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

I was seriously thinking about getting this feature for the m14x I plan to purchase, but it seems today it's disappeared. I checked the m17x and it's no longer there either. What gives?

 

I suspect one of two things. (A) Supply issues from the vendor cannot keep pace with demand. (B) Not enough sales or interest to continue offering it as an option. It's hard to know. If it was making them money, I suspect we will see the option again at some point.

 

If you hover over the wireless card options and look at the pictures to the left it says:

"Intel Wireless Display:

PC connect to your TV in full 1080p high def"

Not sure if its the same but it says wireless?

 

Dell Bill answered me earlier that it was going to be available on the M18x so it's probably a supply or qualification issue I assume for now. I'm wanting it too. Same goes for the ExpressCard slot which should still be in the M18x R2, but isn't listed in the specs.

Intel Wireless is a different tech than Wireless-HD and there are two forums on them stickied in the general Alienware forum.

 

Ok so i have narrowed it down to being a driver issue, it has to be...

It works fine when im using the integrated graphics but when i swith to 580m sli mode resolution error pops up. Despite trying every driver i can find from nvidia and dell im having no luck, even tried factory restore but didnt help....

Can any1 who has internal sibeam wihd installed and a zyxel aerobeam reciever, can u post what drivers and setup you guys are using?

I payed extra for this just so i can play games on my projector wirelessly and dell just seem to evade the issue every time i call and say a specialist will contact me but noone ever does.

Probably the fact that hardly any1 could get it to work, i got the wihd and zyxel reciever couple of weeks ago with my m18x r1 and cant get the thing to work on discrete graphics , works fine on intel graphics.. But then i dont see the point

 

it doesn't work well?? I just realized that the wireless HD option has been taken out on Dell.ca and was freaking out, cuz i really wanted it!
but if it doesn't really work well... hmmmm

 

Super easy to route the cable and finding the mounting point in the screen is super easy. If you would like I can create a video for it, I'm just actually waiting for the card come to me to install it, once done I can make the video.

There are no screws included.

 

Where did you get the tiny laptop screws you would need to install the cards?

This is absolutely NOT the same thing.

Intel Wireless Display is also known as WiDi, which uses your laptop's 802.11 WiFi adapter to send the display to a receiver such as Netgear Push2TV HD or Belkin ScreenCast. WiDi has unacceptable latency for gaming (on the order of 400-2000ms) and I have to imagine it also slows down your WiFi connection considerably. The other problem is that it uses the Sandy Bridge and higher embedded graphics processor to compress the display stream for transmission. I don't see how this can work with discreet graphics without something like Lucidlogix Virtu to copy the frame buffer between iGPU and dGPU.

WirelessHD is a wireless HDMI specification that does not rely on any iGPU or 802.11 WiFi hardware. Separate transmission hardware sends a 60GHz signal to a WiHD receiver such as Zyxel WHD6215-R or Vizio XWH200. It requires line-of-sight access with a range of only about 30ft, but it has almost no latency and plenty of bandwidth for full 1080p video and 5.1 or 7.1 surround audio.

Crutchfield has a nice article explaining the differences... It looks some of the upcoming technologies like WHDI, WiGig, and WiVu will be even better. I heard Asus is supposed to be putting WAVI 3D (a form of WHDI) in their laptops.

 

I got the screws here

 

Ok all I am having a issue I know that this is supposed to be 5.1 sound compatible but I am only getting 2 channels. Is there a setting that I am missing or something that is causing this?

 

Does yours work with games? Check your sound configuration through the nVidia control panel once the WiHD is connected. It has to be changed while the audio output is set to HDMI and not the internal sound driver.

1. In Nvidia control panel, go to Display > Set up digital audio
2. Choose the audio output drop-down next to the SiBeam card in this screen
3. Open Windows Sound settings using the button below
4. Select the right output for your SiBeam card on the Playback tab
5. Click the Configure button
6. Choose the 5.1 option from the list of Audio channels
7. Click Test and verify that sound is coming from each of your speakers

 

Any news, guys, if current M14xR2/M17xR4/M18xR2 support WiHD? Can't find this option in the configurator... thanks

 

I believe they are removing the option in favor of Intel WiDi. I had to order the parts separately from eBay and I'm installing them myself. I am not going to use that crappy new 2x2 wifi card to send my display with tons of lag to the TV when I could have a beefy 3x3 wifi card and separate, lag-free 60GHz wireless display tech. I really hope Alienware pulls their heads out of their asses (or maybe they're up Intel's ).

I can't find instructions on disassembling the display housing to install the antenna anywhere...

 

omniphonix Great, thanx. So all the intel adapters presented in the config support WiDi, i just have to purchase separate equipment like Vizio?

