Reflector or AirServer

[MrKJLS]

Hiya,

 

I'm currently looking at buying AirServer or Reflector for personal use. What one would you recommend? Any differences between them?

[localzuk]

AirServer is purely for mirroring really. Reflector has a bunch more features, but we decided we didn't need them here (for example, screen recording).

 

We went by recommendations here and AirServer seemed more popular.

[j224]

We also went for Airserver at school.

[GRitchie]

We've got Reflector - don't actually use half of the features on it, just what we opted for!

[MrPstv]

Air Server.

Simple and it works.

A bit like me..

[MrKJLS]

Thanks for the Feedback! How do you guys find the Performance of AirServer and/or Reflector? Unfortunately I can't test them because iOS 9 doesn't work properly still with AirPlay Edited June 24, 2015 by MrKJLS

[GRitchie]

Don't you have an 'end-user' iOS device to test with? I presume iOS 9 is on your own device - wouldn't be rolling out a beta version...!

 

We find Reflector works well, provided network connection is strong.

We do also have a couple of Apple TV's as well for AirPlay mirroring (and other things) and once again, so long as the connection is strong you're fine.

 

They're both essentially the same product, just from what I've read Reflector does a little bit more.

But if you're not going to use those features, don't opt for it!

[MrKJLS]

Don't you have an 'end-user' iOS device to test with? I presume iOS 9 is on your own device - wouldn't be rolling out a beta version...!

 

We find Reflector works well, provided network connection is strong.

We do also have a couple of Apple TV's as well for AirPlay mirroring (and other things) and once again, so long as the connection is strong you're fine.

 

They're both essentially the same product, just from what I've read Reflector does a little bit more.

But if you're not going to use those features, don't opt for it!

 

Yeah, iOS 9 is running on my personal iPhone. AirPlay is mean't to be fixed according to Apple and the release notes. Will have to find another iPad/iPhone in my house. I'm sure their is one somewhere. Just found out that AirServer support MiraCast, so i need to have a play with that as well!

[GRitchie]

Yes it does. AirServer does have some prerequisites however.

Let us know how you get on and if you have any more questions!

 

Remember to 'Thank' if you found any of my comments helpful!

[MrKJLS]

Yes it does. AirServer does have some prerequisites however.

Let us know how you get on and if you have any more questions!

 

Remember to 'Thank' if you found any of my comments helpful!

 

Just found another iPad. The Mirroring seems to work better with AirServer compered to Reflector 2. Can't get the Miracast working but I think this might be a Windows 10 thing. Looks like i'm going to get AirServer. Thanks for the help everyone!

[SidneyKeith]

Yeah, iOS 9 is running on my personal iPhone. AirPlay is mean't to be fixed according to Apple and the release notes. Will have to find another iPad/iPhone in my house. I'm sure their is one somewhere. Just found out that AirServer support MiraCast, so i need to have a play with that as well!

 

Hey guys. Just ah lads up. Reflector has an iOS 9 compatible beta available now!

Download Reflector 2 BETA and get wireless mirroring and streaming now

[mikkydoos]

I'm playing with AirServer right now. Just downloaded it.

 

I can't seem to get a device to connect. IOS 8 & 9.

 

AirPlay finds the PC, scans the QR OK. I select the PC and turn on mirroring. Nothing happens.

After 5 seconds AirPlay switches the tick back to 'Ipad'.

Nice strong WiFi signal.

 

No internal firewall here or on the PC. Anyone got any idea's ???

 

 

 

Cheers

[localzuk]

A few questions.

 

1. Is your wireless network on the same subnet as your PC? Ie. no VLANs?

2. If no to the above, do you have a bonjour gateway device providing a link between the VLANS?

 

If yes to 1:

 

3: What password setting did you choose? I have found that the "prompt for pin shown on screen" just doesn't work reliably. Changing to fixed seems to sort it.

[mikkydoos]

A few questions.

 

1. Is your wireless network on the same subnet as your PC? Ie. no VLANs?

2. If no to the above, do you have a bonjour gateway device providing a link between the VLANS?

 

If yes to 1:

 

3: What password setting did you choose? I have found that the "prompt for pin shown on screen" just doesn't work reliably. Changing to fixed seems to sort it.

 

 

No VLANs here.

 

Im using the QR code to identify the PC. No password set.

[localzuk]

What version of iTunes have you installed on the PC?

[MrPstv]

Try a different device.

Make sure Air Server is updated !

Also the device is updated.

As localuk stated have a play with the password.

[mikkydoos]

12.2.0.145

[localzuk]

Try updating iTunes to the latest (and the related Bonjour stuff). I know they changed some AirPlay stuff between iOS 8 and 9.

[mikkydoos]

Try updating iTunes to the latest (and the related Bonjour stuff). I know they changed some AirPlay stuff between iOS 8 and 9.

 

I'm actually trying it on IOS 8 and 9. Both give the same.

