A wireless TV router is a device that allows a television signal to be broadcast to other areas of a building without cables. This allows viewing in a number of different ways, depending on the type of entertainment equipment a person uses. For example, the wireless TV router could send a signal to a computer or a video projector for use on a large screen. A number of different devices have been introduced by various companies, providing options for people in need of remote entertainment solutions.
General Functionality
The basic way in which a wireless TV router functions is by broadcasting a television signal through radio waves or similar methods. These routers typically have an input connection that can be plugged into a cable box or similar receiver, allowing the router to receive a signal from that box. Output from the router is then transmitted wirelessly, allowing other devices to pick up this signal through an antenna or similar receiver.
Receivers
While the wireless TV router itself transmits a signal, the devices used to view this signal need to be able to receive it. Some televisions are designed with connectivity to common wireless technologies, such as WiFi, while others can be connected to another device, like a media player, which receives the signal and sends it to the TV. There are also adapters that can be used on older TVs, acting as an antenna to pick up the wireless broadcast for display.
Different Types of Routers
One common standard used in a wireless TV router is Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI). A number of companies have developed and supported this technology, making it a popular standard for different types of hardware. There are also other devices that can be used as a wireless TV router, but they are usually developed and supported only by a single company. Anyone interested in using such a device should ensure compatibility with other entertainment hardware.
Demand for TV Routers
With the increased popularity of the flat-screen television, the demand for a fully functional wireless TV router has grown. Light-weight High Definition Televisions (HDTVs) can be placed in a wide range of locations throughout a home or business. Unsightly wires make some locations impractical or unattractive, however, without a great deal of additional work, such as running wires behind walls.
Multiple TVs in various rooms of a home or business may require a great deal of extra cable to connect each set. With a wireless TV router, however, the hardware setup becomes much simpler. Each monitor or display requires a way to receive the signal, but beyond that, no additional wiring is needed for each device. This can also be advantageous if the layout of a building results in the outlet for an incoming television signal being quite distant from the location a person wants to place a TV.