08/24/2014 . 41 comments
We display an image over the air from a tablet or phone (Android) to a TV using Miracast technology (without wires). On the example of an Asus tablet and an LG TV
adminIt became possible to prepare a very useful and relevant article on setting up a wireless screen on tablets and phones that run on the Andriod operating system. Using Miracast technology, we will display the image from the tablet to the TV. All this will work over the air, that is, without wires.
Now, a large number of modern TVs that have Smart TV functions and have the ability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi also have the ability to work as wireless screens using Intel WiDi technology, or Miracast. You can read more about these technologies in a separate article. But, there I wrote more about theory, and in this article there will be only practice.
So, it means that the TV can receive an image over the air. And our tablets and smartphones that run on Android, most likely, are able to transmit this image using Miracast technology. In settings, this is called a wireless screen.
What does all this give us? We can connect our tablet or phone to the TV and everything that happens on the screen of the mobile device will be displayed on the TV. And all this without wires. In this way, you can display a photo on a large screen, or a video. Watch online videos, or play games on your tablet and display it all on your TV. There are some nuances, which I will write about below, but, all this can be done, and now I will show you how.
I just took photos, screenshots, tested everything, checked it and now I will share it all with you. All on a real example, as always!
What will we need?
- The mobile device from which we will display the image on the TV. Tablet or Android smartphone. Not all Android devices can work with Miracast technology (wireless screen). But, according to my observations, almost all modern devices can do this.
- A TV that will receive an image via Miracast wireless technology from a tablet or phone. Modern TVs can do this. If your TV has built-in Wi-Fi (or external receiver), and there is a Smart TV function, then most likely it can display an image wirelessly.
I will show on the example of a TV LG 32LN575U and tablet Asus MeMO Pad 10.
To set up such a connection, a Wi-Fi router is not needed, compared to setting up the transfer of medical content.
We connect the tablet and TV for wireless image transmission
All we need to do is turn on Wi-Fi on the tablet, turn on Miracast on the TV and connect the devices.
Enable Miracast/Intel WiDi on LG TV
I will show on the example of the LG TV. If you have a TV from another brand, then this function may turn on a little differently. On the menu, it may be called differently.
Turn on the TV and press the button on the remote SETTINGS to enter the settings.
In settings go to the tab Net and select the item Miracast/Intel's WiDi.
Next, turn on Miracast. Just set the switch to On.
That's it, you can leave the TV for now. But don't turn it off.
Turn on “Wireless Screen” on your tablet or Android smartphone
We take our tablet (in my case), and go to the settings.
I want to note that depending on the device (manufacturer, model, android version, shell) activation of this function may differ. Just look for the items you need in the menu of your device.
In the settings, immediately turn on Wi-Fi, and go to the tab Screen (Display). On the right, select Wireless screen (Miracast).
Turn on Miracast by setting the switch at the top to position On Below, your TV should appear. There will be his name. To start wireless image transfer to the TV, just click on the TV name.
We return to the TV. There should be a request to connect the device. Just confirm the connection by selecting Yes. If you want this device to connect without prompting in the future, then check the box next to “Connect automatically without prompting”.
Then the connection status will go, check and the devices will be connected. The image from the tablet appears on the TV.
All is ready! You can use.
To turn off the broadcast of the image on TV, simply click again on the name of the TV and select OK.
We reconnect according to the instructions.
Using wireless image transmission in practice
I played a little and tried to understand what this technology can really be used for. The whole problem is that with such an image transfer, there is a slight delay. That is, the page has already opened on the tablet, and on the TV it appears in a second, roughly speaking.
Perhaps, on more expensive equipment, this delay will be less, but it most likely will be. In order to show photos on a big screen, this connection is perfect. All wireless, just the way we like it.
Sites can be viewed, or, for example, watch online videos.
By the way, I launched the video on the tablet, it is displayed well on the TV. Though with a delay, but the sound goes synchronously with video. Sound, by the way, is also transmitted.
Tried playing games but the lag is a bit annoying.
Afterword
An excellent technology that allows you to display the picture that you see on your tablet or phone without any wires. Everything connects without any problems and works flawlessly. At least I haven't noticed any problems.
Of the minuses, one can single out only the delay in updating the image on the TV. It is difficult to play games, but you can look at photos or videos. Bring some presentation to the TV, no problem at all.
I would be glad to see your feedback and opinions about this technology. How does everything work for you, what application did you find? Share in the comments! Best wishes!
