Screen Mirroring

What is Wireless Screen Mirroring?

Screen mirroring is the ability to project the screen of one device onto another device. In some specific instances, it may be desirable to stream only audio from one device to another. The ability to do this is also possible but it will be covered under a different guide, A Universal Guide to Streaming Audio. Mirroring has many practical applications in a classroom environment where projecting the contents of a device onto a projector, for example, allows everyone to see the screen much more clearly than simply holding the device up for students to see. Mirroring therefore can enhance instruction whether it is teaching students how to use a specific device or whether the device is used to enhance a lesson using an app or a program.

In addition, mirroring can also be used by students to project their presentations for their classmates to see their work. As technology becomes increasingly embedded into learning, many students are now adopting technology as their primary means of demonstrating their learning. By enabling students to project their presentations onto a screen, students are now able to embrace many of the current skills and tools that lend itself to a dynamic, polished experience.

Some mirroring methods allow multiple devices to be projected at the same time. This promotes a learning environment where students are able to compare and contrast their individual ways of thinking about a problem that they have encapsulated on a device.

Yet another application of screen mirroring might be for the purposes of online teaching where it would otherwise be very difficult to show online learners the screen of an iPad for example.

Teachers benefit from screen mirroring as a teaching tool. In most applications, teachers will likely find it easiest to have the second screen mirroring their own computing device. However, it is possible to have the second screen showing one application while running a completely different application on their own laptop. In this fashion, teachers can be presenting a lesson on the projected screen but have their notes or a web browser open on their own computer (which only they can see).

Finally, with some mirroring solutions, the user is able to make a recording of the interaction on a device thereby creating valuable resources in the form of video instruction.

Although the simplest way to connect a computing device to a monitor, TV or a projector is through a cable or an adapter (also referred to as a dongle), the device is effectively tethered and there is therefore loss of mobility while using the device. Furthermore, other issues that wired mirroring present include an overabundance of variety in terms of devices and the required connector. For example, the iPad/iPhone alone has two different connectors depending on the generation, Android phones and tablets have at least three if not four different connectors, Mac and PC computers can have three or more connectors and projection devices can have different connectors as well. Given all of the possible combinations, it would require at least eight different dongles to accommodate all of the possibilities. Another disadvantage of using a wired connection is that only one device may be connected at a time to a projector. Thus, using a wired connection requires unplugging and replugging different devices into the dongle for each student that would like to mirror their device. Some wired connectors do not seat very well and the cables can easily become detached. Finally, not all connections carry audio from the device to the projector. This will necessitate connecting an external speaker to the mobile device to project sound.

Challenges of Screen Mirroring

Screen mirroring in a school environment presents specific challenges not often found in a home environment. The first obstacle is access to the school wireless network. A school wireless network environment tends to be considerably more complicated than a home wireless network environment simply due to greater concerns of privacy and larger number of devices that connect to the system. There are a couple of requirements in order for devices to be able to mirror. A basic requirement of mirroring is the ability to connect all of the desired devices to the same network. In some school districts, devices that are owned and maintained by the district are often put on a separate network than public devices. Some districts maintain several networks and the network that is accessed depends on the make of the device. Moreover, simply connecting to the same network may not guarantee the ability to mirror your devices. School networks are frequently further divided into smaller subnets to accommodate the large number of devices that are connected. As such, the end user may not be able to see or ensure that the subnet that they are connected to is the same for all of their devices.

A second obstacle is simply in the sheer diversity of devices that exist in schools these days. The list includes, but is not limited to, computing devices (both laptop and desktop) in the form of Apple and PC models, Chromebook devices, and mobile devices (both tablets and potentially cell phones) in the form of Apple and Android models. To further complicate the issue, there may also be inconsistencies in the operating systems that these devices use. On the receiving end, there may be the desire to have content mirrored to the following devices including, but not limited to, other computing devices (both laptop and desktop) in the form of Apple and PC models, Chromebook devices, and mobile devices (both tablets and potentially cell phones) in the form of Apple and Android models, as well as streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku devices, or Amazon Fire TV.

