In-Depth Comparison of Screen Casting Protocols: What’s the Difference Between AirPlay, DLNA and Miracast?
Have you ever wondered how your phone “talks” to your TV when you tap the “Cast” button? Behind it lies different sets of “languages” — screen casting protocols. Understanding the principles and differences of mainstream casting protocols is the key to mastering screen casting.
1. DLNA: The Veteran Specialist Focused on Media Streaming
Origin: Launched by Sony, Intel and other companies to enable digital media sharing in homes.Working Mode: Streaming. The phone acts as a “remote control”, telling the TV: “Fetch and play the video stream from this URL”. Video data is not relayed through the phone.Features✅ Advantages: Saves phone power (can exit the app after casting); insensitive to network fluctuations.❌ Disadvantages: No real-time screen mirroring; limited interactivity.Common Uses: The “TV” button in video apps; smart TVs accessing movies on NAS.
2. Miracast: The Standard Tool for Real-Time Mirroring on Android/Windows
Origin: An open industry standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance.Working Mode: Mirroring. Establishes a direct connection via Wi-Fi Direct, compresses the phone screen into a real-time video stream (similar to live broadcast), and sends it to the TV for decoding and display.Features✅ Advantages: Mirrors any screen content; open standard with good cross-brand compatibility.❌ Disadvantages: Relatively high latency; power-hungry; sensitive to network conditions.Common Uses: “Wireless Display” on Android phones; “Project to this PC” on Windows.
3. AirPlay: The All-in-One Expert for Apple Ecosystem
Origin: A proprietary protocol developed by Apple.Working Mode: Smart hybrid. It supports DLNA-like streaming (casting in video apps), Miracast-like mirroring (via Control Center), plus exclusive advanced features like multi-room audio.Features✅ Advantages: Seamless, smooth experience; rich functions; high audio quality.❌ Disadvantages: Closed ecosystem, mainly limited to Apple devices.Common Uses: “AirPlay” and “Screen Mirroring” on iPhone/iPad/Mac.
Comparison Summary & Selection Guide
| Feature | AirPlay | Miracast | DLNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Mode | Streaming + Mirroring | Mirroring | Streaming |
| Main Platforms | Apple Ecosystem | Android/Windows | Cross-platform |
| Typical Scenarios | Apple device media playback, multi-room audio | Android game casting, Windows presentations | Online/local video streaming |
| Advantages | Great experience, full-featured | High versatility, open standard | Power-saving, efficient |
| Disadvantages | Closed ecosystem | Latency & stability fluctuations | No mirroring support |
How to Choose?
✅ For online videos: Triggers DLNA/AirPlay streaming by default — the best experience.✅ For phone desktop demos: Use Miracast or AirPlay mirroring.✅ For home audio systems: AirPlay 2 is the top choice for Apple users.
Summary
Casting protocols are the cornerstone of your screen casting experience. DLNA is like a “jukebox”, Miracast a “live broadcast van”, and AirPlay an “all-in-one command center”. Understanding their core differences lets you quickly troubleshoot issues and choose the best casting method based on your devices and needs.