We reported on a new version of WiDi technology, which, among other things, received compatibility with the related Miracast standard. Then this information went unnoticed, and in our opinion, very in vain, since the picture in the field of wireless displays has changed dramatically. And one of the changes is the appearance of Miracast on Android. Let's try to figure out how Miracast and WiDi relate to each other, what functionality they have and how to create Android applications using them.
Variety of functions and possibilities
We have already talked enough about the WiDi standard: we followed the news, considered it from a developer's point of view, and even tested a live serial adapter. Now, to begin with, let's describe the Miracast technology in a few words.General concept of Miracast
Miracast architecture (transmitter side)
Compatibility of Miracast and WiDi version 3.5 means commonality of basic functionality in devices of both standards. What extras are there in WiDi but not in Miracast? Today there are three:
- mandatory support for HD video up to 1080p (although the Miracast standard allows high resolution, it does not oblige all devices to support it);
- support for HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) content protection system;
- the presence of two additional video modes - extended and multitasking (about them a little later).
WiDi is supported by most existing Intel mobile platforms (and will most likely be supported in the future). As already noted in testing, the technology belongs to the category of "one-button", that is, extremely simple for users.
The process of connecting a wireless display using the example of Samsung Galaxy S4
Well, now it's time to talk about modes. Native to WiDi/Miracast is Clone Mode– the same picture is displayed on the remote display as on the local one, with the same resolution.
Dual mode also applies to the main ones; content is played in it on the remote display, and the main one is used to control and display service information. This mode is supported through the Android Presentation API.
Advanced Mode available only in WiDi (and, accordingly, available only for devices based on the Intel Atom platform). In it, the video mode is turned on automatically when the user launches multimedia content on a player using the Android Media Player framework. The resolution of the picture remains "native" up to 1080p. However, local video rendering can be disabled to reduce power consumption.
Finally, the most advanced Multitasking Mode, in which the video player sends an image to a remote display, and on the local one at that time the user does what he wants: browses the Internet, receives calls or even watches a completely different video, also in FullHD resolution!
Use cases for dual display mode:
Dual display mode is not just for watching videos. It is quite easy to sketch out a list of its life applications:- browsing the Internet on the big screen (smartphone acts as a touchpad);
- filling out forms or typing small texts (smartphone - touch keyboard);
- games (smartphone - touch gamepad / joystick);
- mobile workplace (smarfton is a computer, peripherals are connected to it via Bluetooth).
Building an Android App for Dual Displays
Support for a second wireless display in Android 4.2 (API Level 17) is implemented using the class presentation, allowing:- implement support for a second display in applications without caring about the way it will be physically connected;
- work with MHL, HDMI, Slimport or Miracast compatible devices;
- control the second display independently of the first.
public class DemoPresentation extendsPresentation(
You also need an association with a class display while creating. Presentation n is inherited from Dialog, and as for Dialog, then its life cycle is tied to Activity.
Before using presentation, you need to select a display, which can be done in two ways:
1. MediaRouter API (in API 16) - the system will choose the best display for you
// Get the media router service. MediaRouter mMediaRouter = (MediaRouter)getSystemService(Context.MEDIA_ROUTER_SERVICE); // Use the MediaRouter that supports live video MediaRouter.RouteInfomRouteInfo =mMediaRouter.getSelectedRoute(MediaRouter.ROUTE_TYPE_LIVE_VIDEO); Display presentationDisplay= mRouteInfo.getPresentationDisplay();
2. Display Manager API (in API 17) - a list of displays.
// Get the display manger service. DisplayManager mDisplayManager = (DisplayManger)getSystemService(Context.DISPLAY_SERVICE); // enumerate the displays Display displays =mDisplayManager.getDisplays(DisplayManger.DISPLAY_CATEGORY_PRESENTATION);
Addendum MediaRouteButton to the application:
//Sets Media Route Button to second screen mode mediaRouteActionProvider.setRouteTypes(MediaRouter.ROUTE_TYPE_LIVE_VIDEO); //Launches the Wireless display setting intent startActivity(newIntent("android.settings.WIFI_DISPLAY_SETTINGS"));
In res/menu/default.xml:
How to force Presentation API work:
- onRouteUnselected
- onRouteSelected
- onRoutePresentationDisplayChanged
- onResume
- onPause
All APIs shown in the figure below are internal to Android 4.2/4.3. They are part of AOSP and are freely distributed, but they are not included in the frameworks and are not required to work.
