you can switch which input to currently use. The remote also has a power button to turn off the reciever.

I must admit I did something quite foolish when trying to set it up, I couldnt get it to display my pc via the hdmi out, turns out you need to set your screen resolution to something that your tv is capable of displaying.

I played a movie and a game it played pretty extremely well, no latency or lag, it was pretty much a 1 for 1 unlike the widi set ups I have seen. It seems like a pretty nice tech.

Pros:
-Sleek Design
-Small
-Multiple Inputs for Various HDMI sources
-Works well, not any real latency that I was able to see or drop out

Cons:
-Price, I am sure as more Wireless HD devices come out, the price will drop
-Range, it must be in the same room and the two blocks need to somewhat face each other


Just a reminder: Your output resolution is limited by your tv and what it can display, so if your tv cannot display higher then 1080, your screen needs to put out 1024 x 768 for example, Anything higher my tv got a black screen and couldnt display, so make sure you know how high of resolution you can push.

I would recommend you hold off on buying the kit unless you can get a very good deal. I would say if you want to do wireless hd, make sure to at least get the chip installed via dell. While the kit is extremely nice, its price is a bit steep and unless you really really need this or have good plans for this, a long hdmi cable can do exactly the same thing, some would say even better, you just have a long cable floating around. I got it because I have a 2 year old who loves to grab cables and having one running from my computer to the tv would be an invite to her to yank on it. I am personally torn on saying hold off, because the more people pick up on it, the more accepted it becomes and more widely accepted the faster it will allow competitors to make lower priced alternatives. However if the price was closer to $120 to 100 bucks, it would be perfect. The nice thing with the transmitter is it will allow you to set up a station for most of your hdmi devices away from your tv, and would be ideal for wall mounting a flat screen without having to run alot of cables.

If you have any questions feel free to ask, I will try to answer them if I can.

 

Do you know if you can buy the chip that you would have had installed in the machine when customising the M14x ? Here in the UK we dont have the option and i really want to install this chip myself in the UK

 

I have no clue on that, all I can tell you is what my order form for the machine says;

430-4103 Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter

I would think you would need to contact Dell to see if you could possibly order the part number. I wouldnt know if you can get it direct from the manufacturer, the last I heard was that it was a sibeam chip and sibeam had been bought out by someone else. If get any new information I will try to pass it on.

 

thats great thanks for that part number

 

System: "Thanks for choosing Chat to assist you in making your purchase on Dell.com. An Alienware representative will be with you shortly."
05/04/2011 03:05:41PM System: "We apologize for the delay. Due to high demand, we are experiencing slightly longer wait times. An Alienware representative will be with you as soon as possible."
05/04/2011 03:05:43PM Session Started with Agent (Rhonel G)
05/04/2011 03:05:53PM Jon: "hello"
05/04/2011 03:05:54PM Agent (Rhonel G): "how can I help you?"
05/04/2011 03:06:06PM Jon: "i bought a laptop without wireless hd"
05/04/2011 03:06:13PM Jon: "can i buy the transmitter of you"
05/04/2011 03:06:15PM Jon: "430-4103 Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter"
05/04/2011 03:06:19PM Jon: "thats the part number"
05/04/2011 03:07:09PM Agent (Rhonel G): "I am glad that you chatted in today, I will be more than happy to help you, is that the push2tv device?"
05/04/2011 03:07:33PM Jon: "its the Vizio wireless HD kit"
05/04/2011 03:07:49PM Jon: "you have the option to upgrade it on the customisation"
05/04/2011 03:08:34PM Jon: "if you like i can link you to the page where you can see the customisation tab ?"
05/04/2011 03:08:54PM Agent (Rhonel G): "I see is it"
05/04/2011 03:08:57PM Agent (Rhonel G): "http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=us&l=en&cs=19&k=Vizio+wireless+HD+kit&cat=all"
05/04/2011 03:10:12PM Jon: "yes thats it"
05/04/2011 03:10:13PM Jon: "but"
05/04/2011 03:10:25PM Jon: "your alienware laptops come with an internal chip"
05/04/2011 03:10:32PM Jon: "instead of having the transmitter"
05/04/2011 03:10:37PM Jon: "one sec i will link you"
05/04/2011 03:10:49PM Agent (Rhonel G): "that's correct same as some of the XPS"
05/04/2011 03:11:49PM Jon: "yes"
05/04/2011 03:12:01PM Jon: "i want to buy the chip to go inside the laptop"
05/04/2011 03:12:06PM Jon: "and the receiver"
05/04/2011 03:12:51PM Agent (Rhonel G): "let me check if I can get us the internal chip, one moment please"
05/04/2011 03:12:56PM Jon: "WirelessHD allows gaming & media play back with uncompressed, Full HD resolutions, latency under 10ms, and the same frame rate & picture quality as a wired connection.
None
Internal WirelessHD Transmitter

