How to transfer an image from your phone to your TV. How to transfer an image from a phone to a TV? Instructions. Miracast technology
You can connect all kinds of devices that significantly expand its functions. One such device is a telephone. Their current models are stuffed with a huge arsenal of programs that are “tailored” to synchronize with TV. Multimedia interfaces, gaming areas, Internet surfing, online communication: all this turns your TV into a home entertainment center. Experts give their recommendations on how to connect your phone to a TV via a USB cable or a wireless Wi-fi adapter. Whether it's an old smartphone or a new iPhone 7 Plus, there's always an easy and convenient way to pair it with a nice, bigger screen. Absolutely all models will be able to reproduce the video you want.
Wireless Wi-fi connection
This is the most common way to sync your phone with your TV. It is simple, convenient and does not require any in-depth knowledge. Absolutely every smartphone has Wi-Fi support, but on TV only modern models have this module. Although it is possible to connect an external wireless network adapter to outdated TVs. If you are the owner of a Wi-Fi-enabled TV, then by connecting your phone to it without any cords, you will plunge into the wonderful world of the Internet and all kinds of applications on the big screen.
Connection via Wi-Fi Direct
For such a connection, it is necessary that the phone and TV have wi-fi Direct technology. If we consider smartphones, then you can find this function in the settings, in the “Wireless connections and networks” tab. By clicking on the wi-fi Direct option, the device will ask you to confirm its activation, which is what you need to do.
Advice! It is carried out using the same technology. The whole process remains virtually unchanged!
Now you need to enable the same function on your TV. Using the remote control, enter the settings menu, select “Network”, and in the window that opens, click on the wi-fi Direct line. After confirming that the option is enabled, the TV will begin to search for available devices in the range of the wireless network, where your phone should be detected. Having selected the found device, confirm the connection by clicking the “Ok” button. After this, the phone will also ask you to confirm synchronization with the appropriate action. When both devices communicate with each other, you will be able to view all the content stored on the phone (photos, videos, documents, audio recordings) on the big screen.
Let's look at this procedure using the Sony BRAVIA as an example:
- The undoubted advantage of this method is its versatility. Wi-Fi Direct technology is supported by many devices, regardless of price category and manufacturer.
Miracast technology
A fairly simple way to connect a smartphone to a TV via Wi-Fi, but only under one condition - both devices must support this technology. Essentially, this function simply duplicates everything that happens on the phone screen and displays the image on the LED screen. The connection occurs directly, without the participation of a wi-fi router, but if the TV is connected to your home network, then you need to enable wi-fi Direct mode on it.
Not all manufacturers call the Miracast feature the same way, so the names on different devices are as follows:
- Chinese phone models – wireless projector, wireless monitor, Wireless Display, Screen Mirroring;
- LG smartphones – ScreenShare;
- Samsung - AllShare Cast;
- All phones on the Windows Phone platform - Project My Screen;
- Apple smartphones – AirPlay utility.
The video explains in more detail:
It would seem that such a connection is an ideal option for fully using the TV screen as a phone desktop, but there is one significant drawback, and that is that when broadcasting media files, the picture quality is significantly lost. This nuance can be circumvented, since when playing content from a smartphone, the player used has a button in one of the corners of the screen, labeled HQ. By clicking on it, the image will improve, because the smartphone will transfer the broadcast via DLNA technology (this function does not work when using a web browser and games).
Wired connection via USB
Perhaps the easiest way to “connect” devices with each other. To find out how to connect your phone to a TV via a USB cable, you need to prepare just one thing - your USB cord (preferably the one that came with the gadget). In this way, you can combine almost any phone with internal memory. We will talk about modern smartphones on any operating system. So, insert the cable into the appropriate connector on the TV, and connect the other end to the phone. In the TV settings, using the remote control, select the signal mode from USB, and on the phone we confirm the transition of the device to the state of an external storage device. That's it, now you can play all media files from your phone on your TV screen.
- The disadvantage of this connection is the lack of use of a browser, games and utilities.
Connection using HDMI cable
In principle, the entire process of connecting devices to each other is similar to synchronization via USB, but there are still some differences. First of all, you need to make sure that your TV and smartphone have HDMI and mini-HDMI ports, respectively. Now you will need one, which needs to be connected to the connectors described above. If such a cord is already available, then the task becomes even simpler. After these manipulations, you need to turn on the HDMI mode on the TV (if there are several such inputs, then you need to select the one to which the connection was made), a window will appear on the phone about permission to switch the device to external storage mode, which needs to be confirmed.
The main advantage over other synchronization methods is that HDMI provides maximum image and audio quality, and also provides high speed multimedia data transfer. Before connecting your phone to the TV via an HDMI cable, you need to consider the lack of charge. For this reason, you will have to additionally add a charger.
Advice! If your phone does not have a special output for such a connection, then you can use an adapter from mini-usb to mini-hdmi, the transmission quality will not change.
MHL and SlimPort
This type of connection requires a special connector for phones, but any TV that has an HDMI input will do. Most popular phone models are deprived of this kind of connectors, but still some manufacturers provide their brainchildren with such highlights. These include Samsung, Sony, LG and Nexus.
Differences between MHL and SlimPort:
- MHL technology. Cables of this type have two types of connectors - eleven and five channels, and the first are preferable only for Samsung phones. MHL cables require an additional power source, which is provided using a power supply connected via USB. This technology is capable of broadcasting images in quality up to 1080p (applies to modifications with interface version 2.0). The new Sony Xperia and Tablet models have version 3.0, which can reproduce 4K quality;
- Slimport technology. The main difference from MHL is the freedom from an additional power source. The quality of the transmitted picture remains the same, but with a high-quality cable;
Pay attention to the final video clip:
Conclusion
Now you know how to connect your phone to your TV via an HDMI (USB) cable or a wireless Wi-fi adapter and you can choose the appropriate method. Analyze each of them, compare with the capabilities of your TV and phone to determine the optimal connection option. Remember, high-quality communication between connected devices can only be achieved by using original components. Good luck!
Today, no one is surprised that through a smartphone you can watch videos, surf the Internet, check email and much more. Owners of such a gadget want to expand its capabilities and are trying to figure out how to connect a smartphone to a TV. This allows you to watch your favorite movies, photos and listen to music not on a relatively small phone monitor, but on a large screen.
Connect via HDMI
It is no coincidence that the method of connecting a smartphone to a TV via HDMI was put in first place: it is currently the most popular method. This type of connector can be found on almost all modern gadgets (year of manufacture above 2010). Connecting via HDMI has many advantages, including high picture quality, high transmission speed without delays of both video and audio formats.
Obviously, to make the connection, you need an HDMI connector on your phone. This condition must be met for both the smartphone and the TV. The presence of such a connector will be described in the instructions. However, you can find it yourself - just inspect your smartphone.
Figure 1.HDMIon a smartphone
Another feature of this connection method is its versatility. As a rule, every TV has a connector for an HDMI cable, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s an old LG or a completely new Samsung - you can still connect it to the TV via it.
We connect using the following algorithm:
- First of all, turn off the smartphone and the TV itself;
- We connect the two devices with a cable and turn them on;
- After the TV and phone have been turned on, the setup is carried out automatically and the “mirroring” function starts, or in the English version – mirroring. The picture on the gadget's displays will be transferred to the TV screen.
There are often cases when offline configuration does not occur. Don’t be scared, as this can be fixed quite easily manually:
- We go to a separate settings menu for each device;
- In the TV menu, you must select the appropriate signal type - HDMI. Some models have several connectors for such a cable, if so, select the number of the one involved;
- On the smartphone itself, we activate the ability to transmit a signal via HDMI.
As you can see, connecting your smartphone to your TV via HDMI is quite simple. The main task is to connect the connector correctly and select the video input.
If there is no micro connector, there are special micro USB – HDMI converters. The device converts the signal and sends it to the TV so that it is able to recognize it. Using this technology, you should not expect to get a high-quality picture.
There is another way to connect a smartphone to a TV - via USB. The option works with any gadget, be it Lenovo, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, etc. However, it should be taken into account that in this case the image from the smartphone to the TV may not be duplicated. The condition depends on the phone model. In this case, only a black screen will be visible on the phone. But there is also an advantage - the gadget will be used as a USB drive, which acts as the main signal source.
