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Chromecast Audio

Chromecast 4th Gen (Chromecast with Google TV) is coming!

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Chromecast 4th Gen (Chromecast with Google TV)Very likely, Google will reveal the 4th Gen of Chromecast on September 30, 2020. But the details of the Chromecast 4th Gen (aka Chromecast with Google TV, or Chromecast 2020) were leaked. A few retailers have released the product inadvertently.

Google TV here simply means Google-branded Android TV (not the old Google TV). It is not a new platform. Instead, it is a new form factor (dongle) for Android TV.

This post will summarize the key features of the Chromecast 4th Gen (Chromecast with Google TV) compared to the 3rd Gen of Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra.

Chromecast 4th Gen converges Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra

The new Chromecast (4th gen, Chromecast 2020) is a natural successor for the 3rd Gen of Chromecast (Chromecast 2018).

But Google worked the extra mile. The Chromecast with Google TV also converges the Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra.

The 4th Gen of Chromecast supports 4K and HDR, which were the exclusive features of Chromecast Ultra. So, the new Chromecast with Google TV surely will replace not only Chromecast 3rd Gen but also Chromecast Ultra.

In other words, Google simplifies the Chromecast product line into one.

Unfortunately, Google does not offer any successors for … Continue to read the post....

How to use Chromecast to stream music to dumb speakers (as Chromecast Audio does)?

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How to use Chromecast to stream music to dumb speakers (as Chromecast Audio does)?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....

What’s new in Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast)?

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What's new in Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast)?On October 9 2018, Google announced the 3rd generation of Chromecast (Chromecast 2018) as the successor of the 2nd generation of Chromecast (Chromecast 2015).

There is no update for Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast Audio this year. Update: Google discontinued Chromecast Audio in early 2019.

This Chromecast guide explains the new features of Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast), and whether it is worth to update your Chromecast.

The successor of Chromecast 2018, Chromecast with Google TV (Chromecast 2020; Chromecast 4th Gen), were released on September 30, 2020.

What are the new features in Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast)?

Chromecast 2018 is a minor update to Chromecast 2015 (2nd gen Chromecast). So, there are no jaw-dropping new features in Chromecast 2018.

Because Chromecast is so unique that there are no serious direct competitors in the market, it is hard to judge whether Chromecast 2018 is behind or ahead of the industry trends.

But one thing is sure your $35 will be well spent if you do not own a Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra now.

As Google stopped selling the 2nd gen Chromecast, you will get the latest Chromecast 2018 if you purchase the Chromecast from now on.

The new … Continue to read the post....

How to use VLC media player on PC to stream music and video to Chromecast and Chromecast Audio?

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use VLC media player on PC to stream music and video to Chromecast and Chromecast AudioChromecast 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....

How to use VLC for Android to stream local media to Chromecast?

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use VLC for Android to stream local media to ChromecastWith version 2.9.1, you can now use VLC for Android to stream local media to Chromecast. Videos and music files of all formats supported by VLC media player now can be streamed to Chromecast. Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio, Google Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max. In this guide, I will try to use Chromecast to represent them all, instead of listing them all.

For PC users, you can stream local video and music files to Chromecast very easily with VLC media player version 3.0 RC2 or later.

This Chromecast guide shows you how to use VLC for Android to stream local media to Chromecast: installing the app, enrolling in the Android beta program, streaming local media with VLC for Android, and Chromecast streaming controls for VLC for Android.

Update: with the release of VLC 3.0, Chromecast is officially supported. Therefore, it is not necessary to join the beta program to use VLC for Android to stream local media to Chromecast. For PC users, you can use VLC media player to stream local music and videos to Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, and Google Home devices as detailed in this guide.

What is VLC for Android?

… Continue to read the post....

Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: advantages and disadvantages of Chromecast Audio

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chromecast_audio_vs_bluetoothWhen Chromecast Audio was announced, a lot of people want to know the advantages and disadvantages of Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth.

This is a natural question because Bluetooth speaker is readily available in all countries and regions. Most families have a few Bluetooth speakers, which may be given free when purchasing some expensive home appliances.

Chromecast Audio is new, although Chromecast is about 2 years old.  Even, some Chromecast owners may have some misunderstandings on Chromecast Audio.

If you are not sure about the difference between Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, or you are not sure about how Chromecast Audio streams music, you may check our Chromecast Audio guides page.

This post focuses on comparing Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth to help you understand the advantages and limitations of Chromecast Audio. And therefore, you can make a better decision on whether you should get a Chromecast Audio, or whether you can live with Bluetooth, or whether and how you can use both of them within your budget.

Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: audio quality

Bluetooth usually has terrible audio quality because Bluetooth is designed as low power, short-range personal area networks (PANs). The speed is far lower than that of … Continue to read the post....

What’s new in the new Chromecast (Chromecast 2015)

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new_chromecast_2015_new_featuresUpdate: Chromecast 2018 (3rd generation) is out. You may check this guide for new features in Chromecast 2018.

Google just announced and released the 2nd generation of Chromecast on September 29, about 2 years after the initial release of Chromecast.

You can order the new Chromecast through Google Store or Best Buy now.

You may wonder what’s new in the new Chromecast (Chromecast 2015) and whether you should update to the new Chromecast.

In this post, I will share with you the top 5 new features and improvements of the new Chromecast (Chromecast 2015).

Detailed how-to guides for the new Chromecast will be added gradually.

1. Chromecast Audio: a new member of  the new Chromecast family:

In addition to the normal Chromecast with HDMI interface, Google released the new Chromecast Audio for your speaker.

You can connect Chromecast Audio to a speaker (or a soundbar or even your home theatre system) through the 3.5mm audio cable.

Chromecast Audio instantly turns your speakers or soundbar into a “smart” and “connected” device. It can stream music from the cloud or from your phones or other devices. Please check Chromecast Audio guides here.

It is better than a Bluetooth speaker:

  • It
… Continue to read the post....