AV & Presentation | News

Saddleback College Adds Wireless Transmission to Projectors

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 12/03/12

Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, has begun implementing wireless multifunctional switches from Hitachi to gain wireless connectivity between data and video sources and compatible Hitachi LCD projectors. Recently, the Orange County-based school equipped four of its CP-WX4021N projectors with the MS-1WL Wireless Multifunctional Switcher. These projectors are located in a collection of classrooms known as The Village, with each classroom in close proximity to each other.

The switcher comes equipped with a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter connects to a video source such as a laptop, and the receiver connects to a projector, enabling wireless transmission of images, including high-definition video, over a distance of up to 22 feet. The transmitter supports HDMI-mandatory 3D video formats, eight bits-per-channel HDMI video transmission, and up to 6 Mbps of audio.

Saddleback currently has about 40 of the CP-WX4021N projectors, which were purchased in early 2011. "We purchased them because we found them be above and beyond other projector models in terms of performance, the image quality was better, and they were more cost-effective," said Will Lakow, computer/audio visual technician in the college's multimedia department. "We also found the HDMI connectivity to be a huge advantage."

Lakow added that the wireless switcher is proving advantageous in several ways. "As far as installation goes, it's very convenient because it's allowing us to eliminate a lot of cabling, plus the install time is quicker," he said. "Overall, the entire system is now more efficient and easier to operate."