Internal WirelessHD Technology - FullHD"
&nbsp Video Transmitter [Add $99.00 or $3.00/month1]
WirelessHD Experience Bundle

VIZIO XWH200 Universal Wireless HD Video and Audio Kit with Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter [Add $288.99 or $9.00/month1]
Convert your entire A/V setup with WirelessHD
&nbsp technology!
05/04/2011 03:15:49PM Agent (Rhonel G): "I apologize for the wait, just double checked, we can only get the chip at point of sale , im sorry"
05/04/2011 03:16:02PM Jon: "oh right ok"
05/04/2011 03:16:32PM Jon: "and is there anyway to find out where dell acquires these chips ?"
05/04/2011 03:17:58PM Agent (Rhonel G): "you can try calling Vizios support for the chips, all we got here are dell branded chips"
05/04/2011 03:18:49PM Jon: "so dell make these chips ?"
05/04/2011 03:19:01PM Jon: "nothing to do with vizio ?"
05/04/2011 03:20:41PM Agent (Rhonel G): "yes we do make them integrated with the board,"
05/04/2011 03:21:22PM Jon: "i noticed the m14x and m17x and even the new m18x has it"
05/04/2011 03:21:33PM Jon: "will the chips all be located under the keyboard ?"
05/04/2011 03:21:54PM Jon: "i have sent an email to the engineering team some time ago and havent heard back"
05/04/2011 03:22:37PM Agent (Rhonel G): "that were really not sure, haven't tear down one yet, but you can call or chat with tech support for the info, sorry. want me to get you to tech support?"
05/04/2011 03:23:08PM Jon: "will it be on chat or call ?"
05/04/2011 03:23:34PM Agent (Rhonel G): "its still gonna be chat support"
05/04/2011 03:23:54PM Jon: "that would be great then if you dont mind"
05/04/2011 03:23:57PM Jon: "thanks"
05/04/2011 03:24:19PM Agent (Rhonel G): "Welcome. please stay connected, ill get you to them"
05/04/2011 03:24:35PM Jon: "ok thanks Rhonel, very good rep"
05/04/2011 03:24:38PM Jon: " "
05/04/2011 03:26:05PM Session Ended

Could some one with a US service tag go to the support dell chat and ask the question about if i can fit the chip myself and where it is located (under the keyboard it appears) ?

 

America use different voltage. On top of all these hassles maybe you should give up on this idea.

HDMI cable on amazon is cheap.

 

see even as american who initially turned down the wirless hd option, I would have liked to hVe yhe ability to manually install the card on my m14x personally

 

Might want to order it from Dell if its available in the config options or check with a rep on adding it. This may end up like the 11x Mobile Broadband situation - meaning, if you don't order the card from Dell, the antenna may not be included in the base configuration. Same case for 17xR3 and 18x folks...

 

So what does the internal transmitter chip actually do for you? I was under the impression earlier that it eliminated the need to use a third party transmitter (you'd just need the Vizio receiver for example), but apparently that is wrong.

Will the Vizio (or other third party) kit only work with the laptop if you have the internal card? If you have the internal card and a TV which has a built-in WiHD receiver, do you need the kit?

 

basicly if you got the vizio kit ( transmitter , receiver ) and connected to your laptop it would work

but if you have the wireless HD chip this replaces the vizio transmitter so you just need the vizio receiver

 

That's what I thought, but the OP confused me since I got the impression that he had both the chip and the Vizio kit and was using both the Vizio reciever and transmitter.

 

ah right i see

So by the looks of things i may not be able to get an internal chip.

So how big is the transmitter of the vizio kit ?
does it need external power or does it take the power from the laptop ?
Does it connect to the laptop via USB or HDMI ?

sry many questions

 

Jesus man, how about looking here, first.

 

Just thought it would be nice to have like an in-depth review from some one that owns it rather than marketing details and opinions on this thread, but agreed i can look on google so you dont have to answer those questions if you dont want but i thought it would be great to get a discussion going

 

I'm assuming you could play ordinary family photos on the TV as well.

If someone walks between the PC and the receiver, does it cut out? (you mentioned a clear line of sight)

 

When I spoke to vizio they said you could be many rooms apart and still transmit to a tv and it is not line of sight that is needed... Maybe I was lied to lol

 

You get the kit ( reciever/transmitter ), and the chip installed when you buy the kit together as part of the deal. I havent gotten the 14x yet, but I did get the kit. So I have been using my Alienware M11x and my older XPS.

