How to transfer an image from a computer to a TV via WiFi: DLNA, Miracast and WiDi

02/04/2015 windows | for beginners

Previously, I already wrote about how to connect a TV to a computer in different ways, but the instructions were not about wireless Wi-Fi, but about HDMI, VGA and other types of wired connections to the video card output, as well as about setting up DLNA (more on this later and in this article).

This time I will describe in detail various ways to connect a TV to a computer and laptop via Wi-Fi, and will consider several areas of application of a wireless TV connection - for use as a monitor or for playing movies, music and other content from the computer’s hard drive. See also: How to transfer an image from an Android phone or tablet to a TV via Wi-Fi.

Almost all of the described methods, with the exception of the last one, require the TV itself to support a Wi-Fi connection (that is, it must be equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter). However, most modern Smart TVs can do this. The instructions are written in relation to Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows 10.

TV requirements

To be able to transmit images from your laptop wirelessly, your TV must have a wireless adapter. During operation, it will be connected to the home router and will receive video from it.

Modern models from Sony Bravia, Samsung and others may use Wi-Fi Direct technology. In this case, the TV itself creates a wireless network. In this case, a router is not required to organize communication between devices.

Important! You can even transfer video to a TV that does not have a wireless adapter or Wi-Fi Direct. An HDMI input is sufficient for this. In this case, a mini PC the size of a flash drive can be connected to it.

Compatible devices and alternative methods

Compatible Devices

Select Bravia TVs released from 2013 to 2021. (TVs with Android TV/Google TV later than 2021 do not support this feature). For details, see the Applicable Products and Categories section of this article
or the
Help Guide
.
Miracast compatible devices such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer For Apple devices (iPhone/iPad/iPod/MacBook):
As of 2021, these devices do not support
screen mirroring
. For alternative methods, see the next section.
For information about the specifications of your device, see the manual or contact device support.

Alternative methods

If your TV or device does not support Miracast screen mirroring

, an alternative way to display content can be found in one of the following articles:

For mobile devices:
duplicating, broadcasting and displaying content or the screen of a mobile device on a TV screen (Chromecast and Airplay protocols)
For computers (Android TV/Google TV):
How to mirror your computer screen to your TV wirelessly (Chromecast and Airplay protocols)

Options for connecting a laptop to a TV via Wi-Fi

Ways to solve problems connecting Samsung TVs to Wi-Fi

To be able to receive data from a computer and display it on the screen, the following methods can be used:

If you have a router in your house, and your TV and computer have wireless adapters, then you can send files between them via a local wireless network. In this situation, you access media files located on your computer and play them on your screen.
Many modern TVs (for example, LG, Samsung) are equipped with devices that use Wi-Fi Direct technology. Its peculiarity is that you can create a wireless local network without using a router. In this case, the connection to the PC occurs directly. This technology is similar to Bluetooth, but has a longer range - up to 200 meters.
Miracast technology is a wireless communication protocol that is supported by the latest versions of Windows and most models, such as LG, Panasonic, Samsung.
Intel WD is another Wi-Fi protocol for communication between devices. It is used by computers that have an Intel processor.
Macbook can be connected using an AirPlay set-top box.
It is possible to use a mini PC. They are computers the size of a flash drive. They have one of the modern operating systems installed. Connection to the TV is made via the HDMI input.

Note! Using any of the above options makes it possible to display video and images from a computer on the screen.

Create your own Steam link from Raspberry Pi

If all of these options seem a little pricey, but you have a Raspberry Pi 2 or later, you can replicate the features of Steam Link on a small computer!

Thanks to Valve's dedicated Steam Link software, the Raspberry Pi is ideal for streaming PC games to your TV.

What's more, you don't have to be limited to Steam games on your Raspberry Pi. With Parsec game streaming software, you can stream PC games to your Raspberry Pi.

It doesn't matter which digital download service you use, or how you installed the game. When the Raspberry Pi is connected to your TV, games will be streamed into your living room.

Transferring images from laptop to TV via Wi-Fi

In this case, we consider direct broadcasting of the image from the laptop screen to the TV. In practice, in this case, the computer receives another display.

Important! In this case, there is no need to use a router for a wireless connection. You can send data between devices using Wi-Fi Direct.

WiDi technology

To transmit this way, you need a computer that uses an Intel processor. It must correspond to the third generation or older. You must have a built-in wireless adapter from this company. You will need to install the Intel Wireless Display program from the official Intel website.

To connect, you need to do the following:

Enable WiDi support.
You need to run the Intel Wireless Display application on your laptop. All devices that were on the network will be displayed. You need to find a wireless monitor. A security key may be required during the connection process.

