Modern users rarely limit themselves to a single screen in the home. There's often a need to stream content to multiple displays simultaneously, whether for a video wall in a bar, a presentation, or simply for comfortable viewing in different rooms. Connecting two TVs via a wireless network is a completely solvable task, but it requires an understanding of the principles of operation of a local network and the supported protocols.
Unlike a wired connection, where the signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable, wireless data transmission relies on your router's bandwidth and software. Smart TVIt's important to note that simply "splitting" the image, like an HDMI splitter, via Wi-Fi without specialized equipment or software won't work. Each TV will be seen by the network as a separate receiver.
In this article, we'll explore the basic methods for implementing a multi-room system, examining both manufacturer-provided features and third-party apps. You'll learn how to set up synchronized playback or organize independent access to your media library on different screens using only the capabilities of your home network.
Technical requirements and equipment preparation
Before you begin setup, you need to make sure your equipment meets the minimum requirements. The key element here is not so much the TV itself, but the router. To reliably transmit a high-definition video stream (especially 4K) to two devices simultaneously, the router must support the standard. 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or newer. Older 2.4 GHz models may not be able to handle the load, resulting in constant buffering.
Both TVs must be connected to the same local network. This is a fundamental rule: if one device is on a guest network and the other on the main network, or one is connected via cable and the other via Wi-Fi with client isolation enabled, they simply won't "see" each other. Make sure the feature is enabled on both TVs. DLNA or a similar device detection service.
⚠️ Important: If your router has an "AP Isolation" feature, you must disable it in the security settings. This feature is specifically designed to prevent devices on a Wi-Fi network from exchanging data with each other, making it impossible to communicate with TVs.
It's also worth checking the operating system version on your TVs. Manufacturers frequently update data transfer protocols, and older versions firmware Some features may not work correctly. We recommend updating both devices to the latest available software version before experimenting.
Using native Smart TV features (Samsung, LG, Sony)
The largest electronics manufacturers have long ago implemented in their operating systems (Tizen, webOS, Android TV) opportunities for working in the ecosystem. However, everyone's approach is different. For example, Samsung offers the function Multi View, but it most often works in a "TV + Smartphone" or "TV + PC" configuration. Connecting two Samsung TVs natively without third-party apps often requires the use of technology Smart View in conjunction with a media server.
LG supports a convenient device discovery system in its latest webOS models. If both TVs are logged into the same LG account, they can see each other in the "Connected Devices" menu. This allows you to quickly start streaming images or audio. Sony, based on Android, relies on the built-in Chromecast, which is one of the most reliable methods, which we will discuss below.
It's important to understand that native features are often tailored to a specific ecosystem. Connecting a Samsung TV and an LG TV out of the box without installing additional software is unlikely. In such cases, universal media transfer standards come to the rescue.
Why are brands closing ecosystems?
Manufacturers strive to retain users within their platforms in order to sell more content and services. Therefore, the direct "friendship" between Samsung and Sony is less well-implemented than between two devices of the same brand.
To check for feature support, go to the settings menu of each TV. The path typically looks like this: Settings → General → External devices → Device managerHere you can see a list of gadgets available for connection.
Wireless streaming technologies: DLNA, AirPlay, and Chromecast
The most universal way to connect two TVs is to use a standard DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). It allows one device (the server) to stream content to others (renderers). In your situation, one TV (or network-connected computer/smartphone) would act as the source, and two TVs would act as receivers. However, classic DLNA typically allows streaming to one device at a time, unless specialized software is used.
A more advanced solution is to use technology Google Chromecast built-in or Apple AirPlay 2If both TVs support AirPlay 2 (many recent Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models), you can start casting from an Apple device (iPhone or Mac) and select "Repeat on all devices" or simply send content one by one. For Android and Windows, Chromecast remains the gold standard.
There is also technology Miracast, which allows for screen mirroring. Some routers and TVs support Wi-Fi Direct, which allows for direct connection of devices, bypassing the router, but this is less suitable for linking two TVs than a centralized network.
Below is a comparison table of the main technologies for your task:
| Technology | Compatibility | Quality | Difficulty of setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLNA | Almost all Smart TVs | High (up to 4K) | Low |
| Chromecast | Android TV, built-in Chromecast | High (depending on network) | Average |
| AirPlay 2 | Apple, new Samsung/LG/Sony | Very high | Low (in the Apple ecosystem) |
| Miracast | Windows, Android | Average (may lag) | Low |
Configuration via third-party applications and media servers
If built-in features aren't enough, apps can turn one of your TVs (or a computer on your network) into a full-fledged media server. The leader in this field is PlexBy installing the Plex server on your PC or NAS and the Plex client app on both TVs, you gain access to a unified library of movies and photos. You can start a movie on one TV and then continue watching from the same spot on the other.
