Actiontec Screenbeam vs Airtame

What’s the difference between Actiontec Screenbeam and Airtame? To help you make the right choice for your needs, we want to give a fair comparison between the two.

Both Screenbeam and Airtame are high-quality wireless streaming solutions designed for education and small to larger enterprises. At first glance, you might think the main difference lies in the price tag. However, there are other major considerations to keep in mind.

Highlights

• Screenbeam devices let you stream content between two Miracast-enabled devices. Screenbeam is therefore incompatible with all Apple products.
• The Screenbeam receiver, similar in size to Apple TV, plugs via HDMI cable to a TV or projector.
• With the exception of Windows Mobile, Airtame is a one-size-fits-all cross-platform device.
• The Airtame device, which is similar in size to a modern car key, plugs directly into the HDMI port of any TV or projector.
• Screenbeam mirrors from one source to a single screen or projector.
• Airtame allows mirroring from one source to multiple screens or projectors at the same time.

In a Nutshell

Screenbeam has a wide variety of products with different features and price points. In this article, we’ll review the Screenbeam 750 and Screenbeam 950 as they are most comparable with Airtame in regards to features, use, and price.

Before diving into the details, let’s look at the overview:

Price per single new Actiontec Screenbeam item according to Amazon.com, VAT not included

Price per single new Airtame item according to Airtame.com, VAT not included

Miracast Only vs Cross-Compatibility

Screenbeam streams using Miracast, a standard for screen mirroring technology. The technology is included in most newer Windows PCs (i.e., 8-10+), Windows mobile devices, and Android (4.2+) products. Note that Miracast technology is not included in Mac or iOS devices.

For Miracast to work, certain hardware is required. Therefore, devices running these OS’s might still not support Miracast natively, although, there is an option to purchase a USB or mini USB external wireless display transmitter.

In comparison, Airtame uses its own streaming technology. Airtame is also cross-compatible with multiple platforms, making it a BYOD-friendly alternative. Here is what users of different platforms can expect using either Screenbeam or Airtame.

Apple users can do full screen mirroring from Macbooks with Airtame aand use AirPlay iOS mirroring to mirror iPad and iPhone screens. Screenbeam is not compatible with any Apple products.

Windows users are happily embraced in the wireless arms of both Airtame and Screenbeam. Windows devices, including Surface and Surface Pro tablets, . Airtame does not, however, support Windows mobile devices.

Linux users are a rare type, but luckily for them, Airtame is a proud supporter of the powerful penguin party in audio and video. Screenbeam does not offer support for Linux.

Chromebook users are a smaller group but growing in numbers, especially in schools. Screenbeam unfortunately doesn’t support Chromebook. Airtame offers support with full HD mirroring, although streaming with audio is not yet available. We intend to change this very soon.

Wall-mounted and Stationary vs Compact and Portable

Screenbeam is a larger square-shaped device about the size of an Apple TV. When using a wall-mounted TV with Screenbeam, you would need to secure the device on top of the TV, mount it to a wall, or have it sit on a sturdy surface.

Bear in mind, Screenbeam devices can only be powered by an AC adapter.

The Airtame device is lightweight, compact, and designed to fit in the small space behind a TV or projector. It plugs into the HDMI port of your TV or projector.

And if your TV or projector’s USB port outputs 1 amp of power, you can power the device through your TV or projector. In all other cases, you’ll use the AC adapter included in the box.

Airtame fulfills the needs of a stationary wireless streaming solution, but it’s also a great companion to the traveling presenter. Use a power bank and Airtame’s built-in WiFi to start a wireless presentation within a matter of minutes.

Screenbeam CMS vs Airtame Cloud

If there is anything that can cure an IT administrator's headache, it is a centralized control system. Luckily for them, both Screenbeam and Airtame offer systems for monitoring multiple presentation devices, but with a few important differences.

The comprehensive and mostly unstyled Screenbeam CMS is a Windows-only application. It allows the administrator to monitor status, organize and group multiple Screenbeam receivers according to location, push updates, reset and change individual preferences, and change network settings. With the Screenbeam CMS, you have to be on the same network or another network that can access the network that the Screenbeam units are on, for example, with a VPN.

Additional features are: Event Scheduler and Logs Management. Event Scheduler allows for running different settings at a period of time for one, a group, or all receivers, and the Log Management captures logs and warning messages from the receivers of your choice.

A Screenbeam CMS perpetual license is included in the purchase but is only valid for 3 years. When it expires, you’ll have the choice to either re-up on a subscription for approximately $120 or keep using outdated software.

Of the two Screenbeam devices chosen for this comparison, only the Screenbeam 950 supports this CMS. You can read more about the Screenbeam CMS here.

Airtame Cloud is a Cloud-based application that uses a web browser. It is designed to be both user-friendly and a highly functional management system. Airtame Cloud allows administrators to monitor status, rename, organize and group multiple devices, update firmware, change individual settings such as enabling pin code, digital signage, and network settings.

You can customize settings for individual devices or for multiple devices at once. Since Airtame Cloud is Cloud-based, you can manage and update devices from a remote location.

Airtame Cloud is free of charge, so whether you use three or a hundred devices, it is a great and practical way to manage your Airtames. You can read more about the Airtame Cloud here.

Dashboard/Customized Background

Screenbeam and Airtame devices allow users to personalize their default backgrounds. With Screenbeam, you can change the background images on the welcome screen or set a screensaver with an image of your choice.

Airtame offers Homescreen, a fully customizable background, which also has the unique ability to display a webpage as your background.  This feature is particularly popular for affordable digital signage and for showing dashboards and other important dynamic information.

Bottom Line

With work environments moving from the traditional cubicle setup to open collaborative spaces, there is an ever-growing need to present on the big screen. More often than not, people bringing their own devices to work need a flexible wireless screen sharing solution, which your environment should have available.

However, if you can characterize your office or classroom as an all-Windows 10 and/or Android 4.2+ environment, with no need to simultaneously stream to multiple screens or presenting on-the-go, Screenbeam could be a solution for you. Before you buy, we recommend taking a closer look at the multiple Windows-based features Screenbeam has to offer. Here is a good place to start.

If your environment consists of users on multiple platforms, including Windows, Apple, Linux, and Chromebook Airtame is a better choice for supporting BYOD classrooms and offices. Also, if you’re looking for a device that can do both screen sharing and digital signage, Airtame is most likely the solution for you.

As with Screenbeam, we recommend you take a closer look at the features Airtame currently has to offer and what’s to come. Here is a good place to start:

• Airtame product page
• What is Airtame
• Product roadmap
• Chromecast vs Airtame
• Apple TV vs Airtame
• Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter vs Airtame
• Click Share Vs Airtame
• Wireless Streaming for HDMI overview

We aim to be as objective as we can in this article to give a fair comparison between Screenbeam and Airtame.