All About Chromecast

How to stream local video to Chromecast?

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Chromecast 101: How to Stream Local Media Files with Chromecast [Kindle Edition]
Update 1: there are several other methods to stream local video to Chromecast. Some work better. You may check this guide: Comparison of 5 methods for streaming local media files to Chromecast.

Although there are a few apps that can stream local video to Chromecast, they are NOT free, and not intuitive. If you are curious, you may try Avia Media Player (Chromecast), or Plex, or the RealPlayer Cloud.

Actually, you can use Chrome browser to stream local video to Chromecast. Any videos that can be played on your PC can be played on your TV now.

You do not need  any apps (except the Google Cast extension for Chrome).  Of course, there is one downside: the streaming quality  is limited to 720p with high bitrate, no 1080p at this time. But this quality usually is sufficient for most videos.

What you need to do is  to install the Google Cast extension from Chrome store. Once this extension is installed, you can cast any tabs of your Chrome browser to the TV.

So, how to stream local video to Chromecast (and watch onTV)?

It is simple. In the address bar, instead of typing http bla-bla, now you type   file://c:/yourvideo.mp4 Of course, you need locate your video and give the full path of it. Once the video is played in Chrome browser, you can  sent it to TV through Chromecast using the Google cast extension.

For Google Cast extension, you can set the quality to  High (720p) or  Extreme (720p high bitrate) to get a reasonable video quality on a full HD TV. So this is the simplest way to stream local video to Chromecast without using any apps.

It is really simple. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Install and configure Google Cast extension (if you haven’t done it).

You can find the official Google cast extension in Chrome webstore or use this URL https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon

In Chrome webstore, type “Google cast” as shown below to search apps and extensions. Then click “FREE” (because it is free) to add it to your Chrome browser.

how_to_stream_local_media_with_chromecast_Chrome_browser_google-cast_search

Before you can add the extension to Chrome browser, you will get a confirmation page. It tells you the permission this extension is seeking.

As it is from Google, you can trust it. So, click “Add” as shown below to add this official Google cast extension to your Chrome browser.

how_to_stream_local_media_with_chromecast_Chrome_browser_add_google_cast

Once the Google cast extension is added successfully to your Chrome browser, you will get a notification on this (as shown below).

how_to_stream_local_media_with_chromecast_Chrome_browser_google_cast_added

For Google Cast extension, you can set the quality to High (720p) or Extreme (720p high bitrate) to get a reasonable video quality on a full HD TV.

If your network connection is not good, or your video is in 480p, you can choose 480p.

To set the video quality, you may click the Google cast extension as shown below. Then click Options to choose the suitable tab casting quality.

how_to_stream_local_media_with_chromecast_Chrome_browser_google-cast_options

Step 2: Fill the location of the video to the address bar in Chromecast

In the address bar, instead of typing a web address, now you type the video file address like (without quotation marks) “file://c:/yourvideo.mp4”.

Of course, you need locate your video file and give the full path to it. Once the video is played in Chrome browser, you can sent it to TV through Chromecast using the Google cast extension.

If you are using Windows, you can also just drag your video from Windows explorer and then drop it to Chrome browser as shown below. If Chrome browser cannot play it, it will be shown as being downloaded by Chrome.

how_to_stream_local_media_with_chromecast_Chrome_browser_drop_videos_to_chrome

Step 3: Enable casting to Chromecast

Once Chrome is playing the video, you can then click the Google cast extension and choose the Chromecast devices as shown below. The video will then be shown on TV

how_to_stream_local_media_with_chromecast_Chrome_browser_casting_video

Step 4: Enjoy the video on the TV.

That’s all. This is the simplest way to stream local video to Chromecast without using any apps.

You can even stream local video to Chromecast in background in full screen!

When the the video is played in full screen on your PC, you probably think you cannot do anything else except watching it.  This is not true.

You can use the following windows shortcuts to switch to other programs, or start a new program (e.g.,Chrome browser):

  • Alt+Tab: to switch between programs. Once the video is played in full-screen mode, use this shortcut to switch to other opened programs/apps. So, you can do something else when you stream  local video to Chromecast in full-screen, and in background.
  • Ctrl+Esc: to get the Star button. You can start a new program, e.g., a new Chrome browser, and work on it while you stream local video to Chromecast in background and in full-screen.

