In the digital age, the desire to share and enjoy its multimedia content on larger screens is increasingly widespread. Whether showing photos and videos to friends and relatives, presenting a work project or simply enjoying a film with a more immersive experience, connecting your PC to television is a versatile and accessible solution. Many are often indecisive on which the most suitable method is, among the wide range of wireless cables and technologies available.
This complete guide has been designed to demist the process, illustrating in detail how to transmit your computer screen to a TV, both through the use of traditional wired connections, and through innovative wireless solutions. We will accompany you in choosing the most suitable cable or wireless device for your needs and explain how to configure your computer and television for smooth transmission. Prepare to transform your vision experience!
Wireless transmission: Your PC on the Large Cable Without Screen
Wireless transmission offers unparalleled flexibility, eliminating cable footprint and allowing you to place your computer freely. There are several technologies that facilitate this connection, suitable for different TV configurations and operating systems.
For Non-Smart TVs (via External Adaptors)
Even if your TV is not equipped with native smart features, it doesn't mean you have to give up the convenience of wireless. There are special adapters that, once connected to a free HDMI port of the TV, give them wireless reception capacity.
Miracast (Compatible with Windows)
Miracast is a communication protocol based on Wi-Fi Direct technology, which allows direct data exchange between two devices without the need for a router or pre-existing Wi-Fi network. To use it, it is essential that your computer is equipped with Windows operating system and a working wireless card.
To enable Miracast on a non-smart TV, you will need to buy a adapter Miracast of good quality, connecting it to one of the free HDMI ports of the TV. This adapter will act as a receiver.
- Configuration and Use:
- After connecting the adapter to the TV and switching it on, select the correct HDMI source to activate the Miracast receiver.
- On Windows, right-click the Start menu (the flag icon), select Settings, then navigate System and then Screening.
- In the section “More screens”, look for the voice Wireless connection.
- Wait for the name of your Miracast adapter to appear on the list of devices you locate and click on it. In a few moments, your computer screen should appear on the TV.
- To change the display mode (for example, Extend these screens to use TV as an additional monitor, or Duplicate these screens to replicate the desktop), use the drop-down menu in the “More Screens” section. You can also reorganize the display layout by dragging or modifying settings such as resolution and brightness.
- Alternatively, you can access wireless connection options through the notification area of Windows 10 (the comic icon near the clock) or the Windows 11 control area (where you find the network and battery icons), by clicking on the button Connected/Transmitted.
- Note on audio: If the audio is not transmitted, click on the speaker icon on the taskbar and make sure that the selected audio output device is the Miracast adapter.
Miracast supports resolutions up to 4K, but performance depends on the computer video card and adaptor quality.
Chromecast (Compatible with Windows and macOS)
Chromecast, the Google device, is a popular alternative to Miracast. It is a “key” HDMI based on the proprietary protocol Google Cast, allowing you to receive content from any computer with Google Chrome browser.
Currently, Chromecast is available in two main versions: one basic, for Full HD content, and the advanced Chromecast with Google TV, offering 4K HDR resolution, remote control and an integrated app store. After purchase, the device must be connected to a free HDMI TV port and an external power supply (also via USB), then configured and connected to the home Wi-Fi network via the free application Google Home (available for Android and iOS/iPadOS).
- Transfer from PC to TV with Chromecast:
- Make sure your computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) network to which the Chromecast is connected.
- Open your browser Google Chrome.
- Click on the button with the three vertical dots (⋮) in the upper right corner of the browser.
- Select the item Transmitter from the menu that appears.
- In the display panel, click on the menu Sources and choose whether to transmit the “active card” (only the current web page) or “Desktop” (the entire computer screen).
- Finally, click on the name of your Chromecast device to start broadcasting content on TV.
Apple TV / AirPlay (Compatible with macOS)
For Mac users, the ideal solution is the Apple ecosystem, which uses multimedia boxes Apple TV and proprietary transmission technology Airplay, built-in Mac series (and iOS/iPadOS devices).
Apple TV is available in two main versions: Apple TV HD (by resolution 1080p) and Apple TV 4K (with Dolby Vision and HDR10 support). Both versions include a remote control and an app store. Once you choose and purchase the device, connect it to a free HDMI port of TV and power, then follow the on-screen instructions for the initial configuration.
- Broadcast from Mac to TV with AirPlay:
- Make sure your Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as Apple TV.
- To transmit the entire screen, click on the multifunction icon in the macOS menu bar (often represented by a square with a triangle or two overlapping screens) and then on the button Duplicate screen.
- Select the Apple TV name from the list of detected devices to start broadcasting.
- By default, the TV could be used as a desk extension. To change this behavior, reposition the screens or alter resolution/colors, open System Preferences (Dock gear icon), go up Monitoring and then on the card Provision.
- Alternatively, you can transmit the content of individual AirPlay-compatible applications by starting the app on your Mac by clicking on the transmission symbol inside (often a triangle with waves) and selecting the name of Apple TV.
For Smart TVs (With Native Integration)
If you have a modern Smart TV, it is very likely that you should not buy any external adapter. Many of the wireless transmission technologies we talked about (Miracast, Google Cast and AirPlay) are often integrated directly into the TV operating system.
