The 10 Best Wireless Presentation Systems

Editor's Notes

November 09, 2020:

If you’re seeking a solution for use in a small to mid-sized meeting room, it’s hard to go wrong with the newly added Kramer Via GO2, which helps deliver both high quality mirrored images and video playback. This compact choice is easy to install on the back of a projector or other display device. It's compatible with all major operating systems, and the convenient Do Not Disturb feature prevents accidental screen switching. It allows for up to two presenters at a time, and remote presenters are accommodated as well. Also coming on board is the popular BenQ Instashow, which you can have set up and running in no time, thanks to its simple plug-and-play design that does not require software or an app. It comes with two dongles and 128-bit security protection. These newly added models replace the Crestron Mercury and the Crestron AM-200, neither of which are available at this time.

We’re still partial to the Mersive Solstice Pod Unlimited Enterprise, which supports a wide range of room configurations and is scalable to any number of spaces. As its name implies, it’s enterprise-secure. There’s no limit to the amount of content that can be shared, and it works with both AirPlay and Miracast. It also supports screen key authentication and session moderation, and offers room calendar integration and HTML-based digital signage playback. For another full-featured choice, look to the Barco ClickShare CSE-200, which comes with two dongles, so two presenters can switch back and forth without taking the time to pass one transmitter back and forth and plug it in to different computers. Each features a handy LED indicator light that alerts you when syncing is complete. If you don’t have the need for multiple simultaneous presenters, the Barco ClickShare CS-100 is worth a look. This device still supports eight connected users at a time, and offers a 3.5-mm jack for output.

April 05, 2019:

One of the reasons you won't find many user reviews for wireless presentation systems is that some of the most popular and powerful ones call for at least a little IT knowledge to keep up and running properly. Partially because the field is a little esoteric, those AV professionals aren't quite as inclined to write lengthy paragraphs about their complicated setups as everyday consumers are apt to share about their purchases. Recently, though, upgraded hardware and software, as well as a couple new releases, have made the field considerably easier to navigate. Of course, if you're just working with a small-scale startup and just need easy wireless connectivity, you could always go with Google Chromecast Ultra. It doesn't offer any advanced features, but it's dead simple to use and an outright bargain compared to most. The StarTech WIFI2HDVGA is only a small step up in price, and has functionality more in line with what you'd expect from an entry-level, business-oriented system. The Barco WePresent WICS-2100 is a remarkably powerful device, and if you can find a good deal on it, it may be the way to go, as it allows 32 devices to connect simultaneously, 4 of which can share the screen at once. It's really a very powerful device. For small, but ambitious companies, though, it's hard to top the Black Box Coalesce MPE, which is remarkably easy to work with, even for clients on the other side of the world.

Now, if you really mean business and need something with commercial-grade functionality, you have several great choices. The Polycom Pano is the centerpiece to a vast selection of remote conferencing devices, and it works with a lot of other ecosystems' equipment as well. It's also tightly integrated with many of Microsoft's business-oriented products. Crestron, the developers of the AirMedia 2.0 suite, delivers excellent performance with both the AM-200 and the Mercury, though they're very different beasts. The AM-200 is a powerful central hub that provides a wide variety of features, but it's just one part of what is a somewhat complicated setup if you don't have your own IT department. The Mercury can also benefit from having a talented systems administrator on hand, but the difference is, it's practically a do-it-all videoconferencing device with built-in mirroring as well as unified communications support, although its exceptional versatility does come at a pretty high price. Barco (who also owns WePresent) has a very interesting option in its ClickShare line; whereas most systems rely on the users' devices to make their own individual connections, ClickShare works on a dongle basis. When an executive, coworker, client, or guest comes to your site, simply hand them a dongle, which they plug into a USB port, and they can begin collaborating with minimal delay. A lot of companies find this much easier than coaching new users through even the relatively few steps that other models require. The drawback is you've got to be extra diligent to keep people from walking away with the considerably pricey USB dongle. But if you've made it this far, you deserve to know that quite a few AV professionals testify that the Mersive Solstice Pod Unlimited Enterprise is the best-in-class wireless presentation system. It's full-featured, reliable, offered in a few different configurations to suit your organization's size, and can do just about everything that you'll need in order to present and collaborate clearly and efficiently.