To make use of Miracast, you'll need two things: a Miracast-compatible Android device, and a Miracast TV or dongle. Chromecast let's you mirror you Chrome browser (in beta), but that's it. In which case you're free to multitask, lock your device, or queue up the next video.įor the same reason, Chromecast is not nearly as dynamic as Miracast - it only works with compatible video and music apps and will not play DRM-protected content on your device. Once the Chromecast receiver knows what content it needs to play, your mobile device holds none of the load. This co-dependency is both a great advantage and a tragic pitfall for Miracast (think battery life).Ĭhromecast, however, only relies on the mobile device for a moment during the initial setup. If your Android goes to sleep, your TV's screen blacks out, too. With Miracast, your TV (or Miracast dongle) is dependent on your Android device the entire time the devices are paired. No, Miracast is absolutely not like Chromecast. Even copyright-protected materials like DVDs and music can be mirrored, thanks to a DRM layer. Miracast employs the H.264 codec to mirror videos in 1080p and 5.1 surround sound audio. When it comes to what you can stream to your TV, the options are endless. Once the two devices are paired, data can flow freely between them.
For instance, your television creates the ad-hoc network, which is then discovered by your Android phone or tablet. With Wi-Fi Direct as the foundation, it makes sense that Miracast doesn't need to rely on your home's network. The technology never quite caught on in the mainstream, but it did pave the way for Miracast. Wi-Fi Direct, first introduced in Android 4.0, allows a user to create a private (ad-hoc) network that allows other users to connect and share files. Seasoned Android users' ears will perk up when they hear that Miracast is built on the much-ignored Wi-Fi Direct technology. But it's not magic - let's lift the hood to see how Miracast works. Its differentiating quality? It doesn't rely on your home's Wi-Fi network. Once Miracast is enabled, everything - from the general interface, to apps and videos - is duplicated on the big screen without the burden of a cable connecting the two devices. Every so often, another device is touted as supporting "Miracast." Fighting its way into the mainstream, Miracast is a killer feature poised to wipe out other video streaming standards in a very fragmented Android market.Īcting like a wireless HDMI cable, Miracast mirrors your Android device onto your TV screen in high definition and with audio.
0 kommentar(er)