 

Having iTunes on the PC shouldn't matter ????

[localzuk]

I'm actually trying it on IOS 8 and 9. Both give the same.

 

Having iTunes on the PC shouldn't matter ????

 

AirServer requires Bonjour, which is installed by iTunes. AirServer doesn't install it itself. If you didn't have iTunes installed, AirPlay would be disabled completely in AirServer.

 

So, you need to make sure you have the latest version of Bonjour installed, and the easiest way to do it is to have the latest iTunes. You can get the Bonjour installer separately though.

[mikkydoos]

Updated iTunes - same.

 

Set a password - Ipad prompts for the password, re-prompts, then does the same. Communication between the iPad and PC seem OK. Looks like an authentication problem... but what ??

 

Same result with or without the AirServer app.

 

On a Ruckus WiFi network. Network isolation is off.

Edited October 14, 2015 by mikkydoos

[localzuk]

My first question - you say you used the QR code to add the PC. Was the PC not being listed under AirPlay on the iPad before doing this? It should have been, bonjour is used to autodetect it. If it wasn't there, then something is blocking the service from being seen - some form of firewall or routing issue.

 

I'll paste in the "boilerplate" response that AirServer Support sent me:

 

When dealing with wireless technology, there are a number of circumstancesthat can block the signal. If the AirPlay button does not appear, your computerdoes not show up on the list of AirPlay destinations, or nothing appears onyour computer after selecting it from the AirPlay destination list, then youriOS device is not able to communicate with AirServer for one of a few possiblereasons.

 

The first thing you should try is powering off and restartingyour iOS device(s), computer(s), and router. Make sure your iOS device andcomputer are on the same network.

 

Run all available Windows updates on your computer. Your iOS device(s)should also be updated with the latest iOS software. Pleasenote, Apple have changed the mirroring process, so you may have to scroll yourAirPlay list on your iOS device, after tapping the name of the computer, tofind the mirroring switch in iOS 8. Toggle that mirroring switch to the ONposition.

 

If you are on a Windows machine, check if Bonjour has beenenabled on your computer. To do this, follow these steps:

 

• In your Start Menu, right-click Computer and select “Manage”.
  
• Expand “Services & Applications”.
  
• Open “Services”. (Maximize the window to better see what’s going on.)
  
• Select the BonJour Service and try to start it.
  

 

Connection issues are most often caused by firewall settings.You may have to adjust your firewall settings to allow AirServer.exe to receiveincoming networking traffic. Also ensure the same is done on any secondaryfirewalls your computer may have. You can find firewall configuration helpfor some of the most popular firewall software on our support page: AirServer | Firewall Configuration

 

Another possible cause of your connection issue may be that your connection cannothandle the bandwidth required for streaming or mirroring. You can tryconnecting your computer to the network with an ethernet cable to see if theperformance is better.

 

If you are using non-Apple bluetooth devices, they could be interfering withthe Wireless connection and causing lags. Try turning off all bluetooth devicesthat aren’t from Apple.

 

If you are still not able to connect, the issue may be with yourrouter or network.

If your Wi-Fi router supports interface isolation or Wi-Fi isolation,make sure that these settings are turned off. These settings prevent wirelessdevices from communicating with each other. Refer to the documentation thatcame with your Wi-Fi router to access its settings and make sure your routerhas the latest firmware.

 

If you are behind a multi subnet or Layer 3 network, as iscommon on larger networks and schools, please ensure that multi-casting isenabled and Bonjour is discoverable across the network. In most casesBonjour will not be accessible across the network, as it’s blocked by default,however here is a guide you can look over or send to your networkingAdministrator to look over regarding Bonjour across Layer 3 Networks andMultiple Subnets.

Wireless LAN Apple Bonjour Deployment Guide - Cisco

 

If you are not able to make configurations to the network, you can trycreating an ad hoc network on your computer and connectingyour iOS device directly to this signal: AirServer | Does AirServer support Ad-hoc networks?

 

If none of the above have helped, you can try uninstalling your currentversion of AirServer and reinstalling the latest build.

 

AirServer for Windows:

http://www.airserver.com/download/latest/pc

[mikkydoos]

My first question - you say you used the QR code to add the PC. Was the PC not being listed under AirPlay on the iPad before doing this? It should have been, bonjour is used to autodetect it. If it wasn't there, then something is blocking the service from being seen - some form of firewall or routing issue.

 

I'll paste in the "boilerplate" response that AirServer Support sent me:

 

Cheers @localz

 

Yes, AirPlay does pick it up straight away. I'm having alook at Bonjour and Multicasting are enabled on my switches now.

[mikkydoos]

Cheers @localz

 

Yes, AirPlay does pick it up straight away. I'm having alook at Bonjour and Multicasting are enabled on my switches now.

 

 

 

All looks good to me. Any more idea's?

[localzuk]

The next step would be to start looking at tools like Wireshark, to see if traffic is making it to the PC or not I think.