Miracast on Smart TV
The Miracast (Wi-Fi Direct) technology is present in most modern Smart TVs. To enable content reception, you usually need to access a dedicated section in your TV settings or start a specific app. The option name varies depending on the manufacturer:
- On Smart TV LG, the app is often called Screen Share.
- On Samsung Smart TV, the option is Screen Mirroring or Share.
- On Smart TV Philips, you could find the voice Wireless Screencast.
Once the function is activated on the TV, the transmission modes from the Windows PC are the same described in the paragraph dedicated to Miracast.
Google Cast on Smart TV (Android TV / Google TV)
All TVs with Google TV or Android TV are natively able to receive content via the Google Cast protocol. In this case, the receiver is active by default and manual adjustments are not required on the TV. The only condition is that all devices (computer and TV) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The transmission procedure from Windows computer or macOS via Google Chrome remains identical to the one described for Chromecast.
AirPlay 2 on Smart TV
Numerous latest-generation Smart TVs are natively compatible with Apple's AirPlay 2 technology. You can verify this compatibility by looking for the wording Works with AirPlay 2 on the technical card of the TV, on the sales package or in the user manual. Apple also offers a dedicated web page with the list of compatible TVs. To enable the reception of AirPlay content, you must activate the appropriate option on your TV. The transmission modes from your Mac are the same as Apple TV.
Given the variety of models and operating systems, the exact procedure to enable these technologies on your Smart TV may vary. However, we can examine some practical examples for the most popular brands.
Smart TV Setup Specific: Practical Examples
Smart TV Samsung
Most Samsung Smart TVs support Miracast. To activate it:
- Press the button Home/Smart Hub (in the form of a case or coloured prism) on the remote control.
- Login to Settings in the virtual bar that appears.
- Navigate to Network > Advanced Settings > Wi-Fi Direct. Make sure the name of the TV is visible.
- On older models, the path could be Settings > General > Network > Screen Mirroring.
- In some cases, you may have to press the button Source/Surgent (screen icon with arrow) and select Screen Mirroring from the menu.
If your Samsung Smart TV is compatible with AirPlay, you can turn it on Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings. Here you can activate/disable AirPlay and set preferences for the matching code (the first time or always). The TV must be connected to the Internet for AirPlay.
Smart TV LG
Almost all LG televisions integrate Miracast technology in the form of the application Screen Share. To activate it:
- Press the button Home on the remote control.
- Locate and select the app Screen Share among those available on the screen.
- Press the button OK remote control to enable the Miracast receiver.
For AirPlay compatible LG Smart TV, enable the system directly from Home Dashboard. Open the Dashboard by pressing the Home button and select the pane Airplay. Check that the status of the service is active and choose the options for the association code. Also for LG, an Internet connection is indispensable for the use of AirPlay.
Connector: Stability and Simplicity with HDMI
Despite the rise of wireless technologies, the wired connection remains an extremely reliable solution, which ensures signal stability and often the highest audio/video quality available. The HDMI cable is the universal standard par excellence.
Connection via HDMI cable
Almost all modern computers, both desktop and portable, have at least one HDMI port. This digital connection allows you to transmit high quality audio and video signals with a single cable. The procedure is extremely simple:
- Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI output port of your computer.
- Insert the other end of the cable into a free HDMI input port of the TV.
Once you have established the physical connection, you will have completed the most difficult part. HDMI cables are able to convey video signals with resolutions ranging from Full HD to 4K and beyond, accompanied by a multichannel high fidelity audio (up to 32 channels).
Types of HDMI Connectors
It is important to note that there are different types of HDMI connectors:
- Standard Type A: The most common format, present on most computers and televisions.
- Micro HDMI and Mini HDMI: More compact formats, mainly used on some ultra-portable notebooks, tablets or cameras. If your computer has one of these ports, you will need a specific cable with the appropriate connector at one end and a standard connector Type A at the other, or an adapter.
- USB-C ports: Some of the latest computers, such as Apple’s MacBooks, many “convertable” and ultra-thin, have only USB-C ports. In such cases, you need to use a specific USB-C to HDMI adapter or USB-C cable with integrated HDMI connector.
Desktop Configuration
After physically connecting the two devices, you can configure desktop behavior and second screen settings (TV) directly from the operating system:
- On Windows: Access to Settings > System > Screen to choose between duplication options (show the same content on both screens) or extension (use TV as a second independent monitor), change the resolution, orientation and text size.
- On macOS: Go System Preferences > Monitor > Provision to manage the same duplication, extension and resolution options.
Conclusion
Connecting your PC to TV has never been so simple and accessible, thanks to the wide range of options both wired and wireless. Whether you prefer the stability and simplicity of an HDMI cable, the versatility of the Miracast for Windows, the multi-platform convenience of Chromecast or the smooth integration of AirPlay for macOS and compatible Smart TVs, there is a solution for every need.
We hope that this detailed guide has provided you with all the information you need to choose the most suitable method for you and to configure the connection with ease. Now you just have to enjoy your favorite content on the big screen, transforming your home multimedia experience.
