The Quattropod Lite is a handy device that eliminates cables in environments where they are not welcome such as conference rooms or your entertainment setup. Anything wireless is always nice, but limitations such as latency and signal integrity can become an issue. The Quattropod Lite is a niche product, but let’s see if it’s a must-have tool for your AV needs in business or entertainment. Of course, we are always interested everything related to gaming and the best gaming monitors.
Design and Features
The Quattropod Lite package includes the receiver which looks like a router with two antennas and a smaller transmitter with a single antenna. Both have matte black finishes that look clean and easy to maintain so the gadgets can always look new. The package already includes everything you will need, such as the input and power cables along with a power brick that includes several adapters for various region sockets.
Both the Quattropod Lite transmitter and receivers require an HDMI video connection, but the latter uses need the included wall adapter while the former uses a micro-USB port to USB-A connection. Setup is fairly straightforward, but the need for two types of wires instead of a single solution like USB-C is frowned upon in today’s evolving market. You don’t need drivers to make this gadget work, so that’s less of a hassle if in case the transmitter needs to be passed around.
Take note that the transmitter goes to your host devices such as a laptop or a desktop PC, while the receiver connects to a TV or a computer monitor. This is especially useful in shared workspaces or conference rooms, but it also has its purpose for AV setups if in case you want to switch to a mobile player. The two parts automatically pair via its own 5GHz WiFi, so you don’t need to use your work or home network.
The Quattropod Lite’s receiver also supports casting via Google’s Chromecast or Apple Airplay which are common with mobile devices. You don’t need the transmitter to do this since the signal goes through the receiver’s 5GHz WiFi connection. You can, however, bridge it to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network for internet passthrough.
Performance
The Quattropod Lite is a dream to set up and use since, as mentioned, everything is plug and play. The device automatically recognizes the other part once it is powered on and connected to the display and host machine such as a laptop, so users won’t have trouble utilizing its capabilities. The transmitter and receiver are small so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a spot for them even if the TV stand or the table is a bit cramped.
The Quattropod Lite mentions that it is 4K ready, but that’s inaccurate since the transmitter included with this package is limited to 1080p 60Hz. The receiver can do up to 4K 30Hz, but you need the T01 transmitter which isn’t compatible with this package if you want a higher resolution. Business users won’t mind, but those who are checking this product out for entertainment purposes should look at the Pro model which costs considerably more.
You also need to make sure that the transmitter and receiver are within line of sight to each other with a distance of no more than ten meters to ensure signal integrity. 5GHz networks have a theoretical speed of 433 Mbps up to 1.7Gbps which is plenty even for video streaming. However, the actual speed between the two sits at around 170 to 180 Mbps at the prescribed distance.
There is no need to worry about jittering when streaming videos through the Quattropod Lite, but we noticed that there is a slight delay in the image output. It even becomes noticeable if you try to stream a movie that appears smooth, but a bit disconnected to the audio. This means that the gadget isn’t truly suitable for watching movies or games, although instances such as presentations won’t be affected as much.
You also have to remember that the HDMI connection on the Quattropod Lite carries the audio, so monitors without speakers won’t put out sound. TVs will be fine, but monitors without built-ins will need a separate set plugged into their 3.5mm jack. This is a minor hassle, but important for office users which mostly have monitors.
Thoughts on the Quattropod Lite
The Quattropod Lite is a handy device for shared workspaces and conference rooms where the hassle of lengthy cables are unwelcome. It makes BYOD setups much more convenient and it allows multiple users to collaborate on a single main display without any setup troubles. We like that it doesn’t need drivers or a lengthy configuration, so even those who aren’t experts with these things can use it with no problems.
However, the Quattropod Lite is a niche product since isn’t suited for entertainment purposes such as for home theaters or couch gaming setups. The video and audio streams are smooth, but the noticeable latency between the two ruins the experience.
Pros:
- Easy to Use – Plug and Play
- Great Price Compared to its Closest Competitors
- Works with Chromecast and Airplay
- Compact Package
- Works with Common Video Input Standards
Cons:
- Expensive if Bought for Entertainment Purposes
- Noticeable Latency When Used for Videos and Games
- Limited to 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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