In conclusion, we note that you can test applications for two displays both on real hardware that supports this functionality, and on emulation, available starting with Android 4.2 in the developer options. You can select the resolution and dpi of the second virtual display and get an overlay showing it.
This post was prepared using IDF 2013 materials by Xavier Hallade and Costas Stylianou.
The wireless display on the Xiaomi smartphone implements one very convenient function, with the help of which anyone can display multimedia files from their mobile phone on the TV screen, set-top box or projector. In general, it is present in all the latest Androids, but it is in Xiaomi that this is implemented in the most understandable way without the need to install additional applications.
How to set up a wireless display?
So, in order to set up a video broadcast on the screen of another device from a Xiaomi Redmi phone using a wireless display, several conditions must be met:
- The signal receiver, that is, the device that will play the files, must also be equipped with a wifi module - be built-in or an external adapter. Or you can connect the same TV through or even - it doesn’t matter. All possible options are described in .
- Both devices - a transmitter, that is, a phone, and a receiver (TV, set-top box, projector, tablet or other smartphone) - must be connected to the same router and be inside the same network. The main thing here is not to confuse the frequency range if your router is and simultaneously distributes several SSIDs at 2.4 and 5 GHz. You need to connect to the same Wi-Fi.
If all these conditions are met, then there is almost nothing to do next. We launch a program on a TV to receive a signal according to the Miracast standard - most often it is already preinstalled on a TV or set-top box and is called Miracast, or EZ Mirror, Screen Share or something like that. Samsung has it in the "Network" settings section.
In short, you need to put it into standby mode for connecting from a smartphone. This is what it looks like on a Samsung TV:
And so - on the projector
On Android, including Xiaomi, the wireless display is transmitted through a program built into the shell. It is located in the "Advanced settings - Wireless display" section.
We enable this feature. If the TV is correctly switched to miracast signal reception mode and both devices are on the same network, then on the Xiaomi display it will be displayed in the list for connection - select it and start broadcasting the smartphone screen.
How to quickly duplicate the android screen on a PC or tablet - two popular methods cross-platform + the necessary plugin, as well as the sound source
Displaying the screen of a smartphone or tablet on the Android operating system on a computer monitor may be required in the process of watching movies, photos, as well as working with source materials, which must be changed simultaneously on both devices. It is worth noting that 80% of users resort to this method in the process of rendering video on a computer, but taking into account the moments captured on the phone.
By and large, this is an ordinary mirror that occupies a certain area on a computer monitor and duplicates actions from a smartphone. There can be quite a lot of applications for this method, from entertaining to working. The first one allows you to optimize the gameplay by displaying the image from the phone on a large display, while the power of the PC itself does not matter.
It is also worth noting right away that there are several methods for implementing such a task, both via a wireless connection using Wi-Fi, and via a USB cable. The choice of a more suitable one is the user's own decision. Both options transmit an accurate picture, without any delay.
What OS is Android screen mirroring compatible with?
Both methods mentioned above are completely cross-platform. This means that the method can be implemented both on Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Moreover, the task does not require updating drivers or installing missing components, such as the Visual C ++ redistributable packages or the 4th version of the NET Framework.
What do you need to mirror your phone screen?
- Computer with any diagonal monitor or laptop.
- Router or USB cable.
- Smartphone or tablet (preferably with updated Android to the latest supported version).
- Google Chrome browser.
- Third party software from Google Play.
Here, in fact, is the whole list that you need to follow.
Regardless of the diagonal of the monitor, both the maximum and minimum resolution can be set.
Android screen output to computer via Wi-Fi
First of all, you need to download the Screen Cast program from the Play Market. Its functionality allows not only to display the contents of the display on a computer, but also to share its mirror image in the same Wi-Fi network, for example, home. For a work network, this feature can be especially useful, as it will allow you to share important information between employees without creating a local network with disk space for data storage.
Screen output can be implemented both through one separate point under the login and password, and through the main network of the router.
After the download and installation is completed, the program must be launched. The first start may take a little time. Upon launch and performance check, just click on "Start".
For security purposes, any Android device will display, while still on the same device, a security warning that the app is about to access image features.
The user will be required to confirm the action by clicking on the "Start" button. If the output of Android to the computer is required in the future, then it is better to first check the box next to the “Do not show again” item.