When I get the machine, I will post some updated info about it performs just on the chip to reciever. Right now I am just using the transmitter that ships as part of the kit via a hdmi cable into it and throwing the signal across the room to my big tv.

Sorry for the confusion.

If you didnt care about hooking up other hdmi devices up, you could probably just stick the reciever on your tv and use the chip in the laptop. I however like having an extra transmitter. I am gonna stick my Ipad on it as well and throw the signal up on the tv so my little girl can see her kids apps in large screen form.

Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 2.6 x 9.8 inches ; 8 ounces from Amazon.com

This is the exact kit you get; Vizio XWH200

It runs on external power.

Via HDMI

Yes it mirrors you computer screen exactly as far I have seen. From programs to web pages to you tube pages. Its like having a hdmi cable hooked up, just wireless.

You can walk between them, but I would not advise having anything obstructing its view or putting in a metal case. You want to have a clear strong signal to the box. A person standing in front of you might give you some trouble, however I didnt notice any lag or latency issues with my wife walking in front of me a few times.

LOL, it depends on how the rooms are set up, it says the signal is good for up to 30 feet ( non line of sight ) and 65 feet ( LoS ). I would urge people interested in it to check out their webpage for it and watch the video. I however have my doubts about its range, I would keep it in one room and not try to shoot it through walls or across multiple rooms.

 

Do you really need the HD version of the wifi kit?

My M14x came with the Intel wireless display thingy already installed meaning that I would only need to buy a receiver for the telly (seems to be about £60 according to google).

No idea how well it works though, doubt it would be suitable for hi res gaming but depends what you need it for I spose.

 

WiDi has very bad latency ( Lag )

Wireless HD does not

 

For folks who have their systems already, in Windows, where does it show that they have this installed on your machine? Since I don't have a receiver (or TV!) yet, I just wanted to confirm they installed the transmitter.

 

So since this is based on a standard, any receiving device on this page should work:

WirelessHD Product Listing | WirelessHD, LLC.

Including some big TVs so if you are in the market for a new HDTV it might be something to check out. The less devices hanging off other devices the better in my book.

 

I agree, you do not need the vizio boxes to recieve the signal, Dell is just selling them as part of their package. You do need something to recieve th signal though and more devices are bound to com out as well as seeing this built into tvs themselves.

 

Thought I had read that someone else as well. My plan is to get the adapter installed so that it is there, and then look at other setups that fit into my price range.

Good info.

 

So I am perfectly clear, if you get the $99 chip installed and assuming your TV has WirelessHD built-in or you have a compatible WirelessHD receiver attached to the TV, you do not need any kind of external transmitter attached to the laptop? For example, if I bought the internal chip AND the Vizio kit then I'd only need to use the receiver out of the Vizio kit (since my laptop has an internal transmitter)?

Thanks.

 

yes thats correct

 

I find it outrageous that it can't just be added later. This "available only at the point of sale" thing is also ridiculous, as clearly it is a separate card and not integrated into the mobo.

 

I know its not the solution you want, but an HDMI cable costs $30 or $40 instead of $200 to $300, is available in a variety of stores in all (or most) countries, has no lag, and doesn't have to be installed inside your computer.

This wireless HD kit is just as much a waste of money as a 3GB GT 555m graphics card. Both of them are expensive, and both of them offer no benefit over their less expensive counterparts except in very particular circumstances that most people will never find themselves in.

 

So has anyone figured out what this mysterious part looks like and where and how its installed in the M14x? TIA, I'm looking forward to having a giant 55" monitor hooked up wirelessly.

 

its under the battery, there's a slot there with 2 antennas coming from it

 

Why would you pay $30-40 for an HDMI cable? You shouldn't need to pay any more than around $20 for any HDMI cable up to 25 feet, and only a few dollars for anything under 10 feet.

 

Can someone with experience with this wireless kit share their opinion of how well it works? TIA.

 

i just got the kit in the mail today and done messing with it

my overall exp with it is great !!! once its up and runing everything is smooth no lag... i played Socom with the thing connected and NO LAG AT ALL .. did i said no LAG ?

well cant wait to try it with the M14x

 

I have the transmitter from config, but I think I'm still going to buy a kit, for the sole reason of being able to use it with other devices. It'll be nice finally not needing the PS3 RIGHT next to the TV and even more importantly, to the projector.

 

OK so for some reason after reading this i'm still confused a little lol.

Can I buy the chip from SiBeam visio chip from dell and install it myself?

If it needs an antenna (Like the wifi card) can I just install the antenna myself?

I know the antennas extends all the way into the display but I don't mind opening it up.

 

i also want to know this ! this is a question that needs answering lol