What’s the Difference Between AirPlay and Miracast?
Some many years ago, you could only stream media content via cables and wires. But now, wireless display technologies like Miracast and AirPlay allow you to access and stream diverse content without physical cables.
Miracast and AirPlay have similar features that make them great for wireless streaming, but they aren’t the same. So, what’s the difference between AirPlay and Miracast?
Miracast is a tool created by the Wi-Fi Alliance designed to govern wireless connectivity between devices. Several brands, including Samsung, LG, and Sony, support this technology. Miracast-enabled devices can connect wirelessly, allowing for screen mirroring and video and audio content streaming.
Meanwhile, AirPlay is a proprietary Apple technology allowing wireless streaming between devices. AirPlay is supported mostly by Apple devices, like iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
2. Requirements
Miracast and AirPlay require compatible devices and a stable network connection. If you want totransmit media from your smartphone to a TV using Miracast, the two devices must support Miracast.
In the case of AirPlay, all devices must be Apple devices. If you want totransmit content from an iPhone to a TV, the TV must be AirPlay compatible. You’d also require a Wi-Fi network if the content you want to stream isn’t saved on your device.
Miracast and AirPlay aren’t directly compatible with each other. For example, you can’t use a Miracast-compatible smartphone to stream content to an AirPlay-compatible monitor.
3. Features
While Miracast and AirPlay serve a similar purpose—wireless streaming—they have unique features.
Miracast allows you to extend your desktop, enabling you to move content between two screens. However, some of Miracast’s advanced features, like extended desktops or multiple displays, are not universally supported by all Miracast-compatible devices.
AirPlay, on the other hand, supports multi-room audio playback. This means you can stream audio to multiple AirPlay-enabled devices simultaneously, allowing synchronized playback throughout your home.
4. Compatibility
Miracast is compatible with more devices than AirPlay. If you have a Miracast-compatible TV, you can use it with Windows devices, Android phones and tablets, and many more.
AirPlay, however, is limited to Apple devices. This has led prominent TV manufacturers, like Samsung, Sony, and Vizio, to incorporate AirPlay into their TVs. So you can easilymirror or share content from your iPhone to an AirPlay-enabled Samsung TV.
5 Similarities Between Miracast and AirPlay
Miracast and AirPlay are wireless display technologies by different companies that allow users to stream content from their devices to compatible displays. Here are five ways they are similar.
AirPlay vs. Miracast: Choosing Between Wireless Streaming Technologies
Miracast and AirPlay stand out as well-liked choices for streaming content. AirPlay enables seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, whereas Miracast offers a wider range of device compatibility and the ability to operate across numerous platforms.
Knowing the differences and similarities of these technologies, you may decide the best fit for your device ecosystem and streaming preferences. Whichever option you choose, wireless streaming is now easier to use and more handy than ever.
Should you mirror, or do you need to cast? The media and the hardware you have is often what makes the decision for you.
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