All About Chromecast

How to use Videostream extension to stream local videos for Chromecast?

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Videostream for Google cast is one of the best solutions to stream local media contents to Chromecast. It is a free Chrome app and gives almost all features you may want to stream local contents without installing any media server packages.

Update 1: Videostream for Chromecast is now named as Videostream for Google cast following Google’s naming convention changes. Google now refers software as Google cast, and hardware as Chromecast. We don’t think it is necessary to update the page for such a name change.

Update 2: If you are not sure how to launch Videostream after initial installation, you may check this guide.

To stream local videos to Chromecast, here is another (4th) simple method using a Chrome extension: Videostream for Chromecast.

This method of using a Chrome extension (Chrome app) is a compliment to the other 3 methods of streaming local media to Chromecast: Chrome browser tab casting, desktop sharing, and using Plex media server (and a web app).

Advantages of Videostream extension for streaming local media to Chromecast

The advantages of using Videostream extension to stream local media files to Chromecast include:

  • Simple to setup and use, compared to using the Plex media server.
  • Support more video formats (with some sort of trans-coding), compared to Chrome browser tab casting.
  • Very reliable and stable, compared to desktop sharing.
  • Remote control for Android (currently it is free).
  • Works just like a local media player with output to TV (Chromecast)!

Limitations of Videostream extension for streaming local media to Chromecast

There are some limitations of using Videostream extension to stream local media files to Chromecast. These include:

  • Free to use, but not for all features. Some features are not free.  Of course, for most users, the free features are sufficient.
  • No support for photos or pictures. Videostream extension is primarily for videos (and audios). if you want to cast your photos to your guest on TV, this is not for you.
  • No remote control for iOS (at the time of writing this page).

Step-by-step guide on using Videostream extension for streaming local medias to Chromecast

Videostream extension for Chromecast is very simple to setup, just like any other Chrome extensions.

You need install Google Cast extension as well.  We will not cover the installation of Google cast extension because the installation procedure is exactly identical to that of Videostream extension. Actually, almost all Chromecast extension installation procedure is identically simple.

Step 1: Install Videostream Chrome extension for Chromecast

You can go to Chrome web from your Chrome browser, or simply type the address:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps 

Search for Videostream in the web store as shown below. Click the FREE button to add the extension to your Chrome browser.

use Videostream app to stream local videos for Chromecast

You should get a confirmation message. It tells you what permissions the Videostream extension for Chromecast are requiring. To install this Chrome extension, click “Add” as shown below.

How to use Videostream extension to stream local videos for Chromecast?

That’s it. Just like other Chrome extensions, it is very simple to install.  This Videostream extension  does not require any unnecessary permissions. It is very clean.

Please note, to add an extension to your Chrome browser, you need log in with your Google account.

Videostream for Google Chromecast requires the official Google cast extension. If you haven’t installed it, you may use the similar procedure to install Google cast extension.

Step 2: Using Videostream Chrome extension to stream local media for Chromecast

You can use  Videostream Chrome extension to stream local media for Chromecast immediately after the installation. No setup is required (although there is a setup icon).

Actually, once you finish the installation, the Videostream extension starts automatically. Click  “Select a movie to play” button as shown below.

How to use Videostream extension to stream local videos for Chromecast?

This will open your file explorer. You can navigate to the  directory and select the files to be played  and click Open, as shown below.

How to use Videostream extension to stream local videos for Chromecast?

Once you select the file, the Videostream extension will start to search for Chromecast devices in your home network.

If a Chromecast device is found, the Google cast extension should pop out a window for you to select the device as shown below.

After selecting the device, the video will be played to Chromecast, and you can watch it on the TV.  Of course, you can then do anything else on your PC.

Using Videostream Chrome extension to stream local media for Chromecast Using Videostream Chrome extension to stream local media for Chromecast

At any time, you can stop the casting by clicking the Google cast extension icon in Chrome browser. Then, you have the pop-out window with Stop casting button.

Please note, the video is streamed to Chromecast and output is on TV. The video is NOT played in your PC.

Step 3: Some advanced features of Videostream Chrome extension for streaming local media for Chromecast

The Videostream extension for Chromecast is free.  For most users, the free features are sufficient.

However, if you need playlist support, want to try beta features, or you don’t want to see the ads (not intrusive, just an Amazon affiliate link), you may opt for Premium.

Using Videostream Chrome extension to stream local media for Chromecast

You can also use  your Android phone as remote control for the casting. They released the app in play store:   Videostream Chromecast: Remote . It is simple and functional without bells and whistles.

This remote control is currently free. But it seems it is part of the premium package, so in the future the subscription probably is required.

How to launch Videostream for Google cast after initial installation?

After initial installation, next time, you can launch Videostream for Google cast in three different methods: from Chrome apps page (chrome://apps), using a desktop shortcut for Videostream app, or from bookmarks bar.

Please refer to this guide for details on how to launch Videostream for Google cast app (and other Chrome apps as well).

Do you have any problems or questions on using  Videostream extension to stream local videos for Chromecast?

