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