Actually, that's not what you originally asked for....
Please, try to understand - telling me what I did or didn't originally ask for doesn't help the discussion. I realize that by me saying,
"I wish Apple made something like this that allowed Airplay to work without an Apple TV and Airport Extreme/Express/Time Capsule"
you thought that
a) I explicitly needed Apple's patented AirPlay functionality, and
b) I was somehow under the misconception that Airplay required Apple's own routers to work. I apologize for that confusion. In trying to answer your questions, I am clarifying my sloppy misuse of nomenclature. My original requirements have not changed. Let me clarify. By "Airplay" I mean that I only need to mirror a device - such as an iPad or Macbook Pro - to an HDMI-capable TV. That mirroring functionality can be implemented in any way; it does not have to be via Apple's AirPlay technology.
I've seen VGA wireless devices like this (you can convert on the ends after?), is that enough or does it have to be HDMI? Or actual display port ports? (But they're WAY bigger than a dongle!)
Whatever dongle is plugged into the television must be HDMI. If another dongle is required for the iPad or Macbook pro, so be it, but that's highly undesireable, in light of all the wireless cabilities built in to the iPad and Macbook Pro.
Our conversation started when you wanted Apple to make something that supports AirPlay. And linking to a not shipping product (that doesn't do what you asked for originally, at least I don't see that it does AirPlay) doesn't really correct my posting...
See above clarification of my functional requirements. Whether or not I "really" corrected your posting hasn't moved the discussion any further, clearly.
No, not what I was asking, you misunderstood. With the device we're talking about (although now the specs have changed) can you do your point-to-point (AdHoc) and still have your laptop connected to the Internet via WiFi (dual connections); this is why I asked about the additional wireless (1 for AdHoc and one for Internet/OtherNetworkStuff) and/or about the EtherNet connection [or is your network going to be essentially dead except for the streaming]).
I'm afraid I did understand your question with deft precision, but I was gravely mistaken that I had the ability to respond clearly. My answer is the same, but let me clarify:
If an HDMI dongle requires wifi to mirror (not necessariliy Airplay) an iPad or Macbook Pro, then there are two possibilities-
1) The dongle uses the same wifi network that the iPad or Macbook Pro uses for an internet connection. In this case, there is infrastructure, and internet.
2) The dongle uses an ad-hoc wifi network between itself and the iPad or Macbook Pro. In this case, there is no other wifi infrastructure the iPad or Macbook Pro can connect to ("dual connections", as you say) for internet connectivity. Unless the iPad or Macbook Pro has the capability to connect to two or more unique wireless networks simultaneously, the answer to your question
"can you do your point-to-point (AdHoc) and still have your laptop connected to the Internet via WiFi?"
is most definitely "no." Now you've also brought up the idea of ethernet connectivity. Totally different, totally not in my original question, scenario, or list of feasible solutions.
This networking question is not to be difficult: I'm seriously trying to understand your needs, if I find you a product, but then you complain you need to access your server or internet (in addition to the streaming) I want to know in advance.
I appreciate you not trying to be difficult, but honestly, it
has been difficult - and I probably won't reply again here, as I am starting to confuse myself - especially when I in no way solicited your help in finding me a product that you'd be responsible for supporting in response to my "complaints" that you've preemptively invalidated.
Thank you for your assistance and contribution to my posts.
Sigh.