A final obstacle is the ability of a device to even mirror or to receive from a mirroring device. Many modern devices have this natively built-into the operating system and where this is not the case, there are often many third-party solutions available. This guide strives to cover the wide gamut of situations and to propose different solutions to meet the many challenges of mirroring in a classroom.

Glossary

Throughout this guide, the following terms will be used:

AirPlay: a protocol used exclusively by Apple that allows its products to mirror to an AirPlay enabled device such as Apple TV

Cast: a protocol developed by Google that allows applications to mirror to a Google Cast enabled device such as a ChromeCast.

Miracast: a wireless protocol that is built into certain devices (Android and PC only) that enables mirroring to other devices that have Miracast built-in such as modern projector or televisions. It allows sending up to 1080p high definition video and 5.1 surround sound. Current devices that use Miracast include Windows 10 devices, Amazon Fire TV stick, and Android devices running 4.2 and higher.

Mirroring: the ability to display what appears on the screen of a device onto another device (which may be connected to a television or a projector)

Receiver: the device that is receiving an image

Transmitter: the device that sends an image

Bluetooth: a wireless protocol used to exchange data over short distances using radio waves

Wi-Fi: also referred to as wireless internet. In order for devices to mirror, they may need to be connected to the same wireless internet network as the device that is receiving the image.

The Basics of Mirroring

Much like any communication system, there are two components to screen mirroring – a screen sending device and a screen receiving device.

Transmitters are commonly computing devices such as laptops, desktops and Chromebooks or mobile devices such as tablets and phones where there is a desire to share the display with other users. Fortunately, devices are increasingly preloaded with the technology required to screen share straight out of the box without having to purchase or install additional software or connecting additional hardware.

Receivers are commonly dedicated media streaming devices such as an Apple TV or a Google Chromecast. Usually, receiving devices are connected to a projector or an interactive whiteboard such as a SmartBoard to allow larger audiences such as a class to view the contents of a device. In more specific situations, in the absence of a projector or perhaps in an individualized learning environment, a teacher may also wish to project contents of a device to other devices. Not all devices can be mirrored to other devices. Refer to the chart further down the document to see what connections are currently possible.

Unfortunately, there is a certain amount of proprietorship built into this mirroring technology. Thus, while Apple products such as MacBook laptops and iPads mirror natively with an Apple TV and Android based devices stream smoothly to Chromecast devices, trying to mirror a non-Apple device to an Apple TV becomes significantly more difficult and requires 3rd party software solutions that will bridge the competing technologies. These solutions frequently incorporate all three mirroring protocols (Apple’s AirPlay, Google’s Cast and Miracast) into one software package.

Although mirroring will vary from one device to another, there are some basic prerequisites that are universal across the board. The most essential as mentioned in the introduction, is that the two devices, that which is used to send and that which is used to receive the information should be connected to the same internet network^[1]. In some rare situations, it may be possible to connect devices such as an iPad to an Apple TV without an internet connection through the use of Bluetooth but these connections may be unreliable and are not designed to transmit large amounts of information (such as video). Most users will likely connect their devices through a wireless internet connection but some receiving devices also have an Ethernet port which will provide a stronger and more robust signal. As the quality of the mirroring is directly related to the consistency and reliability of the internet signal, either using an Ethernet cable or positioning the device in the best possible location relative to the access point is key. A network that has heavy traffic may interrupt or cause the screen mirroring to lag. Although not essential, it may also be beneficial to have Bluetooth enabled on both devices if applicable for the reason mentioned above - Bluetooth provides a secondary method of sending and receiving a signal to some devices such as an Apple TV. The chart on the next page outlines some of the more commonly used transmitters and the corresponding receivers that are compatible with them.

^[1] Miracast is an exception and creates its own network between the connecting and receiving devices.