Another powerful tool is the app BubbleUPnP (for Android TV) or MediaHouseThey allow for more flexible stream management than standard tools. For example, you can launch a video file on a network storage device and send it to two different renderers (TVs) simultaneously if the app supports multi-room mode.
Windows users can use the "Media Streaming" feature, which is essentially a built-in DLNA server. Once enabled, you can go to the "Sources" section from any TV on the network, find your computer, and play the video. Simultaneous playback on two screens will require more complex setups, such as using OBS Studio on a PC to capture the screen and stream to two different IP addresses on the local network, if the TVs are capable of receiving such a stream (via VLC or similar).
☑️ Preparing the media server
Don't forget about the app TeamViewer or AnyDesk, when it comes to desktop sharing. You can display the image from one device on two screens, although this is more suitable for presentations than for watching movies.
Creating a Video Wall for Commercial Use
If your goal isn't just to watch a movie in two rooms, but to create a single image on two or more TVs (a video wall), the approach changes dramatically. This is virtually impossible to achieve with standard Smart TV tools, as TVs can't split the input signal between themselves or crop their portion of the image on the fly without an external processor.
To implement a video wall via Wi-Fi (or LAN, which is more reliable), special devices are used video players with support for the Video Wall function, such as devices based on Android Box with software Xibo or Samsung MagicInfoIn this scenario, each TV is connected to its own set-top box (or to a single powerful server), and software synchronizes the image output, creating the effect of a single canvas.
There are also solutions based on Raspberry Pi with software PiWall, which allow you to turn multiple TVs into a video wall. In this case, a Raspberry Pi connected to the network acts as the "brain," and the TVs receive the video stream via the UDP multicast protocol. This requires static IP addresses and a fairly in-depth understanding of the network, but it provides excellent results for digital signage.
⚠️ Important: Synchronization is critical when creating a video wall. Cheap Wi-Fi routers can cause audio and video out of sync on different screens by a few milliseconds, which will be noticeable. For commercial use, use a wired LAN connection or a dedicated gigabit switch.
The setup process often requires entering the coordinates of each screen in the grid (e.g. Left-Top, Right-Top) into the control software menu.
Troubleshooting connection and buffering issues
Even with an ideal setup, users may encounter issues. The most common ones are audio and video desync or constant buffering. This is a clear sign of insufficient bandwidth. If two TVs are simultaneously streaming heavy 4K content, the home Wi-Fi system may become saturated.
The second problem is that the TVs can't see each other or the server. Checking your firewall can help. The server computer or router settings must have the port for DLNA (usually 1900 UDP) and HTTP (80, 8080) open. Antivirus software often blocks the local network, treating it as public.
It's also worth checking your power-saving settings. Some routers and TVs try to "save energy" by turning off the Wi-Fi module when idle, which interrupts the connection. In your router settings, find an option to prevent Wi-Fi from turning off, or set it to maximum performance mode.
What should I do if the sound on one of my TVs has disappeared?
Often, when using multi-room playback, sound only plays on the main device. Check the audio settings in the source app—there should be an option called "Audio Output" or "Sync Audio."
For diagnostics, you can use the built-in network test on the TV: Settings → Network → Network StatusConnection speed should not drop below 20-25 Mbps for comfortable viewing of FullHD content on one device, and for two devices, it is advisable to have some reserve.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to link two TVs of different brands (for example, Samsung and LG)?
Yes, it's possible, but not through native ecosystems. You'll need to use universal standards like DLNA or install third-party client apps (such as VLC or Plex) on both TVs. Samsung's native Smart View feature won't recognize the LG TV directly.
Do you need internet to connect two TVs via Wi-Fi?
No, internet access is not required. The TVs must be connected to a single router, creating a local area network (LAN). Even if the router isn't connected to the ISP, data transfer between devices within the network will work if a media server or DLNA is configured.
Why is the video lagging on the second TV?
Most likely, your Wi-Fi channel isn't fast enough. One router is splitting the stream between two devices. If the signal is weak or the channel is overcrowded by neighboring devices, you'll experience lag. Try switching to 5 GHz or lowering the video quality in the app settings.
Is it possible to display one picture on two TVs wirelessly?
Only if you use special Wi-Fi adapters that support mirroring technology or software solutions like Xibo. Standard tools can't "split" a single HDMI signal over the air to two different TVs, as each TV is an independent network device.