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Products: NewSoft WMS200 Video and WMS200 Software USB
Vendor: NewSoft Technology Corporation
Price: $349.00 and $44.95 Respectively
Reviewer: Stephen Borders (badersk)
Rating: 8 of 10

“Now you can run Presto! WMS 3 FE without installing it. The latest technology lets you run the software from a USB flash drive without installation and configuration procedures”. Just “Plug the “Presto! WMS200 Software USB” flash drive into your USB port, select the application, and run it. It’s so easy.

If you are like me you may not know much about NewSoft and the things they offer. NewSoft develops hardware and software for imaging, multimedia and Internet- solutions. They are well known for their advanced technology, innovative design, and diverse product lines.

Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to test and review two of their products the Presto USB and the WMS200 Video and I would like to share my experience with it. (It was originally supposed to be just the Presto USB but NewSoft was kind enough to send both units because they are designed to work together.)

Now you may be asking: ‘This is mobilitysite, what does this have to do with mobility?’ As an Instructor use of PowerPoint is an invaluable tool for classroom presentations, especially for the visual aspect of teaching. For some trainers and consultants their work involves travel to who knows where and to who knows what type of setup of room. Typical projector setups require that your laptop and projector be in close proximity or lengthy, bulky and heavy cables be run, which are always just a little too short, long or just in the way. The more stuff you have to lug around the more difficult life on the road is. But hey, that’s just the way things are.

Well that’s not the way it has to be. NewSoft offers a wireless solution to connect you computer to your projector, placing either of them anywhere in the room you like without wires, add the Presto USB there is not even any software to install. How’s that for mobility.

WMS200 Video

I will Start with the WMS200 because you need one of NewSoft’s receivers to utilize the software. The Receiver comes with a software installation disk and the power supply. You can hook up with either a VGA connector or it also supports HDMI out for presentation mode or to play a video.

Hook up is straight forward; you hook up a VGA cable between the unit and your projector and turn the unit on. Turn on your projector and when the display warms up you will get the instruction screen, detailing the connection procedure. Open your wireless utility on your laptop and refresh the available networks. The WMS200 will show up on the list, select it and click connect.

The next step depends on which software solution you are using. If you have the software installed on your computer you start it up, it will detect the connected receiver and you select either play presentation or video. On presentation it shows a copy of your computer screen through the projector, on video it will have you browse and select a properly formatted video file to play. In both cases the WMS200 performs amazingly well. On presentation mode there is a slight delay between the computer screen and the projector display but it is quite livable. It is nowhere near as bad as the wireless unit that came with the projectors we have at our training center.

WMS200 Software USB
If the system needs to be used by more than one user/computer (only one at a time of course) you can opt to get the Presto! WMS 3 Flash Drive. It is simply a USB flash drive that has the software installed on it and is designed to run straight from the drive. You simply connect the WMS200 as describe above, plug in the Presto flash drive, select the application and run it. It works the same way and the installed software without registering. This way it can be used on any computer you like.

Final Impressions
All in all a very simple solution, it requires very little setup and if you can connect to a Hot spot you can use the WMS200 and the Software USB. Admittedly you can almost always get within cables reach of your projector when you are on the road. Also at $400.00 for both it would hardly be cost effective. However for the road warrior, to be able to place you laptop and projector anywhere you want, particularly if you are like some and like to be able to look at your computer screen instead of turning around and looking at the projector image, the WMS200 video and the WMS20 Software USB can make life a little easier.

Pros:

• Wireless solution for Projectors
• Good performance for both Presentation and video
• Simple setup

Cons:

• A little expensive for occasional use

Thanks for reading and to NewSoft for providing Review samples of both the WMS200 Video and The WMS200 Software USB.

Stephen Borders (24 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Stephen is an Veteran Automotive Technician turned Instructor who after getting introduced to computers on Automobiles, became interested in home computers and handheld PDAs. His love for cars and gadgets is second to his love for his wife of 27 years, his kids and grandkids. He resides and works in the Atlanta Georgia area.