How to stream from a laptop to a Sony TV via Wi-Fi: all working methods

Wirelessly broadcast your laptop screen to a large TV Sony Bravia saves time on cable management and opens up new possibilities for work, education, and entertainment. However, not all users know that a wireless connection Wi-Fi It may work differently depending on the TV model, laptop operating system, and even firmware version. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods—from the universal Miracast to proprietary technologies Sony, and we'll also tell you how to fix typical problems with image lag or lack of sound.

Many people mistakenly believe that simply enabling Wi-Fi on both devices is enough to broadcast. In practice, however, protocol synchronization and support for certain standards (for example, Wi-Fi Direct or WPA3) and sometimes even software updates. We tested all methods on TVs Sony series X80J, X90K And A80L with laptops on Windows 11, macOS Ventura And Linux Ubuntu 22.04 — the results are summarized in the comparative table below.

If your TV was released before 2018, some features may not be available.

⚠️ Attention: Manufacturers regularly update TV firmware, adding or removing support for certain protocols. Before setting up, check the software version of your TV. Sony Bravia on the menu Settings → Support → Software Update.

1. Compatibility Check: Does your Sony TV support wireless streaming?

Not all TVs Sony Whether they can receive a Wi-Fi signal depends on the year of manufacture, series, and even the region of sale. For example, budget models Sony KDL-43W756C (2015) only support Miracast, while the flagship ones Sony XR-65A95K (2022) work with all modern protocols, including Google Cast And Apple AirPlay 2.

To find out your TV's capabilities:

1. Take the remote control and press the button HOME (home).
2. Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct Settings.
3. If the item Miracast or Screen Mirroring active - your TV supports wireless broadcasting.
4. For verification Google Cast Find the application in the menu Chromecast built-in.

Key signs of incompatibility:

• 🔍 There is no option in the network settings Wi-Fi Direct or Screen Mirroring.
• 📱 The TV does not appear in the list of available devices when trying to connect from a laptop.
• 🔄 After selecting TV as a receiver, an error appears "Device not supported".

If your model does not support wireless broadcasting, you have two options: update the firmware (if a new version is available) or use an external adapter, for example, Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick, connected to the port HDMI.

2. Method 1: Miracast (Screen Mirroring) is a universal protocol for Windows and Android

Miracast — is a wireless broadcasting standard built into most modern devices. It works without the internet, creating a direct connection between a laptop and a TV using the protocol Wi-Fi DirectThe main advantage is minimal delays (up to 30–50 ms), which is critical for gaming or watching videos.

To connect via Miracast on a laptop with Windows 10/11:

1. Make sure your TV is in the "On" mode. Screen Mirroring (on the menu Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct).
2. On a laptop, press Win + K (or open Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
3. From the list of available devices, select yours Sony TV.
4. Confirm the connection on your TV (you may be asked to enter a PIN code).

Typical problems and solutions:

• 🔌 The laptop does not see the TV: Restart both devices and check if it is turned on. Wi-Fi Direct on TV.
• 🎮 Image Delay: Reduce the broadcast resolution in the Miracast settings (for example, with 4K to 1080p).
• 🔊 No sound: In the Windows Sound Control Panel, select TV as the output device.

On macOS And Linux Miracast is not supported natively. These systems require third-party software, such as AirParrot or Scrcpy (more details in the section on alternative methods).

3. Method 2: Google Cast (Chromecast built-in) - for streaming from a browser and applications

Televisions Sony Bravia starting from 2019 (series X800G, X900F and newer) support built-in Google Cast - technology similar to external devices ChromecastIt allows you to broadcast only browser tabs, not the entire screen. Chrome or content from supported applications (eg YouTube, Netflix, Spotify).

Instructions for broadcasting via Google Cast:

1. Make sure your laptop and TV are connected. one Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Google Chrome on your laptop and click on the icon Broadcast (three dots → Broadcast).
3. Choose yours Sony TV from the list.
4. To broadcast your entire screen, select Sources → Broadcast Desktop.

Google Cast limitations:

• 🖥️ Full screen broadcast is only available in Chrome (in other browsers - only tabs).
• 🎬 The delay can reach 200–500 ms, which is not suitable for gaming.
• 🔒 Some websites (for example, Disney+ or HBO Max) block the broadcast due to DRM protection.

For Linux And macOS also available Google Cast, but you will need to install the extension Google Cast for Education (for educational institutions) or use Chrome with a flag --enable-features=CastDesktopHwEncoding.

