We then used Tab casting to send it to our TV, but just like before, images and video were heavily pixelated.Ĭlick to EnlargeThe Chromecast isn't the first time Google tried its hand at an Internet streaming device that hooks up to your TV. However, on our notebook, we pressed Control+0 in the Chrome browser to view local content on the browser itself. #Google chromecast media player tvUnlike Apple TV or the Plair, there's no way to natively stream files stored locally on your notebook, tablet or phone. Graphics were so choppy, though, that we'd wait until this feature is more refined. So, for example, when we tried playing a round of "Angry Birds," the slingshot appeared to magically pull back on its own. Update: We tried the Chromecast on two additional Wi-Fi networks at home and in our office, and encountered the same pixelation issues as when we first tested this feature.Īnother caveat about Tab casting is that it doesn't show your cursor. #Google chromecast media player updateTo be fair, we tried this feature using an LTE hotspot and our hotel's Wi-Fi network we will retest this feature on our home network, and update this review if necessary. So, you can scroll down through Web pages, and play video from sites such as Hulu, but it's nearly impossible to see anything clearly. Unlike casting YouTube, your TV essentially mirrors what's on your computer screen. When we tried to cast tabs, everything on our TV screen, from text to images and video, looked pixelated. However, Google says this feature is still in beta-and with good reason. #Google chromecast media player plusHowever, Google has released an SDK for Chromecast, and says it's working with sites such as Hulu Plus and Pandora.Ĭlick to EnlargeYou can view video from other sites, such as CBS, Fox and, yes, Hulu, using a workaround feature called Tab casting, which lets you stream a tab from the Chrome browser to your TV. When we then tried to stream something from our phone, the Chromecast became confused, and stopped streaming.Ĭurrently, you can only cast video from Netflix, YouTube and Google Play Music and Movies. However, if we started playing something on our notebook, then opened the YouTube app on our phone, we couldn't tell what video was playing on our TV. For instance, when we started playing a video from our phone, we could see in the Chrome browser on our notebook what was playing, and could control the video. Google also boasts that you can hand off control of what's playing from one device to another, but it only worked well part of the time. Google Play Music and Google Play Movies also support Chromecasting, and, as with Netflix and YouTube, streamed smoothly to our TV.Įven cooler is that once a video started playing, we could then leave the app we were using to perform other tasks, and the video would continue playing on our TV, uninterrupted. Similarly, when we started playing a Netflix video, the image was crystal-clear on our TV, and audio was always in sync. Audio and video were always in sync, and we could easily control the volume from any of our devices. (Currently, just YouTube, Netflix and Google Play are compatible.)Ĭlick to EnlargeOnce we selected a video on YouTube on our notebook, phone or tablet and pressed the Chromecast button, it started playing almost immediately on our TV. There's virtually no interface to speak of on your notebook, a small icon appears in the corner of the Chrome Web browser, and in the lower right corner of any video from sites that support Chromecast. However, because they're on the same network, you can use your mobile device to control what's playing on screen. The Chromecast device connects directly to your Wi-Fi network, so streams don't have to go through an intermediary, such as your phone or laptop. If you need to switch the network that the Chromecast is using, simply run the installer again. #Google chromecast media player androidWhile Chromecast works with Macs, PCs, Android and iOS, any device that you want to use to control the Chromecast must be on the same wireless network. In all, the process takes five minutes, tops. #Google chromecast media player mac osNext, install the Chome Web browser on your notebook (it supports Windows and Mac OS X), followed by the Chromecast setup app (go to The installer will then connect your notebook to the Chromecast via Wi-Fi (you temporarily lose your Internet connection), and configure the Chromecast to work on your local wireless network. First, plug the device into an open HDMI port on your TV, then attach the USB power cord to the Chromecast.
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