Thanks to the AirPlay functionality, we can easily send the content of our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to our computer, stereo or Apple TV without having to use any type of cable. This protocol, created by Apple in 2010, uses the Wi-Fi network to which both devices are connected to send content.
But, in order to use our computer as an AirPlay receiver, it is necessary to use an application that converts our equipment into a compatible device, a device that is recognized by our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, since otherwise we will not be able to.
What AirPlay offers us
In the case of Apple TV, as in speakers compatible with this protocol (such as the manufacturer Sonos), these are compatible with this protocol, so we do not have to do absolutely anything for our device to recognize them. In the case of a computer, Apple still does not offer a native application that converts our desktops or laptops into receivers compatible with this technology, so we are forced to resort to third-party applications.
The problem is that in most cases, the applications that turn our equipment into a receiver compatible with AirPlay they are paid such as AirServer (17 euros) or Reflector (20 euros), to name the best-known applications and the best features they offer us.
But if our needs are based on our PC or Mac becoming a device compatible with AirPlay, we can make use of 5KPlayer. Do AirPlay with 5KPlayer It is as simple as installing the application on a PC or Mac and sharing the content from our device.
Add support for AirPlay on a PC or Mac
5KPlayer is a powerful video player, which has nothing to send to VLC. But in addition to being a powerful video player, it turns our computer into an AirPlay receiver, so that we can send videos from our device to our equipment so that are displayed on a larger screen.
But in addition, it also allows us duplicate the screen of our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, a function that allows us to enjoy our favorite games on a larger screen or use our computer's speakers to play our favorite music.
If you have a Mac mini, for example, connected to your television, you can not only use it to play the movie library you have on your computer, but you can also send content comfortably from your device managed by iOS, without having to copy the content previously on the computer.
What 5KPlayer offers us
In addition to being the best free option on the market to add support for AirPlay on our PC or Mac, it is also a video player compatible with each and every one of the audio and video formats currently available on the market, including 360º videos.
It also allows us record screen content of our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch without having to fight with QuickTime (native application of macOS that also offers us this function).
Extract audio from video to MP3 / ACC formatIt is another of the functions available with this application, an ideal function if we cannot access a physical copy of the audio of a concert but we have the physical support in video, since it also allows us to play DVDs.
Another feature that many users will appreciate is the ability to play m3u lists, avoiding that we have to pay for this type of application available both inside and outside the Mac App Store.
A function that it also offers us, and that is not usual in this type of video playback applications, is the possibility of edit the videos. 5KPlayer allows us to cut scenes, rotate them, change the playback speed, modify the white balance, adjust the audio ...
But the options offered by 5KPlayer do not end here. Another function that this application also offers us is the possibility of download YouTube videos and turn our equipment into a DLNA server so that any compatible device in our home, be it a Smart TV, a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox, can play the content we are sharing.
How 5KPlayer works
The first thing we have to do is download the application 5KPlayer from their website. For the AirPlay function to start working, as soon as we install it, we must run it for the first time.
Once we have installed it, the application will always run in the background every time we log into our computer, so that the AirPlay function is always available.
5KPlayer on Mac
To check that the application is running on our Mac, we just have to check if the top menu bar you will find the icon that represents the application (triangle with a circle around it).
Sending the content of our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is as simple as accessing the control panel and press and hold the Screen Mirroring button. Next, we select the name of the computer (in my case Mac mini) and the image of our device managed by iOS will begin to show on the screen of our Mac.
To send a video from our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch or play a video from a streaming platform on our Mac, we must click on the AirPlay icon and select the name of our Mac.
If we want the AirPlay function stop being available until we restart our computer again, we just have to click on the application icon located on the top bar and select Exit 5KPlayer.
5KPlayer on Windows
To check that the application is running, we just have to click on the up arrow located to the left of the Windows clock and check that the application icon is displayed among the applications open in the background.
The process to display the content of our device on a PC is the same as on the Mac. We just have to access the control panel (by sliding the screen down), press and hold the Screen Mirroring button and select the name of the device that will start with 5KPlayer.
But if we only want to play a video from a streaming video service, we will click on the AirPlay button and select the target device.
For the AirPlay function on our PC let it work until we restart our computer again, we just have to right-click on the application icon and select Dejar.
