I've reviewed a number of accessories from Nyrius before, so I was excited to see the company's latest item, ORION Home Wireless HD Video Transmitter & Receiver ($149.99), had arrived. I liked the previous model, but it used miniUSB and the newer model is microUSB-based, which is a step up. It's also easier to set up; indeed it is set up by default, out of the box. The Orion Home is two boxes that look alike, but one is a transmitter and the other a receiver. They are both similar in size to the Apple TV, but with a perforated top, which probably helps with reception.
Speaking of reception, they sell a number of devices that all pretty much do the same thing, namely send and receive HDMI signals. This allows you to place your HDMI source such as an Apple TV, Roku, Blu-Ray, computer, etc., on one location and still see the output and hear the audio on a big screen, without wires. I use it for our office conference room, to eliminate wires. Nobody needs to mess with AirPlay or to even own an Apple product. They just plug the HDMI cable in to their computer and mirror or extend their screen to the conference room big TV. It's pretty much foolproof with little to no setup, as the transmitter and receiver are paired at the factory.
The transmitter can be paired with up to four receivers, so you could send the same signal to multiple TVs. The range is 40 feet, but there are other models with 100 to as much as 225 feet! This model also includes an IR receiver and emitter so you can send your commands to your remote control and have them repeated closer to the TV. That's a nice touch.
Pros
- Easy setup
- HDMI pass-through option
- Multiple receivers support
- 40 -foot range
- IR emitter included
Cons
- Hard to choose between the different models
Final Verdict
If you want to send your HDMI signal quickly and easily, there are several items from Nyrius that should meet your needs.
