Although Google's ultra portable media streaming device is pretty much plug-and-play. Google helps simplify your online life, from email and online storage to news and digital maps. That also applies to your Chromecast-connected TV. These tips will make your chromecast more enjoyable.

Google currently sells two versions of its streaming device, Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast With Google TV, the latter giving the Google dongle a much-needed makeover, adding remote and on-screen menus. However, many people may still be using older devices to cast. Chromecast has been around since 2013, its features are also built into many of today's top smart TVs.

No matter how you "cast" your content, part of the appeal of Chromecast is its portability and ease of use just plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and you're instantly streaming Netflix, Spotify, HBO Max, Hulu Stream content from your mobile device or PC to your TV not to mention music, work, and following sports.

1. Get Personal

Often you share with people you love, but may not be your taste in movies and shows. Everyone in your home can keep their watchlists and more importantly, their recommendations separate with Google TV on your Chromecast. Go to the Google TV main screen and select your profile. Select Add Account. Sign in to the Google account you want to add, answer the profile setup questions, and then select the streaming service you want to associate with the profile.

2. Divert Your Attention from Your Watchlists

Instead of scrolling through the menu to get to your watchlists, simply press the Google Assistant button on the side of the remote and say, "Show me my watchlists".

3. Utilizing Mobile Phones

If you lose your Chromecast remote in the sofa cushions, you can still navigate on-screen with the Google Home app (Android, iOS) or Google TV app (Android, iOS). To use Google Home, turn on your TV and then open the app. Select Google TV, then Open Remote. For the Google TV app, turn on your TV and open the app. Select Remote, then Scan for Devices; select your device, and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Making Meetings Bigger

You can transmit a Google Meet meeting while still using your computer for the camera, microphone, and audio. Download the Meet app, open your meeting using Google Calendar or the Meet app, and select Cast this meeting. You can select the Cast devices you want to use in the Cast tab. To stop casting, select the three-dot menu and click Stop Casting Meeting.

5. Cast Google Slides to your TV

When you use Google Slides, you can show your presentation with Chromecast, since Google Cast is built into Chrome. Click the Present option on the top right of your presentation, select Present on another screen, and select your Chromecast device.

6. Mirror your Android Device to TV

If you want your Android screen to appear on your TV for work or entertainment, screen transmission is supported on devices running Android 5.0 and later. While your mileage may vary depending on the phone you have, the screenshot above is from a OnePlus 5T. Open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast device, and tap Cast my screen at the bottom and then Cast screen. Tap Stop mirroring when done.

7. Bring Apple TV and Google TV Together

There may be a big rivalry between Apple and Google, but you don't have to get involved in the conflict when you have Chromecast With Google TV. The Apple TV app, which includes Apple TV+, is available in the Apps section of your main screen. This is the kind of friendly cooperation you'll find in Ted Lasso.

8. Banish Buffers With an Ethernet Adapter

Chromecast is a handy gadget for streaming Netflix, YouTube and other content from your mobile device to your TV, but it requires a strong Wi-Fi connection to deliver buffer-free streams. However, not everyone has a super-fast Wi-Fi network. For those who don't, Google has a $20 Ethernet adapter for Chromecast with Google TV.

9. Cast Music to Your TV

If you have an impressive sound system connected to your TV, why not use it to listen to your favorite tunes? Various music streaming services can cast music to Chromecast, including Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Make sure your device is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast, look for the More Devices button or Chromecast icon, and select Chromecast from the list that appears. Disconnect from your music app or through the Google Home app.

10. Chromecast Guest Mode

Whether you have house guests during the week or party guests for the evening, you may want to let them decide what to watch without giving them access to your Wi-Fi. On older model Chromecasts, enable Guest Mode. (Guest Mode is not available on Chromecast with Google TV.) Open the Google Home app, select your Chromecast, tap the settings wheel in the top right, scroll down to Guest Mode, and tap to enable.

11. Do Not Track

It's impossible to turn off all tracking, as Chromecast is just a conduit for content, but you can limit what it sends to Google. In the Chromecast device's Settings menu, look for the setting that mentions sending device statistics and crash reports to Google, then disable it.

12. Add Photos to Chromecast Background

Replace your Chromecast background with Standby Mode. You can use your own photos or choose from a selection of art, landscape photography, and Google satellite images. In the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast icon. Tap the gear icon, and scroll down to Ambient Mode. Here, you can choose to have your Chromecast display images from Google Photos or a Google-curated gallery of images and artwork. Tap Experimental for low bandwidth mode. You can also add weather and time to the display and set how fast the Chromecast scrolls through each photo.

