What is Airplay, Miracast and DLNA
Airplay is a wireless streaming service from Apple (Itunes program), designed to allow users to stream contents from any Apple devices to speakers, AirPort Express or an HDTV. Using Airplay, you can either display the content on a bigger screen with a full HD resolution or listen a high quality sound over WiFi.
Miracast is a wireless display standard from WiFi Alliance. Designed for mirroring any Miracast devices to a TV, projector, monitor without any cables, it uses the peer-to-peer WiFi direct standard. That allows an optimal video 1080p HD and sound 5.1 running without a wireless router. In addition, easy to use and plug into HDMI or USB port, users can mirror the content on a bigger screen.
Upgrade your DLNA powered TV, Blu-ray or Media Player to watch webvideos, online movies, livestreams and live-tv shows directly on your biggest screen with the no#1 web video streamer. You don't need a difficult media server. Mp4 and other Formats are supported, including Full HD. This app only works with a DLNA device that supports DLNA Media Rendering. With Video & TV Cast you can. The tvs that support DLNA have a lan and a wlan connector.What you need to understand is that your smart tv can show media trough dlna from a dlna server. That means you need an application that acts as a dlna server that identifies itself as a dlna server on your network. Your tv will, when instructed, scan for dlna. There are several choices based on the fact that any UPnP server should also be DLNA compliant: Free ones: XBMC; MythTV; TvMobili; Kinsky; Plex; uShare (easier to install with MacPorts) Paid ones: EyeConnect; PlayBack; SongBook; The bold ones are directly mentioned to be DLNA servers.
DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance, and was set up by Sony. Defined as an open standard, that allows devices to share media content with each other such as photos, videos, music through TCP/IP network and UPnP protocol. In other words, devices are connected to the same home network, without having to store the content. Therefore, DLNA users can share its media to other multimedia devices, by streaming on bigger screen with a resolution of 4K ultra high definition.
Main differences between Airplay vs. Miracast vs. DLNA
1. Compability
In term of compatibility, DLNA is more flexible and supported by most DLNA devices (e.g: TV, laptop, smartphones) and platforms, so that users can share content between devices. On the other hand, Miracast is mid-diversified by offering a compatibility on system such as Android and Windows to Miracast devices. Easy to use and plug into HDMI or USB ports, it doesn’t require any cables. However, Airplay is more limited and compatible with Apple devices to speakers, AirPort Express or an HDTV, requiring users to use Apple system.
2. Networking
Dlna Support For Macbook Pro
In term of networking, Airplay, Miracast and DLNA use a wireless network based on 802.11 (a,b,g,n, ac). Nevertheless, to broadcast and perform an optimal content, the network protocol may differ between them. Airplay is a standard / network protocol stack using UDP for streaming media content and is based on RTSP network protocol.
On the other hand, DLNA uses a synergistic approach with a DLNA protocol set to ensure DLNA devices are suitable. Defined by an Universal Plug and Play, that allows devices to share media content with each other through its home network. In addition, DLNA and Airplay need WLAN AP for relay purpose compare to Miracast, which uses a WiFi Direct/TDLS and WPA2 security. That allows users to share multimedia between Miracast devices. In other words, Miracast use its own network even if the WiFi is not available.
3. Interface and local APP
Airplay, Miracast and DLNA provide an interface to a larger screen. Indeed, they all adopt an APP-centric interface and make the TV look like a giant tablet via screen mirroring or extended screen. Intituive and creative with their functionalities, users can customize their favorite features and configuration. Though DLNA has a biggest advantage since it is multiplatform, users can enjoy and download free APP on their devices and rearrange them as favorite.
The menu bar and layout allow them to browse content and stream from any devices. Nevertheless, streaming players may differ in term of screen projection. Miracast and DLNA don’t allow Application content projection while on the other hand DLNA and Airplay allow client multi-task during projection.
4. Set up
In term of setting up, they all require a small device (e.g: computer and office) to perform the content. DLNA Media Server is easier to set up, and doesn’t require to install anything because system is built-in with DLNA. On the other hand, Airplay requires an Apple TV or Airplay-enabled speaker to screen mirror, while Miracast require a Miracast compatible device and a Miracast TV or dongle to allow point to point projection.
