PROSCREENCAST SC01 Miracast True 4K Wireless Display Adapter Review – Job Done Well
The $69.99 PROSCREENCAST SC01 Miracast true 4K wireless display adapter does one thing, and it does it well: stream from computer/phone/tablet to computer monitor/TV screen/projector without an app. It also features a built-in DAC for sound.
PROS
- Works as described
- Switchable between portrait and landscape
- Includes a DAC
- No Wifi needed to connect
- Wide compatibility
- Small and light
- Easy to use (no remote or app needed)
CONS
- One-trick pony (no onboard Netflix/Apple+ etc. apps)
- Occasional image stutter
- Playback device needs HDMI connectivity
- Included HDMI cable very short
- Pricey
In this Article
The $69.99 PROSCREENCAST SC01 Miracast was kindly provided by the manufacturer, and I thank them for that. You find more information at www.proscreencast.com.
Introduction
PROSCREENCAST are Chinese company that offer a number of streaming devices via direct distribution through their website www.proscreencast.com.
The $69.99 SC01 Miracast “wireless display adapter” is their “most affordable” and most portable device offering mirroring between a variety of sources and displays. In other words, you can stream wirelessly from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV, projector, or computer screen…without an app.
The particular wireless technology behind screen their mirroring is called “Miracast”. It is described in detail here. Apple AirPlay and Google Cast are also used.
PROSCREENCAST claim that the SC01 has has ultra-low latency (=delay) of about 1/10 of a second, which should make wired connections redundant and remove cable clutter. For streaming music or videos, the SC01 also features a basic DAC (to create sound).
For the last 10 years, I have streamed videos from my MacBook Air to my TV screen. First I used Apple TV 3rd generation…until they cut YouTube compatibility. Next, I used ROKU. Both offer a wide variety of apps and services.
Recently, my favourite German online TV channels cut compatibility with ROKU so that I had to look for new options. The SC01 fills this niché (and more) as it has the widest compatibility of all devices I have tested.
Specifications PROSCREENCAST SC01 Miracast
| Power | USB Type-C, 5V/2A or 5V/1A |
| Output | HDMI |
| Meteria | ABS+PC |
| Max Resolution | 4K@60Hz |
| WiFi | 2.4G+5G:802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| HDR | Support |
| Compatibility | Windows 8.1+/Mac OSX 10.10+/Android5.0+/ ios 9.0+/ChromeOS |
| Stream | Airplay/Miracast/DLNA |
| Resolution | 3840*2160@60Hz,3840*2160@30Hz,1920*1080@60Hz,1280*720@60Hz |
| DC in | USB Type-C:5V/2A |
| Power consumption | Max 3W |
| Working Temperature | 0℃~50℃ |
| Humidity | 10%~80%RH |
| Cable Length | HDMI 2.0 cable 0.25m, USB-C cable 1m |
| Size | 72*72*17mm(unit),157*117*3.7mm(package) |
| Weight | 50.7g(unit), 200g(package) |
| Packing list | SC01*1, HDMI 2.0 cable*1, usb type-c cable*1, user manual*1 |
| Tested at | $69.99 |
| Product Page | www.proscreencast.com |
Technology/Architecture/Company Claims
| Since I don’t want to paraphrase the SC01’s product page, I simply reproduce the company’s own description: True 4K@60Hz With HDR: SC01 Miracast dongle builds with HDMI 2.0 and supports up to 4k and HDR color. Low Latency: Support both 2.4G/5.8G dual bands, ensuring you have full WiFi coverage and optimal speed for streaming. Wide Compatibility: Support Miracast, Airplay, and DLNA. Compatible with Android, macOS, iOS, Windows, and ChromeOS. Easy To Setup, No App Required: 3 steps to connect, no need app. Seniors and children can also connect in 3 mins. Small And Portable: Mirror your device on the screen anytime, anywhere |
In other words, the SC01 does one thing, and one thing only, and it does it well: it mirrors images/videos in 4K high res at 60 frames per second to wherever you project them to.
Physical Things
The SC01 is a plastic box with rounded corners of the dimensions of an ice-hockey puck. It features a USB-C port for power and an HDMI port for connectivity with a display.
Also in the box are a (way too short) basic HDMI cable and a (long enough) USB-C to USB-A cable . The latter is meant to connect the SC01 through its USB-C port with the USB-A port of an external 5V/2A power supply or your TV. You switch the SC01 on and off with your TV. If connected to an external 5V/2A power supply, the device is always on.
The SC01 features an illuminated button that serves the sole purpose of toggling between landscape and portrait. But it is not an on/off switch.
Functionality and Operation
The SC01 needs a brief setup. Once everything is plugged in, you follow the on-screen description how to connect to your network. This has to be done only once and is more intuitive than the manual suggests.
The SC01 also features his own network for the case you have no home network available, let’s say in a hotel or somebody else’s office. Just log your source device into the SC01’s network – and bingo. Good for on the road.
Videos or general screen sharing works from phone/tablet and computer sources to TVs, computer monitors, and projectors, provided the target device has an HDMI port. I use it mainly for streaming videos from my Mac to the TV.
Any video that plays on Google Chrome can be streamed through the browser’s “cast” function. The TV automatically plays the video full screen, although it may not be full screen on the computer source.
Image quality is good, but I recorded the occasional stuttering, possibly owing to a lack of memory/buffering. The 0.1 s latency is also noticeable.
With my Mac I have the additional choice of AirPlay mirroring.
Streaming from iOS and Android devices follows the same principles. You can switch from default landscape to portrait via the aforementioned button on top of the SC01.
Apart from screen sharing, you can also play Apple Music to your TV. Cover art and timing of the track are displayed on a black background. The DAC and therefore the sound quality are basic, but not any worse than in the ROKU or 3rd gen. Apple TV. It ain’t High End but is perfectly workable.
What the SC01 does not offer is its own integrated player with apps such as Netflix, Apple+, Crave etc. You have to stream these from your your computer/phone/tablet. Or you get Google Chromecast, ROKU, or Apple TV.
I use the PROSCREENCAST SC01 Miracast all the time as it is so versatile.
| PROSCREENCAST SC01 | Chromecast 4k Ultra | Apple TV | Mi Box | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | AC adapter | AC adapter | AC adapter or Power over Ethernet | AC adapter |
| Price | $ 69.99 | $ 69 | $179-$199 | $ 69.99 |
| Connectivity | ||||
| Windows | Miracast | Google Cast | X | Google Cast |
| macOS | AirPlay/Google Cast | Google Cast | AirPlay | Google Cast |
| iOS | AirPlay | Google Cast | AirPlay | Google Cast |
| Android | Miracast | Google Cast | X | Google Cast |
| Sharing | ||||
| Resolution | Up to 4K at 60 fps | Up to 4K at 60 fps | Up to 4K at 60 fps | Up to 4K at 60 fps |
| HDR | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Presenter mode | Single window sharing + extended desktop | X | macOS | X |
| Need app to connect？ | No | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Need Home Wi-Fi to connect？ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Concluding Remarks
The PROSCREENCAST SC01 Miracast is a simple, functional, no-frills device that mirrors everything to anything. And this includes sound. Goal achieved. My only criticisms are that the the mirrored image sometimes stutters and that the SC01 is more expensive than the well-established ROKU and Google Chromecast.
Until next time…keep on listening!
Disclaimer
Our generic standard disclaimer.