Please let us know in the comment box below, if you have any questions or encounter any problems.

For more Chromecast tutorial, you may check our Chromecast how-to guide page.

For Chromecast Audio guides, please visit Chromecast Audio guide page.

Happy casting!

Comments

  1. Followed your instructions to install “VideoStream for Google ChromeCast” app. But when it launches the app in Chrome, Chrome hangs. All my Chrome windows stop responding and I have to kill everything. Have tried this many times, tried changing my Windows Firewall etc. but there is no change

    Reply

  2. Is there a way to alter my firewall settings for allowed programs and features? It works when I turn my firewall off, but I dont want to leave my firewall off all the time.

    Reply

  3. Every time I use VideoStream, after using it my computer and phone are unble to find Chromecast on my wi fi and I need to reset my Chromecast and reboot my router in order to make it work again. Is there some other free chrome extension I can use to cast my local videos with subtitles?

    Reply

  4. videostream isn’t working on windows 8, when I was using windows 7 i didn’t have problems but now when try to play a file it shows videostream logo on tv but not the movie and on the computer videostream keeps loading and shows the messge “comunicating with cromecast” what should i do?

    Reply

  5. Hi, my window 7 also couldn’t connect the video stream to chrome cast. said it might be firewall, but checked that chrome was there, and also when turning it off, it didn’t work…
    any ideas?

    Reply

  6. hey all,
    having an issue streaming local media files. i have the most up to date version of chrome. recently got the videostream app. the chromecast itself works fine when casting a normal tab, streaming youtube clips is perfect. even screen casting my nexus 5 works fine. but when i jump in to video stream and select a file to stream, after it asks me to select a device to cast to (and i do that) it just sits “communicating with chromecast” forever. and the video stream logo just bounces around my tv.
    tried with multiple file types, same thing every time.

    any ideas? firewall issue? network issue? as i mentioned casting a tab and youtube seem to work fine, so im out of ideas.

    thanks in advance.

    Reply

  7. It’s installed; it works fine (nice one by the way & thanks!)
    But – is there an easy way to launch the extension please?
    Every time I want to launch it, I have to search for it in the Chrome Store and click the “Launch App” icon in the results.
    Couldn’t/shouldn’t there be an Icon in the Apps Shortcut bar? That would be much more user-friendly.
    Have I messed up the install – or is it a missing feature?
    Thanks,
    Paul

    Reply

  8. I am using videostream on my mac and it works like a charm. I was just wondering if there is any limitation to the bit-rate or in other words, what is the max data speed it can cast with?

    I am asking because when streaming the same video through my WD TV Live media player, it always stops to buffer but with Videostream, it works without any problems or buffering.

    The video i am talking about is 3 hour movie with size over 12 GB at 1080p.

    Reply

  9. Works like a charm! But what could I do about matching the video with TV screen size? Subtitel falls off and only the top half of the progress bar is visible. Where to start to resolve this?

    Reply

  11. That’s great and all, but how the f*ck do I use this after it’s installed. It’s not like this is a default webpage afterwards. This is supposed to be how to use the damn thing, not how to install it.

    Reply

  13. I installed the Videostream app and it seems to connect OK. The only problem I have is that the video palys for 3 – 4 seconds, then freezes for 5 or so seconds and then repeats the stuttering. It looks like its bufferring, but it happens very frequently. I have tried both a 1080p and a 720p video as well as an MKV and MP4 format with the same results.

    Are there any limitations on the video format? Any solutions you can suggest?

    Reply

  14. When I play some videos the videostream only plays about 1~15 seconds and ends like it’s over the file, whereas the file is normal and can be watched without a problem through usual media players

    Reply

  16. Stuttering is a peculiar problem; I watched a movie of 1h47m length, and only in the last 15 minutes did the stuttering get so bad that the movie was frozen more than it was running. Nothing else was going on on the wifi at any time. Do you have any ideas why the buffering would increasingly become a problem, rather than being a problem (or not) all the way through?

    Reply

  17. Just bought my chromecast. Installed it and it’s working fine. BUT installed the videostream app and it’s not working at all. Support doc said to run a utility for my firewall which I did. Also says to add exceptions to MS Security Essentials (but doesn’t tell you how) which I did. Also says to open two ports in my firewall (but doesn’t say how to do it) which I did.

    Attempted the 3 separate fixes I found you recommended and it still doesn’t work. The Videostream tech support recommendations are lacking. Since I bought the product to stream videos, I would appreciate some sensible support in getting this to work. Chrome casting works fine.

    Using Windows 7 with MS Security Essentials going through a Motorola SBG6580 SURFBoard Gateway with modem. When attempting to stream video, I sometimes get the Firewall security prompt and sometimes it just doesn’t work no diagnostics whatsoever – PC indicates it is casting the video but nothing on the TV. Videos never even get started on the TV. I tried the 3 solutions above but since you are not very coherent on the subject I’m not sure I did them correctly.

