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    M14x/M17xR3/M18x - Wireless HD/SiBEAM discussion thread

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by BatBoy, May 5, 2011.

  1. everythingsablur

    everythingsablur Notebook Evangelist

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    Agreed. There are a few videos on Laptop Magazine's website in their review clearly showing it working. PEBKAC.
     
  2. joecait

    joecait Notebook Deity

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    Probably some other issue and Dell Tech support probably doesn't know. From all previous messages I've seen, there hasn't been problems and this is the 1st post which says they don't work so I'd recommend rechecking configs.
     
  3. ibraveheart

    ibraveheart Notebook Evangelist

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    anyone has the link to that video ?
    Please
     
  4. everythingsablur

    everythingsablur Notebook Evangelist

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  5. ibraveheart

    ibraveheart Notebook Evangelist

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  6. Malific

    Malific Newbie

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    I've been reading this thread and noticed a lot of people having issues connecting the SiBeam WirelessHD Transmitter to the bundled VIZIO Receiver.

    I started reading this thread because I had the same exact issue. My WiHD system connected sporadically. Working for several hours with no issues at all then next time I tried to use it; not working at all with me trying to get the transmitter and receiver to connect with no luck.

    Well I'd like to say, I solved My issue and it may be the same solution for many of you. Now when I tell you this it's going to sound weird but I've tested it multiple times and it's true in my situation.

    For my situation the Receiver light is NOT blinking, and the WirelessHD Application Controller WAC) sees it and is pulling a MAC address, but the "Connect" button was greyed out and I could not establish a connection between the two.

    Now, here is the cause of the Situation:
    If your TV is NOT actively trying to pull the signal from the VIZIO receiver, the receiver will not allow the transmitter to connect to it.

    My set-up I have a wired HDMI switch already in place and I attached the receiver to my 4th HDMI port in this.

    Here's how my testing went once I narrowed it down to this issue, I had the WAC window open the whole time and watched it while I did this.

    1)If the TV is OFF and I have the receiver selected, I can't connect.
    2)If the TV is on but I have the Switch set to a different port, I can't connect.
    3)If the TV is on and I have the correct port, my TV says no signal and the WAC will allow me to connect within 3-4 seconds. Works great once connected.
    4)If BEFORE I connect, I switch the port or turn off the TV the WAC window won't change but attempting to connect will, after about 30 seconds, result in an error saying a connection could not be established.
    5)If I connect properly, and my display is on screen then I turn off my TV or change the port on my receiver. The WAC program will immediately disconnect from the receiver and my display will return to laptop only.

    I hope this helped out for all of you having problems.
     
  7. kimjonathanh

    kimjonathanh Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is it still uncertain where to buy the Wireless HD Card and just install it yourself?
     
  8. mikedgreat1

    mikedgreat1 Notebook Guru

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    didnt see this asked so sorry if it is but can it work in reverse?!?!? where I play my xbox 360 on my screen using the Wireless HD or am i just asking for too much!?!?!? hahahahaa
     
  9. NYC Drifter

    NYC Drifter Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't have mine yet, but I would think you could connect a WIHD (like Vizio) receiver to the HDMI in on the PC?
     
  10. Malific

    Malific Newbie

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    If you get the bundle with the VIZIO receiver you can plug your xbox into the VIZIO 4 port HDMI transmitter which is included, then hook the receiver into any device that will accept an HDMI cable.

    So yes.
     
  11. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    So you still need the Vizio Kit, both the transmitter and the receiver since you can't grab the receiver only. Very little point of having the internal card then.
     
  12. AirJordan

    AirJordan Notebook Evangelist

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    Are they ever going to sell the receiver individually and by other retailers? I'd like to see some competition among other companies creating them also to arise so the price drops. As of right now, I only ordered the internal card, but if nothing else is ever released, that was a waste of $100...
     
  13. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Yeah, I agree. Though the Vizio kit offers an extra transmitter for other devices, I wouldn't go for it right now as I have zero use for it, just need the dammn receiver, lol.
     
  14. Malific

    Malific Newbie

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    Somewhere in this thread I've seen several posts about people saying they picked up a receiver and transmitter at Best Buy.
     
  15. joecait

    joecait Notebook Deity

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    I'm hoping TV manufacturers eventually just build in the receiver in their units...
     
  16. oni222

    oni222 Notebook Deity

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    that's the plan. I know samsung is going to do that with their TV's too bad I got my UN55C8000 already so I cannot buy another TV for a while.
     
