Of all the ways to connect the mobile to a television that we know, there is one that stands out especially on Android. We refer to Google Cast, a somewhat unknown technologybut it never ceases to be interesting if we want to send content to our TV in seconds.
We will tell you in detail what is googlecast and how you can use it to project the content you watch on your Android phone onto a TV. By the way, we will tell you about the rest of the functions that can be performed with Google Cast.
First, what is Miracast
Before talking about Google Cast, not to be confused with Google Chromecast, we must know its predecessor, Miracast. It is a WiFi Alliance protocol, which allows screen sharing between compatible devices. Concretely, what it allows us is mirror one screen to another like, for example, displaying the content we watch on our phone on our television or laptop.
This protocol is based on the mirror, that is, in the projection of the screen of one device onto another. What does it mean? Unlike other deliveries, Miracast requires the screen of the device we want to mirror to be turned onotherwise, the mirroring device will not reflect anything.
Miracast was born as an alternative to HDMI, to be able to mirror the screen to compatible devices without the need for cables
Fundamentally, Miracast was born as an alternative to the classic HDMI cablebeing a good option to perform certain tasks on a dual screen (taking into account that we see the same content there), presentations or whatever comes to mind.
It lets you send video in Full HD resolution using the H.264 codec, as well as 5.1 surround audio. data sent is encrypted using WPA2-PSKso the connection is quite secure.
Why is it important to know about Miracast? Since Google Cast combines Miracast and DLNA to achieve the same goal, send content to our television via mirror of what we have on our device.
What is Google Cast?
Google Cast is a Google proprietary protocol that allows content to be sent from a mobile phone to a Google Cast-enabled device. The protocol dates back to 2013 when it was first used so that it is possible to send the content thanks to the Chromecast.
To use Google Cast we need a device compatible with this protocol, that is, with Chromecast integrated or Android TV
As a main drawback, being a Google protocol, it is only compatible with Chromecast devices, Android TV and audio devices with Chromecast built-in, such as speakers. To use it as a multimedia sender, all you have to do is use the send button that you will find in the compatible applications, for example Google Play Music.
How to Use Google Cast to Cast Your Mobile Screen to TV
Google Cast works via WiFi Direct and the data sent is up to 10 times faster than with Bluetooth. We need to have two compatible devices to use it, however. both do not need to be connected to the same network. When using Google Cast, a WiFi network is created between the two devices, so the only requirement is that both are compatible with the protocol.
A few years ago, Google Cast was in the screen settings. Currently in the latest versions of Android it is enabled with the option to send the screen
Google Cast can be used quickly from the quick settings of our Android. Specific, from the part of send screen. If it doesn’t appear at first, you can find it in the toggles that can be added in this quick settings menu.
When we click here, we will see the list of devices compatible with Google Cast. In case your TV is not, you will still have the Chromecast. When shipping, We will see on TV what we see on mobile. Depending on the quality of the connection, there will be more or less lag, although you have to get used to the idea that there will always be a minimum of latency.
