OT - Can I cast my DirecTV app from my iPad to my TV?
I just recently purchased a Vizio Smartcast TV for use on my boat. I want to be able to watch the games on this TV while at the marina. My marina does not offer cable TV hookup, so I need an alternative way to cast the games on the TV monitor.
I currently have DirecTV and I can watch all of the live DirecTV channels using my DirecTV app. However, I am having trouble figuring out how to cast from my iPad to my new TV monitor. I have spent the last two days researching every message board, Vizio help board, etc. for information/advice and it is all conflicting. So far I have found nothing that works.
So, two questions for the board:
1. Is it possible to cast my DirecTV app to my new Vizio Smartcast TV? (I have read many conflicting answers to this question already. Can't seem to find anything definitive.)
2. If it is possible, can anyone offer any advice on how to do it?
(Trying to sneak this in before OT season is officially over.)
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:01 PM ^
If it's not showing up on your iPad when you try to cast it, I don't think you can. You can get a fire stick though which will allow you to do so.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:03 PM ^
If the cast icon is provided, then obviously yes. If that's not there, then some Vizio TVs are also compatible with Smart View. If you have smart view on your phone (mine is in my quick settings), then you can cast your phone screen and audio to your TV. Smart view is a bit glitchy in my experience, but it works.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:06 PM ^
Get a lightning to hdmi adapter and an hdmi cable and you are good to go.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:17 PM ^
Yeah, that is what I tried first. Works with pretty much everything but the DirecTV mobile app. Not sure why, but I think there are some built in securities on the part of AT&T/DirecTV to prevent this from working.
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:39 PM ^
Same thing happens with Xfinity App. They block the ability to connect to TV.
Best bet is to get a streaming device that has the DirecTV app (eg. Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick).
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:44 PM ^
I know the chances are slim it will work , and might lead to more aggravation . Try calling Directv and speak to someone in Tech support .
Go in with low expectations .
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
I'm not sure about casting but can't you run an hdmi from your phone to your tv input? My memory was that without directv now some of the programming was blacked out from the DirecTV mobile app, I could be mistaken but be careful. If it's on network tv you are prob better off with a small portable off air antenna and a coax cable. Or switch to DirecTV now and dont worry about any of this. Edit I guess you'd have to have a dependable wifi connection which may not be available.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:15 PM ^
This is what I actually tried first, the hard wire approach. Unfortunately this will not work with the DirecTV mobile app.
I can definitely get the network channels with the antenna, but, of course, that leaves out all of the non-network channels.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:25 PM ^
Maybe someone else knows for sure but I distinctly remember trying to log into my directv account on a computer to watch a michigan game last year and received an unavailable message because it was broadcast on ESPN's app. Just a heads up as I'm not 100 percent sure. I would imagine if they arent letting you display your phone content via hdmi there really isnt a work around. Do you have a wired or wireless internet connection there?
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:28 PM ^
My guess is they dont want you to have the ability to bypass their receivers and display on multiple screens without them.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:29 PM ^
Wireless connection.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
Check the owners manual to see if "SmartCast" is compatible with "ChromeCast"... I don't know the SmartCast branding or what it stands for so can't assist on that end, but Google ChromeCast is very easy to set up.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:13 PM ^
Chromecast is actually built into the TV. However, from what I have experienced so far (and what I have read) Chromecast will not work with the DirecTV app. (Also, I am not referring to the DirecTV Now app.)
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:26 PM ^
Interesting...good to know.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:40 PM ^
Dude, there is a new app called Lime Player, but it might just be compatible with Samsung, so if that doesn't work, just call DirectTV and ask them. If there is a way to do it, they should know.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:27 PM ^
I would try to see if you can watch/cast directly via the provider app i.e. ESPN app or Fox sports app (since BTNtogo is no more).
I have had issues once or twice before trying to cast sometime with my PSVue subscription but was able to make it work directly through the content provider app (which you use your TV provider login to gain access anyway.)
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:35 PM ^
I don't know about DirecTV or Smartcast specifically, but if you have an Apple TV you can stream anything from an iOS device onto your TV using AirPlay.
