Smart HDMI Dongle - What is it?

[Jeddie]

When I bought mu U4 I didn't buy the dongle because I wasn't sure what is was?

I have reading posts about the dongle, but to be honest I can't grasp what the thing does? Maybe I'm missing out on a good piece of kit?
I also read the quick start setup guide.

Why do people buy them? What do they do?
How do you navigate the content (whatever that content is?)
Is it the same thing as wifi dongle in Beyonwiz shop?
Do you need the keyboard to operate it?

[prl]

When I bought mu U4 I didn't buy the dongle because I wasn't sure what is was?

I have reading posts about the dongle, but to be honest I can't grasp what the thing does? Maybe I'm missing out on a good piece of kit?
I also read the quick start setup guide.

Why do people buy them? What do they do?

It's a small media streaming device that runs Android. It allows access to streaming services and catchup TV. It's not necessary to use it with a Beyonwiz, though if you use it with a U4 or T4, you can record from the video output of the dongle. It can (I think) also play media from a microSD card or a USB drive, but I've never tried that.

I have mine directly connected to our home theatre system, rather than to our U4, because I don't want to record from it. We've only used it for watching catchup TV, and now not even that any more, because our new TV does a better job than the dongle.

How do you navigate the content (whatever that content is?)

By using the U4 remote in WizTV mode, the remote supplied with the dongle (if it is still being supplied with its own remote), or with a keyboard/mouse (or keyboard with a touchpad like the ones Beyonwiz sells).

Is it the same thing as wifi dongle in Beyonwiz shop?

No, not like it at all. The WiFi dongle is a USB device allows you to connect your Beyonwiz to your home network, and via that, the Internet, using WiFi.

The WizTV dongle is a media streaming device that connects to the Beyonwiz T4 or U4's HDMI IN port (or to a HDMI IN port on a home theatre, A/V receiver or TV). It has WiFi itself, but only to allow it to connect to your home network, and via that, to the Internet. The dongle also has a wired Ethernet port for the same purpose (which is what I used). The WiFi and Ethernet connection on the dongle can't be used by your Beyonwiz, even if the dongle is connected to the Beyonwiz.

Do you need the keyboard to operate it?

In theory, no. Its basic functions can be accessed through its remote (or the Beyonwiz remote). However, some plugins (like the one for SBS OnDemand), are at best very difficult to use without a keyboard.

IMO, if you have a smart TV or a home theatre or A/V receiver that can stream media from the net, the dongle may not offer you much more.

The dongle can run Kodi, if that is useful to you.

[Jeddie]

Thanks Prl.

Very clear and concise answer as usual.

[Paul_oz53]

Thanks Prl.

Very clear and concise answer as usual.

I use mine for YouTube, Stan, and the SBS, ABC and Ten catchup services. Too many ads on 7 and 9. Kodi works but it's an older version.

It works ok but it can be a bit temperamental, esp late at night when it can be non-responsive because it's doing something else (updating?). Sometimes it freezes and has to be rebooted to recover. Navigating is best with a keyboard and scrolling some sites is a pain as my left hand is nearly useless but essential for scrolling. (Hold the left button to grab and scroll a page).

[prl]

Navigating is best with a keyboard and scrolling some sites is a pain as my left hand is nearly useless but essential for scrolling. (Hold the left button to grab and scroll a page).

The newer P9 mini-keyboard that I have from Beyonwiz allows two-finger drags up and down for scrolling (it shows that on the touchpad and mentions in in the manual, and I've used it). The older Xtreamer mini-keyboard that I have from Beyonwiz does not seem to have this feature.

The Beyonwiz mini-keyboard Web page shows an image of the Xstreamer, but I don't know which one they actually sell now (or even if it's either of those two).

[Paul_oz53]

Thanks for the tip Peter! I'll give it a try tonight.

On close inspection, both my keyboards show the two finger drag symbol. Both are from Beyonwiz at different times. One is marked Rii and looks like the xstreamer. The other is not branded.

[prl]

Thanks for the tip Peter! I'll give it a try tonight.

[Paul_oz53]

Thanks for the tip Peter! I'll give it a try tonight.

Yep, that's the answer! Works perfectly one-handed.

[prl]

Great to hear!

[Sandy B]

I gave up on my Smart HDMI Dongle.

I found that the picture on Netflix was always dark, as if it was shot at dusk and the sound quality was not great. I switched to Apple TV and found a great improvement in picture and sound quality. Someone advised me that it was the Android operating system that was causing the problem, but I have no idea if that is correct.

[MrQuade]

It's not "android" as such since they're are hundreds of other devices running Android that don't suffer from darkness issues. It would be something specific to the Wiz stick's particular implementation in combination with your equipment I would say.