Chromecast Guides

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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When considering buying a streaming device for the TV, a lot of people may have a hard time deciding between Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Both gadgets share a similar form factor, share a similar price (less than $40). Both are from reputable tech companies.

It is usually not helpful to read reviews for these two products. It is all about your needs: what do you want to do with the HDMI Stick?

This guide will try to help you decide which one is suitable for YOU: Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick?

I have no intention (possible?) to make a judgment on which one is better because the better one is not always suitable for you. What you need is Mr. or Ms. Right.

Chromecast VS Amazon Fire TV Stick: 2 similar but fundamentally different products

Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick have a similar size and weight.  They both need external power through a Micro USB port. They both must be inserted into an HDMI port on the TV.

They both can turn your TV into a connected entertainment device.

But Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV stick are fundamentally different:

• Amazon Fire TV Stick is a

… Continue to read the post....

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Although Chromecast Audio was discontinued, you can still make your vintage speakers or favourite AVR systems alive by using Chromecast to stream music to dumb speakers, just like what Chromecast Audio does.

Of course, this may require additional setup and one additional gadget (a few bucks) unless your speaker or AV support HDMI input.

This Chromecast guide explains why you may consider using Chromecast to stream music to dumb speakers and how to set up the system so that you can continue streaming music to the speakers and AV systems without Chromecast Audio.

Update: the latest Chromecast 2020 (Chromecast with Google TV; Chromecast 4th Gen) merges Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, and Android TV. There is no successor for Chromecast Audio

Why do you want to use Chromecast (or Chromecast Ultra) as Chromecast Audio?  Because Google discontinued Chromecast Audio!

In early 2019, Google silently discontinued Chromecast Audio. Now, it is almost impossible to get a “new” Chromecast Audio even on eBay.

The asking price of a “used” Chromecast Audio is about that of two new Chromecast units!

Chromecast (including Chromecast Ultra) is designed for videos/TVs, and Chromecast Audio for speakers/AVR systems. The comparison of Chromecast and … Continue to read the post....

The post How to use Chromecast to stream music to dumb speakers (as Chromecast Audio does)? appeared first on All About Chromecast.

What is Chromecast Preview Program?

As a proud owner of the $35 Chromecast device, you already know the software in the dongle is always updated automatically. Google never asks you to update, or reboot to update.

So, you can enjoy the Chromecast without wasting any time on updating the firmware/OS.

On September 13, 2016, Google released Chromecast Preview Program for opt-in Chromecast owners to enjoy the new features and new version of software before such updates are broadly available.

In other words, Chromecast Preview Program, if opt-in, puts your Chromecast device in a special channel that receives software udpate before Google makes the update available for all other devices.

The update you get through Chromecast Preview Program is NOT beta software. It will be the final update (preview).  In  most cases, you just get it a few days (or one or two weeks) earlier than others,

For modern software udpate, it is impractical to push out updates immediately to tens of millions devices. Most companies roll out update in batches so that the update will not crash the server. And at the same time, quick feedback can be gathered before a full-scale roll-out.

Chromecast Preview Program is just to … Continue to read the post....

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You can play games on Chromecast from Android or iOS devices

Two of the new features for Chromecast and Chromecast Audio are multi-room group playback for Chromecast Audio  (for Chromecast Audio only) and playing games on Chromecast through Android and iOS devices (for Chromecast only, including 1st generation Chromecast). Please refer to this guide on how to use Chromecast Audio multi-room group playback.

For Chromecast-enabled apps, you can cast the game to the TV through Chromecast. Your mobile device then can act as a game controller and can display other info.

You can also challenge your friends or family members with multi-player games.

Please note, playing Chromecast-enabled games on Android and iOS devices is fundamentally different from Android screen mirroring (Android screen casting).  When you play Chromecast-enabled games on Android and iOS devices, you get split view of the game, not simply mirroring the screen.

This post will try to show you how to play games on Chromecast from Android devices.  The procedure is similar to that from iOS devices.

What are the requirements to play games on Chromecast from Android?

The requirements for playing games on Chromecast from Android devices include:

1. A ready-to-cast Chromecast. Both the first generation and

… Continue to read the post....

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Chromecast Audio was introduced on September 29, 2015, together with the new Chromecast (Chromecast 2015, 2nd generation of Chromecast).

Although Chromecast Audio shares almost identical hardware specs with the new Chromecast, the designed usage of Chromecast Audio is substantially different from Chromecast.

This may confuse many users.

Chromecast Audio guides will include a series of guides to help you better understand Chromecast Audio (e.g., differences between Chromecast Audio and Chromecast, Bluetooth vs Chromecast Audio…) and use Chromecast Audio.

For Chromecast, including 1st generation of Chromecast and new Chromecast (Chromecast 2015), please check this Chromecast how-to guide page.

