Presentations are a norm, whether in schools or offices. We usually see a presenter bring their own laptop, connect the HDMI cable, and start the presentation. Windows laptop users are quite familiar with this scenario, but it’s different for MacBook users. Different MacBooks have different ports, and not every MacBook is equipped with an HDMI port. If a MacBook user wants to do the presentation, they may need to bring a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable.

MacBook users encounter the issue of screen mirroring. However, let’s not forget that we can now use smartphones to create slides as well. iPhone users face the same issue. With the increasing prevalence of smart devices, the capability to display the content of our iPhones and Mac computers on a larger TV screen has become a valuable feature. In this article, we’ll explore the wonders of screen mirroring and discover which devices allow us to screen mirror our iPhones or Mac laptops to a TV.

First, What’s Screen Mirroring?

Screen mirroring, also known as screen casting, is a technology that allows users to mirror the display of their mobile devices or computers onto a larger screen, such as a TV. This function creates a real-time replication of the content on the smaller device to the bigger display, effectively turning the TV into an extension of the iPhone or Mac screen. Whether it’s photos, videos, presentations, or games, screen mirroring opens up a world of possibilities for sharing and enjoying content on a larger scale.

Native Screen Mirroring for iPhone or Mac to a TV

1.Using HDMI Cable with Adapter

This is the method that we are very familiar with: using an HDMI cable to connect a laptop and a TV, and then we can start screen mirroring. However, an HDMI cable is definitely not enough for iPhones or Mac laptops, as they have different kinds of ports, such as Lightning or USB-C. You will also need to purchase adapters to enable screen mirroring.

2. Using Apple TV

Apple TV was released in March 2007. After connecting the Apple TV to a TV, make sure your iPhone or MacBook is in the same network as Apple TV and you can use AirPlay to mirror your device wirelessly. AirPlay is a proprietary wireless communication protocol stack developed by Apple. It allows iPhone, iPad or Mac users to wireless cast audio or video to an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV.

If you have an Apple TV, you can easily share photos or videos from your MacBook or iPhone to a TV. You can also download and login streaming apps like Netflix, Youtube or Amazon Prime Video to the Apple TV box. If you install an Apple TV in your conference room, MacBook users can easily share the presentation. However, it’s mainly for home entertainment use. It doesn’t have collaboration features for business.

3.Using AirPlay 2–Enabled Smart TVs

There are some companies embedding Apple TV in their TV products. Therefore, you don’t need to purchase an Apple TV box, then you can mirror images or videos to the TV with your iPhone or MacBook. On the market, you can find LG, Samsung and Sony have AirPlay 2–Enabled Smart TVs. If you want to use AirPlay to mirror your screen or cast your video, always make sure your device is on the same network as your TV.

Just like Apple TV, AirPlay 2–enabled smart TVs are also mainly for home entertainment use. It doesn’t have collaboration features for business. But if you only want to share the presentation, smart TVs are still convenient. You can prepare one HDMI cable for Windows laptops. MacBooks users can use AirPlay to share slides.

4. Using ASTROS Wireless Presentation Solution

ASTROS wireless presentation solution allows people to use a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to wirelessly share the screen. After connecting an ASTROS Station to a TV, make sure your iPhone or MacBook is on the same network as the ASTROS Station, and you can use AirPlay to mirror your device wirelessly. If your device is equipped with a USB-C port, you can also connect the ASTROS Pod to your device, click the Pod, and wirelessly share the screen as well. Using the ASTROS Pod doesn’t require users to install drivers or software, so people don’t need to worry about data security issues.

Unlike HDMI cables, Apple TV, and Smart TVs, ASTROS enables Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android users to share the screen simultaneously. In a workplace or a classroom, people may bring different devices to work on their projects. ASTROS speeds up the screen-sharing workflow and provides more flexibility, allowing people to share the screen the way they prefer. What’s more, ASTROS has a browser-based management platform – ASTROS Manager – to let IT managers quickly monitor and configure ASTROS Stations in batches. Whether it’s for business or education use, people can enjoy the efficiency of collaboration.

Third-Party Screen Mirroring Solution for iPhone or Mac

1.Using ASTROS App

ASTROS App belongs to the ASTROS product family. ASTROS App supports Windows, macOS, iOS and Android operating systems. So you can download the App in your iPhone, iPad and Macbook. After connecting an ASTROS Station to a TV, you can use ASTROS App to wirelessly share the screen.

The difference between AirPlay and ASTROS App is that ASTROS App provides more screen sharing features and flexibility. For example, when you share slides during a meeting, you definitely want to avoid private or confidential messages popping up. Using ASTROS App, you can choose Window Sharing to share one specific application window, then meeting attendants won’t see pop-ups. Sometimes you may sit far from the TV and cannot see the displayed content. Enabling Remote View in ASTROS App allows you to see the displayed content with your own device. Then you don’t need to worry if you can’t sync with other team members in the room.

Conclusion

If you want to screen mirror your iPhone or Mac to a TV but have no idea which device can help you, you can first think about your purpose. Is it for home entertainment, business, or education use? If it’s for home entertainment, you can choose between Apple TV or Smart TVs based on your budget. If it’s for business or education use, the ASTROS wireless presentation solution is definitely the best choice. If you are interested in ASTROS, we are always happy to help you. You can Contact Us to learn more.