I'm installing a 60" LCD TV on the wall of a simple conference room. They want to use a wireless transmitter/receiver to display a laptop computer on the TV. The laptop sits on the conference room table with no way to get a cable to the TV without draping it across the floor. Visiting lecturers will want to easily connect their laptops to the screen with a minimal amount of hassle. I've seen several USB to VGA wireless interfaces, but have never tried one. Does anyone know if these wireless USB to VGA devices are reliable? If so, which one is recommended?

I had another thought, which was to install a wireless HDMI to HDMI transmitter/receiver pair. Along with the wireless HDMI system, I could provide adapters for converting DVI to HDMI, Display Port to HDMI, VGA to HDMI, and/or USB to HDMI. They could even have an adapter for I-Pad/I-Phone to HDMI, although it isn't compatible with 1st generation I-Pads or earlier versions of I-Phones. It seems like with this panoply of adapters, at least one of them would work for most any laptop and at least some I-Pads and I-Phones. USB to VGA adapters, and USB to HDMI adapters are suppose to work on most computers, except ones using 64-bit Windows XP, from what I've read.

The main thing, however, is to install something that is reliable, without running cables over to the wall, and I want it to be simple enough that a visiting lecturer could plug in their laptop and make it work without a lot of messing around.

If you've got any ideas or experience with this, I'd appreciate your input, including brands or models that are tried an proven.

Most wireless options require software and or drivers to be installed in the laptop before they can be utilized in the system which can be cumbersome when somone drops in and does not have administrative rights on thier laptop to install software or devices. Wireless options also generally will not support full motion video but are ok with most power point material. Wired options have their pitfalls as well when is comes to limitations with the video card drivers and user error. Unfortunately there is no perfect solution for visiting laptops.

iogear makes a nice little unit that we use all the time.  It's $149 retail without Audio, or $179 with Audio.  The new model also has an HDMI connection.  It's range is 30' and works well.

BUT....Your issue (like Bruce mentioned).  Each person using the unit must install software on their computer.  If outside vendors are coming to do presentations, it won't work.

What we typically do is use a iogear wireless unit for inhouse personnel, and a hardired vga/hdmi into the conference room table for outside visitors.

http://www.hdflow.com/

Works great. no goofy drivers needed.

I was almost embarrassed to say this but then I checked our records. We have a wireless VGA+Audio from Gefen installed in a budget conference room since January 18, 2010. Not a single call back regarding problems with the device and there was no software required...not sure why other units require software if all you are doing is plugging in VGA and audio out of the computer into a transmitter.

The model number was GTV-WVGA-SR and we sold it for $550. From what I recall we stashed the transmitter unit under the conference table and then took the cable connections to your typical popup input plate in the center of the table. The receiver box was mounted to the back of a 55" Samsung LCD on an articulating mount. I remember being very skeptical about it even working with powerpoint...then the installer slapped a DVD in his laptop, I think it was Avatar but I'm not sure, those scifi movies are all the same to me. LOL it worked.

Wireless can also open a can of worms when it comes to security and abuse. Imagine a business presentation suddenly goes to porn due to a prankster

Reminds me of our first C4 training I went to back in 2005. The proctor could not figure why or how his powerpoint presentation was being overridden by porn. Given the quality of their wireless and network products at the time, it doesn't surprise me lol

Ahhh the good old days...

So far, I really like the sound of the HD flow. I suppose I'll still need a VGA to component, or VGA to HDMI converter, since it doesn't have a VGA input. The Geffen sounds reliable, but a little expensive, and it won't work for computers with digital outputs. The HD flow is also a little more expensive than I'd prefer, but seems more versatile. Thanks for your suggestions. If anyone else has experience with this, I'd love to hear more. Thanks!

the cut sheets dont explain the in and outs accurately.

it absolutely takes standard VGA input on the 15 Pin.

It outputs everything HDMI.

I have had a Gefen unit at my office for over a year and have had no problems with it. It takes composite, component, s-video, and VGA into the transmit unit, then converts it to VGA or component on the receiver unit. I routinely use it to extend my computer to a 50" plasma on the wall across the room.

Last time I set up a conference room for this kind of thing, it was for a group of doctors who did vaginal reconstruction. Imagine the shock on the face of the other techs, who did not know what the doctors did, when they saw six foot high... images. And nobody would have noticed if it was taken over by porn.

+1 for the Gefen (and the embarrassement also!) we have a unit running in a conference room for 2 years now.

But we also had many successes with the HD Flow, the AT-AiR3 from Atlona (sold 25 units for an high school college a year ago and no call backs...) and the TruLink piece (2nd generation). This last one was a bit more complicated to install, we had to call cables-to-go tech support to get the right drivers...