In just a couple of weeks when school is finally out, the kids and I are headed to Florida to visit my parents. We tend to go about once a year to see them and while we definitely hate the heat, summer is the perfect time for our schedules. We LOVE seeing Grandma and Grandpa and this year it’s especially important because my Grandma (the kids Great Grandma) took a fall in April so she’s in a rehabilitation center. We’ve been wanting to go see her again and this will finally be our chance to all be together.
While we’re there we’ll want to share the kids photos and videos, especially with Great Grandma who hasn’t been very connected lately. And it’s just no fun or good for the eyes to be looking at photos and video on a tiny smartphone screen.
Of course, because we’re there for quite a few days, the kids will also like to watch their favorite movies and snuggle on the couch. We have a big digital movie library at home but don’t really have TV access to it at Grandma and Grandpas.
But this year it will be different.
We recently received the ScreenBeam Mini 2 Wireless Display Receiver from Best Buy. This is such a cool product, and one that I think is a big family travel tip for summer!
ScreenBeam Mini2 Wireless Display Receiver
ScreenBeam Mini2 from Actiontec gives you the power to wirelessly mirror anything from your phone or tablet onto your HDTV: video and audio, pictures, apps, presentations, and much more. Use ScreenBeam Mini2 to share virtually any local or online content. Beam movies, videos, music, games, etc. and enjoy better quality with a dedicated wireless connection directly to your HDTV. You don’t need an existing Wi-Fi network or wireless router for ScreenBeam Mini2 to work.
How cool is that?!
We’ll be able to beam our movies, photos, videos and really anything we want from my smartphone or tablet to my parents TV! It’s also going to allow us to show Great Grandma what’s been happening in our lives on her television instead of my small smartphone screen. I’m hoping the video from Ellie’s dance recital will be available by then so we can all watch it on the TV.
We’re playing around with it at home to check out the ease of use and set up. This is super easy.
All you have to do is plug it into your TV and wall outlet, then switch the input to HDMI and ScreenBeam Ready to Connect screen will appear. You will need to go to www.actiontec.com/setupsb on your PC, phone or tablet to complete the full set up. But it is a snap.
Outside of travel, it can also come in handy at home on those days when John and Ronin want to watch football or hockey and Ellie complains that she wants to watch her favorite YoutTuber instead. Just stream the YouTube video to the upstairs TV and we’re all set! Fight averted.
Picture it, no more crowding around the iPad when any media can be easily beamed to the TV.
No more crowing around the PC, when we can relax in the living room and watch the big screen instead. John’s back thanks you Actiontec.
Another great Actiontec product we tried out is the MyWirelessTV 2. No more wires people!
MyWirelessTV 2Wireless Video Transmitter and Receiver
MyWirelessTV 2 replaces messy HDMI cables with the convenience of wireless, so you can install an HDTV anywhere you want. Now it’s possible to connect your television to your set top box without having to use an obtrusive cable.
How fantastic to have the flexibility to network our home just the way we want to, without stringing wires around the fireplace or down the hallway. Some people even spend loads of money on expensive wiring projects, and this product will save that large investment. And it eliminates the electronics clutter y’all. I know my stress level goes down several notches when there are lovely clear spaces and counter tops in my home. How about you?
Check out MyWirelessTV 2 ($199.99) and ScreenBeam Mini2 ($49.99) at Best Buy. Don’t you think either one of these would make perfect Father’s Day gifts?
