Modern home entertainment demands flexibility, and there is often a need to display images from a computer directly on a large TV screen. Whether it's watching a movie, showing a presentation to colleagues or running a demanding game, screen broadcast opens up new possibilities for using the multimedia center. Platform users Windows 10 and Windows 11 often face the issue of integrating their devices with the ecosystem Android TVthat dominates the smart TV market.
There are many methods for implementing this task, from built-in system functions to specialized software The choice of a specific method depends on your goals: do you need minimal latency for games or high-quality streaming of video files. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the current protocols, including Miracast, Chromecast and DLNAso that you can choose the best option for your configuration.
Checking the network infrastructure and compatibility
Before you start setting up the software, you need to make sure that the devices are physically connected. A fundamental requirement for most wireless methods is that the computer and TV are on the same local network. This means that both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router. If your PC is connected by cable and the TV is connected via Wi-Fi, this is acceptable, but both interfaces must be served by one router.
It is worth noting that the stability of the connection directly affects the quality of the picture. For high-resolution video transmission or high-bitrate games, the standard range may not be fast enough and may be prone to interference. It is recommended to use the band 4K or games with high bitrate standard range 2.4 GHz may not be fast enough and may be subject to interference. It is recommended to use the range 5 GHz, which provides higher throughput and lower signal delay.
It is also important to check protocol support on the TV side. Most modern models based on Android TV have built-in signal receivers, but in cheap models or older versions of the OS, some functions may be disabled by the manufacturer. Make sure that the device discovery option is activated in the TV's network settings.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a guest Wi-Fi network or a corporate network with isolated clients (Client Isolation), devices will not see each other, even if they are in the same physical zone. To broadcast, you need a full-fledged local network without restrictions on the exchange of traffic between devices.
Broadcasting via the built-in Windows function (Miracast)
The easiest way to duplicate the screen without installing additional software is to use technology Miracast, which is built directly into Windows operating system. This protocol allows you to create a direct wireless connection between devices, transmitting video and audio with minimal settings. The function is called "Connect to a wireless display" and is available in the notification center.
To start the process on a computer with Windows 10 or 11, press the key combination Win + K. The Connectivity panel will appear on the right, where the system will begin searching for available displays within range. On the TV at this time, you may need to launch the "Wireless Projection" application or a similar one built into the shell Android TVto make it visible for search.
After finding the TV in the list on your PC, click on its name. The system initiates a connection request, which must be confirmed on the TV screen using the remote control. Once the connection is established, your computer desktop will appear on the big screen. You can choose the operating mode: mirroring the screen, expanding the workspace, or using the TV as a second monitor.
☑️ Check before connecting Miracast
It is important to understand that the quality of Miracast transmission depends on the power of your Wi-Fi adapter and the distance to the router. There may be a slight input lag when using this method, which makes it less suitable for fast-paced shooters, but quite acceptable for watching videos or working with documents. If the image starts to slow down, try lowering the output resolution in the Windows settings.
To improve the stability of the Miracast connection, disable loading heavy files on other devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network during the broadcast.
Using Google Chromecast technology via a browser
The Google ecosystem offers an alternative approach through technology Chromecast built-in, which is natively supported by most Android TVs. Unlike Miracast, which duplicates the entire desktop, Chromecast is often used to transfer the contents of a specific browser tab or media file, which reduces the load on the computer's processor.
To implement this method, you will need a browser Google Chrome or any other on the Chromium engine (for example, Edge, Opera). Open your browser on your PC, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the menu and select "Save and Share" → "Broadcast..." (or just "Broadcast" in older versions). A device selection window will open.
In the menu that appears, you will see a list of available Chromecast devices. Before choosing a TV, pay attention to the "Sources" button. The default is "Tab", but you can switch to "Full Screen" to stream the full Windows interface, or "File" to send a specific video file from your hard drive. This gives flexibility in controlling what exactly the audience sees.
| Parameter | Miracast | Chromecast | DLNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer type | Screen mirroring | Tab/file streaming | Media file transfer |
| Latency | Medium | Low (for video) | None |
| Sound | Transmitted automatically | Transferred automatically | Only in file |
| Dependency on PC | High (PC must be active) | Medium | Low (only indexing) |
A feature of Chromecast is that after the broadcast starts, you can minimize the tab or even close the browser (in some scenarios), and playback will continue on the TV. This frees up computer resources for other tasks. However, to broadcast the entire desktop, the computer must remain active and not go into sleep mode.
Chromecast is ideal for watching video from a browser, since the stream is decoded on the TV side, unloading the computer processor.
Organizing a media server via the DLNA protocol
If your goal is not screen duplication, but watching a collection of films, TV series or listening to music stored on the PC hard drive, then the protocol DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) will be the best solution. This method does not create a video stream in real time, but allows the TV to access files on the computer as network storage.
