How to Stream to TV from a Computer, Tablet, or Phone

If you’d like to know how to stream content on your computer or mobile device to your TV or in reverse, how you can stream on your laptop or mobile device from your television read our in-depth guide and learn everything there is to know about the possibilities.

Ben Grindlow

Ben Grindlow is the founder of ProXPN, a company that provides reviews about VPN products and services. Ben's interest in cybersecurity and privacy led him to start ProXPN, which has become one of the most well-respected VPN providers in the world. Ben is passionate about his work, and he is constantly exploring new ways to improve ProXPN's in-depth guides.

Last updated: 17:17PM 9/18/2024

ProXPN Expert Picks

4.9/5
4.9/5
4.8/5
4.8/5
4.5/5
4.5/5

Table of Contents

Streaming service often involves the ability to watch or view video content directly from several streaming devices, such as Android devices and iOS devices, through streaming apps.

The content streaming services open you up to ranges from movies to pictures to music, all aimed at flirting with your entertainment bud.

You can stream videos and other entertaining content from any of your devices, such as mobile devices, tablets, PC, or smart tv, as long as you are connected to the internet or have a stable wi-fi connection.

This article aims to point out the four best and available options to cast or stream videos directly to your television.

Chromecast

Chromecast is the most popular and widely used method to stream video content directly to your TV from your phone, tablet, or other devices.

As it is otherwise called, casting involves you streaming directly from web pages or available streaming services like HBO Max film from Ziggo Go to your TV with the Chromecast app.

What Do You Need for Chromecast Live TV Streaming Services?

For you to get the best performance from Chromecast live tv streaming services, you need the following:

  • A Google Chromecast V2 or V3
  • A TV's HDMI port connection
  • An internet connection
  • A streaming device such as an iPhone, iPad or phone, or tablet to cast with
  • An app on your streaming device with a cast function, such as YouTube, Netflix, NPO Start, or Ziggo Go

Most smart TVs now come with a pre-connected, which cancels out the need to use a google cast box.

How Does it Work?

A step-by-step plan:

  1. Connect the Chromecast to one of the HDMI ports of your television
  2. Plug in the Chromecast through the power adapter to the socket
  3. Switch on your TV and change your TV input to your Chromecast's HDMI connection (e.g., HDMI-1)
  4. Ensure your Chromecast and cast device are on the same existing Wi fi network
  5. Download and Install the Google Home app on your smartphone device or tablet
  6. Add your Chromecast and complete all the required steps in the Google Home app
  7. Your Chromecast is ready for all your media files
  8. Select the streaming player app on which you want to play video content and select the cast icon

When the cast icon does not appear after completing all the listed steps above, check and ensure your Chromecast and smartphone or tablet are on the same Wi-Fi connection.

You are certainly not on the same network as users who use 4G/5G or a VPN or proxy. Try exiting and re-entering again on any of the available streaming apps at your disposal or restarting your smartphone or tablet and Chromecast.

You can also consider turning off and restarting your router too.

Pros and Cons

  • Easy to use
  • Works on majority of devices and operating systems
  • Supported on both android and ios devices
  • One-time payment cost
  • Only efficient on modern devices.

Apple Airplay

Apple Airplay allows users to stream content from any ios device such as iPhone, iPad, or MacBook to a big screen like your TV.

If your TV is an old TV and does not support AirPlay by itself, you should consider getting an Apple TV box.

The major difference between having a built-in AirPlay and getting an Apple TV box is that the Apple TV box comes with direct access to a special Apple interface and apps. It also comes with remote control.

What Do You Need?

Here are some of the major set-up devices and gadgets you need to stay connected and enjoy streaming services on AirPlay:

  • A streaming TV that supports AirPlay or an Apple TV box and streaming TV with an HDMI port
  • Any ios device such as; iPhone, iPad, or any other Apple device
  • An internet or Wi-Fi connection

How Does It Work?

  1. Connect your TV and Apple device to the same Wi-Fi network connection
  2. Connect the Apple TV box to your TV via the HDMI port
  3. Choose a streaming app and select from the media files a streaming content of your choice on your Apple device
  4. Click on the AirPlay button
  5. Choose the smart TV or select from your Apple TV box and start streaming

Pros and Cons

  • Fast and easy to use
  • Offers Apple TV and remote control
  • It comes in handy when trying to cast photos taken from your ios or tablet screen
  • Casting is only possible via Apple products
  • Not supported by all Smart TVs
  • It is costly

Plex

Plex offers streaming services where you can easily stream your media files such as movies and photos directly to your Smart TV via internet or Wi-Fi connection.

