It is possible that on your television or mobile you have seen a reference to Miracast , and you wonder what this technology is and what it is for. Miracast is present in many devices, but it is not used much, either due to ignorance or because there are more alternatives on the market.
Basically, Miracast is a system that allows you to send video, images or audio wirelessly , which is called “mirroring” when performed between nearby devices. We should not confuse it with streaming, whose signal comes from the Internet.
In Miracast, the transmitter is usually a smartphone, tablet or laptop , while the receiver is a television, projector or even a screen mounted in a car. Although many TVs integrate Miracast, it is also possible to add it through an external accessory that connects via HDMI.
Miracast was launched in 2012 by the WiFi Alliance, eventually pushing Intel WiDi, another wireless video sending protocol, out of the market. Some time ago we explained what DLNA is , precisely the precursor of these two standards, which is now obsolete.
Currently, Miracast is still used, and it even supports sending 4K video . Both sender and receiver must integrate Miracast and be certified. Its design includes a copyright protection system, so we can reproduce series and movies that require it.
Of course, it is better to have a fast WiFi 6 or WiFi 5 network , as the image quality will be higher than with previous standards, and we can enjoy high resolution video without interruptions or slowdowns.
Two connection modes
Miracast has two modes of operation, depending on whether we can connect to a nearby router, or whether the broadcast must be done directly. These are the options:
- WiFi network: the existing WiFi network at home or office is used, both the TV and the mobile device must be connected to that network.
- WiFi Direct: the video is sent directly from the player (mobile, tablet, laptop …) to the television or projector, without the need for a WiFi network there.
Although the direct connection sounds like a good idea, in practice it is not used much. If we want to watch a YouTube video on the living room TV, or show a PowerPoint on the office projector from the tablet, we will almost certainly have WiFi available.
Where it makes the most sense to use Miracast via WiFi Direct is in entertainment systems that include certain cars , with screens where you can watch video while not driving (or in the rear seats).
Miracast, a standard with many names
TV manufacturers often use shared standards, but many times each brand changes the name , which in the end is confusing. Despite this, Miracast is very common on today’s TVs, even if it uses another name.
Some of the Miracast names on TVs are as follows:
- Screen Share in the case of LG.
- Screen Mirroring on Samsung TVs.
- “Screen mirroring” or Screen Mirroring at Sony.
- Wireless Display or Screen Mirroring at Toshiba.
- “Mirroring” on Panasonic TVs.
Regarding mobile device manufacturers, the most common name in Android is “Wireless display”. Of course, only on mobiles from Android 4.2 to Android 6.0 , from that version only Google Cast began to be used.
In any case, it is worth trying even if we have a newer version, as the manufacturer could have incorporated Miracast, or maybe the TV supports Google Cast as well.
Regarding Windows 10, we can broadcast video and also receive it , for this the system includes a pre-installed app called “Connect”. Unfortunately, not all PCs are Miracast certified to use it.
Lastly, Apple does not support Miracast on either iOS or macOS. Opt for AirPlay, which also supports Apple TV and, for some time, some third-party TVs.
Miracast’s rivals
Miracast is a standard for the technology industry created by the WiFi Alliance, but there are two derivative alternatives: Google Cast and AirPlay , which have become more popular than Miracast.
Regarding Google Cast, the truth is that compatibility has not been completely broken, since a Chromecast can receive content from any Miracast device. Also Amazon Fire Stick TV, its greatest competitiveness, supports Miracast.
Instead, AirPlay has always been much more closed. It was not until 2019 that some specific LG and Samsung televisions integrated it from the factory, and it is to be imagined that it will gradually become popular.
In conclusion, although Miracast is not the most popular alternative today, it is important to know what it is and how it works. If at any given time we need to project the screen of the mobile or laptop on a television, they may have support for Miracast although we are not aware.