Figure 2. Connection viaUSB
You will have to manage files through the TV interface using the remote control. Modern TVs, both Chinese and branded, allow you to open not only video or audio data, but also most text and presentation editors. This allows you to turn your TV into a whiteboard that displays presentations or just slideshows.
Setting up a connection is quite simple:
- The mini or micro USB cable (depending on the smartphone) must be connected on one side to the phone, and on the other to the TV connector located on the back panel.
Figure 3. ConnectorUSB
- It is important to remember to turn off both devices, otherwise the offline setup will not start.
Connect wirelessly
Wirelessly connecting a smartphone to a TV is by far the most promising type of connection, so absolutely every TV manufacturer is trying to create a special application that allows you to connect a TV and a smartphone via Wi-Fi.
For example, LG offers users of its phone and TV a special software product - Smart Share. It connects two devices through a wireless connection. For this reason, almost all modern TVs are equipped with a Wi-Fi module, which allows you to connect your gadget to the TV without any problems.
To connect a smartphone to a TV, Apple offers its customers to purchase a special set-top box called Apple TV. This method is distinguished by its simplicity (setting takes place in just a couple of clicks) and high image transmission parameters. The connection itself is also carried out via Wi-Fi.
Figure 4.AppleTV
The entire wireless connection algorithm consists of several steps:
- Setting up a home Wi-Fi network;
- We connect devices to it;
- We activate the wireless connection function on the gadget and TV.
Wi-Fi Direct
A distinctive feature is that you can set up a connection without a router and a configured Wi-Fi network. To put it simply, this is a direct connection of the gadget to the TV. But there is a nuance here: both devices must support the Wi-Fi Direct function (you can read about this in the instructions). The following steps will help you connect your gadget to your TV directly without using “intermediaries”:
- Let's launchWi– Fi Directon the phone. This is done like this: go to the “Settings” section and to the wireless networks subsection. We look for Direct itself there and activate the technology;
Figure 5.Wi-FiDirect on Android
- Setting up the TV. We go to the “Settings” menu section and to the network subsection (on some models, on the control panel, there is a special button that allows you to go to “Network”). We look for the Wi-Fi Direct function and enable it by checking the box or clicking “OK”. You should now be able to select a device to connect to. We look for our smartphone and send a connection request and receive it on the phone.
Figure 6.Wi-FiDirect on TV
The connection is complete. It is worth noting that this technology is not only simple, but also has good transmission quality. But, despite this, it is not particularly popular among users.
Connection via tulip
It is an analog composite type connection. Previously it was the most popular connection option. To carry it out you will need a cable consisting of 3 colored wires (white, yellow and red). They usually come with the TV. The method is not always possible due to the technical component (there is nowhere to connect 3 wires in a smartphone). The quality of image and sound transmission leaves much to be desired, so it has been replaced by a more convenient connection via HDMI.
Controlling the TV from a smartphone (video)
Modern phones can be used as a TV remote control: it is possible to select a channel, change the volume, but the main goal is to make surfing the Internet easier due to the presence of a keyboard and a large screen.
However, not every TV, even modern ones, supports this function. You can find this out on the manufacturer’s website or in the instructions (although in some cases this is not noted).
We configure the gadget as a control panel:
- Setting up a home Wi-Fi network. If the router does not support such a function, then it can be purchased additionally;
- We connect the TV to the wireless network (wait for the installation to complete, then enter your username and password);
- Download the application to your phone - Remote App. The choice of program directly depends on the brand of TV;
- We pair the TV and gadget in the application, following the instructions.
There are some limitations, for example, almost all TVs do not have the Wake-On-LAN function, which allows you to turn on the TV from your phone. All the described methods are quite easy to implement and you just choose the one that will be convenient.
Watching videos and listening to music in good quality on a smartphone is, of course, good, but doing this with a connected widescreen TV, duplicating the picture or outputting multimedia files, is even better!