 

Yes, you just need one of the Intel wifi cards and a box like Netgear Push2TV HD, Belkin Screencast, or D-Link Mainstage. Just be sure it says WiDi and not WiHD. WiHD is the 60GHz solution that does not rely on your wireless LAN controller. I would not recommend gaming over WiDi (not even sure if you can), but it should work fine for normal desktop and video functions.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/intel-wireless-display.html

 

I'll attempt to make a video for you sometime this weekend.

 

The system works with everything. But I am only getting 2 channel theough it all the time even on games.

I do not have Nvidea cards so I do not see what you are talking about. I am looking through the CCC and not seeing anything similar.

UPDATE: I figured out what was going on. My TV had the wrong HDMI audio output setting set.

 

Well I am glad you were able to get yours to work. I got my parts installed, loaded the drivers and connection manager, and my machine just won't connect...

 

I know that you have to have your tv on and set ot the right imput port for it ot connect. I have nver had any issue with it connecting for me.

 

Yep, I had the TV on and set to the right input. It even saw the receiver on the list, it just wouldn't connect. I already sent the parts back. I am considering the external transmitter, I just need to figure out where I can buy it separately from the receiver since I already have that piece.

 

I'm in the same boat as you I think. I got mine last December and it will not work with nVidia card. I've got the 3D Vision version which means I have no option for using Integrated Graphics at all. Dell is no help whatsoever - they just tell me it's a compatibility problem and there's nothing they can do.

 

I just bought a refurbished M14X that has a wireless transmitter. I still need to get a receiver for it. The laptop came with an Intel Wifi card, which I upgraded to a Killer 1102. I read somewhere some wifi cards may prevent the wireless transmitter to work properly. Do Killer WiFi cards prevent this from working? Anyone out there with a Killer Card that has wireless thing working? If so, which receiver do you have?

JC,
Which WiFi Card do you have? Do you have a killer WiFi card? I read somewhere you could not do wireless HD with a Killer Wifi Card.

 

I think you have that backwards. You can't do WiDi with the Killer WiFi card, because WiDi relies on Intel WiFi cards. You should be able to do WiHD just fine (assuming your SiBeam parts work, that is).

 

Hey all I will be receiving my m17x r4 today and was wondering how exactly do I go about getting wireless display? I'm a little confused as I thought the r4 came with Wireless HD, but it doesn't. Does it come with Intel WiDi instead? If not how do I get them?

 

Just bought the hard to find ZyXEL RECEIVER ONLY
ZyXEL AeroBeam WHD6215 Wireless HD only recevier for 2nd TV or Dell computer tx 760559119676 | eBay

Only one left

Got my WiHD running with the ZyXEL I mentioned above. All you do is plug it in and go.

A couple things I've noticed from its first use,

For best results the laptop should be located with the back of the laptop screen facing the receiver. With this method I was able to get 100% +/- 3% connection.

By just turning the laptop around the connection dropped to 30-40%. Screen sharpness and clarity dropped dramatically. I thought this was fairly odd. I was touching around onthe laptop and got a sort of IPHONE effect where as the connection strength was modified by me rubing my hand by or touching different parts of the back and side of the laptop. The laptop was only 10 ft from reciever.

Had some jitter while transmitting movies to m 3D LED Samsung TV, but discovered it was the tv settings that caused it...Turning off all "motion" settings worked wonders.

I am very happy with the WiHD now! Its freakin awsome.

 

This is not surprising at all, WiHD is a 60GHz wireless technology. At that frequency, the signal is strictly line-of-sight.

 

Anyone having issues with WIHD on Battlefield 3??? For some reason when I try to play fullscreen the connection gets lost...

 

Has anyone been able to run WiHD on the m17 R4 (with the necessary hardware of course)? Is WiDi our only choice for now?

 

I just received my M14x R2 today, but I can't see the Wi-Di option in it. It has got Intel 6250 Wireless – N a/g/n 2x2 MIMO + WiMax + Bluetooth 4. Earlier, I have used another laptop with Wi-DI and know that there should be a program called wireless display but I don't see it for this laptop. Can anybody help me with this please?

 

Is there a way to wirelessly connect my AW m17x r4 to my TV?

I was going to pick up the NeoTV Pro, but was told the AW does not have WiDi... Are there any other solutions?

 

__________

 

Can anyone tell me how to get this thing set up? i just bought the actiontec mywireless TV reciever from best buy. its searching for transmitters, but almost all of the options in the sibeam console are greyed out (including connect)

 

Hello. I have an M18x and was somehow sold a Killer Wireless-N 1103 card, in addition to the SiBeam WirelessHD transmitter. I am told that these products are incompatible. After a Dell tech told me to buy a Netgear PTV2000 and to call back with instructions about how to configure it, I went out and bought one. Now, they're saying that it still won't work with the Killer wireless card.

