Question:

What is the best way to screencast from a Mac or an iPhone to a projector that only has USB and HDMI ports, without using any smart devices or streaming apps?

I want to use my projector for gaming and watching movies from my Mac or my iPhone, but it does not support WiFi or Bluetooth. I have heard that chromecast is not compatible with airplay, and I do not want to buy an Apple TV 4K box or a Roku or a Firestick. I am looking for a simple and reliable screen mirroring device that can connect to my projector via USB or HDMI. Do you have any recommendations or experience with devices like j5create or anycast?

Answer:

How to Screencast from a Mac or an iPhone to a Projector without Smart Devices or Streaming Apps

If you have a projector that only has USB and HDMI ports, and you want to screencast from your Mac or your iPhone, you might be wondering what are your options. You might have heard that some popular devices like chromecast, Roku, or Firestick are not compatible with Apple’s airplay protocol, or they are too expensive or complicated for your needs. You might also want to avoid using any streaming apps, and just mirror your screen directly to the projector. In this article, we will explore some of the best ways to screencast from a Mac or an iPhone to a projector without smart devices or streaming apps.

One of the simplest and most reliable ways to screencast from an iPhone to a projector is to use a Lightning to HDMI adapter. This is a small device that connects to your iPhone’s charging port and has an HDMI output that you can plug into your projector. This way, you can mirror your iPhone’s screen to the projector without any wireless connection or software. You can also use the adapter to connect your Mac to the projector, as long as your Mac has an HDMI port or a compatible adapter.

To use a Lightning to HDMI adapter, you will need:

• An iPhone or a Mac with a Lightning port
• A Lightning to HDMI adapter (you can find many models online or in stores, such as [this one])
• An HDMI cable
• A projector with an HDMI port

To connect your iPhone or Mac to the projector using the adapter, follow these steps:

1. Connect the Lightning to HDMI adapter to your iPhone or Mac.

2. Connect the HDMI cable to the adapter and to the projector.

3. Turn on your projector and select the HDMI input source.

4. You should see your iPhone or Mac screen on the projector.

You can now use your iPhone or Mac as usual, and everything you do will be mirrored on the projector. You can also adjust the display settings on your device to change the resolution, orientation, or brightness of the projection.

Some advantages of using a Lightning to HDMI adapter are:

• It is easy to set up and use, and does not require any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.
• It is compatible with any iPhone or Mac that has a Lightning port, and any projector that has an HDMI port.
• It provides a high-quality and stable projection, without any lag or interference.

Some disadvantages of using a Lightning to HDMI adapter are:

• It is not wireless, and you will need a long HDMI cable to reach the projector.
• It is not very portable, and you will need to carry the adapter and the cable with you.
• It might not support some apps or features that use DRM (digital rights management), such as Netflix or iTunes.

Option 2: Use AirPlay to a Mac

Another way to screencast from an iPhone to a projector is to use AirPlay to a Mac. AirPlay is a feature that lets you wirelessly stream or mirror content from your iPhone to an Apple TV, a smart TV, or a Mac. If you have a Mac that is connected to the projector via USB or HDMI, you can use it as an AirPlay receiver, and mirror your iPhone screen to the projector through the Mac.

To use AirPlay to a Mac, you will need:

• An iPhone with iOS 15 or later
• A Mac with macOS Monterey or later
• A USB or HDMI cable
• A projector with a USB or HDMI port

To connect your iPhone to the projector using AirPlay to a Mac, follow these steps:

1. Connect your Mac to the projector using a USB or HDMI cable.

2. Turn on your projector and select the USB or HDMI input source.

3. Make sure your iPhone and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network.

4. On your Mac, open System Preferences and click on Sharing.

5. Check the box next to AirPlay Receiver, and give your Mac a name.

6. On your iPhone, open Control Center and tap on Screen Mirroring.

7. Tap on your Mac’s name from the list of available devices.

8. Enter the AirPlay passcode that appears on your Mac, if prompted.

9. You should see your iPhone screen on the projector.

You can now use your iPhone as usual, and everything you do will be mirrored on the projector. You can also adjust the AirPlay settings on your Mac to change the display mode, resolution, or sound output of the projection.

Some advantages of using AirPlay to a Mac are:

• It is wireless, and you do not need any extra adapters or cables.
• It is compatible with any iPhone that has iOS 15 or later, and any Mac that has macOS Monterey or later.
• It supports most apps and features that use DRM, such as Netflix or iTunes.

Some disadvantages of using AirPlay to a Mac are:

• It requires a Wi-Fi connection, and might not work well in areas with poor signal or interference.
• It might have some lag or quality issues, depending on the speed and stability of your Wi-Fi network.
• It might drain your iPhone’s battery faster, as it uses more power to stream or mirror the content.

Option 3: Use a Screen Mirroring Device

A third way to screencast from a Mac or an iPhone to a projector is to use a screen mirroring device. This is a device that connects to your projector via USB or HDMI, and allows you to wirelessly stream or mirror your Mac or iPhone screen to the projector. There are many screen mirroring devices available on the market, such as j5create or anycast, that claim to be compatible with Apple devices and support AirPlay.

To use a screen mirroring device, you will need:

• A Mac or an iPhone with AirPlay
• A screen mirroring device (such as [j5create] or [anycast])
• A USB or HDMI cable
• A projector with a USB or HDMI port

To connect your Mac or iPhone to the projector using a screen mirroring device, follow these steps:

1. Connect the screen mirroring device to the projector using a USB or HDMI cable.

2. Turn on your projector and select the USB or HDMI input source.

3. Turn on the screen mirroring device and follow the instructions on the screen to set it up.

4. Make sure your Mac or iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network as the screen mirroring device.

5. On your Mac or iPhone, open Control Center and tap on Screen Mirroring.

6. Tap on the screen mirroring device’s name from the list of available devices.

7. You should see your Mac or iPhone screen on the projector.

You can now use your Mac or iPhone as usual, and everything you do will be mirrored on the projector. You can also adjust the screen mirroring device’s settings to change the display mode, resolution, or sound output of the projection.

Some advantages of using a screen mirroring device are:

• It is wireless, and you do not need any extra adapters or cables.
• It is compatible with any Mac or iPhone that has AirPlay, and any projector that has a USB or HDMI port.
• It might have some additional features or functions, such as a remote control, a web browser, or a media player.

Some disadvantages of using a screen mirroring device are:

• It requires a Wi-Fi connection, and might not work well in areas with poor signal or interference.
• It might have some lag or quality issues, depending on the speed and stability of your Wi-Fi network and the screen mirroring device.
• It might not support some apps or features that use DRM, such as Netflix or iTunes.

Conclusion

In

this article, we have discussed three ways to screencast from a Mac or an iPhone to a projector without smart devices or streaming apps. Each option has its own pros and cons, and you should choose the one that suits your needs and preferences best. We hope this article has been helpful and informative, and that you enjoy your screencasting experience. Happy projecting!