Detailed Explanation of Wireless Screen Mirroring Protocols: Differences and Selection Between AirPlay, Miracast, and DLNA

AirPlay (Apple Ecosystem)

• Origin: Developed by Apple Inc.
• Key Features:
  • Closed ecosystem: Primarily serves Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) for mirroring to Apple TV or AirPlay-supported smart TVs.
  • Powerful functionality: Supports both screen mirroring (similar to Miracast) and audio/video streaming (similar to DLNA), with excellent audio-visual quality and latency control.
• How to Identify: Named “Screen Mirroring” on Apple devices.

Miracast (Android/Windows Ecosystem)

• Origin: Based on an open standard from the Wi-Fi Alliance.
• Key Features:
  • Open and universal: Pre-installed wireless mirroring function on most Android phones and Windows 10/11 computers.
  • Pure mirroring mode: Core function is “duplicating” the entire screen content to a large display.
  • Peer-to-peer connection: Devices connect directly, even without a router.
• How to Identify: Often named “Wireless Display,” “Screen Projection,” or “Cast” on Android and Windows devices.

DLNA (Digital Sharing)

• Origin: A standard jointly initiated by multiple manufacturers.
• Key Features:
  • Streaming, not mirroring: Cannot mirror the entire screen; only “streams” media files (videos, music, images) from phones to TVs for playback.
  • Wide support: Supported by most smart TVs and video apps (e.g., the “TV” button in Tencent Video).
• How to Identify: Usually powers the “Cast” button within video/music apps.

Simple Summary

• For full-screen mirroring: Use AirPlay for Apple devices, Miracast for Android/Windows devices.
• For streaming online videos to TV: Use the DLNA function built into apps.

Understanding these three protocols will make your multi-screen collaboration journey much smoother.