Common Transmitters

iOS Devices

One of the most common uses for screen mirroring is to demonstrate or to present from an iPad. Most of the recent iOS devices[2] natively support Apple’s AirPlay protocol of wireless mirroring. Mirroring on an iOS device is managed through the Control Center which is activated by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Mirroring displays everything that is viewed on the device onto the TV or projector.

It is also possible to AirPlay individual apps such as YouTube or Netflix by clicking on the AirPlay symbol. In these instances, only the full screen app is displayed to the projecting device.

^[2] iOS devices that support AirPlay include iPad 2 and newer, and the iPhone 3GS and newer. All devices need to be running iOS version 4.2. Updating to the newest iOS version is recommended.

MacBook Computers

AirPlay is also supported on most of the newer Apple computers[3] such as the Mac desktops and the MacBook computers. AirPlay is enabled under the “Displays” category in System Preferences.

³ Apple computers that support AirPlay include iMac (2011+), Mac Mini (2011+), MacPro (2013+), MacBook (2015+), MacBook Air (2011+), MacBook Pro (2011+). OSX 10.8 (Mountain Lion) is required.

Android Devices

Although Android devices (phones and tablets) do cast and mirror to receivers such as a Google ChromeCast or third-party software, the difficulty in describing the mirroring process are the many inconsistencies within the Android platform. These include the many makes and models that are produced by companies such as Samsung, LG, Asus, Google, and Sony just to name a few. Each company builds their platform on top of a generic operating system that is created by Google. Therefore, not all devices offer the same features. To complicate matters, although Android updates are released by Google from time to time, each individual company has to release their version of the upgrade before users can take advantage of it.

As a general rule, almost all devices that run Android 4.2 or higher will be able to mirror to a ChromeCast. Mirroring is easily achieved through the Google Home app or the user may choose to Cast an individual app such as YouTube or Netflix. Some of the newer Android devices also support Miracast.

Chrome Browser and Chromebooks

Chrome browsers[4] and Chromebooks, which are essentially a hardware device running the Chrome browser, both support mirroring to a ChromeCast device as well as casting certain apps to either a ChromeCast or an Apple TV regardless of the device that it is running. Thus, Chrome browsers can be used identically on a Mac computer as well as a PC computer. There are four options of casting from the Chrome Browser: 1) by going into the settings icon and selecting “Cast,” 2) from a cast enabled site such as YouTube or Netflix by clicking the cast symbol (usually located in the bottom right hand corner), 3) Using the cast symbol in the Chrome bar (the icon only appears if it has been pinned there, 4) From any website simply by right clicking and selecting “Cast.” The Chrome browser supports two forms of casting: tab casting (mirroring the contents of a browser tab or desktop casting which mirrors the entire desktop. Note that audio can only be cast from a Windows desktop. Whenever the Chrome Browser is actively casting, the cast icon will appear in blue in the upper right hand corner of the browser.

⁴ The cast technology contained within the Chrome Browser applies only to computing devices and does not work for mobile devices such as tablets or phones.

Miracast

Miracast is a wireless protocol that is built into certain devices (Android and PC only) that enables mirroring to Miracast enabled receiving devices such as a modern projector or television. Unlike other mirroring solutions that require both the sending and receiving devices to be connected to the same network, Miracast creates its own network. This creates obvious advantages in a school environment where access to the wireless network may either be non-existent, limited, or complex. Currently, PC laptops that are running Window versions 8.1 and higher and Android devices running Android OS 4.2 and higher are capable of Miracast mirroring. Unfortunately, Apple does not support this wireless standard and as such Apple devices only use AirPlay for mirroring.

Despite its promises of effortless mirroring, Miracast does have some issues or rather lacks features of some of the other mirroring protocols. First, Miracast does not stream as “smart” as other mirroring protocols. With app casting from an app to Chromecast for example, only the app is shown. The device will continue to mirror even after its screen has gone to sleep. In other situations, while the app is cast, playback controls show up only on the mobile device and not on the mirrored device. Miracast simply mirrors the display and the device must remain on using up potential battery power.

