Are your friends coming over to watch a movie, or do you want to show your family a cool YouTube video? Or maybe you want to show off your photos to your friends? In any case, it will look more impressive and engaging on a large TV than on a small computer or laptop monitor. So, you need to think about how to display your computer's image on the TV screen.
We've compiled a list of seven of the simplest, most cost-effective solutions for you. It's important to note that most of these solutions will require an additional TV app or additional hardware, such as a set-top box, media player, or something as simple as an HDMI cable.
HDMI cable
The first solution may be the easiest for most of you: just act as if Wi-Fi never existed. So, try connecting your laptop directly to your TV. All you need is a few suitable ports and cables (and a furniture arrangement that allows you to place your computer close to the TV). This method also guarantees the fastest and most stable connection.
Well, if your laptop and TV each have an HDMI port, and you have an HDMI cable lying around somewhere, you're in luck. Simply connect them using a graphics card and enjoy the results.
Windows and macOS operating systems are smart enough to let you choose between two options: simply mirror your screen to your TV, or use the TV to enlarge your desktop by using the TV as a second monitor.
In Windows, go to System Settings, click the "Display" button, and change the second display settings as desired. You can do the same in macOS by going to System Preferences.
Be careful, however, as many light and thin laptops don't have an HDMI port. In these cases, you'll need to use an adapter that plugs into the video output. This method is an excellent choice for watching movies and anything else that requires low latency.
Chromecast
You can stream images using a Chromecast set-top box (costs 4,000 rubles). If one of these devices is connected to your TV (or your TV has Android TV, which has the same capabilities), you can stream images from your computer using Windows or macOS. However, only open tabs in the Chrome browser can be streamed.
Simply open the menu in the Chrome browser (click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen) and then click "Cast." Then, select the desired Chromecast device from the list, and your browser tab will appear on the TV screen. You can switch to other tabs on your computer, but the Chromecast will continue to cast the first tab you opened.
Due to the presence of slight delays, it is better to stream regular websites or images, but not videos. However, some sites, such as YouTube, work perfectly. You will be able to access YouTube and see the Chromecast icon on each video. It works the same way. screencasting from a phone (that is, the video is taken directly from the Internet, and not from a laptop).
The only settings available are volume controls, but overall, everything is simple and straightforward. To stop screen sharing, click the screen sharing button and press "Stop."
Roku
Chromecast isn't the only media player that can stream your computer's content to your TV. The Roku set-top box also handles this task, but it doesn't play well with macOS. It relies on the built-in Miracast protocol, which is integrated into Windows and all the latest Roku devices. It's quite inexpensive—around 2,000 rubles.
Simply click the notification icon in the lower right corner, then click "Connect." If your Roku is connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you'll see it in the list of devices—click its name to start streaming.
Accept the request to connect to Roku (you can also choose to automatically accept all future requests from this device). To manage connected and blocked apps, go to Settings from the main menu and select "View Casting."
We haven't personally tested Roku's interaction with Apple computers, but you'll definitely need to come up with some other way to do that—for example, AirBeamTV for Mac. This is the best solution available, although it does have a problem with freezing. The service costs $10, but a free trial is also available.
AirPlay
If you own a Mac and have an AirPlay-enabled device (such as an Apple TV), streaming your computer's image is a breeze. This is probably the simplest solution for all Apple devices.
Once enabled and configured correctly, AirPlay will automatically appear in the list of devices on your TV. Select your model, and the image will automatically be transferred to your TV.
If the icon isn't visible or you want to configure it, follow this path: Apple menu → System Preferences → Displays. Here you can start casting to your TV or use it as a secondary desktop (to do this, go to the "Arrangement" tab). Check "Show options in menu bar when available" to permanently display the AirPlay icon in the menu bar.
The streaming works quite quickly and handles YouTube videos well. However, you can also enable image output in some other applications, such as QuickTime and iTunes. When you're done, simply click the AirPlay icon and turn off the streaming.
Plex
Media server Plex It doesn't display images from your computer on your TV, but it does transfer almost any files—video, music, and photos—that can be broadcast on the big screen.
One of Plex's advantages is its support for a wide range of devices, from Apple TV to Android TV. If you have a media player or TV box, there's likely an official version of the Plex app for it.
To get started, install the official Plex app on your computer. It will find media files on your hard drive and prepare them for streaming. The app connects to your computer on any device via your home Wi-Fi network and streams everything you want to your TV.
You can sign up for a premium Plex subscription, which unlocks advanced features like streaming to mobile devices and devices outside your home. However, streaming over your home network is free.
AirParrot
In general AirParrot It follows the same methods we've already described above. It still requires an Apple TV or Chromecast connected to the TV. But it's versatile, functional, and offers a number of features not found in the standard Google Cast and AirPlay protocols.
The app costs $13, but a free trial is also available. So you won't have to pay anything upfront. It works on both Windows and macOS.
Once the app is installed, it will immediately detect compatible devices connected to your home network, allowing you to immediately start mirroring your laptop's content directly to your TV. You can also directly stream music, videos, and photos if you don't want to display the entire screen on your TV.
So what advantages does AirParrot have over Google Cast and AirPlay?
- It can broadcast images to several devices at once.
- Supports higher quality connections (including 5.1 surround sound).
- Connects to gadgets that Apple TV and Windows wouldn't work with.
Miracast on Windows 10
Above, we discussed how to connect a Windows 10 computer to a Roku media player or TV box using the Miracast standard. This standard is also found in many other devices, such as the Amazon Fire TV, although not all Fire TV models support this technology. For example, the newest models no longer support it.
If you have no other options for wireless connection within Windows 10, you might want to consider purchasing a dedicated media player with Miracast support. Microsoft offers this option for $50, although cheaper models are easily found (just be sure to carefully read the reviews of the device you're considering before purchasing).
A similar adapter will also help you stream images from Android devices. So, don't forget about this bonus. The standard Microsoft model has a range of about 7 meters, which is more than enough for most situations.
Once your wireless adapter is connected and powered on (it requires USB and HDMI ports for power), the connection process is similar to that of Roku devices. Open Windows Settings, then the System tab, and then select "Connect to a wireless display."