Did you know that most Android smartphones can be connected to modern TVs? Ask why? For example, to watch video from the phone’s memory or its SD card. A person does not always have a USB drive with him on which films are stored, but he can watch them from his phone by connecting it to the plasma. If the quality of the video itself is decent, then on the TV screen it will not “spread” into pixels. The same situation applies to music. For example, you can make a multimedia player from your phone that connects to a TV with a full track list.
Currently, connection is possible in the following ways:
- Via USB cable;
- Via wireless Wi-Fi network;
- Via RCA cable (tulip);
- Via HDMI cable;
- Via MHL and SlimPort adapters;
- Using Miracast technology.
Now let's look at each method separately.
In this case, the connection is made through a standard USB cable, which you use to charge your Android.
As a rule, most devices today are supplied with a cable and a block into which this same cable is inserted. So, your task is to find a USB input on the TV (usually on the back or side), and insert the cable with the connected phone there. It can be either MicroUSB or MiniUSB.
A notification with a new device will appear on your screen. The system will offer to connect your smartphone as a storage device. You agree to this notification and are taken to the file system of your phone. Here you will see all the files, both on SD and in the internal memory of the device. Launch any movie or music file to play it on your TV. Please note that all rar, zip and other third-party file types available on a computer will not open on the TV! Multimedia files only.
This method will be relevant only for those users whose TV has built-in support for wireless technology. Thanks to this option, connecting your phone is much more convenient, and you can manage files from a distance. For example, you can sit quietly on the couch and choose movies to watch or music to listen to.
To connect, it is necessary that the built-in Wi-Fi module be present both on the TV and on your mobile phone. If your TV has Smart TV technology, then Wi-Fi Direct is definitely there! As a rule, Smart TV is available in all latest generation TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other manufacturers.
- Go to the “Settings” of your Android smartphone and select Wi-Fi there.
- Next, click on the tab "Additionally" and find Wi-Fi Direct.
- On your TV, also go to “Settings” and find the same wireless technology there, and then activate it.
- You turn on Wi-Fi on your smartphone, and the system automatically searches for available connection points on your TV. Once your phone's hotspot is found, the devices will be paired and connected to the shared network.
If your TV does not have a Wi-Fi module, you can purchase it separately. It will be inserted via an HDMI port, so you should think carefully about whether it’s worth it? After all, this is an additional cost, and the HDMI port will be busy.
Via RCA (tulip)
This method is suitable for those users who have old TVs. They usually have RCA support (a cable with three branches of different colors). Each plug performs a separate task - transmits sound and video. But even an old TV can be connected to your Android smartphone. To do this, you need an HDMI to RCA adapter, as well as HDMI support in your smartphone.
The adapter will cost about 700 rubles. On one side you insert RCA, on the other you connect HDMI. There is also an input on the side for connecting power, but the cable for it is provided along with the adapter. As a rule, the connection to your smartphone can be done either via HDMI Micro or HDMI Mini.
The adapter will have two modes: NTSC and PAL. The first is used if you have an American TV, and the second is more suitable for European ones, since they have a higher resolution. You can simply switch modes and see for yourself which one the picture will look better on. But keep in mind that this method does not guarantee a clear image, given that RCA technology cannot boast of this, and all sorts of adapters are used.
Via HDMI
Actually, in the paragraph above we already mentioned HDMI technology, which can connect Android to plasma. But, if you have a new generation device, then no RCA is needed! Simply insert the HDMI cable into the socket and connect the cable directly or via an HDMI Mini adapter to your smartphone. Please note that by default the cable is not provided with the smartphone, so you will have to buy it separately!
To connect, take a cable with HDMI on one end and HDMI Mini on the other. You insert the first into the socket on the TV, and the second into your tablet or smartphone on Android. Many phones of the latest generations even have a separate item in “Settings” for changing HDMI parameters. For example, you can choose resolution, zoom and other equally important settings.
In most cases, the system automatically detects the device and duplicates the smartphone screen on the screen. But some models require confirmation.
Via MHL or SlimPort
If Android does not have an HDMI input, you can use other adapters that will allow you to connect your phone to plasma.
