HDMI ingest is an HDMI input on a meeting room device that captures a laptop's video signal and turns it into content the room system can share, both on the local display and into the video meeting. Plug a laptop into the HDMI cable at the table, and its screen appears for everyone, in the room and remote, without installing anything or joining the meeting on the laptop.
How it works
- The laptop sends video over HDMI, just as it would to a TV.
- The room device (a touch controller, video bar or room compute) captures that signal like a capture card.
- The room software shows it on the front-of-room display and sends it as a content stream to remote participants.
- Many systems start sharing automatically when a signal is detected.
That's different from plugging a laptop into the TV directly. A TV input only shows the content in the room; remote attendees see nothing. With ingest, the meeting gets the content too.
Where the HDMI input lives
| Location | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Touch controller at the table | Logitech Tap | Cable reaches the table; one cable to the front |
| Video bar at the display | Logitech Rally Bar, Logitech MeetUp 2 | Needs a long HDMI run or a table extender |
| Room compute | Poly Studio 5 Room Compute (Flex Port 2: HDMI ingest or USB-A) | Windows Teams Rooms rooms, near the display |
| Teams Rooms kit hub | Yealink MVC S50 (HDMI in on MCore 4; HDMI/USB-C on the touch panel) | Input at the table on the touch console |
| All-in-one board | Yealink MeetingBoard 65 Pro | HDMI in up to 4K60 locally, 4K15 in meetings |
Not every controller has ingest. The network-connected Logitech Tap IP, for example, has no HDMI input, so wired sharing uses the bar's HDMI input or an extender such as Logitech Extend.
Why it matters
- Works for guests. Vendors and visitors share without joining your tenant or installing apps.
- Reliable fallback. When wireless sharing fails, a cable works.
- No laptop audio/video conflicts. The laptop doesn't need to join the meeting, so there's no echo from a second set of speakers and mics.
Limits to know
- HDCP. Protected content (many streaming services, some Blu-ray players) won't pass. Logitech, for example, states HDCP-protected content can't be shared through its HDMI inputs.
- Resolution and frame rate in meetings are often lower than local display, since content streams are compressed for the call.
- Cable length. Standard passive HDMI is reliable to roughly 15-25 ft (5-8 m). Longer runs need active cables or HDMI extenders.
- USB-C laptops need an adapter unless the room has a USB-C input.
What to look for
- An input at the table, or an extender that brings one there.
- Auto-share on connect, so no one needs to tap the controller.
- Adapters (USB-C to HDMI) tethered to the cable so they don't disappear.
- Wireless sharing as well, for people who prefer it. See best wireless presentation systems.
Related: what is HDMI input on a video bar and how to fix HDMI no signal on a meeting room TV.
Want wired sharing that just works at the table? Send us your room layout and we'll spec the cabling and controller.
Related guides
- What Is HDMI Input on a Video Bar? Wired Sharing Explained
- Sharing content in Teams Rooms: HDMI and wireless
- What Is Content Sharing in Meeting Rooms? Wired vs Wireless
- What Is Front Row in Microsoft Teams Rooms?
- How to Fix HDMI No Signal on a Meeting Room TV
- Teams Rooms display disconnected and HDMI adapter errors
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