It often happens that you need to duplicate the screen of a computer or mobile devices on a TV. For example, when there are photos and videos that you want to share with family or friends on a large modern screen. A few years ago, not everyone could cope with this difficult task, but today new technologies make it easy to solve it for both modern TVs and older models. To do this, you must first select the necessary computer devices and applications.
There are three most common ways to transfer an image from an external screen to a TV:
- HDMI cable;
- Chromecast;
- Miracast;
- EZcast;
- AirServer.
Mirror photos and videos to TV via HDMI
The easiest and best way to send a PC screen to a TV receiver is to use HDMI. The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is usually bundled with the TV. It can be purchased at any storemobile technology. Digital devices of modern TV models using HDMI receive and transmit high quality images to the screen simultaneously with the transmission of sound. This method can be used for any mobile devices and laptop models without an HDMI port through a special micro-USB to HDMI adapter, which can also be bought at any gadget store.
Screen mirroring with HDMI
Sequence of actions:
- Find an HDMI port, connect one end to your TV and the other end to your PC.
- Turn on both devices and press "Enter" with the TV remote control.
- Select HDMI from options. Now you can see your monitor on TV.
Sound settings:
- you need to right-click on the speaker icon on your PC;
- select the following options in sequence: "Playback device" > "Playback" tab > "Digital output device (HDMI)" > "Yes".
That's it, connection is ready.
As you can see, this method is easy, reliable and of high quality, but has disadvantages caused by certain inconveniences for users due to the limited length of the cable, which can interfere, for example, with children playing in front of the TV.
Transfer video to TV via Wi-Fi
Screen mirroring is easy to do if the mobile device and TV are made by the same manufacturer, they will probably have a "screen mirroring" function (or something similar) onboth devices. This will allow you to immediately see on TV everything that is on your smartphone without the hassle. If the devices are from different manufacturers, then you need to enable the DLNA (Wi-Fi Direct) function on the TV and download the DLNA application to your smartphone via GooglePlay.
You can use the nice AllCast app (free for iOS and Android). For those with an AppleTV, iPhone, or iPad, you can connect via the AirPlay app to share with your TV. Older brands of TVs and mobile devices do not have these built-in features, so you will need to use special Chromecast, Miracast and EZcast adapters.
Chromecast streaming device
Screen mirroring on a TV is a very reliable and widely used method all over the world. This is a streaming device designed to connect a PC and any mobile gadgets manufactured in 2010 and above to a TV. Use it to listen to your own music or view photos and online videos from sites such as YouTube.
Chromecast Connection Sequence:
- Connect the Chromecast HDMI cable to your TV port, then connect the USB cable to a compatible port on any gadget.
- Install the Google Cast extension on your mobile gadget by downloading it from the Google Chrome store.
- Open a new browser window and click the "Yes" button, when the gadget detects external devices, find the TV icon and click on it.
- The disadvantage of such a connection is one- it works over Wi-Fi, if the connection is weak or overloaded, then the quality and transfer speed of photo / video / voice files may be low.
Screen mirroring using Miracast adapter
There is a second method of transmitting images via a newer standard called Miracast, which will be especially useful for Windows 10 users. It is often referred to as "HDMI over Wi-Fi" because it allows different devices to connect using wireless networks. First used in Windows 8.1 and later. Nearly all laptops and upgraded OSes use this technology. Miracast is able to play not only HD video on a TV, but also display all the current activities of the monitor.
Miracast connection sequence:
- Go to your computer settings and click "Devices".
- Then go to the "Connected devices" tab and click "Add device".
- Wait for the computer to finish detecting the device from the available options and click on the TV icon.
- If your computer does not automatically connect your TV, right-click and select "Display Settings", set multiple displays in the "Duplicate these displays" tab, and then click "Connect to a wireless display".
- After detecting the TV, press the "Connect" button to display the PC on the TV receiver.
- Although this gadget can be considered a breakthrough in terms ofconnection, it has one drawback as it cannot detect some TV models.
Not happy with screen mirroring with Miracast? Here's another wireless solution - EZcast TV Media Transfer Device.
Transfer image to TV using EZcast
EZcast Features:
- multimedia support: Miracast, DLNA, Airplay for mobile and PC;
- highly integrated SoCs (600 MHz);
- reliable in operation;
- compact, energy efficient, high-speed H.264 1080P Full HD;
- auto channel selection;
- supports Wi-Fi module;
- TV USB port.
Connecting PCs and mobile devices to Sony TVs
Before performing Sony screen mirroring, you need to read the user manual and check the output ports on the PC to check the connection parameters and select the correct connection cable. It's best to use either an HDMI connection or a DVI connection whenever possible, as these options combine video and audio signals in a single cable and also offer high-definition extension to the TV receiver's screen.
Connection sequence:
- Connect one end of the connection cable to the appropriate port on the side or back of the computer and the other end to the appropriate port on the back of the TV.
- Each port on the TV is clearly marked with its function, so there should be no problem withdetermining the correct port. Turn on Sony.
- Press the AV or EXT button on the TV remote control until PC output appears on the TV screen.
- If the display is stretched or cut off at the edges, you will need to adjust the resolution settings on your computer.
- To configure PC to TV display settings, click the "Start" button on the taskbar on the desktop, go to "Control Panel", and then select the "Appearance and Personalization" tab.
- Click on the "Adjust Screen Resolution" feature and select your preferred resolution from the drop-down menu.
- Experiment with different resolutions until you find a setting that will display correctly on Sony.
- Click the "Apply" button to confirm and save the settings.
Duplication of the Samsung screen, PC screens, smartphone screens and other mobile devices is carried out using the Screen Mirroring function, which is present on Samsung F, J, K, M-series TVs. If mobile devices or a TV do not have this function, then Smart View software, which works even with iOS, is used for transmission. The screen mirroring procedure is the same as above.
Universal Mirror Receiver using AirServer
Computer screen mirroring to TV with AirServer is popular and can easily transform a simple big screen or projector into a universal mirror receiver. It does this by integrating all major mirroring technologies,such as AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast into one universal receiver. With AirServer on the big screen, users can use their own devices such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Nexus, Pixel, Chromebook, or Windows 10 PC to display video on the big screen wirelessly.
Thus, today there are enough different technologies that allow duplicating the screens of iPads, PCs, laptops in offices, educational institutions, conference rooms or at home and turn any plasma TV into an ultra-modern multimedia center.
