Chromecast
January 2016
What is Chromecast?
Chromecast is a line of digital media players developed by Google. [Wikipedia.org]
Designed as small dongles, the devices play audio/video content on a highdefinition television or home audio system by directly streaming it via WiFi from the Internet or a local network. [Wikipedia.org]
1st Generation Chromecast
Released: June 2013
Cost: $35 (refurbished is less)
Connections: power and HDMI
2nd Generation Chromecast
Released: September 2015
Cost: $35 (refurbished is less)
Colors: red, yellow, and black
Chromecast Audio
Released: September 2015
Cost: $35
Audio only
Attaches to speakers or sound system via 1/8” (AUX), RCA, and optical connectors.
How does it work?
Users select the media to play using mobile apps and web apps that support the Google Cast technology. [Wikipedia.org]
Alternatively, content can be mirrored from the Google Chrome web browser running on a personal computer, as well as from the screen of some Android devices. [Wikipedia.org]
It is interesting to note that Google Cast uses WiFi – not device-to-device connections – to stream video and audio from the Internet.
For example, if you are watching a YouTube video on your phone, and then tap the screencast icon, the video quits streaming to your phone and begins streaming directly from the Internet into your Chromecast.
However, your device (the phone, in the previous example) controls the streaming by instructing the Chromecast – again via WiFi.
So, you can use the app on your phone to pause, resume, stop, rewind, and fast-forward.
Other platforms
On your iOS device, if the Google Cast icon appears in the app, you can use it.
There also is a Chromecast app that navigates you to various video sources.
On your computer, install the Google Cast extension to Chrome, and then click on the Google Cast icon in the corner.
Initial Setup
Physical setup:
Plug Chromecast into an empty HDMI outlet on your TV. (For 1st generation Chromecast, use the extension if it does not fit well.)
Attach Chromecast to its power cable. If your TV has a powered USB outlet, you can plug the other end of the cable into that outlet. Otherwise, plug the cable into the supplied adapter, and plug the adapter into a power outlet.
Using the TV’s buttons or menu, change the input source to the Chromecast HDMI outlet.
Network setup:
Have your Wi-Fi network name and password handy.
You can set up using Chromecast app on Android or iOS (preferred), or using the your computer using the computer setup utility. (see http://www.google.com/chromecast/setup for links to this software.)
For Android and iOS setup, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlR9Y8Gn1Ig
Desktop mirroring
On your Android device, you also can do something known as desktop mirroring.
Install and open the Google Screencast app;
Select Cast Screen from the menu; and
Choose your Chromecast.
Chromecast apps
Examples of apps that support the Google Cast technologies on iOS and/or Android:
Chrome, YouTube, Pixlr, and Live
Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, and Sling o WatchESPN, NFL Sunday Ticket, and CBS Sports o Angry birds, and many other time wasting games
Spotify, Pandora, Pocket Casts
…and 1,000+ other apps
Where can I learn more?