Summary of streaming local video to Chromecast using Chrome browser (tab casting)

  • You need Google cast extension for Chrome browser.
  • This method does NOT work on smartphones or tablets, because Chrome for Android doesn’t support extensions.
  • This method does work on Chromebook and Chromebox.
  • Not all video formats are supported. If the video format is not supported, you may try Videostream extension or Plex media server.
  • The stream quality is limited to 720p.
  • Google cast (beta) extension allows you to choose 1080p for tab casting. But it is not recommended.
  • You can do something else on the PC when streaming videos through Chromecast.
  • Although I used “videos” in this page, music and photos work in an identical way.

Does this Chromecast guide work for you? Can you stream local video to Chromecast now?

Let’s know it in the comment box below.

More Chromecast tutorials, tips and tricks can be find in our Chromecast How-to Guide page.

If this method is not ideal for you, you may try other methods for streaming local media files to Chromecast:

  1. Share PC’s desktop to Chromecast. This essentially stream all contents to Chromecast. Your TV becomes a remote screen of your PC.
  2. Use Chrome browser extension (Videostream) to stream local media files (video ans music) to Chromecast.
  3. Use Plex media server (and a free web app) to stream all media  files (video, music and photos) to Chromecast.
  4. Use Android apps to stream local videos with Chromecast.
  5. Use Android screen mirroring to stream local videos with Chromecast.

You may also check the this guide: Comparison of 5 methods for streaming local media files to Chromecast.

Comments

  1. It doesn’t work for me. When I give the link in the address bar it asks me to save the file.. not playing the file as you said.

    Reply

  2. I played 2 mkv files in google chrome. One worked, the other one only had visuals. No sound. I thought it was because the file was too big. But I played a smaller file also mkv. And this one also had no sound. please help

    Reply

  4. I might be stupid, but I can’t watch my downloaded films or dvd-s through my laptop through the chromecast.
    Do I need another player then WMP?

    Reply

  5. Chromecast still doesn’t work for me. However I have solved casting from my laptop to my t.v. – I now use a HDMI cable – far cheaper than the £34 wasted on this defective and useless product.

    Reply

  6. When I try to cast a video using my laptop, the video plays on my laptop, but never casts to my tv…what am I doing wrong?

    Thanks

    Reply

  8. Thinking outside the box – does Chromecast need an internet connection to cast local videos? I’m looking to use a small TV in my RV that has an HDMI connection to stream local videos. If I simply plug in a wireless router (no internet connection) and connect both my wireless router and my laptop to the router….. will I be able to relay my local videos to the Chromecast?

    Reply

  9. Google advertises the Chromecastas a simple plug’n’play device. It is anything but. That is the con. aka fraud. First you need a fully connected broadband connection (via a landline). Then you need a wifi the router which has to be only one of a few types that work with Chromecast. (Not all do as many have found to their cost). Then you need a computer with Win 7+ – XP wont work. Then you need to install Google Chrome browser – which tracks EVERY site visited and reports back to a huge db. Then you need the Chromecast app. for Chrome. However as many hundreds (thousands?) report this all still does not guarantee a cast to a t.v. You now need to configure (actually reconfigure) your wifi network settings using Control panel etc. Doing this latter can and reportedly has screwed up existing and reliable wifi connections. This device is a piece of ill-thought-out junk. Oh – and it runs red hot so don’t put it anywhere enclosed.

    Reply

  10. i have a lot of mp4 music videos i would like to play on tv but go through chrome cast will it play it and will it play them in shuffle mode ?

    Reply

  12. Love the idea of Chromecast but has too many limitations at the moment, it needs Local media ability soon, this is why I love the idea of Airtame Wireless HDMI Dongle but not available will after August 🙁

    Reply

  14. Just started with Chromecast and trying my first AVI video stream from my PC local files. Will be happy when it works!

    Reply

  15. The easy way to do this is to go to the video file you want to play, right-click on it and select ‘open with’ then look for chrome on the list or select ‘other applications on this computer’ (if chrome is not listed) and follow your chrome installation path in Program Files.

    Once found, select it and your video starts to play on Google chrome, cast it to chromecast using the cast button on the top right.

    Cheers.

    Reply

  16. i installed everything and wanted to cast the youtube app from chrome from my windows 8 tablet. but from starting to run youtube my tv screen got black. i have tried everything. the preperation looked good with the blue cast icon in the chrome and the blank cast icon under youtube. what might be the problem?
    whhat i noticed is that the cast icon in youtube was blank and not blue. there was a network connection in the windows charm network menu called chromecast0684

    Reply

  19. All my expectations are met. Thanks for your article!!

    –ofcourse chrome browser is being cast as expected
    –i can cast local video files, downloaded movies etc also through Chrome. All you need to do is to paste the video URL in chrome instead of playing them in a player, such as:
    file://C:/Users/Himvan/Downloads/Land of the Lost.mp4 (need to get firefox plugin to play AVI)
    –lastly, MY expectation is also met of playing a DVD on laptop (since I don’t own a DVD player) and then watching it on TV. all you need to do is to use “cast entire screen” option 🙂

    Reply

  20. Why not using the Chrome extension Videostreamer ? My movies on my harddisks could be streamed, even MP4’s with a separate subtitle-file !

