Supported native protocols using Airtame 2

Native streaming protocols make it easier to connect to Airtame. They do not require an app and they are already on your PC, phone, or tablet.

The native streaming protocols are:

• AirPlay for iOS and macOS (available for both Airtame 1 and Airtame 2 devices)
• Google Cast for Chromebook and Android devices (available for Airtame 2 devices only)
• Miracast (P2P and Miracast over Infrastructure) for Windows and some Android devices (available for Airtame 2 devices only)

They are disabled by default in the settings of an Airtame device, and if you would like to use them, they should be actively enabled. Learn more on how to present with native streaming protocols in our instructional videos about Presenting with Airtame.

•  What is AirPlay?

The AirPlay protocol lets you use the screen sharing functionality that’s already built into macOS and iOS devices, eliminating the need to install the Airtame desktop app or limited iOS app. AirPlay also lets you extend your desktop from your MacBook to use an Airtame-equipped screen as an additional display. This is ideal for many presentation scenarios in which you want to view your presenter notes privately while sharing different content to Airtame. Native AirPlay is supported on Airtame 2 devices.

• What is Google cast?

With Google Cast you are able to fully mirror your screen from your Android devices as well as Chrome OS, and when casting via the Chrome browser from any operating system, without the need for the Airtame app. Google Cast mirroring streams are encoded in H.264 or VP8 formats and transmitted as UDP packets.

•  What is Miracast?

The Miracast protocol lets you use the screen-sharing functionality that’s already built into Windows and Android devices, eliminating the need to install the Airtame desktop app. Miracast also lets Windows users extend their desktop and use Airtame as an additional display. This is ideal for many presentation scenarios in which someone wants to view their presenter notes privately while sharing a different screen to Airtame. An additional benefit of Miracast is that as of firmware update 4.1.0, it supports Touchback functionality on interactive whiteboards. Miracast is supported on Airtame 2 devices, but not on the first generation of Airtame devices.

• How does Miracast work on your network?

The Miracast native streaming protocol can work in two different ways: Peer 2 Peer and Miracast over Infrastructure.

The Peer 2 Peer (P2P) setup works the same way as far as the presenter is concerned, but the key difference is that it relies on the Airtame device's own access point (AP) being enabled. The benefit of this is that screen sharing can take place independently of the network, as the connection is direct from a presenter’s PC to the Airtame’s own access point. Miracast P2P is included in firmware version 3.9.0 and above. More information on how to set it up with your environment you find here.

The Miracast over Infrastructure setup

This is a great option for those who want to let presenters use the built-in screen sharing functionality of their Windows devices, but do not want to have active access points on Airtame devices. The connection goes over the local network (LAN). Initial discovery is still done in a P2P (Peer to Peer) mode, but no APs need to be enabled. Miracast over Infrastructure is included in firmware version 4.1.0 and above. More information on how to set it up with your environment you find here.