    Reply

  18. I am using Videostream on my Mac with Chrome as an extension.
    When I try to stream web pages or youtube, it seems to be fine.
    When I try to stream local media (.mkv, .wmv, or so….) this happens:
    – Videostream opens the selected video
    – I can select the streaming device from the list (I have only that one Chromecast in it)
    – The file’s name shows on the middle of computer screen in a blue box, saying “it is playing on Chromecast1234)
    – on the TV display I see only a VideoStream logo /screen

    The movie is not paused, but standing on 0 sec, and I can not start it.
    How can I fix this?

    Thanks,
    Peter

    Reply

  19. I’ve used Videostream for a while, and have intermittent issues with buffering. We first used it and it worked great. Then, after a while, it started buffering more and more frequently. This has occurred both on a Windows 7 laptop, and then on a brand new Windows 8.1 laptop. The computer can handle the files just fine, but once we try to use VS, it buffers a lot. The videos are mostly .AVI files, a mix of SD and HD, movies and TV shows of various lengths. We have a Comcast X1 combo modem/router, if that matters. The only devices on our network are a laptop, two phones and the chromecast. Any suggestions for ways to fix it?

    Reply

  20. I have been using Videostream for some time . Suddenly, it stopped working. Now i am trying to again download the extension. every it is giving the message- ” could not move extension directly into profile”. Please help

    Reply

  21. Videostream was working great and now it stopped. When I click on it, it opens a separate blank box with nothing in it. I have uninstalled and re-installed both chrome and videostream. I have also uninstalled my malware prevention program. Please help, thank you.

    Reply

  22. Hello,
    Videostream always worked great when playing from desktop. But lately afther a few minutes the streaming starts to buffering with no playin at all. And on my desktop the video keeps on playing. Everything else works great youtub netfilx.

    thanks

    Reply

  23. “plex unable to cast this media is currently unavailable ”
    If you have this problem, try disabling adblock for google.
    I realized after 4 hours.

    Reply

  24. Hi,
    Our local files are buffering almost constantly via Videostream. Other platforms like Netflix & Popcorntime(when available:) work fine. Have reduced the quality value but still painfully intermittent w buffering. Any suggestions?
    Sinead

    Reply

  25. Hi, Videostream works like a charm and the app works great. I’ve created a playlist with pretty much all my videos and its great just sitting back and selecting what i wanna watch and when. Now my computer is usually left on in the evenings and there’s nothing worse then lying back and going to open videostream on my phone to pick something and realising i have to get back up and connect to videostream on the computer, i know it’s lazy. Is there any way i could connect to videostream via my phone just so i can be more of a couch potato.

    Reply

  26. When opening a .avi file directly in chrome, it finally opens in Windows media player.. Is that good, or is that the reason why videostream every now and then refuses to stream a .avi file to my tv? Do I need Plex media server for these files?

    Reply

  27. Perfetc !
    Works pretty well. Got exactly what i needed. Thanks to this post. Chromecast is awesome with Videostream app.
    Hee Hee Hee !!! Happy now. 10/10 for videostream app.

    Reply

  28. I’ve been using chromecast and videostream for 3-4 months with no problem, i have recently updated to windows 10 and this is the first attempt to videostream a file to my tv but when i click google cast nothing happens, where i’d usually pick my chromecast to send it to.. i can right click and go to options, just not cast to my tv. I pick my video as normal, just no casting works. I’ve uninstalled cast extension and reinstalled. I can still cast from my phones and tablets just not files from my pc.

    Reply

  29. Hi

    I get the firewall error all the time then I try to play a video. Other chrome casting apps work fine, and I have tried to disable the ESET firewall on my computer (windows 10)

    Reply

  30. Hi! i have a problem with video stream, when i use the app in chrome the video works fine but the audio fail, a few days ago the app works fine, but now i can’t hear the audio. I tested others apps and the audio works fine, the problem its just when i am using videostream with chrome. Also the movie that i am trying to cast worked well in videstream before.

    Reply

  31. Hi is there support of iOS devices. I have chromecast. Videostream works perfectly with my gf adroid device but when I try to use my ios device such as my iphone it only states i can use it as a remote control. I want it to be able to browse the files on my pc and play them back as it does on android devices.

    Reply

  34. Is there a way to stop my Windows 10 PC from going into sleep mode whilst casting with Videostream? Every time I’m watching something, as soon as it hits the sleep timer, the PC shuts down and streaming stops. Only thing I can find that seems to work is turning off sleep mode altogether but I would rather not do this. Is there a setting somewhere that I’m missing?

    Reply

  36. Hi
    From the Adroid App I cannot add my USB drives that are plugged into my Router. From the computer I can add them in the select media folder but not from the Android app. It asks me to select a folder but the usb drivers are accessed from a shortcut on my desktop that goes through my router ip. Any suggestions please.
    Thank you

    Reply

  39. I like the App, but it has problems playing some local videos like WMV and MOV….i can drag a 2 GB AVI, MKV or MP4 movie and it’ll stream perfectly with no buffering……then i drag a 50MB WMV or MOV video clip it cannot go 2 seconds without buffering….no matter how low i turn down quality.

    Reply

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