Chromecast Guides

Update 1: Now there are six methods. The new approach is to use Android screen cast.

Update 2: Added the image illustrating the differences of the six methods to stream local media files with Chromecast from the book: Chromecast 101: How to stream local media files with Chromecast (Kindle Edition, released November 2014, ASIN: B00Q7TSL3G).

Update 3: with the release of VLC 3.0 on February 9, 2018, Chromecast is now supported.

You can use VLC media player to stream local media files from a PC or an Android phone without using any additional apps or servers.  On Android phones, you may check this guide on how to use VLC for Android to stream local media files to Chromecast device.

Chromecast can not only stream internet contents, e.g., YouTube, Netflix, but also can it stream local contents, your videos, music, and photos to your  TV. It can also turn your TV into your remote monitor for your PC!

There are several methods for streaming local media files to Chromecast.  Each has its strength and weakness.

A lot of Chromecast owners get confused on these methods after we illustrated different possible ways.

The purpose of this comparison is to guide … Continue to read the post....

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Android screen casting makes the TV your second screen!

The latest Chromecast app (1.9.6) update brought  Android screen casting (screen mirroring), one of the most anticipated features of Chromecast, to all Android devices with Android KitKat 4.4.2 or later.

If you are new to this feature, you may refer to this post.

Essentially, Android screen casting (screen mirroring) through Chromecast will make your TV the second screen of your Android devices.

You can enjoy videos, games, music, and everything on the TV with Android screen casting through Chromecast.

Anything displayed on your android screen and the audio can be mirrored on your TV through Chromecast.

This makes your $35 Chromecast more values.

Previously, screen casting feature is only supported on a few selected (high-end) devices.

How to start and stop Android screen casting?

After you update Chromecast app to 1.9.6 or later, you can find the cast screen option as shown below.

If your device is not among the supported device list (see this post for the updated officially supported devices), you will see the following warning messaging

“Screen casting is not optimized for this device, your experience may vary.”

Tap OK to continue as shown below.

Now tap … Continue to read the post....

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Although  the Chromecast is simple to setup and simple to use, you may encounter this issue or that issue.  Google’s support is robotic.

So, we decided to start a new community for Chromecast owners and enthusiasms.

AllAboutChromecast.com will cover Chromecast news and updates. You will get the latest info on Chromecast.

Chromecast how-to guide section will teach you everything on using Chromecast for all occasions.

Chromecast manual section gives you the best guide on setup, using and troubleshooting Chromecast.

Chromecast Forum is a public forum for you to share your views on Chromecast, and discuss anything related (or even unrelated) to Chromecast.

We will also discuss the technology behind Chromecast. A lot of people confused Chromecast with Miracast or screen mirroring in Android 4.2 or later versions.   For screen mirroring, you may check this screen mirroring guide.

If you have any questions or want to leave a feedback, please leave comments in the relevant pages/posts, or use the contact us page to send your message.

Of course, the most valuable assets for you is the Chromecast Tips and Tricks, our free newsletter. You should subscribe now!… Continue to read the post....

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The LED light on the voice remote for Chromecast with Google TV can give you some quick information about the status of the remote.

This Chromecast with Google TV guide explains the meaning of the LED light on the voice remote for Chromecast with Google TV to help you understand the status of the remote correctly.

Please note, this guide only applies to the official voice remote, which is bundled with the Chromecast with Google TV. You may get a replacement from Google Store. Third-party Android TV remote controls may have totally different designs. The meaning of LED lights on these third-party remotes, if present, depends on the manufacturer.

Where is the LED light on the voice remote for Chromecast with Google TV?

As explained in this guide and shown in the picture above, the LED light is located in the lower part of the front panel below the Power button and the input source switch button.

When it is not lit up, it is hard to find it actually. Also, the LED light is white only.

The LED light alerts you to the status of the voice remote. It does not

Meaning of the LED light

… Continue to read the post....

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If you want to ask a question on Chromecast privately, or want to leave  feedback/give suggestions on our website, please use this form to leave your message. We will try to answer you as early as possible.

If you want to find the instructions or tips on setup or using your Chromecast, you may check this Chromecast manual page and  Chromecast how-to guide page.

You are also welcome to start a discussion in the Chromecast Forum, a public forum for anything related to Chromecast.