One of the most common connection methods is MHL technology. The connection is made through the familiar and popular microUSB input. It is available on almost all phones. At the second end of the cable there will be an HDMI input. You simply insert one end into the TV and the other into the socket on your phone where you would normally plug your charger. Just keep in mind that for correct display you need to insert HDMI into the exact socket next to which the MHL logo will appear. In this case, the picture will be displayed correctly and duplicated on the TV screen, which, in turn, will also be charged. Don't forget to disable screen rotation, otherwise it will also rotate on the TV.
Important! Before purchasing a cable, be sure to check with the sellers whether it will fit your phone model, since some models have their own distinctive features.
Another alternative is SlimPort. As a rule, it has recently been actively found in devices such as Asus, ZTE, and some LG models. Its main difference from MHL is that it supports almost all video output standards: VGA, HDMI. Using such an adapter, you can connect the device not only to a TV, but also to a monitor.
Its configuration and varieties may be different:
- Firstly, it can be a simple HDMI adapter, where on one side it connects to the TV, and on the other to the charging socket of the smartphone.
- Secondly, there is SlimPort with several outputs at once, for example, the same VGA. In addition to the input and output, there is a separate charging socket on the side, since the phone will not be charged from the TV through this adapter! Although it consumes much less energy than MHL.
With such adapters, you can easily connect your smartphone to a TV, projectors and screens, and you can charge the device. At the same time, FullHD image output is supported with a resolution of up to 1080p, depending on the type of adapter.
Miracast is an image duplication technology that allows you to duplicate the entire process on your TV from your device. No cables are required, everything is done wirelessly. It is only necessary that the TV and smartphone have this technology. As a rule, most modern smartphones have it. It was introduced with version Android 4.2.
Let's look at the connection using an LG TV as an example.
- We go to the “Menu” on the TV, then we find there "Connection Manager" and in the general list select “Smartphone” or “Tablet”. Now you need to select a tab "Screen Sharing". As soon as you click, you will see the inscription Miracast. Click on the "Start" tab. That's it, the setup on the TV is complete.
- Let's move on to activating the technology on your smartphone. We go to “Settings” and there we look for the “More” item. There will be a WiDi point here. Click on it. You will already see your TV in the list. Click on it and wait for the device to connect. As soon as the pairing is established, you will see a duplication of the smartphone on the screen and will be able to launch games, applications, access the Internet, etc.
You can also connect a gamepad, for example, or a keyboard here, and turn your Android smartphone into a full-fledged computer.
I very often have to answer questions that sound something like this: “Is it possible to use the TV as a wireless monitor for a laptop or smartphone?” “How to display an image on a TV from a tablet, computer, or phone, but not via cable, but via Wi-Fi?” “How to make it so that everything that is on a tablet or smartphone is displayed on the TV, and that everything is over the air?”
In this article, I will try to answer the questions posed. We will figure out whether it is possible to display an image on a modern TV without a cable, and how to do this using Intel WiDi or Miracast technologies.
Before we get to the main part, in which I plan to tell you how you can turn your TV into a wireless monitor, you need to understand something:
Air may slow down, use cable
No wireless technology will provide the same picture quality that you get over a digital HDMI cable. (at least for now). Yes, I want it wirelessly, but with wireless technology there will be slowdowns, although not much. But playing games or watching movies with some kind of delay in the image is not very pleasant.
You can display videos and photos on TV without any special technology
In this article we are talking about duplicating absolutely everything that happens on the screen of your device onto your TV.
But in order to simply broadcast photos or videos from your computer, smartphone, or tablet to TV via Wi-Fi, you don’t need any special technology. Almost every modern TV supports DLNA technology (if you have a Smart TV, it definitely supports it). Computers and mobile devices can also transmit media content using DLNA technology. Android definitely can do it, iOS too (if I'm not mistaken), and in Windows Phone, this opportunity will appear after updating to version 8.1 (at the time of writing, the official update is still about a month away).
In order to set up broadcasting photos and movies over the air from your computer to your TV, see these instructions:
If the first article is suitable only for LG TVs, then the second can be called universal.
I wrote in a separate article how to display photos and videos from a device on Android: “ “.
Well, if you still need to completely duplicate the picture on your TV, and even without wires, then read on.
