IOGEAR's USB to VGA transmitter gets USB-IF approval, October release

Just in time for CEDIA, IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA Kit has received passing marks from the USB Implementer's Forum, so you can rest assured that the $230 kit will play nicely with any other USB gear you have now or may get in the future. You can expect to see the wireless duo on shelves in October, so Windows XP and Vista users with a free USB port can cut the cord, clean up the rat's nest of cabling and start beaming 720p signals around the living room or conference room -- just mind the 30-foot limit. Full release after the break.

USB Implementers Forum Certifies IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA Kit

IOGEAR to showcase its wireless video streaming solution at CEDIA EXPO

Denver, Colorado -- CEDIA EXPO -- September 3, 2008 -- IOGEAR, a leading connectivity manufacturer, today announced it has achieved Wireless USB certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) for its Wireless USB to VGA Kit. IOGEAR will demonstrate the product in booth #468 at CEDIA EXPO in Denver, Colorado, September 3-6, 2008.

IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA Kit is based on Wireless USB chips from Realtek Semiconductor Corp., and a USB-to-VGA solution from DisplayLink. The product enables data transmission up to 30 feet away between a PC and an in-room
VGA display.

"Among the first vendors to bring certified Wireless USB to end users, we are pleased to see IOGEAR develop another solution that implements such an exciting technology," said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president. "The Wireless USB to VGA Kit will help bridge the gap between the PC and the TV by delivering video content wirelessly to an in-room display."

IOGEAR was one of the first to introduce certified USB 2.0 to consumers in 2001, and was also among the first to ship a certified Wireless USB end-user product, its Wireless USB Hub & Adapter Kit, in 2007. Today's certification of IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA Kit further exemplifies the company's commitment to making new, innovative technologies available to the public.

"IOGEAR's Wireless USB to VGA kit provides consumers with new, flexible and convenient ways of using and sharing multimedia content," said Frederic Battaglia, director of marketing at Realtek Semiconductor Corp. "The product wirelessly connects any PC to a VGA display by leveraging Wireless USB, the standards-based extension of the ubiquitous wired USB connection."

"With this product, IOGEAR takes the performance and simplicity that users associate with wired networked displays and extends them to wireless operation," said Jason Slaughter, director of marketing at DisplayLink. "Consumers can now enhance their multimedia experiences by sharing any PC application with family, friends and co-workers with complete ease-of-use."

"We are excited to introduce another innovative certified Wireless USB solution," said Miranda Su, executive vice president of IOGEAR. "Our Wireless USB to VGA Kit will enable users to eliminate cable clutter in the home or the office, further simplifying complicated set-ups that typically entail multiple wires and connections."

The Wireless USB to VGA Kit will be available in October 2008 for $229.95 (MSRP) from all major catalog and online resellers, as well as select retail outlets.

[Mile @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:50PM]

Looks to me like the same number of cords. The part that plugs into the monitor needs power, as does the monitor itself, so I'm still dealing with two chords going to it. Sure, it doesn't have to reach all the way back to the PC, but no net change in the number.

This posting via Google Chrome which scrolls way too fast but nothing much else is different except things are a bit slower than FireFox.

[andres @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:07PM]

what kind of musical monitor do you plug "chords" into.

[Decoy @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:15PM]

Well, what else do you expect? Batteries?

It so you don't have a cord from a computer in one room to the tv in the other. You likely have a powerstrip that your DVD player etc goes into near your TV, you would use that one.

[Carl Vitullo @ Sep 4th 2008 12:09AM]

Agreed on both counts.
Although I guess the cord doesn't have to be within like 4 fee of the tower, so that's a bit of a plus.
And I hope they add an option to adjust scroll speed.

[who? @ Sep 3rd 2008 9:59PM]

I love the concept, but I wish the part where the USB dongle was thinner. My four-port adapter wasn't cut out for this kind of thing!

[thebigDallas @ Sep 4th 2008 1:16AM]

use an extension

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 2:38AM]

You just had to say it, huh?

JK, but seriously, don't you think that defeats the purpose? I mean, you get this so there is one less cord hooked up to your computer, and then need another cord to hook it up?

