Casting fundamentally involves a digital media player receiving online content wirelessly to display it on a screen.
Casting is a method of sending online content, such as videos from a streaming service or music, from a device like your smartphone or computer to a larger screen like a TV, projector, or monitor. Unlike simply showing exactly what's on your device's screen, casting typically directs the receiving device (often a digital media player or smart TV function) to access the online content directly over your network.
Understanding the Casting Process
Based on the definition, casting operates as follows:
- Content Source: The source is primarily online content, such as streaming videos from platforms like Netflix or YouTube, music from Spotify, or content from other internet-based services.
- Initiation Device: A device (like a phone, tablet, or computer) acts as a remote control. You use an app on this device to select content and tell the digital media player or smart TV where to find it online.
- Digital Media Player/Receiver: A dedicated device (like a Google Chromecast, Roku stick, or Apple TV) or a built-in function on a smart TV or monitor receives the instruction from your initiation device. This receiver then connects to the internet itself and streams the online content directly.
- Wireless Connection: The communication between your initiation device and the digital media player/receiver happens wirelessly, typically over your Wi-Fi network. The streaming content from the internet to the receiver is also wireless (via Wi-Fi).
- Display: The digital media player/receiver is connected to your TV, projector, or monitor, displaying the received online content.
In essence, your phone or computer doesn't send the video stream itself; it tells the casting device which stream to play.
Casting vs. Screen Mirroring
The term "screen casting" is sometimes used loosely, but the reference distinguishes between "casting" and "screen mirroring."
| Feature | Casting | Screen Mirroring |
|---|---|---|
| What is Sent | Online content (video stream, audio, etc.) | Exactly what is currently on your source screen |
| Method | Receiver accesses content online based on instruction | Source device actively sends screen output |
| Primary Source | Online services/internet | Source device's entire display |
| Connection | Wireless (Initiation device to receiver, receiver to internet) | Cable or Wireless |
| Receiver | Digital media player, Smart TV/monitor function | TV, Projector (can be via adapter or wireless protocol) |
| Device Use | Source device can often be used for other tasks | Source device screen is duplicated, often locked |
- Screen mirroring involves sending what's on your computer screen to a TV or projector via a cable or wireless connection.
- Casting refers to receiving online content via a digital media player to a TV, projector, or monitor via a wireless connection.
Practical Examples of Casting
- Streaming Video: You open the YouTube app on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your smart TV. The TV then loads and plays the YouTube video directly from the internet. Your phone acts as a remote.
- Playing Music: Using the Spotify app, you cast music to a compatible speaker or receiver connected to your sound system. The speaker streams the music, freeing up your phone.
- Viewing Photos/Slides: While some apps support casting specific online photo albums or presentations, mirroring is often used for displaying local files or entire slideshows from your device's screen. Casting, per the reference, is focused on receiving online content.
Casting provides a convenient way to enjoy internet-based media on larger displays without directly connecting your primary device via a cable or having its screen duplicated.