    Reply

  21. Typing the path of my video with file://c:, it played in my browser, which also allowed me to stream via chromecast (after installing the google cast extension using chrome). Worked great! Thanks!

    Reply

  22. I cant figure out why some MP4s work, and others only have audio, with a very small video screen with no picture in my browser. I have looked at the file settings, and I cant see a difference. Is there something that needs to be different in the Bitrate, or FPS with the MP4 files??? Im using a PC with windows 7, and it works great with some videos…

    Reply

  23. Can I stream .mkv videos?
    Also if I stream a 1080p video, when it says you can only stream 720p, does that mean that I can stream a 1080p video but it will convert it to 720p OR it will not stream a 1080p.

    Reply

  24. Thanks this was a great help! I appreciate you taking the time to post! I was all panicked thinking I was unable to play the personal videos from my desktop! I had been looking all over for a HDMI cord where one side was a flash drive and now I found that and more! Thanks again!

    Reply

  25. From my experience, streaming local video to Chromecast doesn’t actually utilize the local wifi. Chrome will broadcast the screen to Google’s servers, which Chromecast will subsequently download. My internet provider is Verizon DSL, which gives me 300kb/s download and 50kb/s upload, which is nowhere near enough bandwidth to support streaming 720p videos. The most I get is a frozen frame and stuttered audio out of the tv.

    Is there a solution to this? I would really like to watch movies without having to move a laptop around every time, yet keep my current provider.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  28. Tried casting my entire desktop to the TV. Quality of the video & audio was fine. But it was also still playing on my laptop, in a horrible 2-second delay. Can’t mute the laptop without muting the outgoing sound to the tv.

    Reply

  29. My local connection isn’t working well enough to stream my local videos properly! It will try to cast the tab but fail after being extremely choppy after a few seconds. Is there a setting I can adjust on my router to fix this??

    Reply

    • All casts great from my PC Media collection, all file types using plex web app and IOS app together…no hassles with chromecast If you USE Plex folks lots of your issues disappear…

      Reply

  31. I have a pc connected via LAN to my router. If I play a video on my pc, is it possible to stream it to the chromecast? The chromecast would be 1meter away from my router but my pc has no WiFi so it’s connected through LAN cable at the same router.

    Reply

  32. The method of entering the entire file path into the chrome browser address bar worked perfectly for me! I would have never thought to do that?!?! How awesome if that!?!?!?! Thanks to the Author of this article!

    Reply

  33. Yes, thank you. I was able to stream video files dragged/dropped into my browser window using the Google Cast (beta) Extension.
    Only problem is that no one else could use bandwidth or the video and sound would get choppy.

    Reply

  36. I am having a major problem getting the volume to work on my tv. I went to watch a show off the CWTV.COM website and well the video cast just fine but there is no volume on my tv. I raised my tv volume to 100 and heard nothing. I also made sure that the volume was on on my laptop…it was but no sound. WHY? I paid money for this cast device it should work…help!

    Reply

  37. I am just waiting for my chromecast to arrive. I want to stream direct from my synology DS213j NAS to the chromecast and looks like plex deals with all the different video types but it looks like my synology won’t be up to the job of running plex. Can I run plex media server on my pc so that it talks to the synology and then streams over the wireless network to the chromecast ?

    Reply

  38. My Windows Vista machine unfortunately does not have an HDMI output and I don’t, as yet, have a smart TV. That’s why Chromecast seemed to be of interest. But I have yet to be able to get a firm definitive yes or no on this, getting completely opposite answers depending on which “expert” I ask. So I’ve put off buying one. I tend to stream a lot of stuff off of Project Free TV. What I want to know is this: if I watch a video from that site in a Chrome browser, can I stream that output to my HDTV using Chromecast? A simple “yay” or “nay” would be appreciated. If “nay,” is there anything out there that will let me do this without too many connections? Thanks!

    Reply

  40. I absolutely hated the fact that people just blabbed but didn’t make any good suggestions. I had the same issue. Chrome plays .mp4 which can be casted but for other file formats download the videostream chromecast extension then attempt to play the video file. Now if your firewall blocks you from playing the file, then you need to open TCP ports 5556 and 5558. Follow the instructions in this link to open the ports then attempt to play your video again. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/open-port-windows-firewall#1TC=windows-7

    Seems complicated but it takes less than 5 minutes.

