Having done some research into casting under Windows recently (it’s improving a lot in Windows 10 – read more here) I was interested to read about the new Lenovo Cast product. According to the spec sheet (below) it’s just a DLNA and Miracast unit which is a flexible choice for Windows 8 users but as a heavy Amazon Fire TV user I know that on-stick apps/streaming and a remote control can be easier in many cases. There’s DIAL too. Windows 10 supports this remote-app startup protocol so why doesn’t the Lenovo Cast have Lenovo apps (or Windows 10 IoT + apps?
Lenovo Cast. $50 DNLA + Miracast ‘puck’
Lenovo Cast specifications:
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4 Gha and 5 Ghz (2*2, 300 Mbps max)
- HDMI 1x micro HDMI (female), HDMI 1.3
- USB 1x micro USB (female)
- Response Time: Latency< 200 ms
- HDCP HDCP:2.0
- HDMI-CEC: Yes (equipment control over HDMI)
- Resolution: Up to 1080p
- Miracast Support: Yes (version not given. There’s no mention of Intel WiDi)
- DLNA Support: Local Video/Picture/Audio and DLNA enabled 3rd party video app
- Power Input: DC 5V 1A~2A (request)
- Power Consumption: < 500 mA
- Weight: 50g
- Dimensions: Diameter: 70 mm (2.76 in.)
- Height: 15 mm (0.59 in.)
- Max Distance: 2.4G 5m when on 1080p display(max) 5G 15m when on 1080p display(max)
- Accessories Included: USB Cable: 1M, USB to micro USB (male) (No PSU is mentioned)
- HDMI Cable: 1M, HDMI cable male to micro (male)
- Bracket: Support’s Lenovo Cast on back of TV
The Verge have reported support for ‘Google Cast standard for Android and Chrome’ but I’m not quite sure what that means because there aren’t any streaming apps running on the device itself.
It seems to me that we should be waiting for Q3/Q4 for new casting soltuions for Windows 10 and my money is on a Microsoft product that will do it right. It would be the perfect showcase for Windows 10 IoT and DIAL. Before that arrives though we should wait for Google I/O which starts today because there’s certainly room for improvement with Chromecast and some are predicting that Google will announce a new one at the event. We’ll be tracking it so drop back to UMPCPortal again soon.
Specs via Lenovo PDF. (Now unavailable.)
I am always interested in a WIDI hardware because of the power they give to us and so I have not bothered with either Amazon FireTV stick or the Google Chrome stick. They will play what they are supposed to play but not beyond that. Even a couple of other Google TV devices from Logitech and Sony are proving to be too limiting for me and will be shown the (Ebay) door in a few weeks.
I use a solution (Win 8 laptop/ActionTec ScreenBeam) to play anything I want–and that means playing anything off network hard drives (such as ripped DVDs) even when there is no internet connection. And it is a joy to have the laptop in the Stand mode while using touch screen for interaction!
I am going to wait for something better (even better than the ActionTec device) till the end of the year and Windows 10 to sort of ‘finalize’ my home entertainment options in the three rooms where we have TVs. The best option for me would be a cheap Win 8 tablet (hoping that the ordered Chuwi Vi8 will do) using WIDI. And it may even be not too expensive: One tablet controlling a few $40 ActionTec (or similar WIDI hardware) in all three rooms.
Thanks Chippy.
Chippy, I saw your post on improved screen mirroring with Windows 10 and the Actiontec device. Is there also noticeable improvement when you use Windows 10 and the Fire TV stick? Your original report on the Fire TV stick left me disappointed…I had been thinking of buying one primarily for mirroring. Have you tried it with Windows 10 yet?
No I haven’t tried it with Fire yet. I’m just heading into the Computex show (virtually) but I’ll try and remember to do this…if the family let me have it back!
Chippy,
Here is a link to a YouTube video I just made using Chuwi Vi8 and WIDI:
https://youtu.be/kBtWQ-TFMOo
I think Chuwi Vi8 is a great UMPC!!
Thanks.