ASUS WAVI - From PC to HDTV
ASUS has launched and released what they are calling the world’s first wireless HDMI extender kit. What this is designed to do is take an existing audio video signal from your PC computer, and play on your HDMI-powered big-screen TV… Wirelessly. The Wireless Audio Video Interaction system – or WAVI – is designed not only to play your audio video content remotely, but via a two-way wireless USB, the WAVI will allow you to sit in your living room and control your PC as you pick the best video to show the family.
The ASUS WAVI consists of a Transmitter and a Receiver.
You can connect a standard USB mouse and keyboard to the Receiver to control the PC content. ASUS says the range of the WAVI is around 25-meters and users can work on the computer simultaneously as content is playing in Family Room. The WAVI supports 1080p video resolution and can also stream 24Hz 3D content.
This isn’t the first “Media Extender” we have seen in LR Bunker, but it is the first device to have a relative simple approach to content sharing and control. Consider the WAVI like an extended wireless monitor that you connect to your PC or laptop. Through the host PC’s USB- and HDMI-connectors the system is designed to be robust enough to view and listen to any and all media content that your PC can play remotely. The reported range is 25-feet with latency next to nothing (<1ms) so you can technically play PC video games from your couch.
ASUS WAVI Key Specifications:
- Wireless Technology: WHDI Technology
- Antenna: 4 x 5 MIMO
- Operation Channel: 5 GHz
- Power Supply: Transmitter and Receiver: 12V, 2A 24W adapters
- Power Consumption: 24W
- Resolution support: TV:1080P, 1080i , 720p, 576p, 480p, 3D Videos: 1080p@24HZ
- Dimensions: 241 x 171 x 29 mm
- Accessories: AC adapter x2, HDMI cable x2, USB cable(for PC connection) x1
ASUS WAVI - Real World Tests
The first thing we noticed is that the WAVI acts just like an extended monitor in that we needed to adjust the resolution of the PC so that it would look good on the TV. This was easy. More complicated was the adjustment to broadcast sound through our HDMI so that the WAVI receiver could have sound. After a few attempts of poking around in our sound preferences, we were up and running.
We started with our WAVI receiver and transmitter about 30 feet away from each other. Our picture quality wasn’t the sharpest and there were certainly the remnants of noise in the picture.
When we closed the gap in distance, we saw a dramatic increase in picture quality so it was obvious that we were a bit too far away when we first started.
When we plugged in our ‘generic’ USB keyboard from Dell, we were hoping to now control the PC from our HDTV. The generic Dell keyboard didn’t work. Next we tried our ‘generic’ USB mouse (again from Dell). Again, we had no luck. Neither the lights on the mouse nor the keyboard ever came on.
We then tried a Logitech G3 Laser Mouse but still no luck. We couldn’t control the PC from the WAVI receiver box. The sound and picture were good, but we were forced to get up every time we wanted to play or display something different.
When we went over to Hulu.com on our PC to try out some television shows, the WAVI worked as designed. We not only saw the picture, but the high-quality feeds from Hulu and other streaming media sites came across very clear. Only occasionally did we see any signs of buffering or pixilation.
ASUS didn't immediately have pricing information for us since we only had a "preview" version, but technology like this isn't cheap and if they get the bugs worked out in the USB "extension", this should make a great addition to a home theater looking for a simple and straightforward way of extending their PC content.
Legit Bottom Line:
We love what ASUS is trying to do with the WAVI (Wireless Audio Video Interaction) but this early execution misses the mark. While the WAVI’s primary goal of displaying your PC’s audio/video content remotely worked adequately, remote control of our PC through USB on our "pre-production" unit just didn't work.
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