Please note:

• All About Chromecast is a community site  for Chromecast owners. We are NOT affiliated with Google.  We will try to answer your questions if we can.
• Please provide gmail because our emails have problems to reach other email providers.
• You will get faster answer if you post your questions in comments section on relevant pages.

… Continue to read the post....

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Many Chromecast owners wasted free Chromecast offers for them, are you one of them?

For most companies, you can only get some special offers or gifts when buying their product.  After paying them, you seldom get free offers from them unless you upgrade or buy a new one again.

Google is really different.

Google gives  owners offers after offers, including existing owners. All these Chromecast offers are offered free from Google. Some of them are just like cash rebate e.g.,  Google Play Store credit,  which you can use for apps, music, TV or movies. Some are free movies.  Of course, some are free trials.

But many Chromecast owners are not aware of such Chromecast offers, and therefore let the offers expired.

This guide is to show you how to check the Chromecast offers available for you, and how to claim (redeem) them from your PC or Android (or iOS) devices.

Step-by-step guide on how to check and claim Chromecast offers from your PC

Please note, you can check and claim the Chromecast offers either from your PC or from a mobile device.  If you want to do this on a mobile device, you may skip this section … Continue to read the post....

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Update 1: there are several other methods of streaming local media to Chromecast. The desktop sharing method illustrated below is mainly for turning your TV into your second screen of your PC. It is not good for video streaming (at least, for video streaming, there are some other better methods). You may check this guide: Comparison of 5 methods for streaming local media files to Chromecast.

You can share the whole desktop screen to Chromecast (and watch it on TV)

Almost every Chromecast owner knows you can cast any Chrome browser tab to your TV through Chromecast. What you need is just the Google Cast extension.

You can even stream local video, music or photos to the TV as I showed you in this guide: How to stream local video to Chromecast?

But you may not know you can share the whole desktop to Chromecast, and watch it on the TV. Even better, the audio output can also be transferred to TV!

When will you need desktop sharing to Chromecast?

Sharing your desktop with Chromecast is not only for fun. It solves a lot of practical issues.

Scenario 1: Media format is not supported by Chrome browser

If the … Continue to read the post....

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… Continue to read the post....

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When the 2nd generation of Chromecast was announced, two Chromecast products were announced: Chromecast (Chromecast 2015) and Chromecast Audio.

Although it sounds simple, it is actually not so easy for many potential buyers, especially for those who are new to Chromecast, to decide which Chromecast is for them.

This page will show you the major differences between Chromecast and Chromecast Audio so that you can make the correct decision.

Google discontinued Chromecast Audio in early 2019. If you still want to get a Chromecast Audio, you may follow this guide to use a Chromecast to replace Chromecast Audio.

Chromecast vs Chromecast Audio: HDMI output (audio and video) vs audio cable output only

The major difference between Chromecast and Chromecast Audio is the output interface and output signal.

Chromecast has an HDMI output interface. You can connect Chromecast to the HDMI port in the TV or AV receiver.

Chromecast will output both audio and video to the connected devices.

As a comparison, Chromecast Audio can only output audio through  one of the 3 audio cables (depending on your speaker input options):

• 3.5mm stereo cable (which is included in your Chromecast Audio box) for analogue output.
• 3.5mm to RCA cable for analogue

… Continue to read the post....

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What is the Google Home and Chromecast casting notification?

With the release of Google Home, the Google cast app was renamed as Google Home app.

Now, Chromecast (including Chromecast Ultra), Chromecast Audio and Google Home are all managed by the same Google Home app.

One of the new features in Google Home app (through Google Play services on the phone) is the Google Home and Chromecast casting notification (remote control notifications) in all mobile devices that are connected to the same network as the casting devices.

This means, by default, all mobile devices (with a Google account and the latest Google app) in the same network as casting devices now get the casting notification (remote control notification) when any of the casting devices is casting.

Here casting devices include Chromecast, Chromecast 2nd Gen, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio and Google Home.

For example, when Google Play music is playing music to Chromecast Audio, you will see the notification in other Android  phones as shown below.

This notification appears not only on the device you initiated the casting, but also all other mobile devices in the same network, by default.

So, any devices can control the playback remotely through … Continue to read the post....

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