Belkin ScreenCast AV 4 streams 3D over wireless HDMI

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Belkin is finally joining the growing field of wireless HDMI devices with its new ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless switch, a device that pipes HDMI signals wirelessly from components to displays. The company just announced the ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless, which can connect four HDMI devices to a display through a 5GHz radio signal.

The ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless supports HDMI 1.4b devices, meaning it can carry 3D video and 5.1-channel surround sound, effectively making it work just as well as any HDMI cable. According to Belkin, the device has a range of 100 feet between the transmitter and receiver, and features an infrared blaster output so devices can be controlled when stored in a cabinet.

The ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless seems very similar to products like the Vizio XWH200 Universal Wireless HD VIdeo & Audio Kit and the Rocketfish 4-Port Wireless HD Kit, other products that wirelessly connect four HDMI devices to an HDTV. Both have proven to be capable of fulfilling their claims of a solid wireless HDMI connection between component and screen, and show that the technology is not only feasible, but consumer-ready. Belkin's entry looks to be nearly identical, but the addition of the IR blaster support makes it even more useful.

Besides the ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless, Belkin also announced the Wireless HDTV Adapter and Wireless AV Adapter, two devices to connect HDTVs wirelessly to the Internet. The Wireless HDTV Adapter connects to an HDTV's Ethernet port and USB port and can wirelessly access a network connection through a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Wireless AV Adapter is a four-port version of the device, connecting four devices to a Wi-Fi hotspot through Ethernet.

The Belkin ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless ships this October and will retail for $249.99, slightly more expensive than the Vizio and Rocketfish devices. The Wireless HDTV Adapter and Wireless AV Adapter will retail for $79.99 and $99.99 when they ship later this month.

This article, written by Will Greenwald, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.