In the Windows operating system, the media server function is built in by default. You need to go to the Control Panel, find the Network and Sharing Center section and open Media Streaming Options. Here you need to enable streaming and add your TV to the list of allowed devices. After this, the system will index the folders with media files.
On the Android TV side of the TV, you will need to open an application that supports DLNA. This could be a built-in media player, an application VLC for Android or specialized clients like BubbleUPnP. In the application interface, select your computer as a source, and you will have access to all shared folders with video and audio.
⚠️ Attention: The DLNA protocol does not support broadcasting gameplay or dynamic content (for example, YouTube from a browser). It is intended exclusively for static files: videos, photos and music. For games, use other methods.
The main advantage of DLNA is the absence of load on the PC video card. The TV itself decodes the video stream, so even a weak laptop can serve as a server for a library of high-quality films. In addition, interrupting the connection or turning off the PC monitor will not stop playback on the TV.
What to do if the TV does not see the movie folder?
Make sure you have the correct folders selected for indexing in your Windows media streaming settings. Sometimes you need to manually add a directory path through the "Customize" button. Also check that the firewall is not blocking port 1900 (UDP), which is used to detect UPnP/DLNA devices.
Third-party applications for advanced broadcasting
When the built-in tools are not enough or are unstable, third-party solutions that offer advanced functionality come to the rescue. apps like AirServer, Reflector or LetsView turn your PC into a universal receiver or transmitter that supports many protocols simultaneously, including AirPlay and Google Cast.
The application deserves special attention LetsView, which is free and allows you to broadcast screen from PC to TV and vice versa. Once the app is installed on both devices and connected to the same network, you can scan the QR code for quick pairing. The app's interface is intuitive and offers additional tools, such as drawing on the screen or recording a broadcast.
For gamers who want to play on a TV with minimal latency, there are specialized solutions that use hardware-accelerated screen capture technology. For example, the bundle Steam Link allows you to stream games from the Steam library directly to the application Steam Link for Android TV. This provides high performance and support for gamepads connected to the TV.
Using third-party software often requires more careful firewall settings. When first launched, such apps ask for permission to access private and public networks. You must allow access, otherwise data packets will be blocked by Windows security and the connection will not be established.
If you are using a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), the built-in Windows firewall may be disabled. Configure network access rules directly in the interface of your antivirus by adding the broadcast application to exceptions.
Solving problems with latency and image quality
Even with proper configuration, users may encounter compression artifacts, audio desynchronization, or noticeable cursor lag. These problems are most often associated with limited wireless bandwidth or processor overload. If the picture “scatters” into squares, try lowering the output resolution or frame rate in the broadcast settings.
Desynchronization of audio and video is a common problem when software encoding a stream. In such cases, restarting the broadcast service or switching the codec, if such an option is available in the application you are using, helps. For wired connections via HDMI, this problem practically does not occur, so if wireless methods do not provide satisfactory results, a cable remains the most reliable option.
It is also worth checking the power saving settings of the Wi-Fi adapter on your laptop. In Device Manager, in the properties of the wireless network adapter, find the "Power Saving Mode" option and disable it. This will prevent a decrease in signal strength at times of peak load, which is critical for a stable video stream.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of operating systems and TV firmware are regularly updated. Menu layout, item names, and supported codecs may vary depending on the Android TV version and Windows build. If you do not find the described function, use the search in the device settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the TV not see the computer in the list of available devices?
The most common reason is that the devices are connected to different subnets or Wi-Fi frequencies with client isolation. Check that both devices are connected to the same router. Also make sure that in Windows network settings, the network profile is set to “Private” and not “Public”, since in the public profile, device discovery is disabled by default.
Is it possible to stream audio separately from the image?
When using Miracast and Chromecast, audio is transmitted along with the video stream automatically. However, in Windows Sound settings (Control Panel → Sound), you can select the output device. If you want the sound to go only to your TV, select it from the list of playback devices. It is difficult to separate streams using standard means; this will require virtual audio cables.
Does broadcasting affect computer performance in games?
Yes, it does significantly. Encoding a video stream in real time loads the processor or video card. When streaming games via Miracast or OBS, the load may cause FPS to drop. For games, it is recommended to use GameStream technology (via Moonlight) or Steam Link, which are optimized to minimize delays and load.
How to stream DRM-protected content (Netflix, Kinopoisk)?
Many streaming services block screen capture via Miracast due to copyright protection (HDCP). In such cases, there will be a black screen on the TV, although the sound can be heard. The solution is to use the built-in service application directly on Android TV or broadcast via the Chromecast function inside the browser/application, rather than duplicating the entire screen.
What cable is needed for a wired connection if Wi-Fi does not work?
The simplest option is a cable HDMIconnecting the video output of the PC and the TV input. If the laptop does not have an HDMI port, use an adapter USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort to HDMI. A wired connection guarantees maximum image quality without compression and zero latency, which is ideal for gaming and graphics work.