This is a live page: more guides will be added regularly after we test them one by one.

If you have any questions on Chromecast Audio,  please feel free to leave them in the comment box below, we will try to find the solution for you.

Here are the Chromecast Audio guides.

1. What’s the difference between Chromecast and Chromecast Audio?

   Chromecast or Chromecast Audio? If you have any questions on the difference between these two Chromecast devices, you can find the answer in this guide. This Chromecast Audio guide explains to you the output format, targeted usages,  audio quality, under-hood differences

… Continue to read the post....

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Update: a mini user guide is available on how to use Ethernet adapter for Chromecast.

Google quietly released a $15 Ethernet adapter for Chromecast in July 8.

The adapter will not only improve the network performance of Chromecast especially if your WiFi  network signal (strength and quality) is not so good, but also may introduce new usages for Chromecast.

I will share with you why this $15 Ethernet adapter for Chromecast actually is a big thing for the e  .

Will $15 Ethernet adapter for Chromecast drag you back to wired era?

The  is supposed to be very simple to setup and simple to use.

Most of the time, it is.  But not always.

Some Chromecast owners have faced such problems:

• weak WiFi signal or poor WiFi signal quality near TV.
• no idea how to connect the Chromecast to the wireless network.
• very old wireless router only supporting 802.11b.
• no WiFi in office.
• poor network performance of Chromecast.

Ethernet adapter for Chromecast will surely solve these problems.

Why?

1. Ethernet connection is far more stable than WiFi. Even the  10M/100M Ethernet ports  in some aged routers usually can offer better and smoother streaming than 5G Hz wireless AC  connection

… Continue to read the post....

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Whenever you get problems or have questions on Chromecast, Chromecast how-to guides are here for you!

The setup and use of Chromecast are not complicated. But considering so many different devices (smartphones, PC, TV..) may be involved, you may need some help on how to setup Chromecast for your own devices, how to use Chromecast in your living room.

These Chromecast how-to guides will save you time. It is not necessary to fiddle around to make Chromecast work for you as expected. The step-by-step guide will show you how to make it work.

We also publish Chromecast 101 Series Books if you want to read the guides offline. Currently, there are 2 books available: and .

Some Chromecast How-to guides/tutorials are short, while some are quite long. All are detailed enough for you to follow.

These Chromecast how-to guides are organized according to the task to be performed.

Some Chromecast tips and tricks are also covered on this page to help you use the device more efficiently.

This is a live page: we are adding new Chromecast how-to guides regularly. So, do check this page regularly.

If you have any suggestions or any questions, please let us know in the … Continue to read the post....

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Chromecast Audio is an unique product in the market for music streaming. It turns your dumb speaker into an internet speaker: you can stream music anywhere to the speaker.

Although it is not complicated, some new Chromecast Audio owners may still have problems to use Chromecast Audio to stream music properly.

Some may have no idea on how to control Chromecast Audio from their mobile devices.

This Chromecast Audio guide shows you how to use Chromecast Audio to stream music, and how to control Chromecast Audio from your mobile device.

Please note, I assume you already setup your Chromecast Audio. If not, please follow this guide to set up Chromecast Audio first.

How to use Chromecast Audio to stream music?

To use Chromecast Audio to stream music to your speaker, you may follow these steps.

Step 1: Connect your Chromecast Audio to the speaker, and power on both the speaker and Chromecast Audio

Make sure the audio cable is inserted into Chromecast Audio and the speaker tightly.

Chromecast Audio does not have a power button. You just connect the USB cable to Chromecast Audio and power adapter, then plug the power adapter to electric socket to power on … Continue to read the post....

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Very likely, Google will reveal the 4th Gen of Chromecast on September 30, 2020. But the details of the Chromecast 4th Gen (aka Chromecast with Google TV, or Chromecast 2020) were leaked. A few retailers have released the product inadvertently.

Google TV here simply means Google-branded Android TV (not the old Google TV). It is not a new platform. Instead, it is a new form factor (dongle) for Android TV.

This post will summarize the key features of the Chromecast 4th Gen (Chromecast with Google TV) compared to the 3rd Gen of Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra.

Chromecast 4th Gen converges Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra

The new Chromecast (4th gen, Chromecast 2020) is a natural successor for the 3rd Gen of Chromecast (Chromecast 2018).

But Google worked the extra mile. The Chromecast with Google TV also converges the Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra.

The 4th Gen of Chromecast supports 4K and HDR, which were the exclusive features of Chromecast Ultra. So, the new Chromecast with Google TV surely will replace not only Chromecast 3rd Gen but also Chromecast Ultra.

In other words, Google simplifies the Chromecast product line into one.

Unfortunately, Google does not offer any successors for … Continue to read the post....

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