Netgear PTV3000 and the Nexus 4

**Phil Nickinson** · 12-28-2012, 03:00 PM

I've been hesitant to write about the Netgear PTV3000 adapter and the Nexus 4 because, as we found out way back in November, it doesn't yet work. That is, the PTV3000 is using "precompatability" firmware, meaning that its Miracast isn't playing nicely with Miracast on the Nexus 4.

Welcome to the wonderful world of being first adopters of a new standard. It happens. Back in November, Netgear PR told me they were working on a firmware update, with my favorite timeline -- "soon." Weeks went by, and my last two e-mails asking for an update haven't been returned. Bother.

But, as these things happen, the firmware indeed has been in testing, and it's leaked out. So I popped the 2.2 update onto my PTV3000 to give it a go.

Mind you, this is not official firmware. This is test. This is not final. I expect bugs. That said, it works OK. Some quick thoughts on the Miracast experience in general:

Display mirroring is fine. Works as you'd expect. It's also kinda boring. That's not to say it doesn't have its purposes -- it most certainly does. (More on that in a minute.)
Netflix works. Mirrors over just fine, and frame rate seems OK. I'm not sure if I'm surprised by that. Didn't try watching a lot of shows. Just some kids cartoon that was on the recommend list. (Thanks, kids!)
Tried playing Riptide GP. Didn't go well. So many variables that could have led to that lag. But it was unplayable.
YouTube didn't go so well either. Interesting, though, is that the N4 recognizes the PTV3000 as an available output, just as it does the Nexus Q. Had frame-rate issues, though, and audio didn't always work. Moreover, it again was just being mirrored. Not sure if that's the intended function, or if it's supposed to act like a second screen, much as how Youtube works with the Nexus Q, or (I believe -- haven't tried it) the new YT functionality with Google TV.
Video from Google Play works OK as well. Again, not great.

I think what it really comes down to is that I do not want to stream stuff from my phone. It's just not good. You know where this is going -- the almighty Nexus Q. Talked about this before on the podcast -- but it's the way to go about things. Take the heavy lifting -- and latency -- off of the phone. The connected device does all that work, and the phone (or tablet) is what controls it.

Right now? Miracast is a fun novelty. But that's all it is. Hell, it's not even listed as a feature of the Nexus 4 now on Google Play, if that tells you anything.

**Qbancelli** · 12-28-2012, 04:49 PM

Video: Hands-on With Nexus 4, Miracast and the Netgear PTV3000

**Phil Nickinson** · 12-28-2012, 05:14 PM

Saw that. Made me horribly dizzy. Also why I'm waiting for the official firmware before doing anything more than this. Not fair to the devices otherwise.

**PWC Realtor** · 12-28-2012, 05:15 PM

Just bought one off of ebay for $54 shipped with the BETA firmware already flashed. I bought a WiDi enabled Fujitsu laptop about a year ago but back them these thing were easily over $100 so between the cost coming down and me having a Nexus 4 hopefully this is worth it.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**Qbancelli** · 12-28-2012, 06:00 PM

Please tell us how it does work for you. I'm just about ready to get this from my local Best Buy for my N4.

**badbrad17** · 12-29-2012, 11:45 AM

Bring on the Nexus Q... Bring on the Funk.

Not sure why I had to say that but I did.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**PWC Realtor** · 12-29-2012, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by badbrad17

Bring on the Nexus Q... Bring on the Funk.

Not sure why I had to say that but I did.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

Hopefully they'll reincarnate the Q as something less funky LOL

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**badbrad17** · 12-29-2012, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by mwilkins

Hopefully they'll reincarnate the Q as something less funky LOL

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

I read they are working on it and have plans to do a release soon.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**PWC Realtor** · 12-29-2012, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by badbrad17

I read they are working on it and have plans to do a release soon.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

I've heard varying reports too. I have and use a Revue So something to replace it might be nice.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**badbrad17** · 12-29-2012, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by mwilkins

I've heard varying reports too. I have and use a Revue So something to replace it might be nice.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

This is really a very important piece left in the Android puzzle. You would think that someone would be smart enough to create an Android version of Apple TV.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**PWC Realtor** · 12-29-2012, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by badbrad17

This is really a very important piece left in the Android puzzle. You would think that someone would be smart enough to create an Android version of Apple TV.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

True but unlike the Apple TV the Revue doesn't take up an extra HDMI input and it's remote controls my TV, cable box, and sound bar.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**badbrad17** · 12-29-2012, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by mwilkins

True but unlike the Apple TV the Revue doesn't take up an extra HDMI input and it's remote controls my TV, cable box, and sound bar.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

I just want to be able to control anything I see on my pc on my tv. Maybe I should just buy a new pc and plug it in to my computer.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**sidamos** · 12-30-2012, 09:09 AM

What is the purpose of mirroring a phone screen anyway? If I want to send video, pictures or music to another device, I can use DLNA today with every Android device and many DLNA devices.

**Qbancelli** · 12-30-2012, 05:42 PM

Everyone does not have a DLNA device. Including me.

**PWC Realtor** · 01-01-2013, 10:13 AM

Finally got mine yesterday and had a chance to get it set up today. Miricast works no hitches.

FYI for anyone planning to use this with a WiDi laptop... Use the Intel WiDi software provided by your manufacturer not the newest one Intel provides on their site. You can learn from the hour plus I spent flashing firmware to the Netgear box and almost ripping my hair out.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums