How to display an image from the display of a smartphone or tablet on a TV? A few years ago, the only way to solve this problem was to purchase a micro USB to HDMI adapter. But using an adapter has a number of limitations and inconveniences:
- not all TVs and smartphones support the MHL standard, which is necessary for transmitting video signals;
- the mobile gadget turns out to be physically “tied” to the TV.
To solve the problems caused by the physical connection of mobile gadgets to large screens, Wi-Fi Display technology was introduced in 2012 - a wireless connection method developed based on the Wi-Fi Direct standard, called Miracast.
The advantages of this method are:
- no wires;
- there is no intermediary during signal transmission - the smartphone and TV connect to each other directly, without using a router or access point;
- high quality of the transmitted image.
The only condition is that the source and receiver of the signal support Wi-Fi technology. This communication standard has long been an indispensable attribute of even the simplest mobile gadgets. In modern TVs, Wi-Fi support is also common - its availability can be checked in the instructions for the TV.
If there is no such support, a special adapter that connects to the HDMI port will help correct the situation. The main thing is that the adapter supports Miracast technology.
Among mobile devices, the standard is supported only by those running Android OS, starting from version 4.2. For convenience, the name of the technology is often combined with the name of the supported OS - Miracast Android.
For details about adapters, see the following video:
What is Miracast?
Miracast is a technology that is used to broadcast images from a smartphone or computer to a large TV screen.
Its essence is that two devices with Miracast support communicate directly with each other via a secure protocol without the participation of a wifi router. Then, through a special application, you can play media content from one to another - music, video, photos. Or duplicate the screen. To do this, there are separate applications for smartphones and computers:
- "Wireless screen" on Android,
- AirPlay on iPhone,
- WiDi (WiFi Direct) from Intel for Windows.
What is the difference between Miracast and MiraScreen, AnyCast, ChromeCast, AirPlay and DLNA?
I have already introduced you to technologies such as WiFi Direct, AirPlay and DLNA. It would seem that they are all very similar to each other - is there any difference between them and what is the difference?
How does MiraCast differ from MiraScreen, AnyCast, ChromeCast?
MiraCast is the general name of the technology. Each manufacturer of wifi adapters for TV has changed it to suit itself, calling it MiraScreen, AnyCast, ChromeCast, EZCast, and so on. In essence, all of this is the same thing, the only difference is the manufacturer
What is the difference between MiraCast and WiFi Direct (WiDi)?
WiFi Direct, or WiDi for short, is a computer screen mirroring technology from Intel. It is used in the Windows operating system. That is, in essence, it is the same, and differs from Miracast only in that it is used on devices with an Intel chip and is called WiDi. Both of them are compatible, that is, you can mirror the screen from a device supporting WiFi Direct to a MiraCast adapter (MiraScreen, AnyCast, ChromeCast)
How are MiraCast, WiFi and AirPlay different from DLNA?
Miracast and DLNA are technologies for transferring videos and photos from one device to another over a local network. The difference is that only multimedia content can be broadcast via DLNA, that is, movies, music and images can be played from the media to the screen. Using Miracast, as well as through WiDi and AirPlay, we are able to display the entire screen of a smartphone or computer, turning a TV or projector into a large wireless monitor. It will play the same thing as on the display of the signal source - applications, games, and media library.
How is MiraCast different from AirPlay?
AirPlay is a screen sharing technology patented by Apple. It only works on iPhone or iPad. To duplicate the screen from them to a TV, you need a mirascreen adapter with AirPlay support
Also, using miracast allows you to solve the problem of simultaneous playback of high-definition video and online games on a computer, laptop or TV. If you have a cheap wifi router, then it may not be able to handle two such resource-intensive tasks. Here we free the router from one of them, since the miracast connection between devices occurs directly.
I think, in general terms, you already understand what miracast is and how it differs from MiraScreen, AnyCast, ChromeCast, AirPlay and DLNA - now let's see in practice how to use it.
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AnyCast is sold in two versions - a full set and only a power cable with a Wi-Fi module. I could not understand why only the cable is needed, but perhaps this was done so that the device would fall into a cheaper price category.
You can only buy this wire. By the way, he doesn't look that bad. The remote module contains Wi-Fi for connecting to your home network.
After all, are you familiar with cases when you try to buy, for example, a Xiaomi motion sensor, which costs about 700 rubles, and you see that everyone has the same price and only one seller indicates 200 rubles? Then you open an ad, and there the sensors themselves cost 700 rubles - like everyone else - and there is also a stand for it. And so it costs 200 rubles, but the advertisement is general and the price is written at the minimum. What pleased me most was when I bought smart light bulbs for about 1,200 rubles, and the ad indicated 100 rubles. I went in, and there, in addition to a different number of light bulbs, you could order nail clippers. Bravo!