This, in fact, is the whole process of settings that must be completed before using the program.
Screen output
Actually, it starts with the use of the Google Chrome web browser, which was mentioned earlier. In the search line, you must enter the link generated by the program, for example, 192.168.1.2.8888. The latter is displayed to the user on the main Screen Cast page.
It is the port address that is the unique identifier of each individual user. After the connection to the service is terminated and the data transfer is terminated, each new connection will be assigned a new port address.
After entering the link and pressing "Enter", a mirror image of the screen of your Android will open in the browser window. It is worth noting once again that this is only an image output, it will not work to control the device itself.
This method supports any screen rotation, for example, when working with programs or watching movies in a horizontal position.
The program eliminates delays in displaying content, even if it is a media file larger than 12 GB.
Additional settings
They are designed for those who have a limited Internet connection.
Due to forced quality compression, the traffic consumption of the Android device being broadcast will decrease by several times.
The broadcast itself is public. There is no output to the general list, but by selecting the port address, or by erroneously entering it, other users can access your screen.
To avoid this, in the application settings, you must activate the item "Require a password to view the screen." The password itself will be randomly generated and will remain identical for all subsequent connections, up to the moment of manual security cancellation.
The password must be entered on the browser page, and not on the smartphone itself.
Output android screen to computer via USB connection
Another, no less reliable way to connect, and full duplication of the smartphone screen. For this you need:
- open the "Settings" section;
- go to the "For Developer" item;
- activate USB debugging mode on the phone itself;
- connect the phone to the computer with a cable;
- Confirm USB debugging permission.
This is the main list of settings on the smartphone itself. It is worth noting that the debug mode may not be available due to the use of a non-original cable. This is extremely rare, but still possible.
To use features such as store visits and other functions from Google, prior authorization is required by entering a username and password from Google mail.
After the extension is downloaded and installed in the browser directory, you need to run it and activate the "Find devices" item.
Literally, within 10-15 seconds, if the smartphone drivers are fully installed on the PC (this happens automatically when you first connect), the extension will generate a list with connected devices. We select the necessary one, and confirm the debugging control action by the digital fingerprint of the RSA key.
If such connections continue to be made, then this debugging is best left by default. It will only work with the paired PC.
If all the above steps are performed correctly and in the specified sequence, then after confirming the key, the application for broadcast sessions will be automatically installed on the smartphone.
Aspects of Compatibility
You need to use Google Chrome. Such a common analogue as Chromium is not suitable for the implementation of the task. This is due to the lack of support for the PNaCL plugin.
Android WiFi monitor - what is it and how to set it up
The latter is important for pairing a PC with a smartphone and establishing a reliable connection.
After starting the session, the plugin will offer to take a short tutorial and view a list of settings. These actions can be both confirmed and abandoned. This will not affect the further performance of the implemented algorithm for displaying the android screen on the computer.
Outcome
As you can understand, outputting an android screen to a computer is quite simple to implement. This requires a minimum list of tools and utilities. The settings themselves consist of several items and are performed in less than a minute.
The result fully displays all the actions that are performed on the Android gadget without any time delay. As for the sound, its source is still a smartphone or tablet. You can amplify it by connecting to a stereo system.
This screen display method does not apply to smart watches and other peripherals on android.
Video on how to display an image from Android to PC:
Modern technologies are developing at full speed. Every year there is something new, innovative. Such inventions include the Android wireless screen.
The first thing to note about this invention is that the basic principle of this device is to transmit video and audio information using WiFi. There is a special feature that allows two devices to communicate without a network infrastructure. Roughly speaking, it can be thought of as wireless HDMI. This is the name of the digital universal multimedia device.
What is the process for connecting a wireless display? So, the first step is to understand the modes. Clone mode - when it is enabled on the remote display, you can see the same picture that is available on the local one, with the same resolution. The dual mode is also considered the main one. On the remote display, when this mode is turned on, the content itself is played, and the output and management of service information is carried out in the normal mode. The other mode is advanced. In this mode, video is automatically turned on as soon as a person launches multimedia content on the player. The image resolution remains the same. And the most modified mode is multitasking. When it is active, the player sends an image to the remote display, while a person can do anything on the local display - surf the Internet, receive calls, watch different videos.
A few more positive features that are inherent in a wireless player should be discussed. First, it supports HD videos, even those that are 1080p. In addition, it is possible to support the information protection system in HDCP format.
