当您想到Microsoft时，通常不会想到硬件。但这并不意味着他们不制造硬件。想想(Just think)Xbox 或著名的Microsoft键盘和鼠标。最近我们有一个非常有趣的设备可以修补：他们的无线显示适配器(Wireless Display Adapter)非常适合将智能手机或计算机的屏幕无线镜像到电视或显示器(TV or monitor)上。让我们看看，在这篇评论中，它提供了什么样的用户体验：
拆箱Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)
谈到包装，有一个词来描述无线显示适配器(Wireless Display Adapter)的包装：简单。好吧(Okay)，我们不是在谈论一个普通的白色纸板箱(cardboard box)，但微软(Microsoft)在这方面做得很好：没有浪费空间，适配器紧紧地装在一个纤细优雅的(slim and elegant) 灰色盒子(gray box)里，显示适配器本身的大致尺寸。
您也不会抱怨过时的软件，因为盒子只包含基本必需品：保修单(warranty leaflet)、快速设置说明、HDMI 延长(HDMI extension)线和设备本身。
硬件规格
由于这是一个单一用途的设备，因此在规格方面没有太多可谈的。Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)是一款小巧轻便的设备：适配器只有 3.45 英寸（88 毫米）长，带有 12.67 英寸（332 毫米）长的电缆（加上连接器），重量仅为 1.16 盎司（33 克）。
该设备基本上用于一件事：屏幕镜像。为此，它使用了基于Wi-Fi Direct的(Wi-Fi Direct)Miracast 技术(Miracast technology)。它最多可以传输分辨率为 1920x1080 像素的内容，并支持立体声和 5.1环绕声(surround sound)。
要使用Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)，您还需要另外两台设备：电视或显示器以及智能手机或计算机作为信号源。基本上(Basically)任何具有HDMI 端口(HDMI port)的电视都可以，但也需要有源USB 端口。(USB port)如果您的套装没有，则需要USB 电源(USB power)和延长线(extension cable)，因为这些不包含在包装盒中。
至于源设备(source device)，支持所有支持 Miracast 的Windows 8.1设备（例如Surface Pro设备），就像支持 Miracast 的(Miracast-enabled Android)运行Android 4.2.1及更高版本的 Android 设备（例如Nexus 5）一样。
至于 PC 和笔记本电脑，微软(Microsoft)发布了一条经验法则：如果您的 PC 配备了Windows 8.1，那么您应该一切就绪——如果您将操作系统(operating system)作为更新安装，它可能(might)不支持 Miracast。
连接Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)
首先要做的是将Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)连接到您要投影到的显示器：我们已经在现代三星电视(Samsung TV)和小型无名电视上对其进行了测试。在这两种情况下，程序都非常简单明了：将设备连接到电视上的HDMI 和 USB 端口(HDMI and USB port)，然后选择该HDMI 端口(HDMI port)作为电视上的源。
应出现带有Microsoft 徽标(Microsoft logo)和文本的灰色屏幕：“MicrosoftDisplayAdapter_EF Ready to connect”。基本上(Basically)这就是你在电视上需要做的所有事情，你就可以开始了。
接下来，使用您的智能手机、平板电脑或计算机(tablet or computer)连接到Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)。在Windows 设备(Windows device)上，首先确保操作系统(operating system)是最新的，然后激活右侧的超级按钮。单击(Click)或点击"Devices > Project > Connect to a different display > Add a wireless display"。应出现无线显示适配器(Wireless Display Adapter)的名称，单击或点击它将连接到适配器。
在Android上，这个过程是不同的，但同样简单。出于测试目的，我们使用了运行Android 5.0 Lollipop的(Lollipop)Oneplus One智能手机。首先访问(First access)所有应用程序(All apps)屏幕，然后转到Settings > Display & lights > Cast screen，您可以在其中启用Miracast ，方法是从设置菜单中点击启用无线显示。(Enable wireless display)片刻之后，适配器的名称应出现在设备列表中，然后轻按一下即可连接到它。
至于范围，微软(Microsoft)承诺 7 米或 23 英尺：我们距离电视大约 3-4 米，并注意到一些周期性的卡顿，但这可能是由于与距离无关的事情，并且在 1小时内仅发生一次测试(hour test)。
Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)的功能
Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)的突出和最重要的功能之一——这也使它与竞争对手区分开来——是它不需要任何应用程序。这也意味着功能是有限的：例如，Roku 棒(Roku stick)不需要其他设备即可在屏幕上获取内容，因为它更像是媒体影院扩展，而Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)只是镜像输入设备(input device)上的任何内容'的屏幕。
这既是非常基本的，也是非常受欢迎的。尽管除了智能手机的大屏幕外，您不会得到任何东西，但您不受应用程序的限制：在您的设备上运行的内容将出现在大屏幕上。首先(First)，这可能很奇怪，因为在您旋转屏幕之前，纵向屏幕(portrait screen)会显示为信箱，但这就是镜像的全部内容。
Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)的另一个优点(bonus point)在于Wi-Fi Direct 技术(Wi-Fi Direct technology)的本质：它不需要任何Internet 连接(Internet connection)或本地网络即可使其工作。如果您在旅途中，或者手头没有路由器，适配器仍然可以工作，因为您直接连接到它，无需热点或无线网络。
至于最好的用例，我们可以想到几个。对于许多企业来说，适配器可能是一个非常方便的工具，因为它使演示变得更加容易，因为不需要非常昂贵的投影仪，您可以在没有电缆的情况下连接到巨大的电视。此外，当您想展示您的假日照片时，无线显示适配器(Wireless Display Adapter)是一个不错的选择：借助HDMI 连接(HDMI connection)，您还可以显示您的视频，因为声音也是镜像的。
我们也尝试过游戏，但不幸的是，适配器在这方面不是很好：查看图片或视频时，轻微的延迟没有问题，但足以破坏您的游戏体验。我们在Android 游戏(Android game) Fast Racing中开了几分钟，虽然在更大的屏幕上玩很棒的 5.1环绕声(surround sound)真的很有趣，但延迟基本上使整个游戏无法玩，因为你无法做出反应时间。当然有些游戏不需要反应时间(reaction time)，但是来吧，谁愿意在 120厘米的电视(cm TV)上玩纸牌游戏？
判决
毫无疑问，微软无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)并不是适合所有人的设备：虽然它不是很贵，但它仍然比谷歌(Google)的Chromecast贵。当然，您不会获得完全相同的功能集，但如果您想通过将移动设备连接到电视来扩展家庭影院， (home theater)Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)可能是更好的选择。不过，微软(Microsoft)自己的显示适配器(display adapter)也有自己的优势：它不限于第三方或任何其他类型的软件，也不需要任何无线网络即可运行。当然，你仍然需要确保你有一个兼容的源设备(source device)，这可能是一个问题，因为Miracast是一项新技术。Microsoft 无线显示适配器(Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)并没有提供太多的功能方式，但它做到了它所承诺的一切，并且一切都运行得非常顺利。如果您在向家人展示之前先将智能手机照片放在USB 驱动器(USB drive)上已经受够了，或者如果您迫切需要一些东西来让您的商务会议更顺利，那么这款设备可能是您的正确选择.
Reviewing The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter
When yoυ think of Micrоsoft, you don't usually think of hardware. But that dоesn't mean that theу don't make hardware. Just think of thе Xbоx or the well-knоwn Microsoft keyboаrds and mіce. Recently we hаd a very interesting deνice to tinker with: their Wirеless Display Adapter is great for wirelessly mirroring your smartphone's or computer's screen on a TV or monitor. Let's see, in this reviеw, what kind of user experience it providеs:
Unboxing The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter
When it comes to packaging, there is one word to describe the package that the Wireless Display Adapter ships in: simple. Okay, we're not talking about a plain white cardboard box, but Microsoft did a good job here: there's no wasted space, the adapter is tightly packed in a slim and elegant gray box that shows the approximate size of the adapter itself.
You won't be complaining about bloatware either, since the box contains only the bare necessities: a warranty leaflet, the quick setup instructions, an HDMI extension cord and the device itself.
Hardware specifications
Since this is a single-purpose device, there isn't much to talk about when it comes to the specs. The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter is a small and lightweight device: the adapter is barely 3.45 inches (88 millimeters) long with a 12.67 inches (332 mm) long cable (plus the connectors) and weighs only 1.16 ounces (33 grams).
The device is basically used for one thing: screen mirroring. To achieve this, it uses the Miracast technology, which is based on Wi-Fi Direct. It can transfer content at a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels at most, and supports stereo and 5.1 surround sound.