Image on TV from laptop or smartphone via Wi-Fi
I noticed that many people want, for example, to start watching an online movie on a tablet in a browser and display it on a TV. But in order to stream a movie via DLNA, you must first download it. Not everyone likes this, and not everyone knows how to download movies on a tablet or smartphone. If you have a Smart TV, then you can watch online movies directly from the TV, and you do not need any additional devices for this. How to do this, read the article.
There are two main technologies that allow you to wirelessly duplicate everything you see on the screen of your laptop or mobile device onto your TV. This is technology Intel Wireless Display(Intel WiDi), and Miracast. Most likely, you have already heard about these technologies, or seen them in the settings of your devices.
If you explain their work in your own words, then everything happens something like this: the image that is displayed on the screen of your computer or mobile device is compressed and transmitted via Wi-Fi to the TV. All this happens very quickly, and the delays are almost unnoticeable.
You simply turn on Miracast, or Intel WiDi on your TV (if it supports this technology, if not, then you need a special HDMI adapter), and on a mobile device or laptop using a special program, start the broadcast. The devices are connected and the picture is transmitted to the TV. By the way, a Wi-Fi network (router) is not needed at all, the TV itself creates a network to which you just need to connect. Something like .
At first glance, everything is very simple. But, at the moment, not all devices support these wireless technologies. Although, I think that in a year this will no longer be a problem.
By the way, Intel WiDi (since version 3.5) Miracast compatible. Therefore, Intel's technology can be considered universal.
Which devices support Intel WiDi and Miracast?
As for computers (laptops), for Intel WiDi technology to work, you need a 4th generation Intel processor, Intel graphics, and an Intel wireless Wi-Fi adapter. As you already understand, not every laptop can boast of such a configuration. Or, you will need a special attachment.
If we talk about mobile devices, they should also have support for Intel WiDi or Miracast. If you plan to use these technologies, then look at the characteristics of the devices and check the availability of these technologies before purchasing.
Intel WiDi and Miracast on TVs
We've figured out the devices that will transmit images over the air, now as for the TVs that will display this same image. The TV must either have built-in support for Intel WiDi/Miracast, or you will need to buy a special receiver that connects to the HDMI connector of your TV.
As far as I understand, almost all TVs from popular manufacturers: LG, Samsung, Toshiba - starting with the 2013 line, and which have support for Smart TV, have built-in receivers and can work with the Intel WiDi/Miracast standard.
If the TV does not have built-in support, then, as I already wrote, an external HDMI adapter will help. By the way, the image flows through it even better than through the built-in one.
For example, the LG 32LN575U TV, an inexpensive model with the Smart TV function, has support for Intel WiDi/Miracast. She looks like this:
Perhaps I’ll somehow demonstrate how this technology works, but that will be in another article.
Afterword
Let's summarize. If you want to use your TV as the main or second monitor for your computer or mobile device, and you do not have an urgent need to connect them over the air, then it is best to do this using a cable. It’s cheaper and the picture quality will be better.
Don't forget that using DLNA technology and Wi-Fi, you can broadcast photos and videos to your TV. But you won’t be able to display the image by launching the game while in the browser or on the desktop.
If you still want everything that is displayed on the screen of your computer, smartphone, or tablet to be displayed on the TV screen, then look towards Intel WiDi and Miracast technologies. If your devices do not support these standards, you will have to buy special set-top boxes and receivers.
If you are just planning to buy new devices and are going to use these wireless technologies, then before purchasing, check whether they support these standards.
That's all. Best wishes!
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How to display an image from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet to a TV via Wi-Fi? TV as a wireless monitor updated: February 6, 2018 by: admin
Modern mobile devices are suitable for watching movies and YouTube videos, but they have one significant drawback: the screen diagonal is too small. The displays of even the largest smartphones and phablets cannot stand any comparison with television screens.
Fortunately, transferring an image from a mobile device to a TV screen is now easier than ever, and this article will cover the most common methods.
Connecting your smartphone to your TV via HDMI is the most popular option. Many people prefer HDMI, because high data transfer speeds and high-quality pictures are guaranteed. However, connection is only possible if the Android smartphone itself has the appropriate connector - usually it is located next to the micro-USB.
