Outside of the Apple sphere it took quite a while before there was a proper standard for wireless streaming of video. In 2012 we got a solution to the problem and MiraCast was introduced by the WI-FI Alliance.

WI-FI Alliance is the non-profit organization that created the wireless network technology. They are the organization that makes sure that products are standardized after their standardization. MiraCast is based on the wireless network technology WI-FI Direct, that works when two devices connects directly to each other directly, instead of connecting through excisting network.

A MiraCast sender (e.g Cell phone or laptop) and a MiraCast receiver (e.g TV or projector) just need to be in certain proximity of each other physically. This solution has its advantages and disadvantages; the advantage is that you do not need a wireless network for MiraCast to work, which you do with Apple´s Airplay. The disadvantage is that the signal can´t be sent over cabled network, both the sender and receiver has to be wireless.
If you use a computer, tablet or smartphone you are able to be connected wirelessly to your regular work/job network and the MiraCast receiver simultaneously, in other words you will not lose connection to internet just because you are connecting to a MiraCast device.

Miracast in business

As of now MiraCast has only recently started to establish itself as a business app for business devices. But if MiraCast really turns out to be a huge success, then the technology can be wireless HDMI cable replacement.

As of now computers, tablets and smart phones mostly use MiraCast, but in the future I see no reason why you couldn´t use MiraCast with digital TV-boxes and media players. The technology needed already excists, MiraCast handles full HD resolution and 5.1 surround sound. The signal can also be protected with HDCP, which I presume that Hollywood and the rest of the movie industry would demand if they at all would be interested in this technology.
Unfortunatly MiraCast is not ready yet to replace HDMI cables in relations to Blu-ray, since it does not support Dolbu True-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The first TV´s and projectors with built-in MiraCast receivers are already available on the market, but as mentioned above it´s just above it´s establishing itself and cannot be considered a standard function as of yet. But fortunately you can buy MiraCast dongles, which you connected through HDMI and it is powered through a USB. Which means that as long as the TV has an available USB slot, you would not need an external power cable.

Android and Miracast

Android was the first big OS to get built-in support for MiraCast, the support was released in 2012 in relations with the launch of Jelly Bean. Since producers of android units can adapt all OS you cant be sure that all smart devices with Jelly Bean or newer OS has Miracast support.

With Android, MiraCast works as a pure mirroring solution, so everything that is shown on the smart device is also shown on the screen. You activate MiraCast by pushing “Cast”, by pushing on that button you can choose different MiraCast receivers in close proximity that you will share your content with. Remember that is only considered for video, there are no solutions for purely playing music.

Miracast and Windows

One of the big news when Microsoft released Windows 8.1 was built-in support of MiraCast. And just like with Android it mirrors the computer.
For MiraCast to work on a computer you need the OS to be Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 and you need your computer to have an Intel wifi card.

By simultaneously pushing the Windows button and P button, you get the choice to pick different screen setups; at the bottom of these choices there will be the opportunity to choose wireless screens. By choosing this you can pick which the MiraCast receiver of your choice.