In order to make any use of the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, you will need two other devices: a TV or a monitor and a smartphone or a computer as a source. Basically any TV that has an HDMI port will do, but a powered USB port is also required. If your set doesn't have one, you will need a USB power supply and an extension cable, as these are not included in the box.
As for the source device, all Miracast-enabled Windows 8.1 devices are supported (Surface Pro devices, for example), just like Miracast-enabled Android devices running Android 4.2.1 and above (e.g. Nexus 5).
As for PCs and laptops, Microsoft issued a rule of thumb: if your PC came with Windows 8.1, you should be all set to go - if you installed the operating system as an update, it might not support Miracast.
Connecting The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter
The first thing to do is to connect the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter to the display to which you want to project: we've tested it on a modern Samsung TV as well as a small noname TV. In both cases the procedure was extremely simple and straightforward: connect the device to an HDMI and USB port on your TV, then select that HDMI port as the source on the TV.
A gray screen should appear with the Microsoft logo and the text: "MicrosoftDisplayAdapter_EF Ready to connect". Basically that's all you need to do on the TV and you're ready to go.
Next, connect to the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter with your smartphone, tablet or computer. On a Windows device, first ensure that the operating system is up to date, then activate the charms on the right. Click or tap "Devices > Project > Connect to a different display > Add a wireless display". The name of the Wireless Display Adapter should appear and clicking or tapping on it will connect to the adapter.
On Android, the process is different, but just as simple. For testing purposes we used a Oneplus One smartphone running Android 5.0 Lollipop. First access the All apps screen, then go to Settings > Display & lights > Cast screen, where you can enable Miracast, by tapping Enable wireless display from the settings menu. After a short time, the adapter's name should appear in the list of devices and a simple tap will connect to it.
As for the range, Microsoft promises 7 meters or 23 feet: we were about 3-4 meters away from the TV and noticed some periodic stuttering, but this might have been due to something unrelated to distance and it happened only once during the 1 hour test.
Features Of The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter
One of the prominent and most important features of the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter - that also sets it apart from its rivals - is that it needs no applications. This also means that the features are limited: while, for example, a Roku stick needs no other device to get content onscreen, as it works more like a media theatre extension, the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter simply mirrors anything that's on your input device's screen.
This is both very basic and very welcome at the same time. Although you won't get anything besides a huge screen for your smartphone, you are not limited by apps: what runs on your device, will appear on the big screen. First, it might be strange, as the portrait screen will appear letterboxed until you rotate the screen, but this is what mirroring is all about.
Another bonus point for the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter lies in the very essence of the Wi-Fi Direct technology: it doesn't need any Internet connection or a local network to make it work. If you're on the go, or have no router at hand, the adapter will still work, as you connect directly to it, without the need for a hotspot or a wireless network.
As for the best use cases, we can think of a few. The adapter can be a very handy tool for many businesses, as it makes presentations much easier, since there's no need for a very expensive projector, you can connect to a huge TV without cables. Also, when you want to show your holiday pictures, the Wireless Display Adapter is a great choice: thanks to the HDMI connection, you can also display your videos, as sound is mirrored as well.
We've tried gaming as well but, unfortunately, the adapter is not very good at this: the minor lag is no problem when viewing pictures or videos, but it is just enough to ruin your gaming experience. We were driving for a couple of minutes in the Android game Fast Racing and, although it was really fun to play on a much larger screen with great 5.1 surround sound, the lag basically makes the whole thing unplayable, as you can't react in time. Of course there are games where reaction time is not essential, but come on, who would want to play solitaire on a 120 cm TV?
Verdict
There is no question that the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter is not a device for everyone: although it's not very expensive, it still costs more than Google's Chromecast, for example. Of course you won't get the exact same feature set but, if you're thinking to extend your home theater by connecting your mobile devices to your TV, the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter might be a better choice. Still, Microsoft's own display adapter has its own share of advantages: it is not limited to third-party or any other kind of software and it doesn't need any wireless network to function. Of course, you still need to make sure you have a compatible source device, which could be a problem since Miracast is a new technology. The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter doesn't offer very much the way of features, but it does everything it promises and everything works quite smoothly. If you've had enough of putting your smartphone pictures on a USB drive first before showing them to your family or, if you're in a dire need for something to make your business meetings smoother, this device might be the right choice for you.
