IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA kit extends your monitor sans wires

Wireless VGA? Been there, done that. Wireless USB to VGA? Hello, IOGEAR. Said outfit has just revealed the world's first Wireless USB to VGA kit that enables users to extend or clone their desktop to another monitor sans wires. Certified by the USB-IF, this unit enables any machine with a spare USB port to stream video to a TV or projector with resolutions as high as 720p. So long as your USB dongle is plugged into your machine and the VGA adapter is connected to a display, you'll be good to go within a 30-foot radius. According to IOGEAR, the product is only compatible with Windows XP 32-bit or Vista 32- / 64-bit, but those with no qualms about that can grab one next month for $229.95. Full release after the jump.

Update: IOGEAR pinged us to say that it's still waiting on USB-IF approval, though that should hopefully go down soon.

IOGEAR to Debut Industry-First Wireless USB to VGA Kit that Streams PC Content to An Alternate In-Room Display

Allows users to view spreadsheets and photos wirelessly on a larger screen

Irvine, CA – August 25, 2008 – Consumers who desire a simple way to view content on a bigger screen can now extend or clone their desktop to their HDTV or projector and enjoy increased visibility by utilizing IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA Kit, certified by the USB Implementers Forum. The product is the first of its kind to receive certification in the US, which guarantees that a device is backward- and forward-compliant with previous and future USB technology.

The Wireless USB to VGA Kit provides HD video streaming between a PC and TV or projector up to 720p within a 30-foot in-room range. Users can edit grids and documents, view photos or browse the Internet on their HDTV's big screen, without any cable clutter. Consumers can also utilize a TV's picture-in-picture function to multitask, such as watching a football game while viewing a Fantasy Football grid on the same screen. The Kit consists of one Wireless USB adapter to connect to a laptop or desktop and one wireless VGA adapter to plug into a VGA display.

The product is an ideal solution for surfaces that are difficult to wire, such as marble and fireplaces. By communicating between devices wirelessly and eliminating material waste, the Wireless USB to VGA Kit is an eco-conscious choice for users who want an environmentally-friendly way to streamline entertainment and work spaces.

"At IOGEAR, we strive to bring the most innovative products to market to meet the demands of consumers," said Miranda Su, executive vice president of IOGEAR. "Our new Wireless USB to VGA Kit eliminates the hassle of multiple tangled wires, providing wireless communication between popular home and office devices."

The Wireless USB to VGA Kit is compatible with Windows XP 32-bit (Service Pack 2) or Vista (32-/64-bit) operating systems. The product will be available in September 2008 for $229.95 (MSRP) from all major catalog and online resellers, as well as select retail outlets.

[Brandon @ Aug 25th 2008 12:09AM]

Wouldn't there be a lag between a wired monitor and one hooked up with this dongle?

[Striker @ Aug 25th 2008 12:25AM]

No, you can not. Welcome to Engadget, the comment system is perfect, there are no problems with the system. We have eradicated the problem of double posts...

[Striker @ Aug 25th 2008 12:25AM]

No, you can not. Welcome to Engadget, the comment system is perfect, there are no problems with the system. We have eradicated the problem of double posts...

[Brandon @ Aug 25th 2008 12:30AM]

Os taht means I cna fxi my seplling errorrs otoo?

[Ryan @ Aug 25th 2008 12:49AM]

Why does one post show your avatar and the other one doesnt?

[v3xx @ Aug 25th 2008 1:05AM]

@ ryan

as striker said, welcome to engadget.

[Carl Vitullo @ Aug 25th 2008 2:30AM]

The avatar thing happens occasionally, I think it's cuz of the way submissions are handled.

[CaramelZappa @ Aug 25th 2008 12:14AM]

Is it that hard to just run cable?

[linuxamp @ Aug 25th 2008 12:17AM]

It is that difficult if you're going through a wall.

[Carl Vitullo @ Aug 25th 2008 12:19AM]

This would be convenient for tight spaces or where the cable is too short.
Or if they just wanted to be able to pick up their monitor and take it over to somebody.
Since the mouse, keyboard and monitor are all wireless you could basically pick up your entire computer and move it around the room.

[Brandon @ Aug 25th 2008 12:26AM]

It's hard sometimes but I'll deal with it and spare my wallet.

[dsoli10 @ Aug 25th 2008 12:27AM]

you need power so you cant carry it around the room

[mwanahahahahahhahahha @ Aug 25th 2008 2:19AM]

So plug one of these bad boys into you boss's computer and gather all the info you need to get a raise...

[Carl Vitullo @ Aug 25th 2008 2:31AM]

Oh yeah, tru dat.

Hear that IOGEAR? Battery pack.

[Matt_G @ Aug 25th 2008 12:49PM]

No it's not that hard, but I have been looking for something just like this for my friends coffee shop. We run an open-mic night and display the words to the songs we're singing using powerpoint presentations. We just moved them to a much larger brand new location and where we used to just have a cable run down from a tv and across the stage to a table right in front, that doesn't work well now since the room is so large. It would be great for the person running the slide show to be able to sit wherever they would like and not be tethered to the wall.

Unfortunately this unit is way too cost prohibitive for me but hopefully someone will eventually make a cheaper version which I can get. I've looked into the RF units and they may be worthwhile since they're only around $70.

