What gives a laptop connection to a TV via Wi-Fi. We use DLNA connection

Modern technologies are steadily developing. Smart TVs are already widely used today. However, not everyone has yet figured out how to connect a laptop to a TV via WiFi.

Of course, this can be done using the already familiar HDMI cable. Such an interface is required on every modern TV and computer model. However, sometimes this is extremely inconvenient, since not every user has a PC near the Smart TV, and a laptop is not always at hand. What's more, the HDMI cable costs money. In addition, it restricts the user's movement by forcing the PC to be placed in close proximity to the TV.

The advantage of a wireless connection in such situations is obvious. And even if all of this is doable, it is much easier to make a connection without using a cable. Therefore, the question of how to connect a TV to a laptop via Wi-Fi is very relevant today.

We connect a TV with Smart TV to a laptop: Video

How to connect Smart TV to laptop

To begin with, it should be noted that both devices must be connected to the same network. As a rule, routers are used at home, to which all devices are connected. But, if there is no router, then you can organize a network using a laptop or smartphone. So, we have a router and a home network to which both devices are connected.

Connect your Smart TV to WiFi as indicated in the instructions. The laptop must also be connected to a router. Further, a special application will help us to display content from a laptop on a TV screen. It is this that will connect the laptop to the TV via WiFi. There are also two ways here:

  • Built-in Windows Media Center Extender.
  • Third party applications such as a home media server.

The first option is a built-in feature in Windows 7 and 8. However, you still need to install it. In the seven it is done like this. Open the Start menu and type Windows Media Center in the search bar. From the search results, select the one you want and open it.

In Windows 8, the launch of the tool is slightly different. Move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner and in the menu that appears, start the search. Write down the name of the program and select the required program from the results. However, it is worth noting that in some cases this tool may not be present in operating system versions 8 and 8.1. If the search did not return any results, then it should be installed. If you are using licensed Windows 8, then this will not be a problem. Just go to Microsoft's official website and download the updates you want.

Here, just follow the instructions on the screen. It is worth noting that before proceeding with its installation, make sure that the TV and the computer are connected to the same network. Only then will you be able to connect your laptop to the TV via a wireless WiFi connection. After installing and connecting the laptop to the TV, you just have to transfer the files to the media attachment, which will display them on the TV screen.

Connecting a laptop to a TV using third-party programs

Setting up such applications is extremely simple. There are a lot of programs for playing content on TV. However, several of them are in the greatest demand:

  • Home media server.
  • Samsung Share.
  • Share Manager.

The second app may not work properly with other brands of TV. But, if you have a Samsung TV, then the connection will go through without problems. The home media server works most stably and fits almost all TV models. Therefore, we will consider the principle of configuration using the example of the first application. You can download it completely free. Moreover, connecting a laptop to a TV via WiFi and setting up the program is extremely simple.

After installation, we launch the program. First of all, you should assign a TV on which video, photos or music will be displayed. When you first start the program, a table will appear in which you need to select the type of device for playing content from the list.

This will be our TV, find the brand and the corresponding aspect ratio in the list. Click "Next". At this stage, the program offers to share standard folders. But if you store videos in other directories, then you should specify them manually.

To do this, press the button with a big green plus. Now we just specify the folder with the necessary files. Click "OK" and confirm the scanning of media resources.

After that, all the content that you launch in the program will be displayed on the TV. Now you know how to connect a laptop to a TV over a wireless WiFi network using a home media server. The rest of the programs work in the same way, so you shouldn't have any difficulties.

Hey! In this article I will tell you how you can connect a computer to a TV via Wi-Fi, and why do it at all. We will consider connecting through a router when a computer or laptop and a TV are simply connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Typically, you connect your TV to your computer wirelessly to watch videos and photos on your TV.

Here's how it works. We have a router that distributes a Wi-Fi network. We connect the TV to this network, and we connect our laptop. On a laptop, using a special program, we launch a DLNA server, open up shared access to movies, photos and music that is stored on the computer, and from the TV just start playback, or view the file we need. The exact same scheme will work when connected via a network cable. I have already written articles on setting up, I will give links to articles below.

And if you have a TV on Android TV, you can broadcast tabs from the Chrome browser and videos from YouTube using Google Cast technology. All this is the same over Wi-Fi. How to set it up, I wrote in the article.

Setting up a wireless connection between the TV and laptop

Nothing complicated. You must have a Wi-Fi router, a Wi-Fi capable TV, and a laptop or computer with.