How to make smart light at home for 1000 rubles
What is a Miracast adapter?
In order to organize such a screen broadcast from a computer, laptop or smartphone to TV, it is necessary that both devices support Miracast. This implies that they have two components:
- Hardware, that is, built-in or external wifi adapter with Miracast support
- Software - applications for reproducing the screen of a computer or smartphone on TV
With the second, the situation is simpler - you just need to download one of the many programs for broadcasting the screen. Moreover, many mobile applications already have such an add-on by default - stock video players and even everyone’s favorite YouTube player.
The first point is a little more complicated. Not all modern TVs, even with Smart TV, have built-in support for screen mirroring via MiraScreen or WiFi Direct. This applies to any manufacturer, be it Samsung, LG, Philips, Sony or anyone else. But the issue can be resolved very simply - using an external wireless adapter with Miracast support.
The Miracast adapter connects to the TV via an HDMI connector, so the main condition for using it is the presence of this port on the TV.
In this case, according to Miracast standards, the video will be broadcast in very good quality - FullHD (1920×1200) with H.264 compression. There are a huge number of similar adapters on the market, operating at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. As already noted, they may be called MiraScreen, AnyCast, ChromeCast, depending on the manufacturer.
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For example, today I took two Miracast adapters. One model is made in the form of a “flash drive”
The other is more massive with an additional, separate module to improve the quality of signal transmission
Both also come with HDMI cables and USB power cords.
Advantages and disadvantages of technology
The Miracast feature on a TV gives the user many advantages:
- Connect without using a separate Wi-Fi network.
- Watch video content in high quality.
- High transmission speed in IEEE 802.11n format.
- The ability to organize an internal network without using a router.
- Works without installing an additional application.
- Possibility of transmitting video in 3D format. Full HD.
- Built into most modern devices.
- Easy to set up, intuitive interface.
The technology has minor disadvantages:
- cannot transmit Ultra HD, since the maximum resolution supported by the standard is 1952 x 1200;
- problems may arise when establishing communication between devices;
- The H.264 codec is required for operation.
How to connect a Miracast adapter to a Samsung or LG TV?
To connect, simply insert the Miracast adapter into the HDMI port of the TV and power it from a regular 220-volt outlet via a USB cable. By the way, there is no power adapter included, so you will either need to use a 1-amp power adapter from your mobile phone, or an extension cord with built-in USB ports. There is no need to install any additional drivers or applications.
Q1 WiFi Display Dongle – a device for wireless connection via WiFi
Q1 WiFi Display Dongle in the package
Included with the device are a Jack - 3 RCA (tulips) adapter for connecting to an older type of TV, an HDMI cable for newer TVs, and of course a Micro USB-USB cable for connecting power to the device.
Device with all cords connected
How to connect to TV
First, we make the necessary connections. I think everything is clear here. Simple steps.
- Modern TVs use an HDMI input. In those that do not have such an input, we use an RCA type cable (tulips) and the included adapter for connection. After connecting, do not forget that the TV will need to be switched to operating mode from the corresponding input.
- Connect the power. For flat-panel TVs, we use the USB port of the TV itself. When working with an old TV, power will need to be supplied from a phone charger.
On a modern TV it will look like this.
Connecting to an LCD TV
Setting up MiraCast WiFi adapter on Samsung and LG TV
Next, use the remote control to select the HDMI output to which the adapter is attached as the signal source from the TV menu.
That's all - now you can broadcast to your TV from a computer, laptop or phone. Moreover, I want to note that this works perfectly with any operating system - both with mobile iOS and Android, as well as on Windows and even MacOS. In particular, I easily watch videos on TV by playing them from my MacBook.
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How to use?
Instructions for connecting your smartphone to LG TV are in video format:
Now to the point. How to connect Screen Share on an LG TV:
- Make sure the HbbTV feature is disabled on your TV.
- On the remote control, find a button with a house icon, labeled “HOME”, press it.
- At the bottom of the screen, select the “Screen Share” application (the monitor with the phone is shown).
Now about how to broadcast a picture to a TV. Let's start with mobile devices running Android OS. First we need to check if the device has built-in Miracast support:
- Go to "Settings".
- Select the "Screen" section.
- Scroll down and see if there is an option for Broadcast or Wireless Screen.
If we find the desired function, activate it. A list should appear where you need to select your TV and click “Connect”.
Don't forget to activate Wi-Fi on your mobile device!
If this option is not provided on your smartphone, you will need to install additional software. Go to the Play Market store, write Miracast or Screen Share in the search, download any application (look at the rating and reviews so as not to install something that doesn’t work). Launch the application and follow the steps it requires.
The manufacturer claims that an LG TV can be connected to a smartphone from the same company. Operation with devices from other manufacturers is not guaranteed.