13. Cast Google Photos to TV

Chromecast can serve as a modern alternative to old-school slideshows without the need for a projector. Google Photos has Chromecast support, so you can cast photos from Google Photos on iOS, Android, and PC to your TV. Look for the Cast icon at the top of the Google Photos app, and tap to connect.

14. Remote Not found

Since Chromecast plugs into a port on your TV, you'll need to switch the input on your TV to switch between your cable box, Chromecast, and whatever else you have in your home entertainment setup. However, if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, your TV can make the jump as soon as you press the cast button from a supported app, no old-school remote needed.

Some TV makers may call it by a different name (Google has an overview here), but if your TV supports it, go to the TV settings, select the HDMI-CEC option, and enable it. Note that your Chromecast must use a wall outlet for power and not be plugged into a USB port on the TV.

15. Listening on your Headphones

When you want to watch something on your TV but don't want the sound to disturb others, Chromecast with Google TV includes Bluetooth support, which you can access in the Remote & Accessories section of the Google TV main screen (note that some stability issues have been reported).

For older Chromecast devices, try LocalCast for Chromecast. This lets you cast video to your television while keeping the audio on your device. Tap Route audio to phone on the Playing screen, and plug in some headphones. This LocalCast feature has long been in beta, and the developer warns that there may be bugs. But the app is free, so it's worth a try when you need to minimize noise.

16. Ask Google Assistant for Help

The remote that comes with Chromecast With Google TV includes a Google Assistant button, press it to search by voice or ask Google's virtual assistant to open supported apps. If you have an older Chromecast and a Google smart home device like a Nest display, connect the two, and say things like "OK Google, play Stranger Things on Netflix". Other compatible services include Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and YouTube TV.

17. Making Things Family-Friendly

Families with Chromecast With Google TV can set up separate profiles for their children, so parents don't have to worry about unsupervised screen time. Parents can specify which apps their child can access (including YouTube Kids), choose themes, and even manage device usage time. "When it's almost time to turn off the TV, your kids will be greeted with three countdown alerts before the final 'Time out' screen appears and ends their viewing time," Google said. Kids are smart, so parents can protect their profiles with a PIN.

18. Creating a YouTube TV Queue

The only annoying thing about watching YouTube on Chromecast is that you have to pick up and put down the device every time you want to watch another video. Or do you? Open the YouTube app, tap the Cast button, select your Chromecast device, and choose a video to watch. A pop-up box will appear giving you the option to play the video right away or add it to your queue. Add however many videos you want to watch to your queue, then finish. Tap the up arrow at the bottom of the screen to view or edit your upcoming video selections.

19. Cast Plex to Chromecast

One of the main complaints about Chromecast is that it doesn't support local media playback, so you can't take advantage of content that's been stored in the cloud. But with the Plex media management app, you can stream music, movies, and photos through Chromecast. Plex organizes your scattered content and lets you watch it from your tablet, TV, phone and more. Sign up, download the Plex app, open it, and send your content to Chromecast.

20. Stream Games With Stadia

Google's Stadia streaming platform lets you play console- and PC-quality games on your phone, in a Chrome browser tab, or on a TV with a supported streaming device. After the launch of Chromecast Ultra, in June 2021, Google added Stadia support to Chromecast with Google TV for another big-screen gaming option.

21. Stream DVDs With Vudu

If you have piles and piles of DVDs and have nothing to play them on, or you just want the convenience of streaming, you can use Vudu to turn old media into new. Download the Vudu app (Android, iOS), sign in or register for an account. Go to the menu, select Disk to Digital, and scan the UPC code of the disk. Then you can watch the DVD as a stream on the Vudu app on Chromecast for $2 per title for standard definition and $5 per title for high definition.

22. Chromecast Review Program

If spoilers don't deter you, you'll want to join the Chromecast Preview Program. This gives you the latest Chromecast features before they are released to the public. Google says this program is not a beta but just a preview of stable features.

To sign up, open the Google Home app on your Android or iOS device. Tap your Chromecast and the gear icon on the top right, and scroll down to Preview Program. Select it, tap Join Program, and agree to receive emails about new features. To opt out, simply return to this page and tap Leave Program.

Reference:

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/google-chromecast-tips-tricks

Want to know more information, please visit our website at:

https://agus-hermanto.com/

Don't forget to follow our other social media

Instagram          : hdnmetatech

linkedin              : https://www.linkedin.com/company/herdina-metatech-sinergi-corp

Facebook           : Herdina Metatech Sinergi Corp