Amidst a cloud of expectations ever since its release. Airplay has justified the tag of being a unique product which offers its users the chance to stream audios and videos from their IOS and Mac devices to other media output devices. Yet there have been blind spots such as the Airplay’s inability to work on PC. In this article we will tell you how to use airplay will show you how to operate Airplay from your Windows PC.
VLC turns out to be a really useful video player because in addition to working with DVDs in an AirPlay friendly manner, it can also let you see WMA, AVI, MKS and many other video files, far more than iTunes can handle. To watch a DVD, the easiest way is to insert the DVD, then quit DVD Player. Use VLC to Stream Video to TV on Mac. VLC player is available for Mac users as well for free of cost. You can also stream videos to Apple TV using VLC for Mac devices. Using a VLC media player for Mac, you can easily stream videos from Mac to TV. For a situation, we are using a Mac computer as a source and Windows as the destination Machine.
An Introduction to Airplay
Have you ever wanted to be able to stream your music from your Mac to a wireless speaker in your gym while you workout? Have you ever felt that the movie viewing on your Mac isn’t sufficient and you’d love to watch it on your HD TV? I am sure the answers to all of these questions are in the affirmative. With the advancements in technology there had been demands to have a product that would be adept at coordinating and syncing multiple high tech media devices to enhance their entertainment output.
The official definition of an Airplay is that of a software that lets you stream whatever you want from your IOS or your Mac devices to you speakers and HD TV’s. This software isn’t only restricted to the streaming of media such as audios and videos from your IOS and Mac devices to your HD TV or speakers. Airplay is also loaded with an intriguing feature which allows it to mirror whatever is on your display to a larger screen. This feature is particularly useful for presentations, etc.
It is clear from its definition that Airplay is definitely a device that is made to use all kinds of high tech media in coordination to provide the users with a greater viewing experience. Apple’s Airplay was regarded as Apple’s answer to the increasing calls for a product that would let people listen to music or stream their favorite videos, making your home a truly media friendly one for the times to come.
Airplay is a device that works through either your Bluetooth or through the WIFI network. While both are equally effective mediums for Airplay to work on, we’d recommend the use of WIFI because of the battery drain that Bluetooth usage can inflict on the charging of your devices. Apple’s Airplay is regarded as something special in the market by the customers and it’s no wonder because its ability to synchronize and control multiple media devices and enhance a particular output puts it head and shoulders above the rest.
PC isn’t an Apple product and yet if you want to use the Airplay’s technology on your PC, this article is written for you. We tell you how you can make use of Apple’s Airplay on your PC.
How to use Airplay on your PC?
It is no secret that Apple tends to reserve its best products and softwares to be used only with other Apple based products. Continuing with this belief is the Apple Airplay, the software is compatible with working for an IOS device or the latest Mac, but when it comes to Windows PC, Airplay doesn’t work or can it? This article will outline to you two softwares and how each can make Airplay work with your PC with just a little bit of effort. So all you PC owners that felt part of the stone age because they couldn’t have fun with this latest Apple Enigma, cheer up! This article will tell you how you can be in the same league as those IOS device and Mac users and enjoy the Airplay features and a better entertainment experience.
Here is a list of the two softwares and how each can independently let you enjoy Airplay on your PC.
AirServer
This is an application that has been developed by Apple and is usually bought by users who want to use it, although it does give you a chance to try it out in its free trial period. AirServer though is a mirror version of AirParrot, another one of apple’s softwares. This software lets you transfer and stream media from your IOS device and Mac onto your PC monitor. The best part about AirServer is that it streams videos at 1080p, which is much in line with the maximum capacity of an Apple TV. All you need to do if you want AirServer, is to buy it online and download it on to your computer to unravel the fun.
(Read more about AirServer. Click here)
AirParrot
AirParrot is available in the market for around $14.99 (www.airsquirrels.com/airparrot) and this is one product that is sure to give you the Airplay experience you deserve through your PC. AirParrot is acquired similar to the AirServer, since you have to buy it online and download it in your system to enjoy its functionality. How does it work? AirParrot allows you to transfer images from your PC’s screen to your Apple TV. Not only is this software good for video or image transfer it is also able to allow smooth audio transfers to make sure you get to use other media devices to maximize your entertainment output.
Vlc Player Mac Airplay Apple Tv Plus
VLC
Vlc Player Mac Os
VLC is a media player which can be downloaded for free . It specifically doesn’t empower you to stream videos from your PC or to your PC, and yet it allows its user to play videos from the PC via Apple TV. How does it do this? To use this option all you have to do is:
1. Install the VLC on your IOS device.
2. Switch the option that says WIFI file transfers on and then get custom web address’ notification.
3. Then past this web address in your browser window and go to the site.
4. Once you are there, you get an interface that allows you to drag and drop files to your IOS Device.
5. Once you have done the drag and drop, you’ll then be able to use the file and play it on your IOS device and hence use Airplay’s mirroring option to watch the video through your TV via the Apple TV.
