Screen mirroring is still a relatively new technological concept, especially in India.
However, with the advent of more modern streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar and much more, the consumption of virtual contents, such as TV shows, movies, and more, is at an all-time high.
Usually, viewers use their phones or tablets to stream content or play online multiplayer games.
However, people always want a better viewing experience and are thus always on the lookout for larger screens, with better HD quality and ease of viewing.
As such, screen mirroring is done to project content from a smaller tablet or mobile phone screen to a larger TV or PC screen.
This is also useful for multiple viewers or players and when it is difficult to view it on a single small screen, especially for games such as PUBG.
Advantages of Screen Mirroring
Today, screen mirroring is used in a wide variety of industries and business scenarios. It is a staple in meetings, conference calls, and video calls.
When participants are scattered all over the globe but need to be on the same page and work as a team towards a common goal, screen mirroring can help them all understand the target better.
Today, many companies are changing their working norms and regulations to incorporate different work styles and processes. One of the most significant advantages of this is that it leads to higher productivity and more innovation & satisfaction at work.
One of the most common trends nowadays is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). A mismatch of cords, wires, and connecting devices are often caused if traditional meeting systems are used.
However, with screen mirroring, it is a lot easier for people with different devices to collaborate and share content.
Traditional meeting rooms also have a lot of complicated software and hardware devices that need maintenance and technical expertise to operate smoothly. This results in a lot of connection problems and may even require frequent professional or expert help to set up the meeting devices.
Screen mirroring is a lot easier and quicker to operate with fewer lag times and fewer disturbances in connection. It also does not require so much technical help to set up and get working.
Most of the time, in meetings, people have very little control over what content is shared through traditional devices using HDMI cables and so on. It becomes challenging only to share one specific thing or part of a presentation, which can make the entire meeting chaotic and slow.
However, screen mirroring allows you to choose precisely what to share and what to omit for a crisp, clear visual of what you intend to convey to viewers. This sharpens the focus on your content and eliminates distractions.
Through traditional devices, it is tough, if not completely impossible, to share several screens simultaneously. People have to continually connect, disconnect & change cords, wires, and cables to be able to switch and change screens. Not only is this incredibly frustrating, but also a lengthy and slow process as cords can get tangled or misplaced.
Screen mirroring allows you to share multiple screens at the same time, to be able to paint a more cohesive picture, and avoid boredom amongst the participants as well. It also helps you link ideas across several pages, presentations, datasheets, etc. to present a complete picture of an issue.
Screen mirroring allows users to be able to share content easily, conveniently, and very quickly from their mobile devices with no extra equipment. This is a huge advantage as most people do a lot more work entirely on their mobile phones these days to rely less on computers, laptops, or PCs.
This means that they already have most, if not all of their necessary data available on their mobile phones and can quickly start a meeting when needed, without having to wait for more technical equipment or support. This also helps prevent a lot of the other issues which crop up when too much equipment is used.
How to Turn your PC into a Wireless Device through Screen Mirroring
The main reason people currently project content from their PC to a better viewing platform, such as an HD TV or a bigger projection display, is to allow more viewers to view the content comfortably and interact with it.
It also helps professional esports players to be able to analyze the screenplay and tactical moves of their opponents much better as bigger screens offer an immersive experience.
Microsoft, which has launched Windows 10, has now enabled its users to be able to use screen mirroring to be able to turn their PCs into wireless devices through some very simple steps.
It uses the supremely popular Miracast standard to receive and send display signals. Hence, users can mirror their screens to TVs, streaming boxes, dongles, and much more as long as the receiving device also uses Miracast. You can even use your PC to mirror your screen to another PC or laptop.
Some people also choose to have a Windows 10 laptop or computer hooked physically to their TVs that receive display signals from other devices such as phones, or another laptop, and therefore mirror the content directly on to the TV.
While this is a fairly roundabout way, it still works just as well, especially if the TV is of an older model and not a new smart TV with access to many services. There is also an option of extending instead of mirroring your screen, which may be convenient when you are trying to multitask.
For example, you can play a video, or movie on your TV while still doing something else like emailing or texting from your original device. Thus, by extending the screen, the TV will only play what you want it to play, i.e., the movie and not mirror what you are doing on your original screen, i.e., emailing or texting.
This is much more useful in modern times when most people tend to multitask and watch something while still working or doing something else. Screen extension gives you the best of both worlds. Most modern devices nowadays will also have access to WiFi signals, which will make it reasonably easy to mirror your screen on them.
However, sometimes these signals can be notoriously slow and may require a few attempts before successful mirroring.
Screen Mirroring On Windows 10
Steps to Turn Your PC into a Wireless Display
Keep in mind that screen mirroring is not available for Apple devices.
If your TV is a smart TV or Android TV, it will have access to WiFi. Turn on the WiFi option on your TV first. For Android TVs, press the Home button on your remote control.
For some models, there may be an Input button, instead of a Home button, which will lead you straight to the screen mirroring option.
In the Apps section, select the screen mirroring option. The rest of the instructions will appear on your TV, depending on the brand, model, and make. You can follow them to set up screen mirroring for your TV.
Don’t forget that while the screen mirroring process is on, your TV’s wireless connection will be disconnected.
First, switch on your computer’s WIFI access. Select the Windows start button and in the start menu, go to Settings. Under Settings, go to Devices. Under Devices, go to Bluetooth and other devices.
Select Add Bluetooth or another device. Under Add a device, select Wireless display or dock. You can then choose the display device you need to mirror your screen on.
Make sure that the screen is not in extended mode, which you can tell if you connect the TV screen and it displays the Window screen. The screen you want to mirror should now be visible on your TV screen.
Conclusion
However, every PC that has Windows 10 installed will not be able to follow the same steps to mirror or project content onto different devices. It also depends heavily on the brand or company of the laptop or PC. Different brands of laptops will have different steps to enable screen sharing and wireless display for their devices, even though they all run on Windows 10.
However, the basics of the process will mostly remain the same and will require updated system instalments and a strong WiFi signal in most cases. It is essential that both the receiving and the sending device are updated and support the latest changes in their operating systems.
Sometimes, not all systems with Windows 10 installed may have the Miracast feature enabled. You can check whether your computer has Miracast enabled or not by going to the Start button on your computer, and then going to Connect.
Under Connect, you will be able to see whether your device allows or supports screen mirroring or not. In exceptional cases, even though the device operating system is completely updated, it may refuse to support Miracast.
This usually occurs when legacy or very old systems have been updated to completely new ones and entirely overhauled with lots of new changes. In some cases, if users are using private or enterprise wireless networks, they may not be able to use screen mirroring, even though their system runs on Windows 10 due to operational guidelines and company policies.
If you are unsure about your system, it can easily be verified and clarified by your system company’s IT support team.
In some exceptional cases, you may be able to request additional screen mirroring privileges if it is deemed necessary for your project or team or if you are working remotely and regularly need to share content and collaborate with team members in different locations.