The only thing is that your Apple TV and your iOS device need to be connected to the same WIFI network, and (assuming this on a boat) that might be difficult. Perhaps you could buy a travel router to turn whatever mobile network you are using to stream the game into a WIFI hotspot?
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:28 PM ^
^^^ this. I have a tech buddy and this is the way he does stuff like this. Uses his huge fifth wheel as a man cave during the fall and streams games like this.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:40 PM ^
I want to be able to watch the games on this TV while at the marina. My marina does not offer cable TV hookup, so I need an alternative way to cast the games on the TV monitor.
You would think that a place where people store one of their larger, nicer investments would offer the facilities to hook up a television....
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:45 PM ^
Yeah, humble brag, for sure. Haha... Boat snobs...
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:48 PM ^
Maybe he should have Jeeves working on it, instead of us.
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^
It’s Giovanni.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:45 PM ^
If you toss Danny a quarter, maybe he'll mow your lawn, then fix the TV issue.
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:48 PM ^
Yeah, some do, some don’t. Unfortunately ours is a bit dated. That being said, they are making improvements so hopefully the issue is corrected for next season.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
I stream games through my Kindle on Reddit - CFB streams. If you have a way to hard wire your iPad to your TV, you could go there for your stream. Many of them are mobile-compatible these days.
August 22nd, 2019 at 4:53 PM ^
My 2 cents having tried stuff like this at my RV. The direct tv app may or may not allow mirroring. Also, WiFi networks are notoriously glitchy for this stuff. For example, I can’t use chrome cast at my RV because the WiFi security wont allow the tv and chrome cast to share the same domain. Roku is your best bet and just stream the channel you want and forget about casting. If you subscribe to direct tv, Roku should have the direct tv app or the app of the channel you want. Then just log in to your account. The TCL TVs with built in Roku are awesome. And inexpensive. But a stand alone Roku can work too.
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:13 PM ^
Every game would be on fox sports app or ESPN app, so you should be able to stream from those to the tv.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:04 PM ^
I believe you need to cast the Renunkulus charm and roll at least a 12, but it's been a while since I had DirectTV
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:34 PM ^
I tried this. Talked to several retail spots and an apple guy. The only way I could do it was to use an Apple TV. Then download the DirecTV app onto the Apple TV.
There was no way to cast it otherwise. You can get a firestick or other brand but you’ll have to go through another device for it to work.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:18 PM ^
Yep, that’s what I thought. Thanks!
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^
Is your iPad wifi only or do you have a data plan for it? Is the TV on the same wifi as the iPad?
Instead of using the direcTV app use the app for fox sports, ESPN, and BTN2go. In my experience it's much easier to cast directly from the network apps. For some reason cable providers try to make life difficult on you from their own apps.
Another suggestion is try your phone or someone else's phone. Try casting your iPad to your friends tv. Trying different combinations will usually tell you what component is the root cause. Could be a version issue.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:06 PM ^
Off topic a bit but if you have Dish the Dish Anywhere app works good on a Fire Stick - but is not available on a Roku. Good backup in case you are having weather outages on Dish.
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:29 PM ^
you might have to download the direct TV app onto your tv and use your iPad or phone hotspot to get the Internet for the tv. I don't have direct TV so I'm not sure if they have a cast option in their app or not. recently I had to use my phone to hotspot for braves games while I moved. I had to put my Verizon account to the highest unlimited plan they had, which allowed 20g of data. I was probably able to watch 5 games with that before they bumped me down to 3g and it was like watching it without my contacts in.
August 23rd, 2019 at 9:37 AM ^
I want to do that with HULU as well but my non techy brain cannot figure that shit out!
damn it Jim.
August 23rd, 2019 at 6:21 PM ^
Unfortunately, the DirecTV app does not have the cast logo (I use Chromecast) on my iPhone or iPad. ESPN does, FOXSports does not, BTN does if you have BTN+
WORKAROUND - I use my laptop and log into DirecTV on the Google Chrome browser. Then I can cast the browser tab, click the fullscreen icon and it's good to go. Anecdotally, i think the stream quality from the tab is worse than streaming from the ESPN app, and with the tab stream, the audio lags the picture by 6-8 frames. Not really an issue during a game, but you will notice it when they go to the desk at half or watching the pre-game.
Good luck and Go Blue.