How to Play Videos from Mac to TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Broadcast video from MacBook or iMac to a big TV screen via Wi-Fi is a challenge users face when watching movies, presentations, or streaming content. Unlike a wired connection via HDMIWireless methods require proper configuration on both macOS and the TV. The main difficulties arise due to protocol differences (AirPlay, DLNA, Miracast), restrictions of TV manufacturers and features of the local network.

In this article we will look at All current methods of transmitting video over Wi-Fi in 2026, including hidden macOS features, bypassing TV blocks Samsung, LG And Sony, as well as solutions for older models without built-in streaming support. We'll pay special attention to setting up your router, as it's 80% responsible for ensuring a stable connection and lag-free playback. 4K HDR.

If you have previously tried to connect and received errors like "Device not supported" or "No sound during broadcast" — At the end of the article, there's a section on diagnosing common problems. We'll also compare the speed and quality of transfers across different protocols in a table so you can choose the best method for your equipment.

1. Prepare your Mac and TV for wireless streaming

Before setting up a connection, you need to ensure both devices meet the minimum requirements and are on the same network. This seems obvious, but 40% of broadcast errors occur due to failure to meet these basic requirements.

On the side Mac (regardless of the model - MacBook Air M1, iMac Pro or Mac mini) check:

• 🔹 macOS version: broadcast by AirPlay 2 works stably since macOS Monterey (12.0)On . Big Sur and below there may be problems with Dolby Vision.
• 🔹 Wi-Fi module status: in System Preferences → Network Make sure the connection is active and the speed is not lower 150 Mbps (For 4K need to 300+ Mbps).
• 🔹 Power saving settings: in System Preferences → Battery disable the option "Optimize streaming video" - it reduces the broadcast bitrate.

On your TV (regardless of brand), do the following:

• 📺 Firmware update: outdated software versions Samsung Tizen (until 2021) and LG webOS (before version 5.0) do not support AirPlay 2 without detour.
• 📺 Reset network settings: In the TV menu, find Settings → Network → Reset (on Sony Bravia the path may differ: Network → Advanced → Reset network settings).
• 📺 Activate developer mode (for older models): this will allow you to manually specify DLNA server or turn on Miracast.

⚠️ Attention: If your TV was released before 2018, built-in support AirPlay or Chromecast may be missing. In this case, an external adapter will be required (for example, Apple TV 4K or Google Chromecast Ultra).

It is also critical to configure the router:

• 🔄 Turn it off Band Steering (frequency merging 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz) - it creates delays during broadcasting.
• 🔄 Turn on Multicast (in settings LAN → IGMP Snooping), otherwise DLNA will not work.
• 🔄 Reserve IP addresses for your Mac and TV in DHCPto avoid connection breaks.

2. Method 1: AirPlay – a native solution for the Apple ecosystem

AirPlay 2 — the most reliable protocol for streaming from a Mac to a TV, if both devices support it. It provides minimal latency (~50 ms) and transmission of sound in format Dolby AtmosHowever, there are some nuances:

On TVs Samsung (2018 models and newer) LG (webOS 4.0+) and Sony Bravia (Android TV 9+) AirPlay turned on manually:

1. On Samsung: Settings → General → Apple AirPlay → enable the option and install Allow all.
2. On LG: Settings → Network → AirPlay → select "On" and turn it off "Require code".
3. On Sony: Settings → Network → Apple AirPlay / HomeKit → activate the service.

On the Mac side, the broadcast is launched like this:

1. Open the video in QuickTime Player or Safari (for streaming services).
2. Click on the icon Screen mirroring in the menu bar (or in Control Center).
3. Select your TV from the list. If it's not there, make sure both devices are on the same network. 5 GHz.

Make sure your TV and Mac are connected to the same 5GHz network|

Check that AirPlay mode is enabled on your TV|

Disable VPN on Mac (it blocks multicast traffic)|

Restart your router if the streaming is interrupted|

Update your TV firmware to the latest version-->

⚠️ Attention: On TVs Xiaomi And TCL (even new models) AirPlay often malfunctions due to manufacturer limitations. In this case, use DLNA or an external adapter.

For broadcast local files (For example, .mkv or .mov) through AirPlay:

1. Open the file in QuickTime Player.
2. From the menu bar, select File → New Playback on [TV Name].
3. If the video doesn't play, convert it to H.264 through HandBrake (TVs do not support some codecs).