So there you have it! If you follow this guide, you will without a doubt be able to make sure your Windows PC isn’t a limitation to your entertainment.
This tutorial is mainly discussing the following topics:
Brief Introduction on AirPlay
If you are an Apple fan, you surely know one or two about AirPlay, a wireless streaming feature on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or any Mac or Windows PC computer with iTunes. With it, you can wirelessly stream media files including videos, music, photos from your iPhone/iPad/iPod to Apple TV. Also, you can stream such files from your computer to Apple TV.
Before starting AirPlay streaming, you need to have a full understanding of the compatible devices of Mac and TV. Below are the supported device list by AirPlay:
- Apple TV (2nd generation or later) with the latest Apple TV software.
- Mac computers with OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 or later:
iMac (Mid 2011 or later)
Mac mini (Mid 2011 or later)
MacBook (Early 2015 or later)
MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or later)
MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or later)
Mac Pro (Late 2013 or later)
Vlc Airplay
In addition, you need to ensure that Wifi is available and stable. Now, you can read the part one to learn how to use AirPlay on Mac computer.
Part 1. How to Use AirPlay on Mac to Stream Videos to Apple TV
Before starting the process, make sure that your Mac computer and Apple TV are connected to the same Wifi. Then follow the below steps:
1.Go to the menu bar in the top right corner of your Mac computer and hit the AirPlay icon to continue the process.
Note: If AirPlay icon is not shown, you can go to Systems Preferences > Displays and then check the box next to 'Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available'. The AirPlay icon will now appear in the menu bar.
2.After that, select the Apple TV that you want to stream video to from your Mac's screen.
3.Now, a pop-up window will appear on your Mac computer to ask for an AirPlay code. Just enter the passcode that is shown on your Apple TV and click on OK option to continue.
4. Finally, go up to the AirPlay icon again to click on 'Mirror Built-in Retina Display'. And it will automatically stream videos from Mac to your Apple TV.
Part 2. Stream Videos from Mac to Apple TV with Media Players
In addition to using AirPlay, you can also rely on some players with built-in AirPlay feature to achieve this purpose. In the below part, two professional players are listed for your inference:
Option One: VLC Media Player for Mac
VLC media player is more than a simple media player, allowing you to play media files like movies and videos on computer. With its Mac version, you can easily stream local or online videos on Mac computer to TV at ease. More importantly, this all-in-one tool is fully compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. So you can actually stream media files from Mac computer to Apple TV or from computer to another computer of different operating system.
Option Two: 5K Player for Mac
Similar to VLC Media Player for Mac, this 5K Player for Mac is also an almighty tool with AirPlay function, so you can smoothly stream videos from Mac to Apple TV without any hassle, no matter you want to stream video/music from iPhone, iPad to PC or from PC/Mac to Apple TV.
But as you can see, in using all the above methods, it is required that both your Apple TV and Mac computer are connected to the same stable Wifi. Or else the streaming process will possibly fail to be finished. So what if you are in a place where Wifi is unstable, if not inaccessible? What if your Apple TV and computer cannot get connected to Wifi?
Extra Bonus: How to Stream Videos to Apple TV from Mac via Wires?
To do it, you can connect Mac computer to Apple TV via wires and then use this FREE Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac to stream videos. Once your Mac and Apple TV are connected, you can stream videos that are played on Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac. Below is the step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Find the HDMI port cable on your Apple TV and connect the white, red, green and blue audio cables to the Apple TV and your TV.
Step 2. Plug the power cord into the Apple TV and then plug it into a power supply, turn on your TV and go to the setup interface.
Vlc Player Mac Airplay Apple Tv Box
Step 3. Select a network to connect to in the prompts that appear with your Apple TV remote. Once the Apple TV is set up, you will see a main screen with 'Movies', 'Internet' , 'Computers' and 'Settings' tabs.
Vlc Media Player For Macbook
Step 4. Go back to your Mac computer and open iTunes. After that, click on Advanced > Turn on Home Sharing. Then hit the Create Home Share and Done options after entering the right Apple ID and password.
Step 5. Go to back to your Apple TV and navigate to Computer tab. Then Choose 'Home Sharing' enter the password with the remote, and click Done option. Now, the Apple TV is connected to the Mac via iTunes.
Vlc Player Mac Airplay Apple Tv Remote
Step 6. Now that Apple TV is connected to the Mac computer, you can play local media files on your Mac computer with this FREE Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac, and the played files will be streamed to Apple TV!
No matter you are using AirPlay or other third-party players as mentioned in the above, stable Wifi is a must if you want to smoothly stream videos from Mac to Apple TV. So if you have access to stable and high-speed Wifi, you can use AirPlay, VLC for Mac or 5K Player for Mac to stream videos as desired. Otherwise, you are suggested to connect your Apple TV to Mac computer via wires and have a try of this FREE Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac!