Miracast Dongle recommendation needed.

[rjack22]

I have a Droid Maxx running 4.2.2. I have been reading about Miracast dongles that would allow me to stream from my cell phone to a big screen TV. Specifically I would like to stream from my Slingbox to the TV using my cell phone app for Slingbox. Most of the posts I have read are at least a year old. I am sure newer technology/models are out since.

What brand or model of dongle would you recommend I take a look at that would work with my Maxx running 4.2.2? I also have a Nexus 7 (2013) tablet I could also use. The tablet is running 4.4.4.

Note: I don't want to update from 4.2.2 because if I do I will lose my ability to use my hotspot for free.

 

[SpookDroid]

I don't know if the Slingbox app will work with it, but the best streaming option right now is Chromecast. You just hook it up to your TV via HDMI and presto! Your phone can stream a lot of stuff over.

Found this thread on the forums... it's from last year so things might have changed and Slingbox now does support Chromecast streaming, but it can't hurt to give it a read.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-chromecast/301867-got-slingbox-cast-chromecast.html

 

[rjack22]

Thanks for the reply. I followed your link but that is going to be way too complicated for me. To make Chromecast work with a Slingbox you have to use a Chrome browser and go through Facebook. I am not a Facebook user.

I am looking at the EZCast on Amazon. Amazon.com: NEW ARRIVAL!!! LiMITED SALE!!! WIFI Display Dongle HDMI Streaming Media Player Miracast DLNA Airpaly EZCast NEW in Consumer Electronics, TV, Video: Electronics

Has anyone tried this one?

 

[jimcapraro]

@rjack22 - yep you are right slingplayer doesn't "cast" to chromecast - if you go through the sling forums a lot of folks are very upset about this. You also can't use the chrome browser on your phone to run slingbox, you will just get a message telling you to use the slingplayer app. I never tried using the chrome browser with facebook, but the Phone's chrome browser doesn't "cast" to chromecast either, only the desktop chrome browser will cast (blame this one on Google).

I use the Netgear Push2TV miracast device to cast slingbox via screen mirroring to a projector for a projection tv. It works great.

You can find the the Netgear Push2TV miracast adapter on Amazon for $30.00 off.

Jim Capraro

 

[SpookDroid]

If it helps, Slingshot is apparently working on adding Chromecast support to their app. It has started running some betas on their Slingshot boxes, not yet on phones though.

The link you provided looks an awful lot like a Chromecast dongle haha It even has the Chrome logo on it! For this to work you'd need your phone to support screen mirroring, not just the dongle. If your phone doesn't, it will only be able to beam photos and video through Miracast, which, unfortunately, the Chromecast doesn't support.

UPDATE: It seems your phone DOES support screen mirroring. And here's a link showing how to use the other device suggested above.
http://gadgetnerdly.com/wireless-display-on-the-droid-maxx-and-droid-ultra/

 

[rjack22]

I should also add that I am hoping to find something that is EASY to install and use. I am not good at figuring things out myself with electronics. And I especially don't like fighting with electronics!

I looked at Netgear's Push2TV and the reviews are saying it can be difficult to install. Maybe all of these things are tricky.

 

[jimcapraro]

Hmmmm, I didn't find Netgear's Pus2TV difficult to install. The only partthat calls for you to be tech savy is when it comesto upgrading firmware. If yoiu want to try it I would be happy to help you with it.

 

[jimcapraro]

@SpookDroid - Yup the Netgear Push@TV is perfect for screen mirroring that is how I use it. And I have been using a bluetooth connected keyboard and bluethooth connected mouse to use it as a full computer when I travel using the Push2TV to connecto it to a hotel Flat panel tv and running Android Open Office. I didn't know that my phone had the usb host feature that the gadgetnerdly link explains at the end of the article. Thanks for sharing that link.

 

[XDCX]

I have a Droid Maxx running 4.2.2. I have been reading about Miracast dongles that would allow me to stream from my cell phone to a big screen TV. Specifically I would like to stream from my Slingbox to the TV using my cell phone app for Slingbox. Most of the posts I have read are at least a year old. I am sure newer technology/models are out since.

What brand or model of dongle would you recommend I take a look at that would work with my Maxx running 4.2.2? I also have a Nexus 7 (2013) tablet I could also use. The tablet is running 4.4.4.

Note: I don't want to update from 4.2.2 because if I do I will lose my ability to use my hotspot for free.

I thought of your thread today when I read the following story on Droid Life - click here

It appears that people who have a newer version of the Slingbox hardware will be able to use the Slingbox Android App to cast their content to Chromecast.

 

[SpookDroid]

Yup. It seems the solution was closer than we thought. I'd go for the Chromecast if you haven't gotten anything yet.
Chromecast support added for Slingbox owners who have Android smartphones http://www.androidcentral.com/chromecast-support-added-slingbox-owners-who-have-android-smartphones

 

[jimcapraro]

@SpookDroid I agree! Now that Slingplayer supports Chromecast I'm going to switch out my Netgear Push2TV that is connected to my projector and now use my Chromecast.