4. Method 3: Apple AirPlay 2 – for MacBook and iPhone owners

Televisions Sony Bravia 2020 and newer (series X800H, X900H, A8H and above) support Apple AirPlay 2This allows you to broadcast your screen from MacBook, iPhone or iPad No additional adapters required. The main advantage is stable operation with devices. Apple and support 4K HDR.

How to connect via AirPlay 2:

1. Make sure the laptop (macOS 10.14.5+) and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On MacBook open Control Center (icon in the upper right corner) → Screen mirror.
3. Choose yours Sony TV from the list.
4. If prompted, enter the PIN displayed on your TV.

AirPlay 2 Features on Sony TV:

• 🍎 Supported Dolby Vision And Dolby Atmos (if TV is compatible).
• 🔄 You can broadcast not only your screen, but also individual media files (photos, videos, music).
• ⚡ For minimal latency, use a router that supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

⚠️ Attention: On some models Sony (For example, X800H) AirPlay may be disabled after a firmware update. In this case, restart the TV and check the settings in Settings → Network → AirPlay & HomeKit.

5. Method 4: Sony Video & TV SideView app

For TV owners Sony Bravia 2017 and later, the company developed an official application Video & TV SideViewIt allows you to not only broadcast your screen, but also control your TV from your laptop (like a remote control), as well as stream content from mobile devices.

How to use SideView:

1. Download the application to your laptop from official Sony website (available for Windows And macOS).
2. Connect your laptop and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Launch SideView and select your TV from the list of devices.
4. To broadcast your screen, click Screen Mirroring.

SideView Benefits:

• 📱 You can use your laptop as a second screen for TV (mode Extended Display).
• 🎮 Game streaming with up to 100% delay is supported 60 ms (with stable Wi-Fi).
• 🔧 Built-in tools for color and sound adjustments.

Flaws:

• 🖥️ The application may slow down on weak laptops (requires Intel Core i3 or higher).
• 🔄 Not all TV models support broadcasting in 4K through SideView.

6. Method 5: Alternative programs for Linux and older TV models

If your TV Sony does not support modern protocols, but the laptop runs on Linux or an outdated version WindowsThird-party software can help. Let's look at two proven solutions:

1. Scrcpy (for Android and Linux)

• 🐧 Powered by Linux, Windows And macOS.
• 📱 Broadcasts the screen Android devices to TV via laptop (if you don't have direct Miracast support).
• 🔧 Requires an Android smartphone to be connected via USB and debugging enabled (USB Debugging).

sudo apt install scrcpy
scrcpy --bit-rate 8M --max-fps 30

2. AirParrot 3 (cross-platform solution)

• 🖥️ Supports Miracast, AirPlay And Google Cast.
• 💰 Paid license ($29.99), but there is a trial period.
• 🎮 Optimized for game streaming (latency up to 50 ms).

Comparison of alternative programs:

7. Troubleshooting: Why isn't the broadcast working?

Even with proper setup, Wi-Fi connections may be intermittent or may exhibit artifacts. Let's take a look The most common causes and solutions specific to Sony TVs:

Problem 1: TV does not appear in the list of devices

• 🔄 Solution: Reboot your router and disable the function on it. AP Isolation (client isolation).
• 📡 Solution: Connect your laptop and TV to the network 5 GHz (if the router is dual-band).
• 🔧 Solution: Update your laptop's Wi-Fi adapter drivers (especially important for Windows).

Problem 2: The image is slow or choppy

• 📶 Solution: Check your Wi-Fi speed - for 4K at least is required 25 Mbps stable speed.
• 🖥️ Solution: Reduce the broadcast resolution to 1080p in the Miracast or Google Cast settings.
• 🔌 Solution: Connect your laptop to the router via cable Ethernet, and leave the TV on Wi-Fi.

Problem 3: No sound during broadcast

• 🔊 Solution: In Windows sound settings, select the TV as the output device (Right-click on the speaker icon → Open sound settings).
• 🎧 Solution: If you use Google Cast, check if the sound is muted in the tab you are broadcasting Chrome.
• 🔄 Solution: Restart your broadcast - sometimes the audio drops out due to a sync issue.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs Sony With firmware older than 2021, there may be no sound support Miracast in format 5.1In this case, the sound will be broadcast only in stereo.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

sudo apt install gnome-network-displays
sudo systemctl restart gdm3