I think your computer is already connected to your wireless network. We connect our TV to the same Wi-Fi. Here are the instructions for connecting, and a separate one.

After everything is connected, we need to run a DLNA server on our laptop:

  • If you have an LG TV, then I recommend using the proprietary Smart Share program. See detailed setup instructions -.
  • There is also a proprietary program for Samsung TVs - AllShare.
  • You can also configure the server without third-party programs. In Windows Media Player. I showed how to do this in the article. Using Windows 10 as an example.
  • But best of all, use the universal Home Media Server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP) program. On setting up this program, I also wrote a separate instruction:. Never mind that this article is based on the example of Philips TVs. Suitable for any TV.

Everything works fine according to this scheme. But, if you have a budget router, or the Wi-Fi speed is not very high, then large movies on the TV may not play very smoothly. Stop all the time, etc. In this case, I advise you to connect to the router via a network cable, or even better,. In addition, the desktop and everything that happens on the laptop screen will be displayed on the TV via HDMI.

Modern technology is steadily advancing, and just a couple of years ago, TVs with Smart PC connectivity) were a luxury. But today such a device can be seen in almost every average family. These devices are distinguished by good synergy with a home computer, be it a laptop or a stationary unit.

And although many are already using this smart innovation with might and main, not everyone has really figured out how exactly the computer is connected to the TV via WiFi. Of course, you can go the easier way and connect two devices via an HDMI cable, since every modern TV and computer video card is equipped with such an interface. But this method is not always acceptable, since not everyone has a TV located next to the system unit, and a laptop may not be at hand. Among other things, all kinds of wires significantly restrict your movement, forcing you to "dance" in the immediate vicinity of the PC. Therefore, wireless connection of a computer to a TV has its undeniable advantages.

Almost all methods that will be described below require a wireless protocol on the TV itself. However, almost the entire range of smart models is equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter. The methods for connecting a computer to a TV described in this article are applicable for Windows 7, 8, 10 operating systems.

Video playback via Wi-Fi (DLNA)

This is one of the most common ways to connect a TV to a personal computer. In addition to having a Wi-Fi adapter, you need the TV itself to be connected to the same network as the computer, that is, a shared router.

If your device supports the "Wi-Fi Direct" function, then you can do without a router by simply connecting to the network in which the smart TV is located. Wireless connection of a computer to a TV is carried out through the menu of a smart device according to the same principle as similar devices with the "Direct" function.

Next, you need to configure our computer, indicating the correct data of the DLNA server, that is, open shared access to the necessary folders. In such cases, it is enough to set the "Home" section in the parameters of the current network. In the basic settings of the section, the folders "Videos", "Music", "Pictures" and "Documents" are already shared, but if not, then by clicking on the right mouse button in the "Properties" menu, you can configure the corresponding section.

Conductor

One of the fastest ways to find access to folders is to open the standard Windows Explorer, then select the Network item and after the Network Discovery message appears, click on it and follow the simple instructions. If instead of this messages are displayed multimedia servers, then most likely, you already have everything set up for further work.

Features of the models

Sony's devices are equipped with special proprietary Bravia software, where, after going to the Home section, the connected folders with video, music or images will be visible. The LG software has a SmartShare menu item, where all public folders on the computer are also visible. For other device models, there are similar applications that work in a similar way.

It is also possible to control the TV via a computer (WiFi-DLNA). With the correct settings of the servers and the router, it is enough to select the desired file in the Windows explorer, and then, using the drop-down menu, click on the item "Play on * TV name *". In this case, the wireless broadcast of the stream from the personal computer to the smart device will begin.

Note. Sometimes, even if your device supports MKV format, these files may not play through DLNA connection. The simplest solution in this case is to simply rename the problematic file to the AVI extension, and then everything will work.

Wireless Monitor (WiDi)

If in the past case it was about how to play certain files from a computer on a TV, having gained access to them, then we will further consider broadcasting any image from a monitor of a personal computer or laptop to a smart device via Wi-Fi. Simply put - using the device as a wireless monitor.

The main technologies that are used in this case are Miracast and WiDi from Intel, and, judging by the latest data, the second has become fully compatible with the first. Connecting a computer to a TV via WiFi-WiDi takes place without the participation of a router, because the synchronization takes place directly through the "Direct" -protocols.

