EZCast Pocket lets a spread of computer systems join wirelessly to an exterior show. No further software program is required — it’s very practically as straightforward to make use of as a cable, however with out the cable litter.
I examined the reasonably priced and really transportable wi-fi video adapter in my dwelling and on a enterprise journey. Listed below are its strengths and occasional weaknesses.
This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. Cult of Mac could earn a fee once you use our hyperlinks to purchase gadgets.
EZCast Pocket evaluation
Cables are the worst. Whereas they’re tolerable in an workplace, nobody needs to stretch a cable from their pc to a TV throughout their lounge. It appears to be like messy, and there’s at all times the potential for somebody to journey over the cable, yanking the pc onto the ground.
EZCast Pocket takes the place of an HDMI cable. And it could fill in for an HDMI adapter, if wanted. Going wi-fi is so significantly better.
The 2-part wi-fi video adapter can be smaller than a cable, so it’s simpler to tackle journeys, whether or not for work or enjoyable. Once I’m touring, I like to make sure I can watch films and TV off my iPad, not depend upon no matter video participant occurs to be accessible.
Wi-fi video adapter setup is sort of as straightforward as a cable
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
EZCast Pocket setup is so simple as plugging the transmitter half of the wi-fi video adapter into your Mac or iPad, then connecting the receiver half right into a TV or monitor.
There are two variations bought. One features a transmitter that plugs right into a USB-C port in your pc. I examined this model as a result of it’s appropriate with each Mac and most iPads with out an adapter. The opposite model supplied by EZCast requires an HDMI port on the transmitter pc.
To make use of the wi-fi adapter, the exterior show or TV should have an HDMI port, however these have been normal for a few years. The one complication is that the receiver wants exterior energy. Luckily, most TVs and displays embody a USB-A port. Plug the accent into the TV’s HDMI port and the USB port and also you’re prepared to observe.
If the display screen you’re connecting to doesn’t have a USB port, you’re going to must work one thing out. Possibly an exterior battery.
I had my evaluation unit arrange in solely a few minutes, most of which was spent fumbling behind the TV.
Every of the 2 elements is 6.9 inches lengthy, 1.6 inches broad and 0.7 inches thick. That makes them very transportable. Actually far more so than a 10-foot HDMI cable.
As a result of EZCast Pocket is so small, it’s straightforward to tuck right into a bag so you may join your MacBook or iPad to an exterior display screen wherever you go. Whether or not you should give a presentation or need to watch films from a distant cabin, it’s higher to make sure you’ll have what you want.
The plastic casings are white plastic in order that they match Apple cables and plenty of different equipment.
There’s a Pair and Reset button on the transmitter however I by no means wanted both one. The identical goes for the remaining button on the receiver unit.
Seems nice, works nice… with limitations
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
I plugged the EZCast Pocket into my TV and iPad Professional as instructed then opened the handbook to see what I wanted to do to get the 2 halves of the wi-fi adapter to speak. Seems I had already achieved it. My iPad display screen was mechanically mirrored on the TV in just a few seconds. I really like plug and play.
The transmitter and receiver arrange their very own adhoc Wi-Fi community to speak. It doesn’t require another Wi-Fi entry. No web entry is critical, both.
Video operating over the EZCast Pocket appears to be like nice. It’s the identical as if the 2 gadgets had been related by cable. I examined it with Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Paramount+ and YouTube and haven’t any complaints.
I learn a number of on-line evaluations of the wi-fi adapter that talked about a lag between audio and video. I appeared for this very carefully and if there may be one it must be measured in hundredths of a second. The lag did present up within the Xfinity app, however additional testing exhibits this app usually will get audio/video out of sync even when it’s enjoying instantly on my iPad display screen.
However right here’s the place we come to a kind of weaknesses I discussed earlier: the wi-fi video connection is 1080p (1920 by 1080 pixels). It’s not 4K, a lot much less 8K. Whether or not this can be a downside relies upon solely on you, the viewer. 1080p is sweet sufficient for me, and I feel most common customers.
One other limitation is vary. EZCast Pocket is clearly designed to be used in your lounge or a convention room. Nearer is best. I used to be capable of get a stable, dependable connection with out stuttering at as much as about 30 toes. Past that, the video begins skipping. At about 50 toes the connection between transmitter and receiver drops. So this isn’t the best product for a presentation corridor.
That stated, the wi-fi video adapter works tremendous from behind the TV. You do not want to set it up in order that transmitter and receiver have a direct line of sight.
Official video
EZCast Pocket ultimate ideas
That is among the many finest wi-fi video adapters I’ve examined. It’s as straightforward to make use of as one might hope — plug and play — and has some actual benefits over an HDMI cable.
That stated, the 1080p decision will maintain some potential patrons away. The tiny lag between audio and video may also flip off videophiles.
★★★★☆
However the low value definitely helps make up for any limitations. This product is far more reasonably priced than rival wi-fi choices.
Pricing
EZCast Pocket is $79.99, whether or not it’s the USB-C or the HDMI model. That’s an incredible worth — nicely beneath what I’m used to paying for high quality wi-fi video adapter.
Purchase from: EZCast
Purchase from: Amazon
If you wish to store round, there’s IOGear Share Professional or the IOGear SharePro Mini. I like these too, however they’re significantly costlier.
EZCast offered Cult of Mac with a evaluation unit for this text. See our evaluations coverage, and take a look at different in-depth evaluations of Apple-related gadgets.
