At the heart of it, both screen mirroring and casting refer to sharing content to a TV, projector, or monitor from a computer, smartphone or tablet. Although mirroring and casting are often used interchangeably, they are fundamentally different. The difference lies in the way the content is being transmitted to the big screen. Screen mirroring involves sending what’s on your computer screen to a TV or projector via a cable or wireless connection. Casting refers to receiving online content via a digital media player to a TV, projector, or monitor via a wireless connection.
The below table explains how Airtame fits within “screen mirroring” functionality rather than “casting”. This is done by looking at the four ways that you can share content if you have an Airtame device connected to your TV or monitor, namely: 1) the Airtame desktop app, 2) Google Cast, 3) Miracast, and 4) AirPlay.
| Casting | Screen mirroring | |
|---|---|---|
| Airtame desktop application |
Although you can play video and audio from the Airtame desktop app, your computer needs to stay switched on and connected to an Airtame-equipped screen in order to keep streaming. Airtame is a B2B solution and has not been designed for media casting (which is commonly used for home entertainment). |
The Airtame app makes a copy of either your full desktop screen or a single window that you want to share, such as a single document, app, or browser. With the Airtame app, you have the option to mirror the same content from your Windows, macOS, Chromebook, or Linux computer to one or multiple displays at the same time. |
| Google Cast |
Google Cast is a term that encompasses both media casting and screen mirroring. In the former case, a receiving device syncs with a server such as Netflix, meaning you can shut off your smartphone or leave once casting a movie or show has begun. Airtame is a B2B solution and has not been designed for media casting (which is commonly used for home entertainment). |
Although the name Google Cast suggests that casting is all it offers, this is not the case. You can also mirror content to a receiver that supports Google Cast (for example, Airtame 2 supports the screen mirroring function of Google Cast). With Airtame, you can mirror your full screen, or a specific window, from Android devices and the Google Chrome browser. Without running or installing any additional software. |
| Miracast |
The name Miracast can be misleading when considering that it does not support casting (in the sense of media casting). Miracast is a “peer-to-peer” technology that works independently of network connectivity. This is one of the reasons why it can’t sync with online streaming services (e.g. Netflix) which would be required for casting. Airtame is a B2B solution and has not been designed for media casting (which is commonly used for home entertainment). |
You can use Miracast screen mirroring from devices that are running Windows 8.1, Android 4.2, and newer. Miracast acts as a virtual physical monitor for your Windows computer. You can mirror your screen or “extend” it as a secondary monitor. When sharing from an Android device, Miracast mirrors your full mobile device screen. With Airtame, you can use Miracast to mirror your screen from a Microsoft Windows device or Android device. Without running or installing any additional software. |
| AirPlay |
It’s possible to beam entertainment (e.g. music from iTunes or movies from Netflix) via AirPlay. The AirPlay icon appears in e.g. the YouTube and Netflix apps for iOS. However, AirPlay requires the sending device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) to stay on and connected. If the sending device is disconnected, the stream stops. Airtame is a B2B solution and has not been designed for media casting (which is commonly used for home entertainment). |
The “Screen Mirroring” button within the Control Center of your iOS device lets you do exactly that: duplicate the entire screen of your iOS device to a TV or projector via AirPlay. With Airtame, you can use AirPlay to mirror the screen of your MacBook or use your TV or projector as an extended desktop. Without running or installing any additional software. |
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