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How to enable developer options in Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer?

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enable developer options in Chromecast with Google TV

The developer options in Chromecast with Google TV allow you to access some advanced features of Android TV, e.g., sideloading apps directly through ADB commands.

This Chromecast with Google TV guide explains what you can do with developer options in Chromecast with Google TV and how to enable it for the dongle.

Please note this guide applies to Chromecast with Google TV only. Other Chromecast devices (all previous generations of Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, and Chromecast Audio) are not powered by Android.

Update: there are now two versions of Chromecast with Google TV: the HD version (up to 1080p full HD, [email protected]) and the 4K version (up to 4K, same as the original one @49.99). This guide applies to both of them.

Update 2: You can watch YouTube videos without ads by using the SmartTube app.

Update 3: Google TV Streamer is the successor to Chromecast with Google TV. You can use developer options on Google TV Streamer, just like on Chromecast with Google TV.

What can you do with developer options in Chromecast with Google TV?

Chromecast with Google TV differs from previous generations of Chromecast in two major aspects, as explained in this post:… 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 updating your Chromecast.

The successor of Chromecast 2018, Chromecast with Google TV (Chromecast 2020; Chromecast 4th Gen), was released on September 30, 2020.  Google TV Streamer is the current product replacing Chromecast with Google TV. 

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-generation Chromecast, you will get the latest Chromecast 2018 … 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 Chromecast Ultra to stream 4K content?

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use Chromecast Ultra to stream 4K contents

If you want to stream 4K content among the Chromecast family (Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, and Chromecast Ultra), only Chromecast Ultra (update: and the Chromecast 2020, aka Chromecast with Google TV) has this capability. Google TV Streamer also supports 4K streaming.

But a lot of Chromecast Ultra owners found they cannot stream 4K content with Chromecast Ultra.

What are the possible causes? What are the solutions?

This Chromecast guide first explains the requirements of using Chromecast to stream 4K content, then shows you the solutions for some problems related to streaming 4K content with Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, and Google TV Streamer.

The 6 requirements of using Chromecast Ultra to stream 4K contents

Chromecast Ultra is a very powerful streaming gadget.

You can use Chromecast Ultra to stream 4K Ultra HD content with HDR.  While normal Chromecast (Chromecast and Chromecast 2nd Generation)  can only stream full HD content (1080p) without HDR.

Although Chromecast does not require a 4K TV, there are a few requirements to meet if you want to use Chromecast Ultra to stream 4K content, including:

  1. a 4K TV;
  2. fast internet connection (at least 10-20Mbps);
  3. HDCP 2.2  support;
  4. the original power
… Continue to read the post....