This particular point sum up the main advantage Plex has over other streaming services platforms. It serves as a media server to stream local content from your PC or laptop or access content from your phone's display directly to your TV. screen

Plex is not a replacement for Chromecast or airplay but more of an added advantage to your local content streaming network.

When considering local content, you should consider:

  • Photos were taken with SLR stored on your hard drive
  • Movies and videos downloaded via torrents

What Do You Need?

  • A storage medium where media files you intend to stream are stored
  • Plex Media Server software that directly connects to the stored media files
  • The Plex app Home Theater on your Smart TV
  • You can also use a Chromecast and the Plex app on your phone or tablet

Pros and Cons

  • Completely free
  • It has a great user interface
  • The best bet for locally stored media
  • Works hand in hand with Google Chromecast
  • It has a difficult Installation and setup procedure

How Does It Work?

  1. Create a free Plex account
  2. Install the Plex Media Server on any device, such as a PC or laptop
  3. The Plex Media Server software scans for all available media files stored on the local storage medium
  4. Install the Plex Home Theater app on your TV
  5. Sign in to Plex and follow the listed steps to connect to your Plex Media Server
  6. An interface containing all your indexed local media can be seen upon logging in

If you don't have a smart TV to install the Plex app, you can install the Plex app on your smartphone or tablet and connect it to a Chromecast to your TV.

You can then search through your local media files with the app on your smartphone or tablet and stream directly to your TV via the Chromecast button.

Screen Mirroring (Miracast)

Screen mirroring, or miracast involves streaming content from your laptop, smartphone, or tablet directly to your TV screen.

It requires a direct Wi-Fi connection. Often, miracast is compared with a wireless display HDMI connection.

What Do You Need?

  • A TV and mobile device that support screen mirroring
  • A miracast adapter
  • A Wi-Fi connection

How Does It Work?

Screen mirroring or miracast can be set up in several ways. It all depends on your TV and smartphone or tablet manufacturer.

Here is a general overview of how to set up screen mirroring or miracast on your home screen:

  1. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network
  2. Change your TV on the input button to screen mirroring
  3. Follow the listed procedure on your TV screen
  4. Go to the screen mirroring app on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet
  5. Connect to your TV that supports miracast and start mirroring
  6. Make sure your device is always on while mirroring via miracast

Pros and Cons

  • Free and easy to use
  • Requires no internet or Wi-Fi connection
  • Supported by a wide range of devices and streaming apps
  • The screen of the device you are mirroring form must be kept on at all times during streaming
  • It restricts your access to other applications on your phone or tablet
  • It drains your battery easily
  • It does not support modern devices
  • It offers poor quality of images

VPN and Streaming Apps

If you intend to use a VPN while streaming via Chromecast, Airplay, or Plex, you need first to install the VPN on your router.

This ensures your connected devices are on the same network and makes communication relatively easy.

Frequently asked questions

If your phone or tablet app has a Cast button at the top of it, or if you can find a Cast option in Android's pull-down notification bar, simply tap Cast and select your TV or smart device to start screen mirroring.

This 6-foot USB-C Data Cable allows any smartphone or tablet to connect to a TV's HDMI port using a standard USB connection. You can project the image from your phone's display onto your TV, whether you're browsing photographs, watching videos, surfing the web, using apps, or playing games.

In a nutshell, streaming is the act of watching TV or listening to podcasts on Internet-connected devices. The content file being displayed on the client device is stored remotely and transmitted in tiny chunks over the Internet.

  • Both the picture and sound are crystal clear. Unlike illegal websites, movies have usually good video and audio quality.
  • Instant Viewing.
  • No Download Time.
  • There Is No Memory Space Needed.
  • Instant Playback.

Disadvantage: Bandwidth Use. Streaming videos need a lot of bandwidth to play, especially at higher quality. For example, Netflix's streaming service demands a minimum Internet connection speed of 5 Mbps for HD quality, 7 Mbps for “Super HD” quality, and 12 Mbps for 3D streaming.

Related Articles

Other VPN articles you might like

Protect your digital privacy and stay safe on the internet

Curious about our privacy experts' picks?

1.

4.9/5
4.9/5

2.

4.8/5
4.8/5

3.

4.5/5
4.5/5