3. Method 2: DLNA is a universal protocol for any device

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a standard supported by almost all Smart TVs, including budget models. Unlike AirPlay, it does not require a special ecosystem, but has limitations in quality and stability.

There is no built-in support on Mac. DLNA, so you'll need third-party software. The best options are:

• 🖥️ Plex Media Server - creates a full-fledged media server with transcoding (supports 4K and subtitles).
• 🖥️ VLC Media Player - can stream files via DLNA without server installation (but without transcoding).
• 🖥️ Kodi - suitable for organizing a movie library with support DTS.

Instructions for VLC (the fastest way):

1. Install VLC from the official website.
2. Open the video in the player.
3. From the menu bar, select Playback → Playback Device → [your TV].
4. If the TV is not displayed, enter its IP address manually (you can find it in the TV network settings).

For Plex the process is more complicated, but the result is better:

1. Download Plex Media Server and install on Mac.
2. Add video folders to the library (Settings → Manage Library).
3. Install the app on your TV Plex (available in LG Content Store, Samsung Apps etc.).
4. Log in to one account on both devices.

⚠️ Attention: Some televisions (eg. Samsung J series or Philips 2017) block playback of files with the extension .mkv through DLNAThe solution is to rename the file to .mp4 or use Plex with transcoding.

If you have Mac with M1/M2 chip, to speed up transcoding in Plex Enable hardware acceleration:

1. Open Plex Settings → Transcoding.
2. In the section Hardware acceleration select "Apple VideoToolbox".
3. Restart the server.

4. Method 3: Chromecast - for TVs without AirPlay

If your TV does not support AirPlay or DLNA It works unstable, external adapter Google Chromecast (or built-in Chromecast on Android TV) will become a universal solution. Advantages:

• 🎯 Support 4K HDR And Dolby Vision (on Chromecast Ultra and newer).
• 🎯 Minimal delay (~100 ms) compared to DLNA.
• 🎯 Works with any streaming service (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+).

To stream from Mac:

1. Connect Chromecast to the TV through HDMI and configure it through the app Google Home on a smartphone.
2. Make sure your Mac and Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open the video in Chrome or Safari:

For Chrome:
1. Right-click on the video → "Transmit to..." → select Chromecast.
For Safari:
1. Use the "Cast Stream" extension from the Mac App Store.

For local files:

• 📁 Use VLC with plugin Chromecast (included in Settings → Show all → Plugins).
• 📁 Install Plex and set up the broadcast via Chromecast as an output device.

How to cast your entire Mac screen to Chromecast?

To mirror your entire screen (not just video), install the app AirParrot 3 or Reflector 4They emulate AirPlay receiver on a Mac, and then relay the image to ChromecastThe downside is that the delay increases to ~300 ms, which is critical for games, but suitable for presentations.

⚠️ Attention: On Chromecast 1st and 2nd generation maximum resolution is limited 1080p. For 4K needed Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast with Google TV.

5. Method 4: Miracast – an alternative for Windows users (but also works on Mac)

Miracast — a wireless mirroring protocol originally developed for Windows, but since 2020, it's partially supported by macOS via third-party software. It's useful if:

• 🔄 Your TV does not support AirPlay, but there is Miracast (For example, Sony Bravia 2019 or Philips with Android TV).
• 🔄 You need to mirror full screen Mac, not just video (for example, for slide shows in Keynote).

For use Miracast on Mac:

1. Install the program AirServer or Reflector 4 (paid, but with a trial period).
2. Turn on Miracast on TV:

On Samsung: Settings → Connections → Nearby devices → Miracast
On LG: Settings → Network → Miracast (Screen Share)
On Sony: Settings → Xperia Connectivity → Miracast

3. On Mac, open AirServer and select the mode "Miracast Receiver".
4. In the Mac menu bar, click on the icon Screen mirroring and select TV.

Restrictions Miracast on Mac:

• 🚫 No support 4K — maximum resolution 1920×1080.
• 🚫 Delay ~200 ms, which is noticeable when watching movies (the audio may lag).
• 🚫 There is no sound transmission on some TV models (for example, TCL 2020).

6. Method 5: Direct connection via a router (SMB/NFS)

If all wireless methods fail, you can access files on your Mac via a network protocol. SMB or NFSThis is not a real-time broadcast, but it allows you to play video on your TV without loss of quality.

Instructions:

1. On your Mac, enable folder sharing:

System Preferences → Sharing → File Sharing
Select the folder with the video and set the permissions to "Read for everyone".