Miracast also has reportedly been unreliable and inconsistent in the devices that are able to utilize the protocol despite being labeled as Miracast enabled.

Common Receivers

There has long been a clear division in computing devices between computers running Windows operating systems and Apple OSX systems. In more recent times, as tablets and mobile devices gained more popularity, the division became split between Apple devices such as iPads and iPhones and devices running Android operating systems, a Google created operating system. It is no surprise then that there would also be divisions in the hardware that allows mirroring between these various types of hardware. Currently, there are two dedicated hardware streaming receivers – Apple TVs and Google Chromecasts. Not only do these two devices operate using different protocol, so too do they differ in the way that the user connects and streams content to them.

Apple TV

The Apple TV is a media device that, when connected to a display such as a television or a projector, allows digital media content to be streamed from a variety of internet sources. In addition, the Apple TV works in conjunction with various Apple products using a protocol developed by Apple called AirPlay to mirror content to the Apple TV. Third party developers have been able to capitalize on this technology to extend mirroring capabilities to other devices not created by Apple such as Windows computers, Android tablets, and even Chrome browsers. In these instances, the Apple TV acts as a receiver and does not discriminate against the transmitting device, recognizing only that an AirPlay signal is present.

The current Apple TVs (4K) that are being sold are in their fifth iteration. This and the previous model of the Apple TV utilizes an operating system specifically designed for the device. All previous versions before that used an operating system that is a derivative of iOS, the operating system that runs iPads and iPhones. Due to a rather large price discrepancy between the newest model and the previous version, the third generation Apple TVs are the most likely model to be found in educational settings. As such, this is the model that will be referred to in this article although many of the features and protocols apply to the 5^th generation model as well.

This diagram shows how to connect an Apple TV to a VGA display using a HDMI to VGA adapter. The adapter also incorporates a 3.5mm jack that allows plugging in external speakers. HDMI can carry both an audio and video signal while VGA only carries a video signal.

Ports: The Apple TV comes with several connection options on the rear of the unit: an HDMI port for connecting video to a projector or a TV (adapters are available for older TVs or projectors that only have a VGA connector), a Toslink port for connecting an optical audio signal and an Ethernet port to connect to an internet source such as a router.

Connecting a display: If an HDMI cable is used to connect to a TV or a projector, the Toslink port does not need to be used as HDMI carries both audio and video signals. However, if an HDMI to VGA adapter is used, the Apple TV will only send a video signal to the projector. In these situations, there are two alternatives to allow sound to be projected. The first requires using a HDMI to VGA dongle that includes an audio output (see image B) that is then used to connect to speakers using a 3.5mm cable. The second solution is to use a fiber optic cable. However, few devices particularly tablets offer a corresponding optical cable port in which a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) needs to be used. Due to the complexity of this solution, most users will likely wish to use a HDMI to VGA adapter with a 3.5mm output jack (note that not all HDMI to VGA adapters include this option).

Internet connectivity: The use of an Ethernet cable to connect the Apple TV to an internet source is highly recommended. Ethernet connections provide not only a more consistent internet stream but the signal is almost always faster than a wireless signal. However, the unit can be set to connect through an Ethernet cable as well as wireless. The Apple TV will default to Ethernet but in the event of a cable failure, the wireless connection will take over.

Connecting via Bluetooth: The Apple TV is also capable of receiving data through a Bluetooth connection. This allows the Apple TV to be paired to devices such as a Mac computer or an iPad. Note that Bluetooth connectivity is not as robust as a wireless connection and is limited in the data capacity that it can carry. Bluetooth connectivity is best limited to audio and/or still picture streaming. Specifically, Bluetooth will not be able to handle video streaming.

Navigation: The Apple TV utilizes a menu system similar to what one might see on an iPad for navigating between Apple TV apps. Unlike an iPad however, most of the apps are content channels (for example, YouTube and Netflix). Movement between apps is coordinated through the use of an Apple TV remote[5] which uses navigational buttons arranged around a circle to move upwards, downwards and sideways. The centre of the navigational circle acts as an “enter” button that opens an app. A “menu” button located slightly to the bottom left of the navigational circle acts as a “back” button. An additional play/pause button allows users to control playback of media content.

