Miracast, Airplay, Dlna Adapter for the TV. What is Mirascreen and Anycast?

On Aliexpress, or in our online stores you can find a large number of different adapters, which are usually called MiraScreen, or AnyCast. These adapters add support for Miracast, AirPlay and DLNA technologies for any TV, monitor, projector. More often than not, these adapters are bought just for the TV. To get the ability to duplicate on the TV screen image from a smartphone, tablet (Android, iOS), or even a computer (Windows). The image is transmitted to the TV (via MiraScreen and AnyCast adapter) over the air, without wires. Or to broadcast multimedia content (photos, videos, music) to the same TV from different devices via DLNA technology.

As a rule, all these adapters support three technologies of wireless image and sound transmission: Miracast, AirPlay, DLNA. First, let me briefly tell you about these technologies. Which one is used where and how it works.

• Miracast is a technology of wireless image and sound transmission. It is used to duplicate the screen of Android smartphones, tablets and other devices. Also, the Wireless Display feature in Windows works through Intel WiDi, which is compatible with Miracast. Miracast technology is built into most modern Smart TVs. I recommend reading the article: what is Miracast.
• AirPlay – this technology is also used for wireless transmission of multimedia signal (screen mirroring), only on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). This is their proprietary technology. Apple TV set-top box is used to receive image and sound via AirPlay and output to the TV. It has been reported that AirPlay support will appear in new TVs from third-party manufacturers (it wasn’t available before 2019). I talked about AirPlay in more detail in this article.
• DLNA is a technology for streaming photos, videos and music over a local network. The main difference from Miracast and AirPlay is that you can’t run screen duplication through DLNA. You can only output a specific file (video, photo, audio). I also told you about this technology: Using DLNA on Smart TVs and other devices.

Note that Smart TVs usually always have built-in support for Miracast and DLNA. As for AirPlay, as I wrote above, only new TVs starting in 2019 can get this support. And then not all models and not all manufacturers. Read more about it at the link above.

We can conclude that you may need to buy a MiraScreen (AnyCast) adapter in two cases:

1. To add support for the above features for a TV that doesn’t have a Smart TV (but does have an HDMI input). Or for a monitor, projector. The main condition is to have an HDMI port (input).
2. To add support for AirPlay (the ability to display images from Apple devices). Including for Smart TVs that do not have built-in AirPlay support.

MiraScreen and AnyCast adapter for TV, monitor, projector

I specifically ordered a MiraScreen adapter on Aliexpress to test everything out and tell you how it works. There are an unreal number of these adapters on sale. On different processors, firmware, different shapes, etc.

I bought this one:

This adapter is in the form of a regular thumb drive (slightly larger). The adapter itself is plugged into the HDMI port of the TV. Separately to the adapter is connected power and antenna. Power can be connected directly to the USB port of the TV. Or through a regular adapter into a socket (if the TV doesn’t have USB).

On the TV, just select the HDMI input where the MiraScreen adapter is connected. The menu looks like this:

A button on the adapter allows you to switch the mode of operation (if you press this button and hold it down, it will reset the settings).

There are two of them (you can see them on the photo above, two blocks):

1. The one on the left (where the Apple logo is) allows you to connect devices via AirPlay and DLNA.
2. The one on the right (Android, Windows logo) is Miracast mode. In this mode, you can duplicate the screen from Android devices and Windows computers.

In the settings MiraScreen or AnyCast adapter, which can be opened via an application on the phone (by connecting to the adapter’s Wi-Fi network), or browser. In the settings, you need to connect the Wi-Fi adapter to your router (home Wi-Fi network).

It works like this:

In more detail about how to duplicate the screen and output multimedia content from different devices through the MiraScreen adapter to the TV screen, I plan to tell in separate articles. There is nothing complicated in setting up such an adapter. The main thing is to understand how it works. And you need to understand what you need it for, for what tasks.

Quality and stability of Miracast and AirPlay (through the adapter).

I got a MiraScreen Wireless Display with the index MX. Later in the online store found the same adapter, only 2 times more expensive (1600 rubles, 650 UAH) and with the index M2 . In the comments I read that this Mirascreen M2 is an original, and the one I bought (MX) on Aliexpress is a fake. This may be true, as this adapter works very badly. Screen duplication from computer and phone (Android and iOS) goes with a decent delay. If you output online video – constantly hangs, glitches, lags behind the sound.

The maximum image resolution is Full HD (1080p). I tried switching to HD mode (720p) – the same thing. Perhaps it’s a problem of only my particular copy or this model. I don’t recommend saving money when choosing a MiraScreen adapter. I bought almost the cheapest one (for 740 rubles, 300 UAH).

For duplicating the screen on the TV it is enough (for some presentation, photo viewing), but for normal work, video space, and even more so for games, my copy is not good. In reviews on Aliexpress people write that everything works perfectly. I don’t know, maybe I set something wrong. Although, what can be set up wrong there? I will test more. I have already tested the work of this adapter on different devices. I duplicated the screen from iPhone and Samsung phone. I also set up wireless Miracast display on a Windows 10 laptop through this adapter.

Through the built-in Miracast in the TV everything works somehow better. But what else to expect from a device for 10 dollars with such functionality. I’m sure that on more expensive MiraScreen and AnyCast adapters everything works smoother and more stable. But in any case – it’s an over-the-air connection. There won’t be the same quality and stability of connection as via cable. If we talk about computers, Miracast will not replace HDMI-cable. Especially if we’re talking about watching movies and even more so gaming. When duplicating the screen from a phone or tablet, so will be the delay of picture and sound. On some equipment less, on some more. But there will be lag.

What do you think about these adapters? For what tasks do you use (or want to use), and how does such a connection for wireless image transfer work for you?

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Ramón

Miscellaneous tips for setting up TVs