Bought this after much time spent searching for a simple solution to play media content from my PC on my big screen. I've thought about buying extenders such as the VeeBeam, which can also be used to clone the computer's display onto the big screen. The VeeBeam also has a "play to" feature by which one could send/play a video to the TV while using the computer's display for other tasks. The VeeBeam can also do HD resolutions, if their HD model is used.
That being said, the McTivia is a great concept, and works quite well, but has two fatal flaws. One is that it can not do full 1080p HD. The website mentions 720p but the max resolution it can use is 1280 x 720, which for me is "HD lite". Not bad, and better than DVD quality, which may be fine for most people.
The other flaw is the lack of a "play to" feature as found in the VeeBeam. In my case I have one PC, that does duty as a family PC and as a media source to stream stuff to my TV. I use DLNA to stream videos to my TV and am able to use the PC for other things at the same time. So my kids could be watching a movie while I'm checking emails.
Where I had envisioned using the MctTivia was to send content to my 2nd TV which is not DLNA capable. I can't use a VeeBeam as it requires line of sight between transmitter and receiver and has very limited range (this is its fatal flaw, imo).
The McTivia does not require line of sight as it works via ethernet or wi-fi and so would have been ideal if it had the "play to" feature and also was 1080p capable. That the McTivia does not require line of sight is a fantastic feature that distinguishes it from the rest of the media extender crowd.
Awind Mctivia
Pros:
+ No line of sight required (allows flexibility)
Cons:
Only does 720p not the full 1080p that the Vee Beam does.
No "play to" feature (just cloning whats on the PC monitor is on the TV thus you can't use the
PC for anything else while watching a video for example))
lag between PC and TV. In my case a couple of seconds.
VeeBeam
Pros:
+ Capable of 1080p
+ has play to feature (can surf, email, etc.on the PC monitor, while playing a video on the TV)
Cons:
Requires line of sight between transmitter and receiver (limits placement of TV and PC) biggest
drawback of this unit.
Awind, we want a Mctivia that can do 1080p HD and also a "play to" feature for maximum flexbility. Are you listening?
Over the years there have been a lot of devices that try to stream your content to your TV. Most, if not all, require extra wires and hookups. I have a laptop and I usually find myself plugging an HDMI cable into it and then into my TV to watch my content or use it as a monitor. It always sat on the floor or was shoved into a shelving space to sit. I needed something where I could just leave my laptop somewhere and not have to bring it back and forth. This is exactly what I was looking for. Set up does require some time to tinker with but works really well overall. There is a usb port on the back that allows me to hook up a mouse and keyboard that I can leave near my TV whenever I need to show off a few thing on the big screen. I've noticed that a wired connection is better for streaming full 1080p content but 720p works just fine over wifi. I'm enjoying the product so far, no real big complaints aside from the set up process.
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Even on an iMac with a 24" screen, my visually-impaired husband finds it difficult to view Web video, the only way that he's been able to see some of his favorite news shows since we don't subscribe to cable these days.
Now he can see clips on our 32" HDTV, as well as series episodes not available via Netflix or Hulu, that are elsewhere on the Web.
Setup is easier when you know that the network config on the Web management page won't show the actual IP. You can see the IP on the TV screen.
Though the McTivia can host a wireless network, we get better speed using our own router (Airport Extreme), which is connected to the McTivia via cable. The iMac connects to its usual wireless network, and we're good to go.
With the latest version of Snow Leopard (10.6.8), before I upgraded to the latest version of Soundflower (the MccTivia app is packaged with an old version), the sound output from the TV occasionally lost itself. So if you're on a Mac and having sound problems, make sure you upgrade to the latest Soundflower.
We are only using for TV/movies, but there is definitely a lag between the PC and TV video streams, so I would plan on using a keyboard/mouse connected to the McTivia if you are doing gaming with it.
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I ordered many products but this is the best. I didn't have any problem with setup. I put the disk in, it told me what to do and all is well. I don't know if others followed the directions step by step, but I did, and didn't have any problems. The only thing I wish for this is that it was 1080p and I also wish you could minimize whatever you were watching and be able to use your computer while streaming video.
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I have spent a bit of time researching for a product that would simply allow me to put my content from my computer to my TV. I decided to try the McTivia. This product is amazing. After I spent about 25 minutes setting up the McTivia, I was good to go. I initially set up my laptop on the McTivia. With no line of site being requited, my laptop was upstairs in my office and I could control it on my big screen HDTV downstairs, which I did with a wireless keyboard and mouse all in one. It worked flawlessly.
I tested everything. I showed pictures from my Ireland trip, played itunes, played internet radio, worked on an excel spreadsheet, played videos, posted on Facebook and I even watched TV shows from the internet and now I am thinking that I don't even need cable anymorewhat a savings that will be.
To continue on, we added my husband's 2 computers, as well as my daughter's MAC. We have room for 4 more as it works with up to 8 computers!
The unit is small and sleek so it doesn't even take up any room.
I told my boss about this product, and now we have one in the office which is perfect for presentations.
In my research I read that this product won the MACWORLD Best of Show, I now see why. The McTivia is an amazing product that I highly recommend.
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