itgeek Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Hi We have purchased a Microsoft wireless display adapter and are having issues with it disconnecting. I think this is down to using a proxy server and its not supported. How are you displaying Microsoft surface devices via a projector, this need to be wireless? Are you using a software solution? Thanks in advance
thimon Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 We're in the testing phase with these devices, have found it to be reliable. Change the default name of the adapter to something friendly and set a password on it. We've tested it with Surfaces and a variety on Win10 laptops, all of which connect and disconnect fine.
robyholmes Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Hi itgeek, Your proxy shouldn't come in to play as the wireless display adapters ae Miracast devices which create a direct connection between the device and the display. Basically half the time your wireless is connected to the WLAN, the other half its connected directly to the adapter. One thing to suggest is make sure your device and adapter are fully up to date. You can install new firmware on the adapter using a windows store app if I remember right. Also, do you have a Bluetooth mouse on this device? Bluetooth is again using your wireless chip so its like trying to connect to 3 things are once. Normally this shows up with the mouse been very slow or jumpy rather than the display being affected.
Achandler Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 As a school who seems to have engaged in this more then most, we have 14 surfaces here that teachers use to stream. I say use, they can use to stream, a lot don't because it is to unrealiable. Basically, the way the devices work is they create a direct connection between the dongle and the device, no wifi needed. However, this then means the built in WiFi is connecting to both devices, aka flicking packets to each one (sometimes on different channels), what then happens is a few dropped packets and the stream to the projector dies. It really is as simple as that, other things like powerpoint changing presentation mode etc don't help, as they cause a brief interruption that they causes a drop sometimes. Anyways moving on, your solutions are: Stronger WiFi in the classrooms, preferably Dual band WiFi points, it definitely limits the number of drops. We have had limited success using a nano dongle in the surfaces as well as the built in WiFi. We remove the school wireless from the tablet, disconnect it and forget it, then put in the wifi dongle. The WiFi 2 dongle is then using to conenct to the school WiFi, and the inbuilt WiFi is used for the miracast streaming. I have proved that this happens by unplugging the dongle to see what dies (just the network connection) and ofcourse disabling the inbuilt to prove jsut the stream dies. We have managed to get the surfaces to work for a day using the dongle and stronger wifi if possible, go for dual band wifi points and dongles to get the best results. The issue around disabling Bluetooth is the pen you get using Bluetooth to make the buttons work (won't be an issue if teachers don't use it)
Arthur Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Not that it helps at the moment, but the next update to Windows 10 due to be released in April will support Miracast over Ethernet. Perhaps this will be more reliable compared to Wi-Fi?
Achandler Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 The problem is down to cheap wireless adapters or maybe poor aerials in the devices, we can sucessfully use laptops with Mircast all day almost flawlessly. The 2nd dongle improves the connection, which means everything points to the adapter not being up to scratch. Miracast over ethernet sounds like a step forward, but one advantage of Miracast being direct was the video packets didn't go over the network infrastructure in anyway so didn't effect traffic
disk Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Did you update the adapter to the latest firmware? There may be more than one way to do so, but the easiest is to simply download and use the "Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter" app from the Windows app store.
itgeek Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 Thank you for all the comments and suggestion. I can confirm that the Microsoft surface is up to date and the wireless dongle firmware is at the latest level. I will have a play with the diffrent configurations as suggested but currently looking into a software solution. Thanks again
Achandler Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 We have been through 4 different firmwares now, so I don't think that is the cause. I just think it is purely down to the WiFi cards. @itgeek, have you tried streaming a video that is saved on the device to a projector (with the wifi no connected to the school network). If not they try that, we have seen 1 or 2 dodgy dongles as well. Another solution I was going to try was to get an android Tv box or similar to see if the issue the a weak wifi signal from the adapter as well, or if the adapter was particularly fussy. However, the extra wifi adapters are proving out most reliable so far.
itgeek Posted January 16, 2017 Author Posted January 16, 2017 Hi All Just to let you know that we have isolated the problem down to the Bluetooth pen. When Bluetooth is switched off the connection is stable and does not drop. Do you think this is a Microsoft problem? Thanks
Achandler Posted January 16, 2017 Posted January 16, 2017 As much as cheap hardware unable to handle all the conenctions it needs it is yes.
APMerry Posted February 9, 2017 Posted February 9, 2017 We've got these installed in 60 classrooms and I think a lot of staff have given up using them. We think the drops are down to interference from different sources and the schools wifi network. It would be nice if Microsoft made it possible to select which channel the device uses, it jumps on whatever one it feels like at the time. Miracast over Ethernet sounds interesting..... I've looked at a few solutions like We Present and Barco Clickshare for connecting to a TV over ethernet, I found both had a pretty poor quality picture compared to the display adapter. They don't drop connection though.
mtillbrook Posted February 9, 2017 Posted February 9, 2017 I think it was mentioned above but i found the reliability improved no end after doing a firmware update on mine. I think you get the app from the MS store that handles it!
APMerry Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 There was a firmware update recently which i'm yet to install, but the previous firmware updates made little to no improvement to mine.
APMerry Posted May 19, 2017 Posted May 19, 2017 We've found a massive improvement in the reliability of these things when we use a dedicated power source. I've been powering them with these https://www.amazon.co.uk/DURACELL-DR6001A-WORLD-CHARGER-110-240V/dp/B00GQV0TVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495202963&sr=8-1&keywords=duracell+travel+charger They still drop out sometimes, but no way near as much. 1
Ex-MGSTech Posted May 19, 2017 Posted May 19, 2017 We use Epson Ethernet projectors, saves all the hassle and then anything can connect to them across the LAN. Steve
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now