It is worth noting that two displays can be used for more than just watching videos. You can browse the Internet on a big screen, fill out forms or type small texts. Play different games on the big screen. And, besides, the functions of the computer are also included in the list of possibilities.
Connecting Android to TV via Wi-Fi
In addition, you can show a presentation on the second display using your smartphone as the basis for this.
All in all, this feature is very useful. A wireless screen is a functional and necessary thing in certain situations. In addition, the technology is very simple, any user will understand the tricks of its work.
How to cast content from an Android device
Wireless Display for Android
Wi-Fi Display (Miracast) allows you to transfer the content (image, video, music, etc.) of your smartphone (tablet) screen to your TV screen via the MINIX media player. Thus, everything that you currently have displayed on your smartphone is displayed on TV. Very handy feature and simple feature!
ATTENTION: This technology is only possible on devices with Android OS!
To set up miracast, you will need a smartphone and a TV set-top box
Launch miracast on the console
Choose SEARCH DEVICE
Smartphone search in progress
On the smartphone, go to settings => display => wireless monitor
=> Turn on the wireless monitor =>
The image of your smartphone (tablet) is displayed on the monitor.
But modern technology allows you to display the screen of a tablet or smartphone on a TV without using a cable. This technology is called Miracast.
Miracast is a wireless multimedia signal transmission standard approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance on September 19, 2012. The standard was developed on the basis of Wi-Fi Direct technology: only two compatible devices are required for signal transmission - a receiver and a transmitter (Wikipedia). According to this technology, in order to connect your Android tablet or smartphone to a TV, you will need a TV that supports Miracast technology and a tablet or smartphone on Android version 4.2 and higher (4.4, 5.0, etc.), no additional devices - Wi- Fi routers and other devices not required.
I propose using a good example to demonstrate how to connect a tablet or smartphone on Android to a TV, using a TV as an example LG on webOS and ASUS tablet on Android 5.0.
Turn on the Miracast function on the TV.
Enabling this feature on other TVs ( Samsung, Philips, Sony, Toshiba etc.) will occur by analogy.
Open Smart Apps, for this:
On the standard remote, press the "Smart" button.
Press the "Home" button on the Magic Remote
Then open the full application menu.
Select "Screen Share".
Thus, you have enabled the Miracast function on the TV.
Enable Miracast function on Android tablet/smartphone.
The first step is to turn on Wi-Fi. To do this, go to "Settings" and move the switch towards turning on Wi-Fi.
Now you can start turning on Miracast, to do this, open the "Settings" on your Android device.
Attention!!! Depending on the device (manufacturer, model, Android version, shell), the inclusion of this function may differ. Here is one example of how to turn on Miracast: you need to go to "Settings" - "Display" - "Wireless Screen (Miracast)" - turn it on and connect to the TV. Below is how it looked on the tested tablet.
In the "Wireless networks" field, select "More".
Select "Play To" (wireless connection to the display).
After that, the search for your TV will start and after a few seconds, the network name of the TV will appear.
Clicking on it will start connecting your Android device to the TV.
After a few seconds, you will see the screen of your tablet or smartphone on the TV screen.
Thus, you have connected your Android smartphone / tablet to the TV.
It should be noted that when connected using Miracast technology, the sound is transmitted to the TV and controlled from the TV remote control.
Disabling Miracast.
In order to disable Miracast, you need to go to "Settings" on your tablet / smartphone - select "More" in the "Wireless networks" field, click on "Play To" and the "Disable" button.
In my opinion, Miracast technology is one of the best ways to connect an Android tablet or smartphone to a TV, because it is extremely easy to connect, does not require any additional devices (only tablet / smartphone and TV), the only drawback is a split second delay, play playing games is not convenient, but watching videos, photos, presentations is no problem. Miracast is a kind of wireless HDMI, which, I think, will take its rightful place in the wireless ways to connect various devices to the TV.
Advantages of wireless connection using Miracast:
1) Connection is carried out wirelessly.
2) Connection does not require any additional devices (routers, routers, etc.)
3) Easy to connect, just turn on the Miracast function on your TV and tablet.
4) Protection of the data transmission channel between devices based on WPA2 technology.
Disadvantages of Miracast technology:
1) A slight delay, not critical for watching videos and photos, but playing games is not comfortable.
Video settings for wirelessly connecting an Android tablet/smartphone to a TV using Miracast.