After completing these steps, the image from the computer display can be duplicated on the screen.

Miracast technology

Previously, there was a need to separately purchase a Miracast wireless adapter. Now most TVs are equipped with this communication protocol initially or receive it when updating the firmware. This solves the problem of how to display an image from a computer to a TV via Wi-Fi.

The computer must be equipped with a wireless adapter that supports Miracast.

The connection procedure is as follows:

You need to enable Miracast support in your TV settings. On Samsung TVs this feature is called Screen Mirroring. If it is not possible to set the necessary settings, then in this case you need to make sure that Wi-Fi is turned on.
On your laptop you need to open the Charms panel. In Windows 8.1 it is located on the right side of the screen. Next, go to “Devices”, then to “Projector (Transfer to Screen)”. After this, you need to click on the “Transfer to wireless display” item.

Note! If you cannot find the last item, it means that your computer does not support this communication method. In some cases it will be possible if you upgrade the wireless adapter driver to a new version.

Miracast support is built-in in Windows 7 and higher versions. For example, in this operating room, in order to use the TV as a monitor via Wi-Fi, you need to do the following:

Press the key combination Win+P. Do not press it for too long, as this may cause the screen to go dark.
After this, the menu related to the design will be shown on the screen. In it you need to click on the line “Connection”.
The operating system will provide a list of devices connected to the wireless network.

After this, the broadcast process will begin.

How to cast video from your computer to your TV using Google's Chromecast

This device is a minicomputer running on the Android operating system. It is connected to the HDMI input of the TV. It can receive one of the Chrome browser tabs from a laptop and duplicate it on the screen. In addition, it can work directly with the youtube.com service. In this case, the laptop can be turned off, and the device will broadcast video directly from this site or transmit television programs.

How to connect a regular TV to a laptop via Wi-Fi

To do this, the TV must have a built-in wireless adapter. To watch TV this way, you first need to set it up correctly. In this case, you need to do the following:

Open settings.
Go to the section related to network connections.
Select a connection to a wireless network.
Open settings options. A list of available connections will be shown. You need to select the one you need and connect.

To configure, you can use the free program “Home Media Server” (you can download it from the link. When you start it, you will be prompted to add it.

How to transfer images to your TV via Wi-Fi depends on the brand. Usually you need to go to settings and select a DLNA server from the available connections.

After this, you can play video files located on the laptop on the screen.

Connecting a TV using DLNA technology

The specified functionality is supported by modern equipment - Smart TV. If it is available, it is more convenient to use this option. You can find out whether DLNA is present in the unit through the instructions supplied with the receiver or through the manufacturer's technical support service.

The task is completed using:

network equipment - router, router or modem;
a laptop (desktop computer) connected to the service provider’s equipment via a network cable or Wi-Fi;
receiver with Smart TV connected to the broadcast network via a cord or over the air.

Experts advise synchronizing equipment via cable. This approach allows you to avoid jerks and slowdowns when playing large files with videos, music or collections of photographs.

Additionally, an application that generates a DLNA server is installed on the device. Utilities are presented in a variety of versions, with free or paid access, and the presence of the Russian language. The final choice of utility that allows you to duplicate an image depends on the user’s capabilities.

How can I connect a laptop to a TV via Wi-Fi? The sequence of actions sometimes differs depending on the equipment model. To complete the task, you must use a standard step-by-step algorithm:

Connect the receiver and laptop to the network equipment.
Open shared access to the PC and folders storing the necessary files.
Install an application that generates a DLNA server on your computer.
Launch the utility, find the desired block in it and right-click on it.
In the list that appears on the display, select “play on”.
Find TV.

Some utilities are not able to display all of the above subsections due to their absence. In this option, the DLNA server is selected as the signal source (the setting is done on the television receiver). When adjusting Samsung devices, on the control panel you need to press the “Source” button, and then find the “media resource catalogs” block.

Not all versions of receivers see movies or video materials in the MKV format. The problem is solved by changing it to AVI.

DLNA Samsung Smart TV

What is needed?

TV with Smart TV function;
Mobile device running Miracast technology or PC running Windows 8.

Modern TVs all have the Smart TV function and built-in Wi-Fi, so there will be no connection problems. The mobile device must have Android 4.2 and Wireless Display. If these rules are followed, then using the settings you can use the wireless screen , enjoying all its delights.

By the way, Linux and Apple mobile devices have problems connecting Wi-Fi displays . With the first option you will have to tinker, using various hacks from the Internet. Miracast technology is developing mainly in the direction of Android, and WiDi is intended for Windows.