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Master the Voice Remote for Chromecast with Google TV

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Master the Voice Remote for Chromecast with Google TVVoice remote for Chromecast with Google TV is one of the signature features of the latest Chromecast device.  It transforms the casting dongle into a full-featured setup box.

You can still cast videos from any mobile device to the Chromecast with Google TV as you did with previous generations Chromecast (Chromecast, Chromecast 2nd gen/2015, and Chromecast 3rd gen/2018), or Chromecast Ultra.  But the Google TV interface adds tons of new features and possibilities. The voice remote is an indispensable accessory to enjoy these new features.

This Chromecast guide explains what the voice remote for Chromecast with Google TV can do, the layout of the voice remote and the functions of each button/part, and how to control Chromecast with Google TV if you cannot find the voice remote.

What can Voice Remote for Chromecast with Google TV do?

If you use Chromecast with Google TV as a passive receiving device, you probably do not need the remote. But you missed a lot of features of the dongle.

The voice remote helps you use the Chromecast with Google TV as a full-featured Android TV setup box.

Search your favourites with your voice (Google Assistant)

The remote control was … Continue to read the post....

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 to 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 will surely 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 supports 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 to 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....

How to Chromecast Amazon Prime Video to your TV?

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How to Chromecast Amazon Prime Video to your TV?From July 2019, Amazon Prime Video finally supports Chromecast and you can easily chromecast Amazon Prime Video to your TV.

Now, you can enjoy the Prime videos on the TV without a fire TV dongle/box/cube. Chromecast and the Amazon Prime Video app are the only requirements.

This Chromecast how-to guide explains to you how to use Chromecast to stream Amazon Prime videos, and the difference between Chromecast and Watch on Second Screen.

Fire TV vs. Chromecast

For a long time, Amazon has fought against Google on all fronts.

Chromecast was banned on the Amazon platform. Fire tablets removed anything related to Google. Amazon used Bing, instead of Google, as the default search engine on their devices.

Google fought back by removing YouTube support on all Amazon devices (Fire tablet, Fire TV,  Fire TV Cube, and Echo Show).

In July 2019, two adults finally stopped hostility.  Amazon started to sell Chromecast (and other Google gadgets) and add Chromecast support to Prime Video app.

So, you can now use Chromecast to stream Amazon Prime Video from your mobile devices or PC to your TV without using a Fire TV.

In the past, you have three options … 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....

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....

Chromecast guest mode guide

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Chromecast guest mode allows your guests to cast to Chromecast without connecting to your WiFi network.

This Chromecast guide explains everything you need to know about the Chromecast guest mode: what the guest mode is, how it works, how to enable or disable it, how to cast in the guest mode, and the limitations of the guest mode.

What is Chromecast guest mode? When will you need it?

By default, the only way to use Chromecast is by joining your device to the same network as Chromecast.

This is part of the security consideration: you don’t want your neighbor to mess up your TV screen.

Sometimes, you have some guests in the house and they want to share something interesting from their devices through Chromecast. In this case, you have to connect their devices to your network to use the Chromecast.

If you have some sensitive files in your home network, you probably are reluctant to have them connected to your network. You may trust your friends, but you cannot trust their devices which may have nasty malware.

Chromecast guest mode comes to solve your dilemma. Thanks to the recent update in Chromecast.

You can turn on guest mode … Continue to read the post....

How to use Chromecast backdrop to customize the TV screen?

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How_to_use_Chromecast_backdrop_to_customize_TV_screen_current_photo

The chromecast backdrop feature was officially released early this month. Now, you can customize the TV screen when you are not casting content through Chromecast.

This Chromecast guide explains everything you need to know about the Chromecast backdrop.

What contents can be used for Chromecast backdrop?

Essentially, Chromecast backdrop allows you to fill the TV screen with the following contents:

  • Your photo albums (private or public) in Google+. You can enable or disable albums one by one.
  • Artwork from galleries and museums around the world via the Google Cultural Institute.
  • News and lifestyle images from The New York Times, The Guardian, Saveur, and other sources. This is currently for US users only, possibly due to content distribution restrictions.
  • Satellite imagery of some of the hardest-to-reach places on Earth from Google Maps.
  • Photos from the Google+ community

You can enable or disable these contents individually from your Android devices or iOS devices.

More interestingly, you can even learn more about the current images shown on TV  by asking questions directly in Google Voice Search.

How to set up  Chromecast backdrop to customize the TV screen?

In your Android device, start the Chromecast Google Home app.

Tap the menu key (3 … Continue to read the post....

How to use Plex media server to stream local media to Chromecast (from your PC)

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Why do we need one more solution (robust and free) of streaming local media to Chromecast?

To stream local media to Chromecast is not as simple as many expected. Google intends to make Chromecast an internet thing, not a local media player.

If you used Chromecast for online streaming, you probably are very happy with this $35 device. It works with more and more services, and the online streaming quality is quite impressive most of the time.

But if you have a lot of media files in the hard drive of your PC, you may feel the pain to stream local media to Chromecast  (to watch on the big screen).

In the Chromecast how-to guides section, I shared two methods of streaming local media to Chromecast:

  1. Stream local video to Chromecast through a Chrome browser tab.
  2. Share the whole desktop screen (and audio) to Chromecast through desktop sharing.

Both of the methods are not robust, with obvious limitations.

Using a Chrome tab to stream local media to Chromecast is the simplest method. But it is severely limited by the media formats that you can play through Chrome browser. Very often, the user has to install additional software or … Continue to read the post....

Chromecast VS Miracast: everything you need know about Chromecast, wireless display and screen mirroring

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chromecast-vs-miracast

Update 1: Android screen mirroring through Chromecast is available! Please read this post for details.

Chromecast was hailed by Time Magazine as the most innovative gadget in 2013.  This affordable HDMI dongle changes the way people consume content, especially online video and music.

Most people now have multiple screens: smartphones ( normally 3.5-7″), tablets (normally 7-12.2″), laptops (normally 10-17″), PCs (normally 19-34″), and of course, TVs (normally 34-80″).  Different sizes give different experiences and some content. For example, full-length movies are preferred on a larger TV screen.

How to unify these screens?

There are different answers from different vendors. But most of them are vendor-dependent. In other words, the solution only works for some specific-branded devices. For example, Apple has AirPlay (which requires Apple TV); Samsung introduced  AllShare Cast since Galaxy S3 (which requires certain Samsung Galaxy devices).

Chromecast delivered an answer that is independent of hardware vendors!

Another hardware-independent answer is Miracast.

Because Android has supported Miracast natively since Jelly Bean 4.2, a lot of Chromecast owners confused Chromecast with Miracast.

I will try to explain to you Chromecast vs Miracast: the difference between Chromecast and Miracast (Miracast enabled devices), the advantages and disadvantages of … Continue to read the post....