  17. Digitalphear

    Digitalphear Newbie

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    I noticed on this WirelessHD Product Listing | WirelessHD, LLC. page that there is a wireless reciever that appears to be sold by itself.

    The Abocom one: VB303R WirelessHD Receiver.

    Of course I can't actually FIND it for sale anywhere...and Ive never heard of Abocom.
     
  18. samer47

    samer47 Newbie

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    I have a Alienware 14X ... the SiBeam worked great with Vizio setup for 60 minutes. then i messed with resolution so it would fit better on the TV and BAM. Can't connect anymore for the life of me. I changed everything back to the default and can't connect. The SiBeam finds it, but I hit connect and nothing. I tried a direct connect to TV, through my receiver. Reboot everything turn it off and on. Turn the TV on first, then the laptop and then the SiBeam. Any help would be appreciated. I was so happy and amazed for 60 minutes then ... nothing. I hate technology.
     
  19. andrew6071

    andrew6071 Newbie

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    Hi,

    I've been watching this post for a while now, and wanted to know if anyone knows if the WirelessHD option is going to be available in the UK.

    I've been holding off buying the M17xR3 for a while now waiting for this and the gtx580m

    Thanks

    Andrew
     
  20. Riftwire

    Riftwire Notebook Consultant

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    I'm still relatively confused about the wireless HD options for the m17x R3. Have people gotten it working with the internal transmitter? If so what receiver have you guys used? Or does this options basically require that the television you want to stream too has a built in receiver?
     
  21. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    everyone to their own I guess but I find my 17" screen quite big when it is sitting 3ft from my face, why would you bother with an old low quality crt based TV - what exactly are you watching on it ?
     
  22. Kynlore

    Kynlore Notebook Geek

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    I don't know of a TV that has a WiHD receiver. That doesn't mean there isn't one, I just don't know of one. I use the Vizio receiver that Dell and Amazon sell for about $179, and the internal transmitter. It works pretty good. I watch videos on the 42" TV with it all the time.
     
  23. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    I've called 3 separate times trying to order these up. How do I get the parts???

    5HT44 WiHD Card (DMC/SiBeam)
    39PKF Sibeam Antenna Module (Includes Antenna)
     
  24. Pitchfork

    Pitchfork Newbie

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    Ok, I have read all the pages here and have been on the phone with Tech support (dell, and Alienware) for a combined total of 4+ hours.

    I am having a problem where my internal 60GHZ wireless HD transmitter is not working.

    I just got my M17x R3 yesterday. The biggest appeal was for the wireless HD. I got the Vizio HD kit.

    The kit works fine with the transmitter and receiver for everything i've plugged into it. My Wireless HD Application does not see the receiver. I updated the software from the dell site. I have updated the drivers for the SiBEAM sB92xx series port com3 device. Even looking at the application the signal isn't showing any bars. If anyone here has a fix for this or wants to kick around some trouble shooting please reply here.
     
  25. Pitchfork

    Pitchfork Newbie

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  26. xAtLx

    xAtLx Notebook Consultant

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    2 weeks ago when i used it was going good but today when i turn it on i get this Error can anyone help me ?

    ERRROR: Unable to communicate with SiBEAM WiHD module
     
  27. Raphael01

    Raphael01 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Make sure your wireless is enabled. If you disable it then wifi, blue tooth, and sibeam are all disabled.
     
  28. frostbite

    frostbite Newbie

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    how many outputs does the VIZIO receiver have, can I plug 2 monitor into it? also, can the card broadcast to multiple receivers?
     
  29. QuadX

    QuadX Notebook Consultant

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    The VIZIO receiver has only ONE output. Connecting to multiple receivers is not possible.
     
  30. frostbite

    frostbite Newbie

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    Also, are there any pairing issues with the receiver? I use my laptop at work and would love to have two receiver, one at home and one at work. Would this work or would the I have to reestablish connection each time?
     
  31. neosis

    neosis Notebook Consultant

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    Does anyone have a video of installing the Sibeam hardware?

    Also, is the cost of the hardware 99 dollars or is it more than what it costs when building the system?
     
  32. BerettaJay

    BerettaJay Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sooo....does ANYONE know where to buy the receiver only? I mean what's the point of the 99$?!?
     
  33. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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  34. MasterSgt

    MasterSgt Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi.
    (I am gettin Alienware-M18x i7-2920XM/16GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM 1333mhz(4Dimms)/750GB HDD 7200RPM/BR-ROM and DVD+/-RW/Intel Centrino 6300 Ultimate-N/2GB Dual DDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6970M CrossfireX/OS Win 7 HP)

    I was looking at different wirelessHD/SD receivers anyone know of a good cheap model that works well with gaming (30/60fps). I need it to have VGA ports and be under $100 if anyone can help then thanks.
     