After all, I would only use it to sit anywhere with my laptop and still use my external monitor; I don't want to carry around a big long cord with me then!

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 3rd 2008 10:06PM]

At first I thought it was converter for your VGA port to wirelessly connect to the internet. Oh how wrong I was...

[iHoppipolla @ Sep 4th 2008 8:03AM]

Well, that kind of really, really, ridiculously embarassing honesty is sure refreshing.

[iHoppipolla @ Sep 4th 2008 8:06AM]

I should have added a smiley face there toward the end... I've thought goofier things before my coffee.

Like, if I landed on a barren island with nothing but an album of CDs, could I live off them for a while if I broke them into little pieces... And if so, which ones would I eat... first?

[pball_inuyaha @ Sep 3rd 2008 10:29PM]

Good idea, but I'd like to see a DVI one that can do 1600x1200 min. Also maybe DVI to DVI which would be awesome to have you computer farther away from your monitor.

don't take what I'm saying to seriously, just dreaming

[joeroddis @ Sep 4th 2008 8:00AM]

Wireless HDMI is the solution!
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=459782

[jnook @ Sep 3rd 2008 10:46PM]

Bah you guys are being snobs. This is a pretty cool little device. If they added a similar one that could take HDMI out or Component and beam it 720p to a monitor I'd buy it for sure. Can't see why they couldn't.

[Mark @ Sep 4th 2008 1:14AM]

Forget monitors...have any of you ever tried to hook a laptop up to a projector for a presentation? No more "15 foot VGA cable/limbo line of danger" strung across the room.

[Mile @ Sep 4th 2008 6:41AM]

Of course! Great use of this device. Good job, Mark!

[Jim @ Sep 4th 2008 8:13AM]

Does it do audio as well or do you need to find another way of beaming that back to your telly?

[TIm @ Sep 27th 2008 12:38PM]

Wondering about this myself... didnt see it mentioned in the description. Will audio stream with the video wirelessly or additional cables necessary? without audio, no reason for this for me :(

[pfromg @ Sep 4th 2008 9:45AM]

this thing is brilliant for one thing.

in our conference room we have a large plasma TV which we all present our projects on.Everyone sits around the table and demos their stuff from their seat.Each new speaker has to fiddle around with the monitor cables connecting it to their laptop,The monitor cables are often too short and we have to juggle positions. This device would allow us to simply pass the dongle.
For that convenience alone, this thing worth its weight in gold.

For someone sitting at home , I don't see the point.

[petrol42 @ Sep 4th 2008 10:27AM]

Mark: "Forget monitors...have any of you ever tried to hook a laptop up to a projector for a presentation? No more "15 foot VGA cable/limbo line of danger" strung across the room." : Have your A/V guy or yourself tape the cords down with some floor tape such as ones from Shuretape. It's made for this kind of thing and leaves little to no residue.

pfromg: "in our conference room we have a large plasma TV which we all present our projects on.Everyone sits around the table and demos their stuff from their seat.Each new speaker has to fiddle around with the monitor cables connecting it to their laptop,The monitor cables are often too short and we have to juggle positions. This device would allow us to simply pass the dongle.
For that convenience alone, this thing worth its weight in gold." :you need somethig like this http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=sw6vgaaudio&subtype=13. Its a VGA switcher where you could all hook up your computers to it with audio and then all of you could leave your PCs plugged in and just hit a button on the switcher. There are cheaper alternatives to Extron because Extron stuff is expensive. If you're in Southern California, send me an email if you want some better soulutions for your meeting room or meetings outside of your office. [e-mail]

[pfromg @ Sep 4th 2008 9:50AM]

arrg , no mac support !

[scjessey @ Sep 4th 2008 12:34PM]

720p? Are we still in 2006?

[Josh @ Sep 4th 2008 1:07PM]

Like with those glasses on you can tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. You just wanna gripe about something.

[chris @ Sep 11th 2008 2:27PM]

Anybody know if these things can be chained for a single source to multiple monitors? to replicate the presentation on other monitors wirelessly?

CA