Chromecast Guides

Chromecast support was finally introduced in VLC media player 3.0. So, you can now easily use VLC media player on PC to stream music and video to Chromecast and Chromecast Audio.

This adds one more method to stream local media files to Chromecast and Chromecast Audio.

Please note, Google Home, Google Hoem Mini, and Google Home Max also support Chromecast. This means you can also use VLC media player on PC to stream music to those Google Home devices. Therefore, this guide also applies to Google Home devices.

The advantages of using VLC media player on PC to stream music and video to Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, and Google Home

If you have an extensive collection of music and movies in the hard drive, you can stream them to TV with Chromecast or Chromecast Audio with various methods.

Chromecast is officially supported in VLC media player 3.0.  So, you have one more method to stream local media (music and video) to Chromecast and Chromecast Audio.

Compared to other six methods of streaming local music and video to Chromecast and Chromcast Audio, the VLC media player method has several advantages including:

• Free.
• Open source.  If the development

… Continue to read the post....

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If you are not aware of it, Google quietly released the $15 Ethernet adapter for Chromecast early this month.  You can get it from Google devices store for $15.

This guide will show you how to use Ethernet adapter for Chromecast to get best connections for your Chromecast.

Who need Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast?

The Ethernet adapter is a lifesaver for those Chromecast owners:

• Who do not have a wireless router at home.
• Whose wireless signal is poor near the TV.
• Whose wireless signal quality is not good.
• Whose router is configured with AP isolation.
• Who are streaming very high quality 1080p videos with Chromecast. Please follow this guide if you want to stream local media files.
• Who are not satisfied with the WiFi connection quality for their Chromecast.

What are in the box of Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast?

In the box, you can find:

• One Ethernet adapter for Chromecast, which will replace your current power adapter. It is essentially an 850mA power adapter with an Ethernet port.
• One 1-page quick start guide. It illustrates you how to connect Ethernet adapter for Chromecast to Chromecast and the router.
• One 36-page safety, regulatory and warranty information in many languages. You

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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....

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When do you need to reset Chromecast (factory data reset)?

Most of the time, it is not necessary to factory reset Chromecast  (factory data reset). The device update itself when connected to internet.  It seldom gives problem.

But in the following two scenarios, you probably have to reset  Chromecast:

• You change your wireless router. Chromecast can only remember one network. If you changed your router, you can either re-do the setup (you may follow this Chromecast setup guide) if the old network is not in range, or simply reset Chromecast.
• Chromecast hangs or freezes.  You can try to plug out the USB power cable, then check whether Chromecast works after plugging the cable back. But if this doe not work or Chromecast hangs frequently, it is good idea to reset Chromecast (factory data reset) before calling Google support or returning the unit.

How to reset Chromecast (factory data reset)?

It is quite simple to factory reset Chromecast. There are two ways to factory reset Chromecast.

Method 1: Use the button on Chromecast to reset Chromecast

Hold down the button (next to the micro USB port) on your Chromecast for at least 25 seconds or until the solid light begins … Continue to read the post....

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On October 4, 2016, Google announced a new $69 (not $35) Chromecast device: Chromecast Ultra.

This actually is the 3rd generation of Chromecast. Chromecast (1st gen) was released in  2013. Chromecast 2nd gen and Chromecast Audio (which were discontinued in 2019) were announced in 2015.

This post will try to help you understand the differences between Chromecast 2nd Gen and Chromecast Ultra, and help you decide whether you need a Chromecast Ultra.

Chromecast 3rd gen (Chromecast 2018) and Chromecast 4th gen (Chromecast 2020; Chromecast with Google TV) are also available in the market now.

Is Chromecast Ultra for 4K TV only?

One of the most prominent features of Chromecast Ultra is supporting 4K video streaming.

But this does NOT mean Chromecast Ultra is only for 4K TV owners.

If you only have a Full HD (1080p) TV, compared to Chromecast 2nd gen,  Chromecast Ultra can still offer some nice new and improved features:

• High Dynamic Range (HDR) support. Of course, HDR contents are still very limited. YouTube and Google Play will gradually join Netflix and Amazon for streaming HDR contents. HDR-ready TV is also needed to enjoy the benefits. We will discuss this in detail in

… 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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Only one audio output port, but you can use 3 different types of audio cables for Chromecast Audio.

Chromecast Audio, like Chromecast, is very simple in design and use.

There are only two ports: one micro USB port for power adapter. The other port on the opposite side is for audio cables.

So, there is no reason to insert the audio cables for Chromecast Audio in the wrong port.

But you may not know the single 3.5-mm audio port can be used for 3 different types of compatible audio cables for Chromecast Audio:

1. 3.5-mm stereo cable for analog output. The yellow audio cable is included in your Chromecast Audio box
2. 3.5-mm-stereo-to-RCA cable for analog output. This audio cable is NOT included.
3. Mini TOSLINK-to-TOSLINK optical cable for digital output. This optical audio cable is NOT included.

Although you can use 3 different audio cables for Chromecast Audio, you cannot use them simultaneously because there is only one port.

Even if you use audio jack splitter, the audio output format is determined by the audio cable inserted into the output port.

What are the differences between the 3 compatible audio cables for Chromecast Audio?

The 3 types of compatible audio cables … Continue to read the post....

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Like any other electronics devices, sometimes, Chromecast Audio may not work properly.

In this case,  you need reset Chromecast Audio. This guide explains two different methods to factory data reset Chromecast Audio. The methods also applies to Chromecast.

Please note, when you reset Chromecast Audio, the device will then return to “factory” state as a new Chromecast. This means you need setup the Chromecast Audio as a new device after the factory data reset (FDR).

When you need reset Chromecast Audio?

For most owners, it is not necessary to reset Chromecast Audio.  You may consider to reset Chromecast Audio:

1. when the Chromecast Audio LED color is solid orange;
2. when you change your wireless router;
3. when you change wireless network settings (e.g., SSID) on the router;
4. when you bring your Chromecast Audio to your friends home;
5. when you want to pass the Chromecast Audio to other people;
6. when Chromecast Audio works oddly.

Corresponding to these scenarios, you have two methods to factory data reset Chromecast Audio:

1. hard reset (using hardware button);
2. soft reset (using Chromecast App in mobile devices or Google Cast extension on PC);

Both methods work identically. But the second method (soft reset) is not accessible … Continue to read the post....

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Update: with Chromecast app update to 1.9.6, Android screen casting (screen mirroring) is available in ALL Android devices with Android KitKat 4.4.2 or later versions. 

Screen mirroring with Chromecast Arrives: cast your Android screen without relying on apps

As announced in Google I/O 2014, Chromecast would get some nice update and new features. We will discuss these new features in later posts once they are available;e publicly

One of the most exciting new features of Chromecast is screen mirroring (or screencasting) for Android devices.  You can mirror whatever on your  Android devices to a TV without using any apps (of course, for non-Nexus devices, you need the Chromecast app) including audio.

Now, with the Chromecast app update (to 1.7.4), screen mirroring with Chromecast is now fully working on some selected (models) Android devices.

Please note, screen mirroring is different from the wireless display that has been introduced to Android since Jelly Bean 4.2. Wireless display in Android is using Miracast technology. To use this feature, you need a receiver (usually a TV) that supports Miracast.  Currently, only some high-end smart TVs support Miracast. Otherwise, you need to get a Miracast dongle/adapter (for example, Netgear Push2TV Wireless … 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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