Netgear Push2TV PTV3000

Netgear Push2TV PTV3000

The Netgear Push2TV wireless display adaptor supports both Miracast and Intel's proprietary WiDi wireless display technologies.

The device resembles a set-top box shrunk to the dimensions of a matchbox. It is extremely light and fits easily in a pocket.

A small LED light at the front blinks when the Push2TV adaptor is booting up and glows steadily when it is ready to be paired with a source device.

Netgear includes a three-pin power adaptor which plugs into an electrical outlet. Although the Push2TV can be powered by a USB port of the sort found on most TVs these days, the three-pin power adaptor comes in handy when there is no available USB port.

On its left side is a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button which can be used to upgrade the firmware. Hold it down for at least five seconds to start the upgrade process, which requires a PC. The instructions on Netgear's website are clear and easy to follow.

When the Push2TV is plugged into the TV, useful quick-start tips are displayed on the screen. Connecting to a Miracast-ready Nexus 5 device took only a few seconds. If you are using a Windows 8.1 device, you will need to enter a PIN for the pairing to proceed.

Streaming a 720p video from the Nexus 5 to the TV via the Push2TV adaptor was generally smooth. But streaming a 1,080p resolution video is not recommended. Lag was significant and so was audio stutter.

When streaming a high-definition YouTube video with the Nexus 5, quality was passable. However, when doing the same using a Dell Venue Pro 11 Windows tablet, there was so much lag that the video was unwatchable.

As this dongle costs $129, I was disappointed that Netgear did not throw in a HDMI cable. You will have to scrounge one from a friend and connect the Push2TV to a spare HDMI port.

TECH SPECS

Price: $129

RATING

Features: 4

Performance: 3

Value for money: 3

Overall: 3


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