AirParrot and Reflector: AirPlay Screen Mirroring and Desktop Extension on Mac and Windows

AirParrot and Reflector App are versatile tools to use Apple’s AirPlay function to mirror screens. The well-known function of AirParrot for Mac or AirParrot for Windows mirrors the computer screen to Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation). Using Reflector for Mac or Reflector for Windows PC turns your computer into an AirPlay receiver and enables AirPlay screen mirroring from iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to computers.

In addition, the team play of AirParrot and Reflector results in more, little-known prospects: Installing both AirParrot and Reflector on a Mac and Windows PC enables AirPlay screen mirroring and desktop extension between Mac and Windows PC. 

Today I show you how to use AirParrot and Reflector for AirPlay Screen Mirroring and Desktop Extension. I tested it on my MacBook Pro 13” (mid 2012) running on Mac OS 10.9.2 Mavericks and my Acer Aspire 1810T running on Windows 8.1 Pro:

(miApple.me’s Original Source)

Starting point:

• AirParrot and Reflector for Mac installed on a Mac (Mac OS X 10.9.2 Mavericks)
• AirParrot and Reflector for Windows installed on a Windows PC (Windows 8.1 Pro)

Options and results:

From Mac (AirParrot) to Windows PC (Reflector):

• AirPlay Screen Mirroring (complete screen)
• selective AirPlay Screen Mirroring (single app window)
• Desktop Extension of your Mac Screen to the Windows PC screen

From Windows PC (AirParrot) to Mac (Reflector):

• AirPlay Screen Mirroring (complete screen)
• selective AirPlay Screen Mirroring (single app window) NOT working
• Desktop Extension of your Windows PC Screen to the Mac screen NOT working

From Mac (NO AirParrot, using native Mac OS X 10.9.2 AirPlay) to Windows PC (Reflector):

• AirPlay Screen Mirroring (complete screen)
• selective AirPlay Screen Mirroring (single app window) NOT working
• Desktop Extension of your Windows PC Screen to the Mac screen

Conclusion:

The team play of AirParrot and Reflector App is a seamless solution to mirror your screens between Mac and Windows PC. Mirroring from Mac to Windows PC exhibits multiple options. The installation of Reflector (or any other app turns your computer into an AirPlay receiver) is needed. AirParrot on your Windows PC is also necessary for AirPlay screen mirroring from Windows PC to Mac. AirParrot on your Mac can be replaced by the native Mac OS X AirPlay function (Mac OS X 10.8 and higher). However, the AirPlay screen mirroring options are reduced. 

Stay tuned! 😉