Airplay is a feature that allows you to stream video and audio content wirelessly from your Apple devices to an Apple TV or other compatible devices. However, what if you don’t have an Apple TV but a Vizio TV? In this blog post, we will explain how to Airplay to Vizio TV from Mac.
Streaming content from your Mac to your TV is a great way to enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows on a larger screen. Whether you want to watch a movie with friends or family or mirror your Mac’s display for work or entertainment purposes, this guide will show you how to do it.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Airplay to Vizio TV
If you own a Vizio TV, you may have noticed that it does not support Airplay by default, which could be very inconvenient for Mac users who want to share the content on their screen with others on the TV. With Airplay, you can easily stream music, videos, and photos from your Mac to your Vizio TV without needing any extra cables or streaming devices. This means that you don’t need to rely on third-party devices to mirror your Mac’s display on your TV, making it an excellent option for Mac users who want to control their media from a single device.
Method 1: Using Airplay 2
Airplay 2 is a built-in feature on Vizio SmartCast TVs that allows you to cast content from Apple devices to your TV. To use Airplay 2, you need to have a Vizio SmartCast TV that supports this feature and a Mac running macOS 10.14.5 or later. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Make sure your Mac and Vizio TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the video or audio content you want to stream on your Mac.
3. Click on the Airplay icon on the top menu bar of your Mac. It looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.
4. Choose your Vizio TV from the list of available devices.
5. If prompted, enter the code shown on your TV to confirm the connection.
6. The content should now start playing on your Vizio TV.
Pros:
– Easy and straightforward to use.
– Does not require any extra hardware or cables.
– It is a built-in feature on Vizio SmartCast TVs.
Cons:
– Only available on Vizio SmartCast TVs.
– Requires macOS 10.14.5 or later.
Method 2: Using AirServer
AirServer is a popular application that allows you to mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac’s display onto your TV without needing any extra hardware. AirServer is compatible with Vizio TVs and supports Airplay, Google Cast, and Miracast protocols. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Download and install AirServer on your Mac.
2. Make sure your Mac and Vizio TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Launch AirServer on your Mac.
4. Go to the Airplay settings on your Mac and select AirServer as your streaming device.
5. The content should now start playing on your Vizio TV.
Pros:
– Supports multiple streaming protocols.
– Does not require any extra hardware or cables.
– Offers advanced features like screen recording.
Cons:
– Requires a paid subscription after a 7-day free trial.
– May suffer from lag and latency depending on your network speed.
Method 3: Using a HDMI Cable
If your Vizio TV does not support Airplay or you prefer a more stable and reliable connection, you can use a HDMI cable to connect your Mac to your TV. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your Mac.
2. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your Vizio TV.
3. Switch your TV to the HDMI input where you have connected your Mac.
4. The content should now be mirrored on your Vizio TV.
Pros:
– Offers a stable and reliable connection.
– Does not require any special software or configuration.
Cons:
– Requires a physical cable connection.
– Makes it difficult to use your Mac while streaming content on your TV.
Method 4: Using a Set-Top Box
Another way to Airplay to Vizio TV from Mac is to use a set-top box like Apple TV or Roku. These devices support Airplay natively, so you can easily stream your content from your Mac to your TV. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Connect your set-top box to your Vizio TV and your Wi-Fi network.
2. Make sure your Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open the video or audio content you want to stream on your Mac.
4. Click on the Airplay icon on the top menu bar of your Mac.
5. Choose your set-top box from the list of available devices.
6. The content should now start playing on your Vizio TV.
Pros:
– Offers a stable and reliable connection.
– Provides access to additional features like apps and games.
– Works with multiple streaming protocols.
Cons:
– Requires additional hardware and cables.
– May not support all the features available on your Mac.
What to Do If You Can’t Airplay to Vizio TV
If you are experiencing issues Airplaying to your Vizio TV, here are some fixes you can try:
– Make sure your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
– Restart your Mac and your Vizio TV.
– Update your Mac to the latest version of macOS.
– Update your Vizio TV to the latest firmware version.
– Use an Ethernet cable to connect your TV to your router instead of Wi-Fi.
– Disable any VPN or proxy connections on your Mac.
– Make sure that Airplay is enabled on your Vizio TV.
Bonus Tips
1. Use the built-in screen recording feature on your Mac to record your Airplay session.
2. Adjust the audio and video quality settings on your Mac to improve performance and picture quality.
3. Use the Airplay icon on the Control Center of your iPhone or iPad to stream content to your Vizio TV.
5 FAQs
Q1: What Vizio TVs support Airplay 2?
A: Vizio TVs with SmartCast 3.0 or later support Airplay 2.
Q2: Can I Airplay to my Vizio TV without Wi-Fi?
A: No. Airplay requires a Wi-Fi connection to work.
Q3: Do I need to install any special software to Airplay to my Vizio TV?
A: No. Airplay 2 is a built-in feature on Vizio SmartCast TVs, and AirServer is a third-party application that you need to download and install on your Mac.
Q4: Is there a limit on the size of the files I can Airplay to my Vizio TV?
A: Yes. Airplay has a file size limit of 4 GB.
Q5: Can I Airplay to my Vizio TV from my Windows PC?
A: No. Airplay is an Apple-exclusive feature, and it only works with Apple devices.
Final Thoughts
Airplaying to Vizio TV from Mac is an easy and convenient way to share your media content with others. Whether you choose to use Airplay 2, AirServer, a HDMI cable, or a set-top box, you can enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and music on your TV without needing any extra hardware or cables. Don’t forget to try our bonus tips and follow our troubleshooting guide if you experience any issues with your Airplay connection.