Requirements

If you have a laptop or personal computer based on the third generation Intel, then most likely it is equipped with a proprietary wireless adapter and must support WiDi protocols in both Windows 7 and 8 versions. In some cases, additional installation of the Wireless Display application from Intel, which can be found on the official website of the brand, may be required.

If your computer was purchased with a preinstalled Windows 8.1 operating system and equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter, then most likely it supports Miracast technology. Past generations of OS, alas, do not provide such support, but you can connect a computer and a TV via WiFi using this technology if the smart device has a built-in Mirakast adapter.

Connection

Your smart device must be configured to support Mirakast or WiDi technologies. The basic parameters provide for the activation of this function by default, and sometimes this item in the menu simply does not exist (it is enough to have the "Wi-Fi" module). It should be noted separately that on Samsung TVs this option is called "Screen Mirroring" and this item is located in the network settings section.

WiDi

Connecting a computer to a TV via WiFi using WiDi technology on a PC, launch the program and then find a wireless monitor in the list. In some cases, you may need to enter a security code that is displayed on the TV screen.

Miracast

To use the Mirakast technology, you need to open the Charms panel, then select the "Devices" item, and then - "Projector" (transfer to the screen). Next, click on "Add wireless display" - and you can start broadcasting. If the last menu item is not displayed, it means that your personal computer or laptop does not support Mirakast protocols. The only thing that can help is updating the drivers for your Wi-Fi adapter, but if even after this step there is no support, then you need to update the hardware, not the software.

It should be noted separately that no problems were noticed in the broadcast with the Mirakast technology, while WiDi protocols were often knocked out of the network, and the entire connection process was accompanied by, albeit small, but unpleasant nuances like device reboots or incorrect display TV model.

Connecting a regular TV via Wi-Fi

If you do not own a smart device, but your TV is equipped with an HDMI output, then you still have the opportunity to connect it to your computer wirelessly. The only thing that is needed for this enterprise is an additional gadget specially designed for such purposes.

The most interesting devices in this category:

  • A proprietary adapter from the well-known Google Chromecast search engine, which with ease and enviable simplicity will broadcast the contents of a PC or laptop to your TV.
  • "Android mini" for PC is a device resembling a USB flash drive that connects to the HDMI port and works with the system of the same name on TV.
  • Compute Stick from Intel is an adapter with a Windows mini operating system on board for full connection and broadcasting via an HDMI port.

There are still some less popular ways to connect a computer to a TV via wireless protocols (like YUSB or Mirakast adapters), but due to their specificity, they are not as in demand as the methods described above.

In the previous article, we looked at the wired method of connecting a laptop to a TV. This article is entirely devoted to the wireless method - connecting via Wi Fi.

Wireless connection requirements and methods

The main criterion for organizing a wireless connection is the presence of a Wi Fi module in the TV. In the absence of Wi Fi, you will have to buy a media box, which contains the appropriate adapter.

The following connection methods are available:

  • Miracast / Intel WiDi.
  • DLNA.

Miracast / Intel WiDi

The technology allows you to broadcast information in real time. The content on the laptop screen is compressed using appropriate algorithms, and then sent to the TV via Wi Fi.

Most TVs with Smart TV technology support Miracast / Intel WiDi in hardware. Therefore, it is enough to establish a connection between two devices, and the TV receiver will automatically organize a dedicated network for communication with a computer. If there is no hardware support, then you will have to buy a receiver installed in the HDMI connector of the TV.

It is worth considering that Miracast / WiDi technology is demanding on computer resources. And for Intel WiDi to work, you will have to additionally install the appropriate program, if the software is not included in the general software for the laptop.

DLNA

In comparison with the previous method, only running content is broadcast, and not information from the entire laptop screen. The load in this mode is comparable to the usual copying of a file over the network. At the same time, to use this technology, you need support on the TV side, as well as a Wi Fi router and a configured media server.

Instructions on how to connect a laptop to a TV via wifi using Miracast / WiDi

Important!

  1. To use Miracast / WiDi, you need to make sure the technology is supported.
  2. Windows 8.0 or higher is required to run Miracast / WiDi.
  3. For the technology to work, drivers are also required.

Algorithm of actions:

  1. Set your TV to Miracast / Intel WiDi mode. To do this, open the settings, select the "network" parameter. On some models, the parameter names may differ. For example, on Samsung TVs - Screen Mirroring.
  2. After turning on the mode, on the laptop, click "settings", in the "start" section.
  3. In the new window, select the item "devices".
  4. In the next window, in the left column, select the item "connect devices". Then "add device". After a short search, the name of the TV will appear, provided that the correct mode is started.
  5. We select the TV, after which the system will automatically pair.

