Tips & Tricks

Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of agencies and auction houses set up their in-room displays. And while we’ve come a long way with tech setups, one issue keeps cropping up: screen mirroring.

At first glance, mirroring your phone or tablet to the big screen seems like a convenient option. It’s fast, cable-free, and feels like it should “just work.” But in a live auction setting - where timing, clarity, and reliability matter - screen mirroring is one of the first things I recommend avoiding.

Here’s Why

1. It’s Not as Reliable as You Think

Wireless connections are inherently vulnerable to dropouts, especially in high-pressure environments like an auction room packed with people and devices. All it takes is a shaky Wi-Fi signal, Bluetooth interference, or an overloaded network, and suddenly the screen freezes or lags just when the bidding heats up.

I’ve seen it happen mid-auction: one moment everything’s running fine, the next the screen drops out or lags behind the auctioneer’s call. That’s not a good look for the agency - or a good experience for bidders.

2. You’re Sacrificing Visual Quality

When screen mirroring from a phone or tablet, you often end up with lower resolutions, compression artifacts, or refresh delays. That means your beautiful in-room presentation; bidding history, property slides, live updates - doesn’t look sharp or smooth.

HDMI, on the other hand, delivers clean, consistent visuals. No frame skipping. No loss in clarity. Just a direct line between your device and the display.

3. Security Matters More Than You Might Think

Screen mirroring relies on wireless protocols that can be vulnerable if not properly secured. While it’s unlikely someone’s trying to hack your display mid-auction, I wouldn’t rule out the risk of signal interference or accidental connections, especially in busy venues.

HDMI uses a physical cable. It’s a closed, direct path - much safer, and not open to the same vulnerabilities as a wireless setup.

Nathan’s Rule of Thumb

If you’re presenting an auction on a large screen, your first preference should always be a PC or laptop connected via HDMI.

It’s simple. It’s stable. And it just works.

Whether you're using Auctions Live or any in-room auction platform, the quality of your screen setup reflects the professionalism of your auction. Don’t let wireless convenience compromise your presentation.

What to Use Instead

• A laptop or desktop running your preferred browser (we recommend Chrome)
• A reliable HDMI cable connecting it directly to your screen or projector
• If you must go wireless, be prepared with a tested backup plan (and test it thoroughly in advance)

If you’d like help choosing the right gear or have questions about your setup, feel free to reach out - we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.