I am upset and frustrated. Does anyone have any ideas? I am happy with the Killer wireless card but has anyone got it to play nice with WirelessHD? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

I understand that Dell ran out of stock on the Wireless HD modules. Sounds like it was selling better than they had anticipated. I understand that they are soon to reintroduce it again.

 

It appears that the actiontec mywireless TV receiver is a WiFi receiver. WirelessHD is something different. WiFi runs at 2.4 or 5.0GHz and will have to compress the video stream (loss of video quality and increased latency) in order to fit it into the bandwidth available on WiFi. WirelessHD runs at 60GHz where bandwidth is not an issue - video stream is fully uncompressed (sending every pixel) and there is no latency (equivalent to an HDMI cable).

 

The Killer Wireless-N 1103 card is a WiFi card (running at 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz). Wireless HD runs at 60GHz. They are not compatible with each other. Wireless HD transmitter in the notebook will need to be coupled with a Wireless HD receiver at the TV.

I don't know why WiFi WiDi using the Killer Wireless-N 1103 card is not working with the Netgear PTV2000 (which I understand is a WiDi WiFi receiver). Edit: Somone posted a bit earier in this thread that WiDi only works with Intel WiFi card.

 

Thanks Gadgetman. Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly do I need to do? Do I need to get a new wifi card and, if so, which is the best one? Can that be installed by me? I have moderate experience taking apart notebooks.

Or, alternatively, will a wireless HD receiver do the job without a new wifi card? If so, what is the best one to get?

Thanks again.

 

the only one that is compatible is the vizio wireless HD.

 

Do you happen to know the model number of that device? I found one on their website but it's a transmitter and a receiver. I would only use the receiver, correct?

 

__________

 

My opinion is the Wireless HD will provide better performance, both in the areas of video quality as well as no latency (equivalent to connecting to the display with a cable).

If your Alienware notebook has the Wireless HD transmitter installed, you can use a number of different Wireless HD receivers and connect the receiver to your TV/display. Vizio makes one, Zyxel makes one, and Best Buy has a Rocketfish Wireless HD adapter as well.

There are also Zyxel and Rocketfish Wireless HD adapters which will be compatible..

I would not recommend pulling out the Wireless HD card from your M18x.. The radio module is easy enough to get to but the cable routing through the chassis and up through the hinge to the RF antenna module in the lid (located behind the LCD panel) would be a booger to remove not to mention the possibility of damaging some of the plastic tabs during the disassembly process.

The Wireless HD solution in the Alienware notebooks is made up of two modules connected with a coax cable. One module (radio) on a small DMC in the base chassis and the other module (active RF antenna) mounted behind the LCD panel in the lid.

 

it says on he device that it is a wireless HD device. also, in my wihd console, next to the greyed out "connect" and the blue "disconnect" the box that appears to be transmitter signal, only has 1 notch.. maybe im having a problem with the transmitter?

 

Hey guys, dont know if this has been covered yet... But will the WIHD work on m18x R2's???

 

I want to thank GadgetMan and FueledByFate for getting me squared away. I bought the ZyXel Aerobeam unit and it's working like a dream. Very, very happy I got this add-on option when I really didn't need it at the time.

 

justinsimison do you have an M18XR2? OR M17XR4?

 

Zyxcel is clearly the best option. I've been using it for a year and never had any issues.

 

Anyone else having issues getting this to work with Windows 8? I can activate the software; the Vizio reciver has a steady LED indicating there is a connection. I click connect and it does nothing... Then I get an error message.

Any Help?

 

For those of you that want to do this on a newer model Alienware m14x r2, m17x r4, or m18x r2. You need part number: 5XHG5 (WiHD Card (DMC / SiBeam), ANW A/V/S MLK.)
The older card won't work with the Ivy Bridge Processors.

 

Hi,

I'm new to this but I have an m18xr2, is there anyway to order that part number from dell and install myself? Thanks for the help in advance.

JL

 

Yep, actually solved it today... I have a m17x r4 and ordered the parts through "Alienware-Luis_Pardo" on here. He's been extremely helpful. You will need two parts in order for it to work. They are all new parts for the m17x r4 and m18x r2. You will need the following.
5XHG5 - (WiHD Card (DMC / SiBeam), ANW A/V/S MLK.)
KVR0Y - (ASSY,ANT,BD,M17XR4)
The part number is the same for the m18xr2, only thing different is the cable is shorter. So make sure you get the m18xr2 version.