Instructions on how to connect a laptop to a TV via wifi using DLNA method

Link both devices to one router.

In a new window, the item "Home group".

Then "Create a homegroup". In the settings, enable discovery, network access, etc.

After creating a homegroup, a window will appear with access to file types. Then the password required to connect another device to the current group. It will also allow you to exclude third-party users, for example, neighbors.

Specify the type of network - home network.

A network folder will appear on the TV with access to files on the laptop. To terminate the connection, it is enough to delete the created homegroup.

If the folder does not appear on the TV, to check the correctness of the connection, right-click on the media file. If the context menu has an option - "play", with a link to the TV, then the connection is in order, and the selected file is immediately played on the TV. If there is no item or folder access, check the connection.

Output

Both methods of connecting a laptop to a TV via Wi-Fi are effortless. It is enough to be convinced of the technology support, and to comply with the minimum requirements for the connection. Moreover, the conditions for DLNA are lower, but the possibilities are limited only to the playback of content.

If the wireless connection did not work out due to the lack of unsupported technologies, we recommend that you consider a wired connection, for example, using hdmi. The cable will also allow you to transmit high definition video, up to 4K resolution. Whereas Miracast is limited to 1080p. In the case of DLNA, the limitation is the bandwidth of the router.


In this article, we will look at 3 ways to connect a laptop to a TV via WiFi. Choose the one that suits you best.

You can use Wi-Fi technology to connect your laptop and TV wirelessly. There are several ways to establish a connection. The choice of method depends largely on the characteristics of the TV, although the laptop must also meet certain requirements.

DLNA Usage

Probably the most common way is to connect devices via a Wi-Fi router. If the TV panel and laptop are connected to the same wireless network, then half the job is already done. In addition, if the TV supports Wi-Fi Direct technology, you can do without a router altogether: it will be enough to connect the laptop to the network created by the TV.

Look at the type of network. If the network is public, you need to make it private:

  1. Open the "Administration" section of the control panel.
  2. Go to the subsection "Local Security Policy".
  3. Highlight Network List Manager Policies on the left. Find the connection and open its properties.
  4. Go to the "Network Location" tab and select "Personal".

If the network was private, then nothing should be changed. You just need to open shared access to folders with media content. Moreover, on Windows 10, you don't even need to set up a separate DLNA server: if the TV and laptop are connected to the same network, just right-click on the file and select the required equipment in the “Bring to device” submenu.

You can configure the DLNA server using the media streaming options. Find the tool of the same name in the "Start" and turn on streaming. You can give the server any name, as well as configure exclusions or add folders.

The same operation is performed through Windows Media Player: click on the "Stream" button and set the remote control permission. After turning on streaming on a laptop, take the TV remote control and find in the settings the section responsible for communication with external devices: USB drives, media server.

Select a media server or a "PC" link. Inside you will see the folders that are allowed to be shared on the laptop - Pictures, Music, Videos. If you want to add another folder with content, then do it through Windows Media Player:


Once added to the list, the folder will be available on the TV. If the directory does not appear, try turning off / on the TV or disconnecting / establishing the connection. Some TV models cache the list of available files, so the new data cannot be displayed without restarting.

Wireless Monitor

If the TV and Wi-Fi adapter on the laptop support Miracast technology, then to establish a connection, simply connect to a wireless display. Before doing this, activate the Miracast option in the TV settings. If there is no such item, just turn on Wi-Fi on the TV.

On a laptop, you need to press the Win + P combination, and then select the connection to a wireless display. After a short wait, the connection to the TV will be established. The image from the laptop screen will be duplicated on the TV display, that is, you will get a full-fledged external monitor.

Using additional equipment

If the TV has nothing but HDMI and USB, then it can also be connected to a laptop via Wi-Fi, but only if additional equipment is used. Some models support work with an external Miracast adapter - you can check this in the specification of the television equipment. If nothing works with Miracast, you can use mini computers or multimedia consoles.

  • Google Chromecast.
  • Apple TV.
  • Intel Compute Stick.
  • Android Mini PC.

Google Chromecast and Apple TV are multimedia boxes from Apple and Google that are equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter. They allow you to build a much more developed multimedia network than a simple connection of a laptop and a TV.

Recommended to read