Increasingly, users are turning to mobile devices to watch movies or edit photos, as their light weight and long battery life allow it. However, sharing the experience with friends becomes a bit more difficult.
In these cases, it can be very convenient to connect your Android device to your home TV, as we explain below. You just need to choose one of these easy and affordable methods.
On the other hand, you will be interested to know how to connect a Windows laptop, how to connect an iPhone or iPad to your TV if you have a smartphone O Tablet Apple, or how to connect a Mac or MacBook to your TV if you have a macOS computer or laptop.
Wireless connection
There are several technological equipments on the market which can be used without the need for cables.
This is the case, for example, of Miracast: a decentralized wireless network which allows the connection between an Android portable device (version 4.2) and a television receiver, as long as they are compatible. Otherwise, an adapter can be purchased.
Miracast is based on the H.246 standard, which means that it can stream high quality videos and images. In addition, it is included in the so called “copy protection programs”, so it will reproduce those clips with copyright as well.
An alternative that is also wireless but a bit more manageable is Google Chromecast. Available for a small price and compatible with Android v4.4.2 or higher, the device must be connected to an HDMI port and have access to a Wi-Fi network.
In this way, you will be able to duplicate the screen of your mobile or Tablet and enjoy content from apps like Netflix, Rakuten TV, Spotify or Google Slides.
The Chromecast user should take into account that in this case the videos in Diffusion With rights, they are protected. On the other hand, if you want to display a resolution of up to 4K, you have to do so with the Chromecast Ultra (not available in Europe).
HDMI connectors
HDMI cables have been around for a long time in our homes. This is explained, among other reasons, by its low price, like this Syncwire cable for only 8.99 $ on Amazon
In addition, now not only TVs and laptops with HDMI ports are produced, but these can also be found in all types of TV receivers, consoles, tablets, mobiles and cameras.
This high definition multimedia interface is preferred by many because it transmits both digital video and audio. This means that the user will be able to see and listen to the video from the TV, while other systems require you to use the – often not very powerful – speakers of your smartphone.
There are three main types of HDMI. Type A is the largest and that is why it is found in larger devices like a television, laptop, or game console.
Instead of, tablets and smart phones usually have a built-in Type C or even Type D HDMI port, the smallest of them all.
It is expected that in the future, high-resolution displays will have an HDMI type B input, but today their use is not widespread.
MHL and SlimPort technologies
Although the number of tablets and mobiles with built-in HDMI input, the truth is that most don’t.
If your device is included in the latter group, then you do not need to worry, because for the past few years there are also two other technologies on the market with which you can transmit high quality video and audio: MHL and SlimPort.
Some manufacturers have already incorporated MHL technology into their televisions. If you have one, you will only need one cable. This must be connected, on the one hand, to the micro USB input of your compatible Android, and on the other hand, to the HDMI input of your television.
There are adapters for users without a compatible TV. While they have the advantage of not being too expensive, the big downside is that they drain a lot of the portable device’s battery, so it will need to be connected to power.
Cell phones compatible with SlimPort will still require adapters – something more expensive than the previous ones – but in return they don’t consume too much battery. You can buy this adapter for $ 5.99 on Amazon.
From PCWorld Europe we recommend that you check the technical specifications of your mobile or Tablet before purchasing an adapter, as the compatibility of these technologies with Android devices varies from model to model.
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