[Alec @ Aug 25th 2008 12:15AM]

I'd think they could cut it down to a few milliseconds. Probably not something you'd want to use on Counter-Strike, hah.

[Guy @ Aug 25th 2008 12:16AM]

The monitor dongle still requires power from what I can tell in the image, makes sense. I guess it's not really wireless, just wireless in not the way we are used to. :P

[Jake @ Aug 25th 2008 1:47PM]

Still pretty handy say, for a conference room. Leave the receiver permanently plugged into the projector and grab the dongle, plug into laptop et viola!

[Jimi @ Aug 25th 2008 12:25AM]

Brandon,
Not necessarily.

http://www.amimon.com/

Amimin's chipest provides lossless uncompressed (zero latency) video at data rates that can support up to 1080i. Not sure of the data rate but its possible the same approach could be used for VGA over wireless USB.

Jimi

[Alec @ Aug 25th 2008 12:17AM]

Depending on the range... it might be. You also wouldn't have to worry about interferance from power lines and other crap, though with this you have a new set of problems.

[Xtabi15 @ Aug 25th 2008 1:38PM]

And I am sure you have never found it convenient to utilize a wireless network or anything similar ever. ......... I think it is pretty darn cool. Just me though, go ahead and run your cable you little caramelzappa cable runner you!

[Alec @ Aug 25th 2008 12:18AM]

You wouldn't have to worry about interference from electrical sources like fluorescentlights and such... though depending on the actual range you'd probably have a new set of potential problems.

[Shakes @ Aug 25th 2008 12:45AM]

what about for EGA and RGB monitors?

[Striker @ Aug 25th 2008 12:30AM]

I see what you did there...

[Ryan @ Aug 25th 2008 12:31AM]

No there will not be a lag for regular desk top presentation or showing photos. For video yes there will be a lag and doubt 720p will stream smoothly. Normal SD should be fine but will lag behind your computer a little, but will send the feed fast enough to watch, just not to watch a the exact same time as your computer. I have a product by VisionTek called PC2TV http://www.visiontek.com/products/theater/pc2tv.html. Basically a few companies have had PC2TV technology in there hands and just rebagged it. As far as the Iogears technology i don't like the idea i have to stick a USB dongle in my computer vs over a wireless or wired network connection like PC2TV.

[Ryan @ Aug 25th 2008 12:52AM]

Why does one post show your avatar and the other one doesnt?

[rorenn @ Aug 25th 2008 1:18AM]

Man, this would be perfect for those offices that provide a laptop and portable projector for media support. It would make setting up PowerPoint presentations anywhere a snap!

[Jajahame @ Aug 25th 2008 2:00AM]

the lag would still be far less than the lag on Engadget's forums...

[bolezhinkov @ Aug 25th 2008 2:37AM]

eco friendly? "throw out the old cables you use and buy MORE plastic"

give me a break. going green these days isnt about green environment its about green cash.

[ethana2 @ Aug 25th 2008 3:15AM]

Only windows? Deal breaker. If all goes well I'll have a Heron/Leopard dual boot here in a few days, but I hope never to touch windows again.

[dan2600 @ Aug 25th 2008 10:13AM]

whats worse then a anti-PC mac whiner? a mac/Linux whiner! go and write your own damn drivers for it, isn't that what you Linux guys do since your OS is so superior?

and writing 3rd party video related drivers for a mac? might effect OS stability, better wait for the 500-600 dollar apple branded version to come out.

[Dalcébolus @ Aug 25th 2008 11:06AM]

It might 'effect' OS stability... ?
Oh, I see. Something like all icons embossed and all titlebars getting lens flare. Cool!

[David @ Aug 25th 2008 3:32AM]

Still have to run a cord for the sound if you wanted to use this for movies/videos. For 230$ I'd rather just run a 30 foot cable. They go for like 15 bucks on monoprice.

[varvil @ Aug 26th 2008 1:49PM]

This is something I almost missed until I saw your comment. It's a deal breaker for me that there is no sound of any kind integrated into the device. It would, however, be great to see laptop manufacturers and TV manufacturers start to building this technology into their products.

[tom @ Aug 25th 2008 5:11AM]

it's getting closer to my minority report dream where I'm at the computer and I say "computer, main screen" and the image pops up on wall at 100"

[couchpundit @ Aug 25th 2008 7:27AM]

I'm wondering what the implications are for security--is the signal encrypted or otherwise locked to one device? Seems like it would be cool to broadcast to several at the same time. Or just watch your neighbor's pr0n.

[dan2600 @ Aug 25th 2008 10:05AM]

Wouldn't this work better with DVI?

or is the dongle send an anolge VGA single?

if thats the case, isn't there a high probably for single loss? i know VGA singles are very finicky.

[Huy @ Aug 25th 2008 11:00AM]

I like the idea. I use a notebook as my main computer, but sometimes I want to be able to use it with my HDTV. That being said, I sit a good 11' away from it which means that text is nearly unreadable and enlarging text just doesn't work as well as it should. Besides, using a wireless keyboard and mouse is just nowhere near as comfortable as using a touchpad and keyboard which allows you to forgo searching for a surface to use the mouse on. Price is quite steep though.

[dant @ Aug 25th 2008 11:33AM]

It would be a very cool device if it had some remote control fuctionality in it too.