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The PeerAir Pro is a wireless HDMI screen mirroring system that is designed to transmit high-resolution signals from an HDMI source to a nearby display to avoid the extra cost and hassle of laying – and hiding – long cables in a professional environment. Peerless is a respected manufacturer of mounts in the AV industry, but with more than 40 other competitors on the market, which one is right for your huddle spaces and collaboration rooms?
The PeerAir system has both a transmitter and receiver that enables you to connect to any HDMI source and transmit to one or more displays. Like the BenQ InstaShow, it doesn’t require any proprietary software or drivers, and it can connect to a media player, digital signage device, or camera. This separates it from other wireless presentation systems such as Barco ClickShare and AirTame, as both of these only connect to computers and mobile devices – and can require running a proprietary app. Based on the market data from Futuresource consulting, we will look at popular models sold worldwide that compete with the PeerAir Pro for commercial applications such as meeting rooms.We will evaluate:
According to Futuresource , the BenQ InstaShow is the #2 selling wireless presentation system in Europe under $1000, second only to the Barco ClickShare. It uses a button architecture that enables users to plug in a button and start presenting in seconds. Both BenQ InstaShow models come with two buttons and a tabletop button holder, with the InstaShow S having more advanced features and higher 4K resolution.
The Barco ClickShare platform uses a button system similar to the BenQ InstaShow but typically requires the ClickShare app to be loaded on the presenter’s computer. The ClickShare CS-100 supports 1080p output and comes with one button, while the CS-200+ comes with two buttons and more advanced features with higher 4K resolution.
The BenQ InstaShow uses a standard HDMI or USB-C buttons that can connect to Windows, Mac, and even Chromebooks. But because it doesn’t require any software – and supports HDCP, it can also connect to hundreds of types of HDMI 1.4 devices such as document cameras, digital media players, and even gaming consoles. For laboratory and engineering work, the InstaShow will connect to development boards such as a Raspberry Pi, and industrial equipment that outputs standard HDMI signals, such as a spectrum analyzer. For mobile devices and tablets, the InstaShow can connect using an HDMI or USB-C button connection, while the InstaShow S can also support streaming from mobile devices via Airplay, Miracast, or the InstaShare app loaded on the iOS or Android phones and tablets.
Like the InstaShow, the PeerAir Pro can support native HDMI sources and has support for HDCP (1.3) copy protection. The transmitter itself is large enough to support three different sources (connected via cable) as well as analog sources such as composite or VGA signals, which is a unique feature. It does not have any USB-C options or mobile device wireless streaming support. It can wirelessly broadcast IR control signals if needed and one transmitter can support up to six different receivers – which is ideal for signage, but may not be that relevant in a conference room.
Typically, the ClickShare application must be running on the device to connect to the ClickShare receiver. The ClickShare platform offers applications for Windows, Mac OS computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices. There is no support for Chromebook devices or other Linux development boards, such as a Beagle Board. There is also currently no support for devices such as Blu-Ray player or document cameras.
The BenQ InstaShow was designed for meeting room security and had many built-in features that are attractive to IT managers looking to keep content confidential. First, the InstaShow transmitter button uses advanced 128-bit encryption to protect the content from being recorded or seen by a third party when sent wirelessly to the receiver host. Because it uses its private network, the whole system can be operated independently of the corporate network, to avoid employees “snooping” on a presentation sent over the LAN, making it ideal for high-security environments. Cybersecurity expert Ken Buckler did a detailed analysis of the InstaShow concluding that the product was “Security done Right.” You can download a detailed security white paper for your evaluation of the InstaShow here .
While the PeerAir Pro system has advantages of being able to transmit to more than one receiver using multicasting, but the company website does not provide documentation any on any encryption or other security protections are there to protect the content similar to what is found on the BenQ and Barco units.
Like the InstaShow, the ClickShare platform is easy to set up as it enables IT managers can deploy the units without having to connect to the network. The receiver connects to power and HDMI port on display, and the CS-200+ has an additional USB touchback cable to enable direct control over Windows notebooks. The biggest setup difference is that the ClickShare receiver cannot be mounted on the ceiling. Given that the many meeting rooms that use projectors are ceiling mounted, this could create more expensive and difficult installations that require routing a cable through walls and ceilings to reach the projector. Besides, the company may need to deploy the app to its employees to enable the meetings to run faster.
The InstaShow does not require any software applications or network connections for employees and visitors- they simply plug-in a button and start presenting in seconds. This is ideal for collaboration rooms, saving both time and money, especially for time-sensitive operations such as a law firm. For the IT staff, there is no software deployment to manage, and visitors with “locked down” computers can connect without having to run extra software or download apps. Its industry-standard HDMI and USB-C connections plug into with notebooks, mobile phones, and tablets such as the iPad Pro, and Chromebook. The InstaShow S also can connect via industry-standard AirPlay and Miracast protocols, or via the InstaShare App on mobile devices. You can have up to 16 different presenters on the InstaShow – and 32 on the InstaShow S.
TThe ClicksShare is relatively easy to use, as the employee or visitor plugs in the button to their computer, downloads the app, and after the software is installed or running, begin presenting. For a visitor with “locked down” computers, they may not be able to download the ClickShare application onto their devices for security reasons – which may create delays. Also, ClickShare does not support Chromebook computers, so enterprises who standardize on Google apps may need to look at other solutions if their employees or visitors use Chromebooks. You can have up to 8 presenters on the CS-100.
Unlike the BenQ and Barco systems that use small portable buttons to connect to a notebook directly, the PeerAir transmitter has a larger form factor - more like a wireless HDMI switch, which is better suited for in the middle of the table or AV rack. Each presenter connects their device via a cable to the transmitter and uses a remote to select which presenter goes on the screen. The system supports up to three different sources for each transmitter.
The PeerAir Pro and the BenQ InstaShow are different products built for different applications. The PeerAir Pro is primarily designed to transmit a HDMI signal from a media player to multiple displays, such as in a digital signage application within a hotel or casino. By contrast, the InstaShow is designed for multiple presenters (or sources) that can share a projector or large display during a meeting or brainstorming session. Both are true wireless HDMI screen mirroring systems that can connect to nearly any HDMI device, but the InstaShow has advanced security features to ensure that your information stays confidential and private. The InstaShow can be easily managed via the corporate LAN and has options for wireless device support on the InstaShow S via AirPlay and Miracast. Both are solid choices for versatility and image quality, and neither require any proprietary apps to work – making it easy for IT managers to deploy without reconfiguring their network quickly.
To learn more about the InstaShow, and how companies like Toyota have standardized on the platform to save precious meeting time, click below.
