Universal casting to interactive TVs

[CHiLL]

We have a mix of BenQ and Newline interactive TVs, with each having it's own wireless casting solution (Instashare 2 and Newline Cast respectively). We use Windows laptops and while we can just push both apps, I'd like to have just one universal one to make everyone's life easier, regardless of which TV they're using. The TVs are all Android and we utilise the online management of them. The Newlines can easily install apps via the Play Store, though I believe the BenQs will need an APK pushing.

 

Casting is something I've never even experimented with, aside from casting my phone to my TV at home a handful of times. Does anyone have any recommendations, ideally free universal app-based solution?

Edited September 13, 2024 by CHiLL

[DWilson1997]

We have a mix of BenQ and Newline interactive TVs, with each having it's own wireless casting solution (Instashare 2 and Newline Cast respectively). We use Windows laptops and while we can just push both apps, I'd like to have just one universal one to make everyone's life easier, regardless of which TV they're using. The TVs are all Android and we utilise the online management of them. The Newlines can easily install apps via the Play Store, though I believe the BenQs will need an APK pushing.

 

Casting is something I've never even experimented with, aside from casting my phone to my TV at home a handful of times. Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

We were in a similar situation where some rooms had Microsoft display adapters, some had EShare and then other meeting rooms had the built in of whatever screen was in there. We moved every room to ViVi so every room has just 1 app to use. It is Platform agnostic so works with Windows, iOS, Chrome OS etc, simple to deploy and manage. We run the devices over PoE and the quality is very good.

 

It isn't the cheapest solution, however we have found that uniformity across the school means that most teachers just use wireless casting now and don't dock their device so it is heavily utilised.

[Mark182]

We've used these in the past.

[CHiLL]

Thanks for those, though I forgot to specify (since edited) that we're after a free universal app solution if possible, as we don't have the budget to purchase anything for this.

[TechMonkey]

Have you tried if either of the apps work with the other manufacturer? I know there is a lot of overlap of who makes what board, so it maybe the tech is the same underneath. Though there may have been some technological chicanery to prevent this.

[CHiLL]

Have you tried if either of the apps work with the other manufacturer? I know there is a lot of overlap of who makes what board, so it maybe the tech is the same underneath. Though there may have been some technological chicanery to prevent this.

I did find BenQ's InstaShare 2 in the Play Store and installed it on a Newline, however it appears to be the casting out app, not the casting receiving app. By that I mean usually the TVs app shows the pairing code and you enter it on the device you want to cast from, but the app from the Play Store when installed on the TV is also asking to enter the pairing code and doesn't display one (there are basically no other options in the app either). It doesn't appear that BenQ have made the receiving app publicly available and nor have Newline with theirs.

[mavhc]

Are you trying to cast - ie make the tv download something and control it via the client device, or mirror: send a compressed video stream over wifi (direct)?

[CHiLL]

Are you trying to cast - ie make the tv download something and control it via the client device, or mirror: send a compressed video stream over wifi (direct)?

Mirror the display/audio.

[mavhc]

And they don't support the standard mirrorcast?

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi @CHiLL if you want to drop me a line I can run through how the BenQ casting solutions work. InstaShare 2 supports Mac, Windows, Android, IOS (via app) and native Chromecast, Airplay & Miracast. Drop me a DM and I can help you out.

[CHiLL]

And they don't support the standard mirrorcast?

I presume they do, I just haven't had a chance to test it. Aside from casting to my own TV every now and again from my phone, I haven't cast a Windows laptop before. I'm hoping it is more secure than casting to my TV, where it just accepts any incoming cast request. Ideally I'd like it to prompt a pairing code or something, just so kids can't start randomly casting to the displays. Maybe that's already a thing, I just haven't tried yet.

 

Hi @CHiLL if you want to drop me a line I can run through how the BenQ casting solutions work. InstaShare 2 supports Mac, Windows, Android, IOS (via app) and native Chromecast, Airplay & Miracast. Drop me a DM and I can help you out.

Hi Chris, it's not the BenQ app or TV I'm having issues with particularly, I want to be able to wireless cast a laptop display to various brands of interactive TVs without having to use multiple apps.

[BenQ_Chris]

@CHiLL depending on model and configuration the BenQ does support (without apps) Airplay, Miracast and Chromecast. I can't speak for the New Line casting product.

[CHiLL]

@CHiLL depending on model and configuration the BenQ does support (without apps) Airplay, Miracast and Chromecast. I can't speak for the New Line casting product.

I've decided just to use the individual apps for the two brands of TVs we have (Newline and BenQ). I used Miracast, though I wasn't too happy with the idea that it's just always available in the viewable list of devices and it's easy to broadcast without having to enter a code. I don't want to open it up to students trying to cast to the TVs. Using the app, at least the casting screen needs to be open, the code entered and approved on the TV.

 

On another note, we've noticed that InstaShare 2 installs it's own virtual speakers and microphone. In an effort to reduce complication for end users, especially with Teams configurations, is it possible to install InstaShare 2 without the virtual speaker and microphone? We're finding that it's taking over the default/last selection of the settings in Teams or adding extra options that are confusing staff.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi @CHiLL I don't know the answer to that question. But I have asked the team that would, once I have an answer I'll you know.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi @CHiLL I'll drop you a DM with the answer to your question. In short it is possible. If anyone else would like to know please drop me a DM.