⁵ Instead of using the supplied Apple TV remote, users can download the free Remote app from the app store that can be installed onto an iPhone or an iPad. In addition to using the Remote app for navigational purposes, the mobile device can be used as a keyboard.

The Apple TV has a graphical interface that displays each media channel as an individual app. Users can navigate to a particular channel and press the centre navigational button to activate that channel. Users can download or delete individual apps on the bundled app store. In additional to the various media channels, there is a “settings” app which has the same icon as Apple’s other platforms such as iOS and MacOS devices. The settings app allows users to configure various features on the Apple TV including Bluetooth pairing, internet connectivity, screen savers, audio and video settings, as well as AirPlay settings.

AirPlay on Apple TV: Before the Apple TV device can be used to receive streaming media or as a mirrored screen from another device, the AirPlay setting must first be enabled through the settings app on the Apple TV. Some of the other options within the AirPlay section in Settings include Conference Room Display (instructions on how to connect to the Apple TV through Airplay are prominently displayed on the screen), playing previously purchased material from iCloud, renaming the Apple TV device, and enabling a security system so that only authorized users can connect their device to the Apple TV.

Chromecast

Google’s Chromecast device is a digital media streamer that differs from the Apple TV in three areas. The first difference is in the dramatic price difference between the two with the Chromecast being offered at prices of greater than half of those of the Apple TV (depending on the model of the individual device). The second difference is that the Chromecast is simply a receiver and does not stream media on its own. While the Apple TV is a standalone media streamer that can independently load content from various sources, the Chromecast requires a device such as a phone, tablet or computer to do the heavy lifting. The final difference is that the Chromecast accommodates casting from specific apps rather than from the platform. For example, YouTube and Netflix both have the casting ability built into the app regardless of the type of device that it is used on. This is in stark contrast to an Apple device where there is an option to mirror the device regardless of the app or program that is being used.

There are currently three different models of Google’s Chromecast: Chromecast Audio, Chromecast[6], and Chromecast Ultra. As the name suggests, Chromecast Audio is a device that only handles audio streams which makes it unsuitable for mirroring a device or for casting images and/or videos. Streaming video content requires the use of a Chromecast or the Chromecast Ultra, the distinction between the two being the quality of video displayed (1080p vs 4K video respectively), the addition of an Ethernet port and faster streaming capabilities on the Ultra model. However, those additional features on the Ultra model will cost twice as much as the regular Chromecast device.

⁶ While the current Chromecast device is its second iteration, the original Chromecast is still very much a useable device. Although the shape of the two devices differs, the devices operate in a similar fashion (aside from a slightly faster processor and updated internet connectivity protocols).

Ports: Chromecast devices are surprisingly basic and simple to connect. Regardless of whether the device is a first generation or a newer device, they both feature a male HDMI plug that inserts into the display device whether it is a TV or a projector. All devices also come with a USB cable that is used to power the unit. The smaller USB micro end inserts into the device while the broader USB A jack goes an included USB power supply[7].

⁷ Some televisions or projectors have USB ports built in and may be able to power the Chromecast. Ensure that the USB service port on a television is not used.

Internet Connectivity: The steps required to connect a Chromecast to an internet network require either an iOS device (iPad or iPhone) or an Android device (phone or tablet). On the mobile device, navigate to either the App Store (Apple devices) or the Play Store (Android devices). Download the Google Home app (free) onto the device. The app will detect the Chromecast (assuming that it is powered and within receiving distance). Once the device is detected, it will generate a wireless connection with the device and a code will be provided on the display that should match that shown on the mobile device. The device will then ask the user to customize the name of the Chromecast to something more personal such as Division 20 or Room 12. The device will also query the user to enter the name of the wireless network that will be used to stream content to the Chromecast[8].

⁸ This process will need to be repeated whenever a different wireless network is used.

