A: Roomcast comprises a main unit (with an external in-line power supply) and a Roomcast remote which is available in 2 formats, push button or dial.  In some situations it may be possible to utilise the existing TV remote in which case the Roomcast remote would not be required.

A: In the box, there is a Roomcast main unit, an in-line power supply and a mounting bracket with screws. Also included is a 1-metre length Ethernet cable, HDMI cable and a power supply mains cable. Finally, depending upon the control method selected, you may also have a Roomcast remote control. This will either be a Roomcast Push-Button Remote or a Roomcast Dial.

A: Usually, only three things are required for a Roomcast installation – a mains power outlet, a free HDMI port on the TV and a wired Ethernet wall jack with open Internet access. However, in some situations this may vary, please contact us for further help with your exact requirements.

A: The Roomcast main unit will normally be mounted out of sight either behind the in-room TV or under a desk. Roomcast remotes use RF so they do not require line-of-sight. The supplied Roomcast main unit mounting bracket is suitable for wall or under-desk mounting.

A: The standard Ethernet and HDMI cables supplied with Roomcast are approximately 1 meter long to support installation behind the TV. If the Roomcast is being mounted in a position where longer cables are needed or if additional cables are needed then please contact us.

A: Roomcast uses an open wired connection to the Internet. Typically you will simply whitelist the MAC address of installed Roomcast devices.

A: If there are no wired ports in your hotel guest rooms, then using Roomcast in wireless client mode may be possible. Please contact us for further help with the WiFi network requirements to support client mode.

A: No. Roomcast is installed solely in the guest room.

A: Roomcast works with almost any TV but works best with hospitality TVs which are available from most major manufacturers. Your TV only requires a spare HDMI port for Roomcast to connect to. HDMI-CEC is the preferred method for automatic input switching and is available on most new hospitality TVs. We can provide advice on how to enable HDMI-CEC on your TV model.

A: Yes, Roomcast is a perfect add-on to any existing VOD/IPTV system. By connecting Roomcast to a spare HDMI port on the TV the Roomcast guest interface can be entered and exited with a simple press of the Roomcast remote control where CEC is supported.

A: The Roomcast Dial is a unique remote control for Roomcast, designed to be engaging, and super simple to use. A press of the Roomcast Dial will switch the TV to display the Roomcast interface. Just rotate the dial to navigate and press to select the highlighted option. Exit to TV is always one press away. The Roomcast Dial is the simplest way to make it obvious to your guests, that your rooms are “streaming ready”.

A: Yes, there are a number of options. The Roomcast Dial can accept a tether so it cannot be moved far from the desk. Alternatively, we can supply a base for the Roomcast Dial which can be tethered to the desk. Then the Roomcast Dial can either be fixed to the base to prevent theft or simply placed on the base to deter theft.

A: No. Guests simply use the apps they know and love. Roomcast uses Google Chromecast technology which is supported directly in hundreds of Chromecast-enabled apps. Roomcast features a “How to Cast” video for those new to Chromecast.

A: The number of Chromecast-enabled apps is growing all the time so check Google’s Chromecast Apps Directory for an up to date list.  By far the most popular is Netflix.  Other highly popular , Stan, Catch Up TV channels, Music such as Spotify, Sports such as Optus Sport, YouTube, Facebook, there are literally hundreds of cast enabled apps.

A: Guests use their own device, mobile apps and their own accounts. Guests never have to enter any login details such as user name or password into the Roomcast or the TV. The guest needs only to join the Roomcast WiFi network, open their app and cast. Guests also use their own device to make their media selections and to pause, play and rewind.

A: Roomcast generates a unique WiFi SSID and passkey which is presented to the guest on the in-room TV. Guests in other rooms have no way of knowing the passkey so the network is totally secure.

A: Roomcast can be configured with time out options to refresh the dynamic passkey at a specified time (for example every day at 11am). For other options (PMS driven refresh or similar) please contact us.

A: Yes, casting is a built-in feature of the world’s most popular browser, Chrome. The cast feature in the Chrome browser lets you cast whatever you see in a chosen browser window, including videos, photos, music and more.

A: Chromecast supports Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube Music and many other music streaming apps. Using these apps guests can simply cast their music stations or selections to the TV speakers while enjoying album art on the TV screen. Roomcast also supports a Bluetooth connection which makes it possible for guests to stream music libraries native to their smartphone through the TV speakers.

A: Roomcast has a guest HDMI port. When a guest connects their device to the port the TV will automatically switch inputs and display the connected guest device. Furthermore, the Roomcast personal area network makes it easy for these “browserless” devices to gain direct internet access. Ask us about our optional HDMI puck and panel accessories.

A: For each active HD video stream we recommend allowing 5mbps bandwidth, this is in line with the estimates of providers like YouTube and Netflix. Assuming concurrent usage is 1 in 20 devices you can estimate the bandwidth required by dividing the total number of rooms by 4. So for a 100 room hotel, you should budget on 25mbps plus whatever other bandwidth requirements you have. This figure may need reviewing in light of actual usage. It is important to note that it is extremely likely that guests are already wirelessly streaming content on their own device, just not to your TV, so the overall bandwidth increase may well be marginal. Further, because Roomcast uses the wired infrastructure to stream, the hotel wireless network should see wireless traffic decrease and wireless performance increase.

A: The Roomcast personal area WiFi network is a simple extension of your existing guest Internet. Each room has a unique and secure onboarding process which is open within the room for sharing and streaming but fully isolated from adjacent rooms for security. Roomcast has the option of popping up a terms and conditions window, and/or informing the PMS when a connection is opened to allow charging (requires PMS integration). With HSIA gateway integration Roomcast can be part of a tiered option whether the original opt-in or payment is made at the time of or prior to joining the Roomcast network.

A: The wireless overhead with Roomcast is extremely low. The guest device will communicate over the Roomcast WiFi only for initial negotiation of credentials but the actual video content will be delivered over the wired connection to the Roomcast and then to the TV over HDMI. Compared to a hotel without Roomcast where guests are streaming video over the hotel wireless to their mobile devices, Roomcast will have significantly less impact on wireless performance for other guests.

A: The Roomcast SSIDs will only be visible once the guest accesses the Roomcast and then only until the system times out. Outside these times the Roomcast SSID will not be visible. Roomcast does not just hide the SSID however, it turns the WiFi radio off so minimizing the Roomcast wireless footprint even further.

A: With an IR sensor connected, Roomcast can detect IR codes from popular hotel room remote controls to allow User Interface (UI) navigation.

A: Roomcast works in all countries that support Chromecast, Netflix and other popular streaming apps, we are all systems go in Australia.

A: TeleAdapt is currently developing a management console for Roomcast.

A: A background image and hotel logo can be added to the Roomcast UI to brand it for your hotel.