How to Set Up a Wireless Presentation

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Presentations in the old days only had only one main component: the presenter. Teachers, preachers, and politicians are all presenters, one way or another. This works just fine when the presenter mostly explains common and familiar issues. But when they need to discuss a more complicated subject, visual aids are absolutely necessary. For these presentations, there are three main components: the presenter, the computer, and the multimedia projector. If you as the presenter have to be tied to your computer and projector via a cable, your movements will be restricted and it might infringe upon the flow of your presentation. Using a wireless setup can free up your presentation and help it flow better, so read on to learn how.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a wireless presenter

PDF download Download Article
  1. This device, commonly called a clicker, resembles a simple mouse and has at least two buttons, forward and back, that move forward or backward in the presentation. Many clickers also have laser pointers that you can use to point out certain aspects of each slide, as well as other embellishments, and most are small enough to comfortably hold in one hand. Choose a clicker you like.
    • Using this clicker allows you to remove away from the computer, walk around the stage, and engage more closely with the audience, without giving up control of the computer.
  2. Wireless presenters always come with a receiver, usually placed in a slot at the back of the clicker, or sometimes hidden behind the battery cover. Take off this receiver and connect it to an available USB port in your computer.
    • Put in any necessary batteries or other requirements for your clicker.
    • Once the receiver connects to your computer, it will automatically install the necessary driver. Wait until this process finishes before proceeding.
    Advertisement
  3. It's always a good idea to test your technology well before your presentation so that you can solve any problems that arise without delaying or interrupting the presentation. To check that your clicker works, open any PowerPoint presentation and put it in presentation mode. Click all buttons on the clicker, especially the forward and back buttons, to make sure they work.
    • Check the user manual for the maximum distance covered by the wireless presenter. When giving the presentation, make sure you do not move beyond that distance.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Wireless Presentation Gateway (WPG)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Since most wireless presenters can only move forward and back, they are not suitable for a presentation where the presenter needs to be close to the computer, for example to toggle between files such as the presentation file, a spreadsheet, and a video. In this case, you need a wireless device that will replace the video cable between the computer and projector. This device is called a Wireless Presentation Gateway, or WPG, and it connects to a computer through WiFi. [1]
  2. You can do this through Wi-Fi Direct or any available Wi-Fi network.
    3. Advertisement

Setting up a WPG through WiFi Direct

  1. Then connect it to a projector using a video cable (VGA or HDMI).
  2. [2]
  3. Find all the necessary software on the installation cd supplied in the WPG box. Follow the installation instructions included here.
  4. Find the WPG on the list of available wireless network connections on your computer. Select this network and connect your computer to it.
  5. Let it finish the connection process so that your computer will be fully connected to the WPG.
  6. On your computer, start any PowerPoint presentation and put it on presentation mode. With some delays, you should be able to see it show up on the projector. Make sure you can switch between slides and screens on your computer. Open all files you'll need for your presentation, and make sure you can quickly switch back and forth between them.
    7. Advertisement

Setting up a WPG through a WiFi Network

  1. Then connect it to the network using LAN cable and to a projector using video cable (VGA or HDMI).
  2. Consult the network admin for this, if necessary.
  3. At this stage the WPG should display an address (in the form of xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) through the projector.
  4. Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer and choose the available network. Connect to that network, not to the WPG.
  5. To do this, open a web browser on your computer, and type the address from above into the address bar. Press Enter to make the connection. Once connected, it may start installing the necessary driver and software. If this does not happen, install them using the installation cd supplied in the WPG box. Follow all installation instructions.
  6. Let it finish up the connection process with the WPG.
  7. On your computer, start any PowerPoint presentation and put it on presentation mode. With some delays, you should be able to see it through the projector. Try switching back and forth between slides and screens to make sure everything works properly.
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Sometimes the projector already comes with an internal WPG. In this case, no VGA cable is needed. Simply turn on the projector and follow the instructions.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Each brand of WPG and wireless projector has its own software. If your office has different brands of WPG or wireless projectors in every meeting room, you might need to install the software for each of them.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0


      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Homemade Projector Screen
      How to
      Mount a Projector
      How to
      Create a Photo Slideshow with PowerPoint
      How to
      Do a Presentation in Class
      How to
      Write a Seminar Paper
      How to
      Present an Award
      How to
      Conduct a Group Discussion
      How to
      Give a Presentation
      What Are Some Interesting Topics to Discuss in a Group?
      How to
      Introduce Yourself Before Giving a Seminar
      How to
      Create a Slideshow on iPad
      How to
      Print Transparencies
      How to
      Prepare a Paper Presentation
      How to
      Plan a Presentation
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://superuser.com/questions/316662/how-does-a-wireless-presentation-gateway-work
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCJcdrBHjc

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 68,261 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement