You might remember our review of the original Iogear GUWAVKIT some time back. You might also remember some of the gripes we had about the product. Well, it looks like the folks at Iogear are giving this product another shot with an aptly named successor. Does the newer Iogear Wireless HD Computer to TV Kit (GUWAVKIT2) address some of the complaints that we had about its predecessor? What new features and functions does it bring to the table? Is it something that you should consider adding to your home theater arrangement? Let’s dive in and find out.
Features at a Glance
Just like the first GUWAVKIT, the second-generation GUWAVKIT2 is designed to give you a wireless connection between your computer and your home theater. The idea is that you can “enjoy your computer content on a big screen without cables stretching across the room.”
Easily one of the most notable upgrades on this unit is the inclusion of an HDMI port. That makes a connection to an HDTV so much easier; the VGA port and 3.5mm stereo jack are still there if you’d prefer to take that route. The GUWAVKIT2 also supports up to 720p streaming HD video (like what you’d record with a Flip UltraHD) across the “very latest Ultra-WideBand (UWB) Wireless USB technology.”
This is a line of sight product, so don’t expect the desktop in the office to properly communicate with the TV in the living room. When there is an unobstructed view, Iogear claims this kit gives you a range of up to 30 feet.
MSRP of the kit used to set you back about approximately $149 US. But street pricing has it for as low as $100 US at some major retailers. The questions is, will it be worth the price of admission?
What’s in the Box?
The box itself has taken on a much more sensible form factor than the predecessor, making it easier to access the various items contained inside. The package contents have also been vastly streamlined, as you no longer require separate audio and video receivers.
Instead, you get a unified wireless A/V receiver. This consists of a small A/V base and a flash drive-sized device adapter. This allows you to mount the device adapter perpendicular or parallel to the base, in case you want to do some wall mounting. Beyond the A/V receiver, you get a wireless USB transmitter, a power adapter for the A/V receiver, a quick start guide, a warranty card, and an installation CD.
Want the connection to your home theater? You’ll need to supply that on your own. This time around, Iogear isn’t supplying any of the cables, so you’ll need to grab your own HDMI cable (or VGA cable and stereo cable). This is an added expense that you’ll need to keep in mind and quickly adds up on top of the $100 US starting price of the kit itself.
Setup and Configuration
The setup process effectively consists of three major steps. First, you’ll want to install the software on the included CD. If you happen to have one of those thin-and-light notebooks with no optical drive, you can also download the software from the Iogear website. Run through the wizard and follow the basic instructions.
Second, it will ask you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. After your computer comes back, you can then insert the wireless USB transmitter. This should automatically get Windows to install the appropriate drivers. At this point, the wireless USB icon in your system tray should turn from grey to red.
Third, you can connect the wireless A/V receiver to your home theater via HDMI (or VGA + audio). Connect the power cable and the wireless transmitter should be able to detect the receiver. Ideally, this is when everything starts up and what you see on your computer should be mirrored on your HDTV.