  35. MasterSgt

    MasterSgt Notebook Enthusiast

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    anyone know if VeeBeam is any good? with Integrated WirelessHD?
     
  36. evil_mike

    evil_mike Notebook Evangelist

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    Man, I would love to know what the general recommendations are for a good WirelessHD receiver. I tried the Vizio with zero success (returned it after a weekend of frustration).
     
  37. Lason

    Lason Notebook Guru

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    Anyone tried the new Aerobeam reciever Dell is offering? I have it set up here ready to go, just waiting on the laptop to ship. Im wondering if I should have gone with the Vizio version instead.
     
  38. evil_mike

    evil_mike Notebook Evangelist

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    FYI - Costco is selling the Vizio WirelessHD package for $169. Not sure if that's everywhere, but they had it at the one in Eugene, OR.
     
  39. w1ldthing

    w1ldthing Newbie

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    Hi

    Managed to get hold of a WiHD module from an R3. Anybody know if it can be fitted into an R2 ?

    Ta.
     
  40. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

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    Unless it's a mini-PCI expresscard, it won't work. If you are waiting for Wireless HD in the R2, I'd wait for the Atheros AR9004TB to come out. I'm sure BigFoot will rebrand it with their tweaks sometime in the future.
     
  41. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Ichime, where did you get the 580M's you're testing in the R2? How's it going?
     
  42. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

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    I got them from a Clevo reseller who doesn't sell them anymore. The cards run fine, but I can't get SLi to work and I need to use HWinfo to control the fans.
     
  43. NPHMctweeds

    NPHMctweeds Newbie

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    For some reason i can get my video to connect but the audio is still coming from my laptops speakers, any suggestions as to how to fix it?
     
  44. evil_mike

    evil_mike Notebook Evangelist

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    Not sure, but it might have something to do with the Playback Devices setting. Right click on the volume icon and choose Playback Devices, then see if you can select the WirelessHD transmitter. Haven't been able to get it (WiHD) to work myself, so Dell is replacing my transmitter, otherwise I'd test it for you.
     
  45. NPHMctweeds

    NPHMctweeds Newbie

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    Thanks man! that fixed it, not sure why the settings changed in the first place but its okay now. appreciate it!
     
  46. LordArt

    LordArt Newbie

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    Hopefully someone can help with this. I have a new m18x with the Vizio xwh200 and the transmitter in the m18x. I am connecting it up to a Harmon Karman 3600 Digital Receiver which then goes to a Samsung D8000 3DTV. If I use a direct HDMI cable to the m18x, I get 5.1 and 7.1 sound as options for the HDMI Audio out. However, if I use the transmitter in the laptop, it only will do Stereo, not 5.1 or 7.1. If I use the HDMI out from the m18x to the Vizio Transmitter, I still only get stereo as an option.

    Any ideas how to get past this issue? Thanks!

    ----------
    Alienware m18x | 2860QM | 2x6990M CF | 1.5 TB Raid 0 (2 drives) | 12 GB Memory | Wireless HD
     
  47. ronkuba

    ronkuba Notebook Consultant

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    I have a m18x with internal wireless hd. I just bought the zyxel whd6215-r from dell but can't get it to connect. The wihd controller software has the connection greed out. Zyxel just blinks a green light. Any suggestions
     
  48. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    For those of you looking for the Wireless HD transmitter, I pulled mine and have it up for sale on the NBR market place (see sig).
     
  49. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    I have done things slightly differently, my laptop sits beside my 46" LED TV connected with HDMI and I have a logitec wireless mouse and keyboard, this arrangement works extremely well, the logitec stuff has a superb range
     
  50. joecait

    joecait Notebook Deity

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    We all know about the Vizio XWH200 Wireless HD receiver, but is anyone using the Zyxel Aerobeam WHD6215 receiver? I see it is now listed as an option on the M18x machine.

    I haven't seen a comparison between this and the Vizio product as to which is better. Pricing wise, the Zyxel has a higher list price on Amazon and pretty similar price after sales/real price.

    Edit:
    It looks like you can actually buy the Zyxel Aerobeam WHD6215 receiver by itself on Dell.com for $99 so that would be a much cheaper option if you didn't need the spare transmitter.

    I may go this route when I am ready to buy the M18x hopefully next year for the new model.
     
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