Abstract: A method selectively either (a) plays a media file accessed from a computer on a remote display device connected to a media adapter or (b) masquerades uncompressed pixel-level computer display screen graphics data as a media stream supported by the media adapter to cause the display device to substantially clone or extend what appears on at least a portion of a local display screen attached to the computer. The method senses when a user enters an input signifying a desire by the user to play a media file on the computer. If said input is not sensed, then the method performs a masquerading process to process, compress, and package the display screen graphics data as a media stream and then transmits the media stream to the media adapter. If said input is sensed, then the method transmits the media file to the media adapter.

Abstract: A method masquerades computer display screen graphics data as a media stream supported by a media adapter with capabilities to receive a media stream, decompress it, and display it on an attached display device. The display screen graphics data is uncompressed pixel-level data representing graphics content displayable on a display screen attached to the computer in a normal display mode. The method processes the display screen graphics data, including compressing, to yield processed display screen graphics data in a compressed format supported by the media adapter and packages the processed display screen graphics data as a media stream. The method configures the computer to be a media server and transmits the media stream from the computer to the media adapter, thereby facilitating display on the display device of the graphics content, substantially cloning or extending what appears on at least a portion of the display screen attached to the computer.