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What is a Wireless TV Router?

Ken Black
Ken Black

A wireless TV router is a device that allows a television signal to be broadcast to other areas of a building without cables. This allows viewing in a number of different ways, depending on the type of entertainment equipment a person uses. For example, the wireless TV router could send a signal to a computer or a video projector for use on a large screen. A number of different devices have been introduced by various companies, providing options for people in need of remote entertainment solutions.

General Functionality

A wireless flatscreen TV, which receives signals from a router.
A wireless flatscreen TV, which receives signals from a router.

The basic way in which a wireless TV router functions is by broadcasting a television signal through radio waves or similar methods. These routers typically have an input connection that can be plugged into a cable box or similar receiver, allowing the router to receive a signal from that box. Output from the router is then transmitted wirelessly, allowing other devices to pick up this signal through an antenna or similar receiver.

Receivers

A router may send a signal to a projector.
A router may send a signal to a projector.

While the wireless TV router itself transmits a signal, the devices used to view this signal need to be able to receive it. Some televisions are designed with connectivity to common wireless technologies, such as WiFi®, while others can be connected to another device, like a media player, which receives the signal and sends it to the TV. There are also adapters that can be used on older TVs, acting as an antenna to pick up the wireless broadcast for display.

Different Types of Routers

Wireless TV routers allow for television signals to be broadcast to other areas of a building without cables.
Wireless TV routers allow for television signals to be broadcast to other areas of a building without cables.

One common standard used in a wireless TV router is Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI). A number of companies have developed and supported this technology, making it a popular standard for different types of hardware. There are also other devices that can be used as a wireless TV router, but they are usually developed and supported only by a single company. Anyone interested in using such a device should ensure compatibility with other entertainment hardware.

Demand for TV Routers

With the increased popularity of the flat-screen television, the demand for a fully functional wireless TV router has grown. Light-weight High Definition Televisions (HDTVs) can be placed in a wide range of locations throughout a home or business. Unsightly wires make some locations impractical or unattractive, however, without a great deal of additional work, such as running wires behind walls.

Multiple TVs in various rooms of a home or business may require a great deal of extra cable to connect each set. With a wireless TV router, however, the hardware setup becomes much simpler. Each monitor or display requires a way to receive the signal, but beyond that, no additional wiring is needed for each device. This can also be advantageous if the layout of a building results in the outlet for an incoming television signal being quite distant from the location a person wants to place a TV.

Discussion Comments

anon998520

Between the router and TV, I am totally confused! As long as the TV works, I'm OK. Anything else and I will call the TV repair! Thanks for your input! Show me? Can't understand it all! I leave it up to the cable company.

anon996555

Can anyone tell me which tv routers are currently available on the market?

anon204012

anon46612: You must have been reading my mind, as I was thinking the very same thing! Hopefully wisegeek will do the wise thing and add time/date stamp to posts and comments. Please!

anon76885

I hadn't thought of routers being built into televisions, so much as having one central router for the house and some sort of small receiver to plug into the television instead of the coax. This could put more people on routers sooner, without the need for a new TV, and as new TV's are manufactured they would have the router receiver built in.

anon46612

It would be helpful to include a date on such articles since the information is time sensitive; things are constantly changing and so the statements made, correct at the time of writing, become incorrect or obsolete in a short time.

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    • A wireless flatscreen TV, which receives signals from a router.
      By: designsstock
      A wireless flatscreen TV, which receives signals from a router.
    • A router may send a signal to a projector.
      By: M S
      A router may send a signal to a projector.
    • Wireless TV routers allow for television signals to be broadcast to other areas of a building without cables.
      By: naypong
      Wireless TV routers allow for television signals to be broadcast to other areas of a building without cables.