My main reason for doing this is that once you use your phone to connect to your
Chromecast connected to hdmi display (tv/monitor/projector) the Chromecast establishes a direct connection to your slingbox and your phone is then freed up to do other things. A miracast device will "mirror" your phone, so when you watch sling box via miracast the slingbox tv stream also has to be on your phone's screen resulting in your phone being dedicated to that one task as long as you are watching because anything you do on your phone will be shown on your miracast connected display. Also, with a the direct connection to a HD slingbox (only the new M1 and the existing Slingbox 350 and 500 are supported - all of which are HD capable) the Chromecast should deliver a beautiful picture. I'm out of town right now travelling for busines so I can't try this out until I return home this weekend.

Here is a link to the Slingplayer Chromecast FAQ page:
http://support.sling.com/kb/KB-2000588

@rjack22 - this will be a perfect soloution fo you - the chromecast is super easy to install.

 

[rjack22]

Thanks guys for all of the useful information.

Unfortunately for me, my older Slingbox does not support Chromecast. I have the Slingbox Solo. To use Chromecast I would have to buy a new Slingbox unit. But it is something to think about down the road when I might need to buy a new Slingbox. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Chromecast require a WiFi network to work? This I don't have up at our cottage so I couldn't use it. At home it would be fine.

I ordered a Belkin miracast adaptor but it didn't work out for me. I couldn't get it to connect to my network even though it was trouted as "easy" to set up. So I returned it yesterday.

What IS working for me is a wired adaptor. I bought a Slimport miracast adaptor. It works perfectly but the downside is the HDMI cable stretching across the room when I want to use it. But to be fair I don't use it often so I can live with it. I would have preferred wireless of course but it is what it is.

 

[SpookDroid]

If you are going with the screen mirroring option instead of the direct connection Chromecast offers, I strongly suggest to use a wired connection other than wireless. When using Miracast, there's always the issue of data lag and many times, audio/video sync issues, plus the battery drain on your device. With a direct HDMI connection, the lag is pretty much gone and the picture is usually cleaner.

 

[damnyankees]

If you are going with the screen mirroring option instead of the direct connection Chromecast offers, I strongly suggest to use a wired connection other than wireless. When using Miracast, there's always the issue of data lag and many times, audio/video sync issues, plus the battery drain on your device. With a direct HDMI connection, the lag is pretty much gone and the picture is usually cleaner.

Not looking to stream Slingbox to my tv, but this thread is helpful. Here's the background - I live in CT, and most Sundays I can't watch the Patriots in HD because of screwy NFL/TV coverage bullsh*t. I'm on Verizon's More Everything plan, so I get streaming games in the NFL Mobile app on my Maxx. I want to mirror my screen so I can watch it on the tv. Seems like I can use some sort of Miracast dongle, rather than Chromecast, is that right? But what you are saying about a wired connection - will that mirror my screen, or only "cast" stuff from apps that allow for screen casting? Do I just need an appropriate HDMI cable? Thanks!

 

[SpookDroid]

Yes, to stream your screen from your phone to a TV you need a Miracast-enabled SmartTV or a Miracast dongle (or a Samsung SmartTV with AllShare Cast for Samsung phones). But if you use an HDMI cable from your phone to the TV, this is also mirroring your screen but without the wireless intermediates, which usually provides a better picture with no lag. Unfortunately, not all phones can output image via HDMI, so you'll have to check that first.

 

[doogald]

Not looking to stream Slingbox to my tv, but this thread is helpful. Here's the background - I live in CT, and most Sundays I can't watch the Patriots in HD because of screwy NFL/TV coverage bullsh*t. I'm on Verizon's More Everything plan, so I get streaming games in the NFL Mobile app on my Maxx. I want to mirror my screen so I can watch it on the tv. Seems like I can use some sort of Miracast dongle, rather than Chromecast, is that right? But what you are saying about a wired connection - will that mirror my screen, or only "cast" stuff from apps that allow for screen casting? Do I just need an appropriate HDMI cable? Thanks!

If you have a Chromecast, see this thread on xda-developers.com from somebody who is mirroring the NFL Mobile app to Chromecast: [Q] Chromecast mirroring of NFL Mobile on Ma… | Droid Ultra | XDA Forums

 

[damnyankees]

If you have a Chromecast, see this thread on xda-developers.com from somebody who is mirroring the NFL Mobile app to Chromecast: [Q] Chromecast mirroring of NFL Mobile on Ma… | Droid Ultra | XDA Forums

Thanks. Looks like you need a rooted Maxx in order to use the "experimental app" to mirror from the Maxx to Chromecast. No dice for me. I'll just use the Netgear PTV3000 that everyone says works perfectly.

 

[Korey Lindley]

I thought a Slimport only worked on Nexus devices? Was it able to work on the Droid Maxx without any hassle?

 

[iAndrey]

Tried Motorola Moto X (1 Gen XT1052, XT1058) and Samsung Galaxy Tab with miracast dongle Netgear PTV3000.
Used it for about a month with the latest firmware for Video, Audio, Photo streaming. So it was working just fine 65% of time. But there were 35% of time when it was hanging up, interrupting video transmission, didn't accept incoming connections.