    Reply

  42. Just got a CC for Christmas. Thanks for the tips. It worked perfectly in 2 minutes. Thanks again for posting this.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  43. Had CC for a few months and wondered if I could play local videos from the laptop to the TV, wow simple quick and easy played a MP4 video and now a M4V home video (converted a 50 yr old cine film) great tip!

    Now looking for something similar for tablet!

    Reply

  44. I have a simple question that does not to have been raised so far (many of the questions to-date are about casting videos): Is there a way to cast a folder of photos (in My Pictures) from my Windows PC to the TV. A freebie, preferably. It does not need to be ultra slick. I’d probably want to ‘drive’ the slideshow from the PC – or is there another way? The photos are held locally on the PC.

    Reply

  45. I recently installed this and have it working on my laptop, but on my desktop computer, the chrome browser isn’t able to find a casting device. What’s weird is I can go to a webpage with an embedded youtube video, click on the casting icon in the youtube window (and then it shows up in the upper right corner of the browser), and it will cast to my TV just fine. But if I load a local file, it can’t find that same casting device. Just downloaded Videostream today, and it also can’t find the casting device. Do you know why it automatically finds the casting device for youtube videos, but not for anything else?

    Reply

  48. Hello. trying play House of cards which is MP4. Not very hi res. The sound comes out of TV fine but no picture.
    Then tried another episode: the picture and sound appeared but even if full screen on PC it was a small picture on the TV. Thanks,

    Reply

  50. Hallo Simon,

    I installed the Google Cast-extension.
    Dropped a mp4-file into (the opening screen of) Google Chrome.
    The file automaticly get started, but I see no film in the browser. Only a small time-bar in the middle of a whole black screen. In the time-bar I can see the progress of the playing file.
    After casting I see the same on my TV. On my laptop and on my TV I can hear the audio of the file, but is seems (sometimes) to fail (buffering?).
    I have not installed the Videostream-extension yet.
    What is going wrong?

    Thanks, Ton

    Reply

  51. Thank you very very much, Simon.
    I never had a so good experience with questions on the internet.
    Is quite different from my experience with Google’s Help Forum.

    with kind regards,
    Ton van den Hout
    Holland

    Reply

  54. Great article! I just want to suggest that for those who live outside US like me, you can access Netflix, Hulu and similar media stations on your Chromecast by using UnoTelly or similar tools. 🙂

    Reply

  58. Excellent, thank you. It was just a case of c&p ing my file location into a browser tab then casting that tab, a lot easier than I thought it would be. For this particular mkv file I am currently watching at least 🙂

    Reply

  60. Great article. Doing this (streaming from a PC to my TV) was one of my goals in purchasing the Chromecast. Worked great. My network has a centralized router that supports both wired/wireless devices. This solution allowed me to wirelessly access media files on my PC (on wired connection) via my wireless router. Thank you.

    Reply

  61. Ciao Simon how can I play movie + subtitles (.srt) on chrome with your way or with a video player?
    Thanks a lot

    Reply

  62. I just found this article, and want to say thank you. I was struggling with the laptop to chromecast “cast” and this works. I can see if people are having issues its likely getting the file name correct that is the issue. I can now play from local c:\ or for networked drives. TY VM

    Reply

  64. Hi. If you reply to my question, please do not talk in tech speak! Please assume I know nothing (which I don’t really!) My son bought me a chrome cast for Xmas which works great. I download films onto my laptop (can’t play them straight from the internet because my internet speed is rubbish, I live in a small village in Corsica) and it works perfectly until I try to do something else on my computer at the same time then the film becomes juddery. Someone told me this is because my wifi can’t cope (whatever that means!). Can you advise please?

    Reply

  65. I download a film onto my laptop then I just cast it to the TV using the CC icon top right of screen. Thanks for your reply by the way.

    Reply

  67. dragging and dropping from windows explorer to chrome browser worked great. But how do i cast like dozens of photos and videos other than dragging and dropping one at a time? thanks

    Reply

  68. Hi , thanks for the guide, it is working great on my pc/chromecast but I just wanted to check if streaming videos locally stored on my laptop to chromecast uses any of my data allowance? I have a data limit. I would have thought not but wondered if you can confirm

    Reply

  70. I am trying to view a slide presentation taken from my PC and the sequence changes and I can not resort them. How do I do it?

    Reply

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