How are cheapo DLNA / Miracast dongles?

[King Mustard]

I want to use the Cast button in Android and iOS apps to cast videos to a non-smart TV and do not want to use Google Cast or Apple AirPlay.

Does anyone have any experience with cheapo DLNA / Miracast dongles?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=DLNA&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1

 

[King Mustard]

Look into wiim mini, if that is suitable, as it seems well regarded.

Isn't the WiiM Mini for audio only?

 

[King Mustard]

yeah. audio only

would a android tv box be ok, firestick etc?

I know most cheap Android TV boxes are riddled with spyware from the factory.

The Cast button does not appear in Android and iOS apps when using an Amazon Fire TV dongle.

 

[King Mustard]

What about Nvidia shield?

I only need basic DLNA / Miracast functionality.

 

[King Mustard]

How come not a Chromecast?

Years of trouble over multiple models of the Chromecast (including modern TV that have them built-in) when trying to cast from Plex / Emby over the Internet (not on LAN). It's been nothing to do with Plex / Emby or the server / server router. Has just never worked quite right for us.

I do not wish to try troubleshooting the Chromecast; been doing that for literally 5-8 years. Have given up on them now.

However, every time there has been an issue (a lot), each time if I try to connect to the TV's DLNA instead of Chromecast, works perfectly every time.

However, this specific TV in question is old and does not have DLNA, so we would need a dongle. Just something inexpensive.

 

[King Mustard]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's intended for Chromecast, it certainly doesn't play nice by purpose in some areas. I wasn't sure what your intentions were.

It really doesn't at times. However, it casts from the YouTube app perfectly. Every time.