Differences Between Mirroring & ChromeCast or Similar Devices

17 September 2019

 # Screen mirroring, ChromeCast,  MiraCast,Airplay

Jump to:

1. What is ChromeCast?
2. What is the Difference Between ChromeCast and Google Cast?
3. What is the Difference Between ChromeCast and MiraCast?
4. Other Screen Casting Devices

Differences Between Mirroring & ChromeCast or Similar Devices

In the market,   there are several devices that can help users to cast the screen of the handphones,  tablets or PC to the TV. Some of these come in the form of  an App are free;  other come complete with apparatus that will cost some money.     This article is not intended to find out which device or App is the best but to introduce the concept of mirroring and find out the differences between the various devices to understand them.

What is Mirroring ? 

Simply put,  it is a way to cast what is shown on the screen of the handphones,  tablets or PC directly to the TV.  It is done either through a solid cable or through the home WiFi network.  

Mirroring will need 2 similar apps,  one to be installed  in the handphone and the other in the Smart TV unless the TV  already has built-in devices like GoogleCast or MiraCast that that can work with the mirroring apps in the phones.

During mirroring,  the phone must be on or put on standby mode,   allowing the mirroring apps to run at all time. 

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What is ChromeCast?

ChromeCast is a streaming device that has its own CPU,  RAM and Flash memory,  wireless module just like any other set top box except it utilises handphone as a remote control using wireless or Bluetooth connectivity.    To control the ChromeCast,  the handphone will need to have an app called “Google Home”.   The phone can  be switched off  when the link to the Chromecast has been established.

Inside ChromeCast

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What is the Difference Between ChromeCast and Google Cast?

The main difference is that ChromeCast has its own CPU,  RAM and storage memory.  It is acting like a small set top box.  It can work independently using the TV as a dumb screen provided the TV has a HDMI input port.

On the other hand,  Google Cast is a ChromeCast component built into the Smart TV.   It works within  the Smart TV and helps to receive the link from the phone and runs the appropriate apps in the Smart TV.   Like ChromeCast,     the phone is used only to establish the link and can  be switched off  once the link has been established. Google Cast is also known to be “ChromeCast Built-in”

DoubleClick to Enlarge Picture

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What is the Difference Between ChromeCast and MiraCast?

MiraCast,  like ChromeCast,  come with both,  the stand-alone as dongle or built-in into Smart TV.   Its primary purpose is to replace the wireless links such as HDMI and Wifi network  between the phone and the Smart TV.  MiraCast is often used  for "Power Point" presentation in places where there are no local Wifi network.   Unlike ChromeCast,  MiraCast is just a mirroring device that do not have any streaming capability.

Doubleclick to enlarge Picture

 

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Other Screen Casting Devices

In the market,  there are also many other similar screen casting devices.  They can be grouped into 4 groups. They are more or less the same except some have special and separate functions

Casting Devices	Brand Name	Remarks
Group I  Mirror Screening Device  using Apps	AirPlay,  Airscreen, HappyCast,Apower Mirror, DLNA, Wukong Remote, Lebo,  Mi ScreenCast	Most of the mirror screening device are covered here
Group 2  Mirror Screening Device using dongle remote devices	MiraCast
Group 3  Streaming Device (stick or dongle	Google ChromeCast;  Roku stick,  Amazon Fire TV stick	Some come with separate remote controls
Group 4  Streaming Device (set top box)	Apple TV Box,  Nvidia Shield TV, Roku Ultra, MiBox