Let’s sum up main differences
Differences | Airplay | Miracast | DLNA |
Compatibility | - Apple devices - Third party speakers, AirPort Express or an HDTV | - Android, Windows - HDMI or USB ports | - Supported by most platform |
Networking | - Wireless type: 802.11 (a,b,g,n,ac) - Standard protocol / prototype: proprietary - Standard protocol / type: Airplay - Need WLAN AP for relay purpose: Yes In search of a very efficient downloader manager for your MAC machine? IGetter may just. Download managers for mac. | - Wireless type: 802.11 (a,b,g,n,ac) - Standard protocol / prototype:Open standard - Standard protocol / type: Wi-Fi Direct / TDLS - Need WLAN AP for relay purpose: No | - Wireless type: 802.11 (a,b,g,n,ac) - Standard protocol / prototype:Open standard - Standard protocol / type: DLNA protocol set - Need WLAN AP for relay purpose: Yes |
Interface and local APP | - APP centric interface: Yes - Screen mirroring: Yes - Application content projection: Yes - Client multi-task during projection: Yes | - APP centric interface: Yes - Screen mirroring: Yes - Application content projection: No - Client multi-task during projection: No | - APP centric interface: Yes - Screen mirroring: Yes - Application content projection: No - Client multi-task during projection: Yes |
Set up | - Require a device: Apple TV or Airplay-enabled speaker | - Require a device: Miracast compatible device and a Miracast TV or dongle | - Require a device: DLNA server, DLNA compatible device |
Wrap up
To conclude, they all provide a bigger screen and require a small device to perform an optimal content. Nevertheless, streaming players differ in term of technologies and performance though they have same type of wireless network.
If you are looking for a point to point projection capabilities and something mid-diversified in term of compatibility, Miracast is more suitable because it is supported by Miracast devices such as HDTV and doesn’t require to purchase an additional receiver. If you are looking for customized features and something easy to set up, more flexible, DLNA will be suitable since it support multiple platforms. On the other hand, if you are an Apple user and having an Apple equipment, the Airplay will be more suitable to the screen.
| You may also want to read: |
| AnyCast M2 Miracast TV Dongle Video Guide |
| TV box or TV dongle: which would you choose? |
| Solutions to AnyCast M2 Miracast TV dongle issues |
| Mirascreen MX DLNA Airplay WiFi display Miracast TV dongle receiver user manual in English |
AirPlay 2 system requirements
The following devices support streaming with AirPlay 2. If your device meets the requirements below, but you can't use AirPlay, learn what to do.
Devices you can stream audio from
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 11.4 or later
- Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 11.4 or later1
- HomePod with iOS 11.4 or later
- Mac with either iTunes 12.8 or later or macOS Catalina
- PC with iTunes 12.8 or later
Devices you can stream video from
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12.3 or later
- Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14.5 or later
Dlna For Mac
Devices you can stream to
- Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 11.4 or later
- HomePod with iOS 11.4 or later
- Speakers connected to the Audio Out port on AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd Generation) with the latest firmware update
- AirPlay 2-compatible smart TVs2 with the label 'Works with Apple AirPlay'
- Speakers and receivers with the label 'Works with Apple AirPlay'3
AirPlay system requirements
The following devices support streaming with AirPlay. If your device meets the requirements below, but you can't use AirPlay, learn what to do.
Devices you can stream from
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Mac
- iTunes on Mac or PC
- Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD1
Devices you can stream to
- HomePod
- Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation)
- Speakers connected to the Audio Out port on AirPort Express
- Speakers with “Works with Apple AirPlay” on the speaker packaging
- You can stream only audio from Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD using AirPlay.
- To use Siri to play and control video on a smart TV, you need an AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV that supports HomeKit. HomeKit isn't supported on Samsung smart TVs.
- Some third-party speakers might require a firmware update to support AirPlay 2 streaming. Go to the manufacturer's website to learn more.