Please note that you need a special HDMI cable: at one end there should be a standard type A connector, at the other - a type D connector, similar in appearance to the charger connector.
HDMI A-D cable
If you cannot find an A-D cable, you can use a special MHL to HDMI adapter, which is usually included in the television set.
MHL to HDMI adapter
Having connected two devices via a cable, on the TV itself you need to select HDMI as the signal source, after which the same image will appear on the screen as on the smartphone display. If there is no image, you should adjust the settings on the gadget (path “Settings” “HDMI format”).
Connect via USB
The method of connecting a gadget to a TV via USB is suitable if the TV itself is equipped with a corresponding connector. You will need a USB–micro-USB cable, which can be found included with almost any smartphone.
USB-micro-USB cable
It will not be possible to duplicate the image from the gadget’s display on TV, but with this connection, the smartphone can be considered as a USB drive. Data management is carried out via the TV interface. Modern TV devices can play not only videos and films of certain formats, but also text documents and presentations.
Please note this connection feature: both devices must be turned on - if the gadget is turned off, the TV will not recognize it as a drive.
Connect via Wi-Fi
You can connect your phone to your TV without cables - just use one of the software products from the manufacturing companies. For example, many of Samsung's models have the AllShare function, which allows you to connect to a TV of the same brand in a couple of clicks. To use this feature you need:
- Activate your home Wi-Fi network.
- Connect both devices (TV and Samsung phone) to Wi-Fi.
- Activate AllShare.
Other major manufacturers have an analogue of AllShare. offers to use Smart Share, through which the smartphone connects to the TV in almost the same way as through Samsung technology. Apple devices can be connected via AirPlay, however, you will have to additionally buy a special set-top box.
The listed methods have a common disadvantage: you can only connect the gadget to TVs of the same brand. Therefore, there is a reasonable question that owners of rare TV brands will definitely ask: is it possible to connect a smartphone via Wi-Fi, bypassing branded applications?
We use Wi-Fi Direct
The advantage of this technology is that setting up a home Wi-Fi network and registering both devices in it is not required - the gadget connects to the TV via Wi-Fi directly. The important thing is that both devices must support this feature. “Connect” happens like this:
- Wi-Fi Direct runs on the gadget. The user needs to follow the path “Settings” “Wireless networks and connections” “Wi-Fi Direct”. You should click “Activate” or “Ok” (depending on the model).
- The function starts on TV. You need to go to the menu, select “Network” and find Wi-Fi Direct in the list of options. After activating the function, a list of devices available for connection appears - from the list you should select the smartphone that was configured earlier.
- The smartphone receives a request to confirm the connection. Just click “Yes” and use Wi-Fi Direct for your pleasure.
Other ways
You can connect devices differently:
Via Miracast technology. The technology developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance is similar to Wi-Fi Direct - the connection is also established directly, and no additional router is needed. This ensures high connection speed. There is one difference from Direct: Miracast can be used even if the TV does not support this function or does not have a wireless module at all. To connect in such cases, you need an external unit (say, Prestigio Multiscreen) - a device that looks similar to a USB flash drive.
External block Prestigio Multiscreen for connection via Miracast
Miracast also has a disadvantage: only the latest models of TVs and smartphones are equipped with this technology. Miracast is supported by Android smartphones with Jelly Bean OS (4.2) and higher.
Via Chromecast device. This device, an innovation from Google, is inserted into the HDMI connector of the TV and broadcasts content from the smartphone to it.
Google Chromecast device
Chromecast has a significant advantage over other connection methods: this equipment works not only with Android, but also with gadgets on Windows and iOS.
Via xBounds device. iPhone owners will be upset, but xBounds only works with Android. The principle of operation is the same as that of Chromecast, and even in appearance these devices are similar.
xBounds device
Interestingly, when connected via xBounds, even low-resolution videos will appear on the TV screen in high quality.
Conclusion
If a user plans to connect a smartphone to a TV, he should think about this point before purchasing the devices. To avoid connecting via a cable and not feel tied down by wires, it is better to include the presence of Miracast technology (or Wi-Fi Direct) in the list of mandatory requirements for the gadget you are purchasing.