Miracast

Miracast is both a transmitter as well as a receiver. Essentially, both devices need to be Miracast enabled in order for this technology to work. Miracast establishes its own network and does not require the user to connect to an existing Wi-Fi network. However, as mentioned in the transmitting section, Miracast is not without its issues. Miracast receivers are commonly found in newer televisions as well as popular streaming sticks such as the Roku Stick or the Amazon Fire TV. If you don’t own any of these types of devices, it is possible to purchase a standalone Miracast receiver which is in turn connected to an older television set.

Mac Computer + QuickTime

Apple offers a wired option of mirroring an Apple mobile device through the use of a USB lightning charging cable and a Mac computer running the QuickTime software program. Although this effectively tethers the two devices to one another, it does allow the user to record actions on the mobile device as well as project the mobile device for online demonstrations using other software. Since the QuickTime software comes bundled on every Mac computer, this is a cost free solution.

AirServer, Reflector, and Mirroring 360

By far, this is the cheapest and most versatile solution for receiving wireless signals. These third-party software solutions support casting and mirroring from mobile devices and they can be installed on a personal computer or a Chromebook to allow it to act as a receiver. As such, with the software running, the computer/Chromebook can be used as a standalone monitor or it can be connected to an external display such as a SmartBoard or a projector to increase the size of the display. All of the software titles support both Mac as well as PC computers.

Software solutions differ from a hardware devices in one or more of the following areas:

Cost: Even compared with the cheaper price of the Chromecast (C$45), most of the software solutions start as low as C$15 with educational discounts available for multiple licenses.

Portability: With a software solution, no additional hardware is required. Computers can be connected to an external monitor or a projector.

Multiple Devices Supported: One of the biggest advantages of using software over hardware to mirror is the ability to have multiple devices mirroring at the same time. Whereas the Apple TV and the Google Chromecast are only capable of mirroring on a 1:1 ratio (one computer to one receiver), there are no limits to how many devices can be mirrored at the same time to a computer running AirServer or Reflector.

Screen Recording: Software solutions offer the ability to record streamed devices giving users the ability to create taped presentations, tutorials or demonstrations.

Multiplatform Support: The need to match the correct receiver to the appropriate transmitter results in either an incompatibility issue (for example in the case of a Windows computer and an Apple TV) or the need to purchase multiple devices. Software solutions incorporate all of the different protocols into one package. Thus, a computer with streaming software installed on it supports Android devices as well as iOS devices. Some software will also broadcast Miracast[9] signals as well with no further customization or additional purchases.

⁹ Both AirServer and Reflector Teacher support Miracast receiving on a PC computer running Windows 10 equpped with the proper hardware only.

Mirroring Guides

The table below reflects the mirroring connections are currently available. For complete tutorials on how to establish these mirroring connections, see the individual tutorials further in the document.

NB: Currently, there are no universal solutions to allow the iPad nor the Chromebook to act as a receiver. Protocols that work for iPads may be applicable to iPhones as well. Protocols that work for Android tablets may be applicable to Android phones as well.

Mirroring Summary.xlsx

iPad Mirroring

Mirroring from an iPad (or iPhone) to a receiving device involves using the proprietary AirPlay protocol created by Apple that is built into the operating system of the device. The AirPlay protocol can use either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals to send video streams to another device. Note that in the absence of a wireless internet connection, Bluetooth is not robust enough to handle video streaming but will be able to handle still images. As this is a stock feature that is ready to use out of the box, no installation and little configuration needs to be made.