2. Remember your Mac's IP address (you can find it in System Preferences → Network).
3. On your TV, open a file manager (for example, Samsung TV Plus or LG Media Home).
4. Add a network drive using the protocol SMB:

Address: smb://[Mac IP address]
Username: Your name on Mac
Password: Mac account password

For Android TV (For example, Sony Bravia or Nvidia Shield) it's more convenient to use the application FX File Explorer:

1. Install FX File Explorer from Google Play.
2. Go to Network → Add Storage → SMB.
3. Enter your Mac details and connect.

⚠️ Attention: When playing 4K-video by SMB Slowdowns may occur if the router does not support Gigabit LANThe solution is to connect your Mac and TV to the router via cable. Ethernet (if there are ports).

7. Troubleshooting and Optimizing Connections

If your video is choppy, there's no sound, or your stream keeps dropping out, check the following:

Problem 1: Video lags or stutters

• 🔍 Check your Wi-Fi speed: for 1080p need to 25 Mbps, For 4K — 50+ Mbps.
• 🔍 Switch to frequency 5 GHz (in the router settings).
• 🔍 Reduce the video bitrate in the player settings (in Plex or VLC).

Problem 2: No sound during broadcast

• 🔊 Check what's on your Mac System Preferences → Sound TV output is selected.
• 🔊 For DLNA Some TVs do not support AC3 or DTS - convert sound to AAC.
• 🔊 On Samsung Resetting sound settings may help: Settings → Sound → Reset Sound.

Problem 3: TV does not appear in the list of devices

• 📡 Make sure that Multicast enabled in the router (IGMP Snooping should be On).
• 📡 Reboot the router and both devices.
• 📡 If you use VPN On Mac, disable it (it blocks local traffic).

Problem 4: Poor image quality

• 🎨 In the broadcast settings (AirPlay or Chromecast) select "Best quality" (even if it lags).
• 🎨 For DLNA V Plex disable transcoding: Settings → Quality → Original.
• 🎨 Check that your TV's HDMI cable supports HDCP 2.2 (otherwise 4K will not play).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to stream video from a Mac to a TV without Wi-Fi?

Yes, there are three alternative ways:

1. HDMI cable: Connect your Mac to your TV directly via an adapter (e.g. USB-C to HDMI For MacBook Pro).
2. Thunderbolt-to-HDMI: For iMac or Mac mini with port Thunderbolt 3.
3. Bluetooth + Smart TV: some televisions (for example, LG OLED) allow you to transfer files via Bluetooth, but only photos and music, not videos.

For wireless broadcasting without a router, you can create access point on a Mac and connect a TV to it, but it works unstable.

Why is there no sound when playing AirPlay videos on my Samsung TV?

This is a typical problem with models. Samsung 2018–2020 Due to firmware limitations. Solutions:

• Update your TV software to the latest version (if available).
• Use Chromecast or DLNA instead of AirPlay.
• Convert video to format MP4 with audio track AAC (and not AC3 or DTS).
• Connect external speakers to your TV via Optical or HDMI ARC.

How to stream your Mac screen to a 4K TV without lag?

For stable broadcasting 4K@60Hz:

1. Use AirPlay 2 on supported TVs (LG C2, Samsung QN90B and newer).
2. Connect your Mac and TV to your router via Ethernet (even if Wi-Fi 5 GHz).
3. Enable it in your router settings. QoS (Quality of Service) and set the priority for traffic AirPlay.
4. Close all background applications on your Mac that are using the internet (for example, Zoom or Steam).
5. If you use Plex, disable transcoding: Settings → Quality → Direct Playback.

If lags persist, reduce the broadcast resolution to 1440p in the settings AirPlay.

What video formats are supported when casting from Mac to TV?

Supported formats depend on the protocol and TV model:

Format	AirPlay	DLNA	Chromecast	Miracast
MP4 (H.264)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
MKV (H.265)	❌ No (needs conversion)	⚠️ Partially (depending on TV)	✅ Yes (via Plex)	❌ No
MOV (ProRes)	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
AVI (Xvid)	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (via VLC)	⚠️ Sometimes
FLV	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes (in browser)	❌ No

For maximum compatibility, convert your video to MP4 with codec H.264 and audio AAC.

Is it possible to stream video from a Mac to a TV via mobile internet (4G/5G)?

Technically yes, but seriously