Modern televisions have long ceased to be simply devices for watching broadcast channels, having become powerful multimedia centers capable of playing high-quality content. Wireless connection has become a de facto standard, allowing users to instantly display images and sound on a large screen without the hassle of wires. This feature is especially useful for listening to music, as a TV's built-in speakers can provide a more spacious and deeper sound than a smartphone.
There are several main audio streaming technologies, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and limitations. The choice of a specific method depends on the operating system of your mobile device, TV model, and the required sound quality. In this article, we'll cover all available methods in detail so you can choose the most suitable option for your home audio system.
Before you begin setup, make sure that both devices - your smartphone and TV - are connected to the same network. WiFi networksThis is a fundamental requirement for most synchronization protocols to work, whether DLNA, AirPlay, or proprietary solutions from electronics manufacturers.
Using DLNA technology for audio streaming
Technology DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is one of the most widespread and universal standards for sharing multimedia content on a home network. It allows files to be transferred directly from a source device to a rendering device—in this case, from a phone to a TV—using the local network. This method doesn't require an internet connection; a stable router is sufficient.
On your smartphone, you'll need to install a dedicated controller app that can find your TV on the network and control playback. Many standard gallery apps and players already have a built-in "Broadcast" or "Cast" function, but for more advanced features, it's best to use specialized software like BubbleUPnP or VLC for AndroidThese apps scan the network, find compatible devices, and allow you to create playback queues.
⚠️ Please note: Some older TV models may not support high-resolution (Hi-Res) audio streaming via DLNA, limiting themselves to standard MP3.
The setup process usually takes no more than a couple of minutes and doesn't require extensive technical knowledge. After launching the app, you'll see a list of available devices, where you'll need to select the name of your TV. It's important to note that when using DLNA, your phone only acts as a remote control, and buffering occurs on the TV, saving battery life.
Broadcast for iPhone and Apple TV (AirPlay) owners
Ecosystem users Apple have a significant advantage thanks to technology AirPlay, which provides seamless integration between devices. If you have an iPhone or iPad and an AirPlay 2-enabled TV (or an Apple TV), streaming music is a breeze. Sound quality remains lossless, which is crucial for audiophiles.
To start playback, simply open the Music app or any streaming service, for example, Apple Music or Spotify, and click the broadcast icon. The system will automatically suggest available devices within range. AirPlay's unique feature is the ability to create multi-room systems, allowing audio to be streamed simultaneously to multiple speakers or TVs in different rooms.
- 🍏 Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner.
- 📡 Tap the Screen Mirroring button or the AirPlay Audio icon in the player.
- 📺 Select your TV from the list of available devices.
- 🔊 Enjoy sound using your phone as a remote control.
It's worth noting that AirPlay requires a sufficiently powerful router, as the protocol is sensitive to latency and interference. If you experience audio dropouts, try moving closer to the access point or switching your router to a less congested 5 GHz channel.
Screen Mirroring and Miracast technology
If your TV doesn't support DLNA or AirPlay, technology comes to the rescue Miracast, also known as Screen Mirroring or "Broadcasting." Unlike DLNA, this method broadcasts not a single file, but the entire smartphone screen, complete with audio. This means the TV becomes a second monitor, displaying absolutely everything that's happening on the phone's display.
This method is convenient because it works at the operating system level and doesn't require installing additional apps for each specific service. However, it has a significant drawback: the phone remains active, the screen remains lit, and the battery drains significantly faster than with DLNA. Furthermore, notifications received on the phone will also be displayed on the TV screen.
To activate the function on Android smartphones, it is usually enough to pull down the notification shade and find the item Broadcast, Smart View (Samsung) or Wireless projectorOn your TV, you need to launch the appropriate receiver application, which is often called MirrorShare, Screen Mirroring or Anyview Cast.
⚠️ Please note: When using Screen Mirroring, the sound may have a slight delay relative to the video, which is normal for this technology, but can be annoying when viewing clips.
It's important to understand the difference between simply streaming a media file and screen mirroring. In the former, the TV decodes the stream itself; in the latter, the phone's processor decodes the stream, and the TV merely displays the resulting image and sound.
Specialized applications from TV manufacturers
Major electronics manufacturers such as Samsung, LG And Sony, often develop their own ecosystems and applications for content management. These programs typically offer more stable operation and advanced functionality compared to standard protocols. For example, the application LG TV Plus or Samsung SmartThings allow you not only to stream music, but also to control your TV's equalizer settings.
Using proprietary software often provides access to additional features, such as playlist syncing, high-resolution album art, and voice control support. Installing such an app eliminates the need to search for universal solutions that may not work correctly with a specific TV model.
Why doesn't the app see the TV?
If the proprietary app doesn't find the TV, make sure local network access is enabled on both devices. AP Isolation may be enabled in your router settings, which prevents devices from seeing each other on the network.
For users who prefer a specific music service, such as Yandex Music or VK Music, the built-in Cast function within the app itself often works best. It automatically detects the TV type and selects the optimal transmission protocol, whether it's Chromecast built-in or DLNA.
Comparison of connection methods and their characteristics
To help you choose the right method, we've prepared a summary table comparing the key characteristics of the technologies reviewed. Each method has its own strengths, which are highlighted in different use cases.
| Technology | Sound quality | Battery consumption | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLNA | High | Short | Average |
| AirPlay | Maximum | Average | High |
| Miracast | Depends on the codec | High | High |
| Bluetooth | Average (compressed) | Average | High |
As the table shows, DLNA and AirPlay are the leaders in sound quality and energy efficiency, as the TV handles most of the audio stream decoding. Miracast, on the other hand, is more suitable for situations where you need to show something specific on the screen rather than just listen to music.
Troubleshooting connection and latency issues
Even with proper setup, users may encounter issues such as audio desync, interruptions, or the device not appearing in the list at all. Often, the cause lies in router settings or interference in the airwaves. Dual-band routers can separate devices into 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks; for stable media streaming, it's best to have both devices on the same subnet, preferably 5 GHz.
If the sound is interrupted or stuttering, try closing background apps on your phone that may be consuming bandwidth or CPU resources. It's also worth checking if there's a heavy app running on your TV that's overloading the Smart TV's RAM.
- 🔄 Restart the router and both devices (TV and phone).
- 📡 Make sure your phone has not switched to the 4G/5G mobile network.
- 🔌 Check if the "Guest Network" mode is enabled on your router.
- ⚙️ Update your TV firmware and player app to the latest version.
☑️ Diagnosing sound problems
In some cases, antivirus software or a router firewall may block ports required for DLNA or AirPlay. Temporarily disabling these features can help diagnose the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to stream audio via WiFi without internet?
Yes, DLNA and Miracast don't require internet access; your phone and TV need to be connected to the same router to create a local network. However, streaming from online services (Spotify, YouTube) does require internet access.
Why doesn't the TV see the phone when I try to stream?
The most likely cause is that the devices are connected to different networks (for example, one to a guest network and the other to the main network) or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also, check whether the antivirus software on your PC or phone is blocking local detection.
Does a WiFi connection affect sound quality compared to a cable?
When using modern WiFi standards (ac/ax) and protocols like AirPlay or DLNA, quality loss is minimal and practically indistinguishable from a wired connection. Problems may only arise with a very weak signal.
Is it possible to turn off the phone screen while broadcasting?
When using DLNA and AirPlay, yes, you can turn off the screen and the music will continue playing. When using Miracast (screen mirroring), the sound may be lost, as this technology relies on an active video stream.