To activate AirPlay, simply swipe up from the bottom of the mobile device that you wish to mirror from. A list of available receiving devices will be displayed. These will likely be Apple TVs or devices that have third party solutions installed such as AirServer, Reflector or Mirroring360 that are able to reproduce the AirPlay signal. Simply select the device that you would like to mirror to. Note that some devices may require the entry of a password before a connection can be made. Here are the specifics on mirroring from an iPad to a specific device.

iPad to Android mobile device (phone or tablet): using Reflector for Android: (iOS 9.x-10.x) or (iOS 11.x)
iPad to Apple TV (iOS 9.x – 10.x) or (iOS 11.x)
iPad to ChromeCast: selected supported apps only or AllCast
iPad to Mac computer (desktop or laptop): using Reflector 3 (iOS 7.x - 10.x) or (iOS 11.x), AirServer (iOS 7.x-10.x) or (iOS 11.x), QuickTime
iPad to PC computer (desktop or laptop): using Reflector 3 (iOS 7.x – 10.x) or (iOS 11.x), AirServer (iOS 7.x-10.x) or (iOS 11.x)
iPad to projector (HDMI or VGA connection)

Mac Computer Mirroring

Mirroring from an Mac computer to a receiving device involves using the proprietary AirPlay protocol created by Apple that is built into the operating system of the device. The AirPlay protocol can use either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals to send video streams to another device. Note that in the absence of a wireless internet connection, Bluetooth is not robust enough to handle video streaming but will be able to handle still images. As this is a stock feature that is ready to use out of the box, no installation and little configuration needs to be made.

Mac to iPad: using Splashtop
Mac to Apple TV
Mac to Android mobile device: using Splashtop or Reflector
Mac to ChromeCast using AirParrot or Chrome Browser
Mac to Mac computer (desktop or laptop): using Reflector 3 or AirServer
Mac to PC computer (desktop or laptop): using Reflector 3 or AirServer
Mac to TV/Projector Wired

Windows Computer Mirroring

There has not traditionally been any official form of mirroring endorsed by or created by Microsoft for Windows platforms. Even until recently, there was little hardware support unlike Apple’s AirPlay which is built into each of their tablet and computing devices. A recent development which has still to gain widespread adoption is Miracast. The strategy used to allow Windows mirroring in this guide rely heavily on a software solution developed by Squirrels called AirParrot. This software acts as a transmitter and can send to AirPlay enabled devices, Chromecast and Miracast devices.

PC computer to Chromecast: using AirParrot or using Chrome Browser
PC computer to Android device: using Splashtop or Reflector
PC computer to Apple TV: using AirParrot
PC computer to PC computer (desktop or laptop): using AirParrot to Reflector 3 or Airserver
PC computer to Mac computer (desktop or laptop): using AirParrot to Reflector 3 or Airserver
PC computer to iPad: using Splashtop
PC computer to projector (HDMI or VGA connection)

Android Device Mirroring

Android devices utilize Google’s mobile operating system which generally provides native support for casting to Chromecast receivers. The difficulty in writing a guide for this section is that there are many manufacturers of android devices particularly when you consider the vast number of cellular phones that exist on the market. Each has layered on top of the stock Android operating system, their own brand of OS which may or may not have similar functions as other phones. Likewise, each company is responsible for ensuring that their device is compatible with the latest Android operating system releases. As there is little consistency between manufacturers and even devices from the same manufacturer, this section will differ from user to user depending on the device(s) that they have on hand.

Android tablet to Apple TV: using Mirroring360 Sender
Android tablet to Chromecast
Android tablet to Mac computer: using Mirroring360 Sender to AirServer or Reflector
Android tablet to PC computer (desktop or laptop): - using Mirroring360 Sender to Reflector or Airserver

Chromebook Mirroring

Chromebooks are essentially basic laptops that run the Chrome Browser. Officially, they run the ChromeOS software created by Google but it shares many similarities with Chrome Browsers on Windows and Mac machines. Chromebooks have casting abilities built into them and are usually compatible with Chromecast devices. There are also third party software solutions that can be found in the Play store allowing them to interact with AirPlay devices and Miracast devices.

Chromebook to Chromecast
Chromebook to Android device - using AirParrot for Chrome and Reflector for Android
Chromebook to Apple TV - using AirParrot for Chrome
Chromebook to PC Computer: AirServer or Reflector
Chromebook to Mac Computer: AirServer or Reflector
Chromebook to projector (HDMI or VGA connection)

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