In the age of digital technology, the ability to share content from one device to another has become an essential feature. One such feature is screen mirroring, which allows you to display the content of one device onto a larger screen. This article will guide you on how to mirror your Ubuntu laptop screen on a Samsung Smart TV wirelessly.
To mirror your Ubuntu laptop screen on a Samsung Smart TV wirelessly, you can use gnome-network-displays or Google Chromecast. Install gnome-network-displays using Flatpak and select your TV from the available displays. If you prefer Chromecast, set it up and cast your desktop from the Google Chrome browser.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure that your Ubuntu laptop and Samsung Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is crucial for the screen mirroring process to work.
Method 1: Using gnome-network-displays
Gnome-network-displays is an open-source application that allows you to cast your screen to any device on your network that supports Wi-Fi Display (also known as Miracast).
Step 1: Installing gnome-network-displays
To install gnome-network-displays, we will use Flatpak, a universal package management system for Linux. If you don’t have Flatpak installed, you can install it by running the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install flatpakAfter installing Flatpak, you can install gnome-network-displays by running:
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.NetworkDisplaysStep 2: Running gnome-network-displays
Once the installation is complete, you can run the application with the following command:
flatpak run org.gnome.NetworkDisplaysThis will open the gnome-network-displays application. From there, select your Samsung Smart TV from the list of available displays, and your screen will start streaming to the TV.
Step 3: Checking Audio Settings
To ensure that the audio is working correctly, you might need to adjust your audio settings. You can do this using PulseAudio Volume Control. If you don’t have it installed, you can install it by running:
sudo apt install pavucontrolOnce installed, run the application (pavucontrol), go to the “Output Devices” tab, and ensure that the output device is set to your Samsung TV.
Method 2: Using Google Chromecast
If your Samsung TV does not have built-in screen mirroring capabilities or if you are having trouble with the first method, you can use a Google Chromecast.
Step 1: Setting up Chromecast
Connect the Chromecast to your Samsung TV and set it up following the instructions provided by Google.
Step 2: Casting from Chrome
Once the Chromecast is set up, open the Google Chrome browser on your Ubuntu laptop. Click on the three-dot menu on the top right corner, select “Cast”, and then select “Cast desktop”. Choose your Chromecast device from the list, and your screen will start mirroring on the TV.
Method 3: Using MiracleCast
MiracleCast is another open-source project that provides a software implementation of the Wi-Fi Display standard (also known as Miracast). You can find more information on how to set it up and use it on the MiracleCast GitHub repository.
Conclusion
Screen mirroring is a handy feature that can enhance your multimedia experience. With the methods provided in this article, you should be able to mirror your Ubuntu laptop screen on a Samsung Smart TV wirelessly. Remember, the effectiveness of these methods may vary depending on your specific TV model and software versions. Always ensure that your devices are compatible and that they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Yes, you can use the gnome-network-displays method mentioned in this article to mirror your Ubuntu laptop screen on a Samsung Smart TV without any additional devices.
No, you do not need to have the same brand of laptop and TV for screen mirroring to work. As long as both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and support the necessary protocols (such as Wi-Fi Display or Miracast), you should be able to mirror your laptop screen on the Samsung Smart TV.
With the gnome-network-displays method mentioned in this article, you can mirror the entire screen of your Ubuntu laptop. However, if you want to mirror specific applications or windows, you can use the built-in screen sharing feature in Ubuntu. Simply go to the "Settings" > "Sharing" > "Screen Sharing" and enable it. Then, on your Samsung Smart TV, use the "Screen Mirroring" or "Smart View" feature to connect to your Ubuntu laptop.
As long as both your Ubuntu laptop and Samsung Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, there is no specific distance limit for screen mirroring to work. However, it is recommended to be within the range of your Wi-Fi network for a stable connection.
The methods mentioned in this article focus on wireless screen mirroring. However, if your Samsung Smart TV has an HDMI input, you can connect your Ubuntu laptop to the TV using an HDMI cable to achieve a wired screen mirroring setup. Simply connect one end of the HDMI cable to your laptop’s HDMI port and the other end to the HDMI input on your Samsung Smart TV. Then, change the input source on your TV to the corresponding HDMI input to see your laptop screen mirrored on the TV.
