Google's Chromecast is an electronic device that allows you to stream video and other multimedia content from your computer or mobile device to your TV. It is an inexpensive and simple to use device that allows you to eliminate all connection cables that you should normally use. This article explains how to set up a Chromecast and how to use it to stream video to your TV from a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Connect the Chromecast to the TV
Step 1. Unpack it
Inside should be the device, similar to a normal USB stick, a connection cable and the power cable.
Step 2. Locate an HDMI port on the back of the TV
You should check if your TV also has a USB port. If not, you will need to connect the Chromecast to the mains using the appropriate power supply.
Step 3. Insert the Chromecast USB connection cable into the appropriate port on the device
If you have chosen to use the USB port of the TV to power the Chromecast, connect it to the connection cable that you find supplied. If not, you will need to use the power supply.
Step 4. Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on the TV
The Chromecast is designed to be connected directly to an HDMI port on your TV and using one of the ports on the back of the unit will remain hidden from view.
Step 5. After connecting the Chromecast to the TV, connect the power supply to the mains
You can use a normal wall socket, but most likely you will have an electric power strip to which you will have connected all the other electronic devices present (television, decoder, DVD player, etc.).
Step 6. Turn on the TV
Press the "Input" or "Source" button on the remote control to select the HDMI port you connected the Chromecast to as the input signal source. Normally the HDMI ports are numbered, for example HDMI1, HDMI2 or HDMI3, so you shouldn't have a problem finding the one you connected the Chromecast to.
Step 7. At this point you just have to complete the configuration of the device using a computer or smartphone
Visit the URL "google.com/chromecast/setup" to create an account and remember to make a note of the name of your Chromecast.
Part 2 of 5: Configure the Chromecast Using a Smartphone or Tablet
Step 1. Download the Google Home app
You can download it directly from the Google Play Store if you are using an Android device or from the App Store if you are using an iPhone or iPad. Follow these instructions to download the application from your device store:
- Launch the app Google Play Store or App Store;
- Tap the "Search" tab (on iPhone and iPad only);
- Type the keywords "Google Home" into the search bar;
- Select "Google Home" from the search results list;
- Push the button Get or Install corresponding to the Google Home application.
Step 2. Launch the Google Home app
It features a white icon depicting a stylized house in blue, yellow, red, and green. Select the indicated icon that you will find on the Home or in the application menu to launch the Google Home program on your device.
If you are not automatically logged into your Google account, log in manually by entering your profile username and password
Step 3. Press the + button
It is located in the lower left corner of the screen. A menu will appear.
Step 4. Choose the Configure Device option
It is displayed at the top of the menu that appeared when you pressed the "+" button.
Step 5. Select the item Set up new devices at home
It is the first option you find in the "New devices" section of the "Configure" menu.
Step 6. Select the house where the Chromecast is present and press the Next button
The Google Home app will scan the Wi-Fi network for new devices.
If you haven't already set up a home within the app, choose the option Create another home and follow the instructions to set up a new network within the Google Home app.
Step 7. Check the verification code
A 4-digit numeric code should appear on the screen of the mobile device you are using and the TV screen. Make sure the PIN code is the same on both devices.
Step 8. Select a room in the house and press the Next button
If your home consists of several rooms, you can select the room in which the Chromecast is physically installed.
Step 9. Select the Wi-Fi network
Tap the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to connect the Chromecast to.
Step 10. Enter the password to access the Wi-Fi network
After selecting the wireless network, you will need to type in the login password so that the Chromecast can connect to the network. When the Chromecast setup is complete, you will see a confirmation message appear on the smartphone or tablet screen.
Part 3 of 5: Using the Chromecast
Step 1. Make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network that the Chromecast is connected to
Step 2. Download and install supported apps on your mobile device. The apps supported and compatible with the Chromecast are many and include the most popular and used to watch streaming content, for example the Netflix app, YouTube, Spotify, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. You can find the complete list of all supported apps at this URL
Step 3. Launch one of the supported apps
Touch the corresponding icon visible on the home of your smartphone or tablet to start the program.
Step 4. Select the content you want to stream to the TV via the Chromecast
This could be a movie or video or any other multimedia content.
Step 5. Press the "Cast" button
It will turn white when the selected content is streamed from the mobile device to the TV.
Step 6. Select the name of the Chromecast you want to stream content to
In this way the chosen content will be transmitted from the smartphone or tablet to the TV.
Part 4 of 5: Casting a Video to Chromecast from a Laptop
Step 1. Download and install the Google Chrome browser on your computer
To stream content to the Chromecast, you will always need to use the Chrome browser. The Chromecast name indicates that this device works exclusively with Google Chrome.
You can download and install Google Chrome from this URL https://www.google.com/chrome/.
Step 2. Launch Google Chrome
It features a red, green, yellow and blue circular icon. Click on the icon in question to start Google Chrome on your computer.
Step 3. Go to the web page where the content you want to stream to your TV is posted
There are many streaming web platforms that are optimized for Google Chrome, for example, Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Watch ESPN, Showtime Anywhere, and Google Play. Log in with the corresponding account.
Step 4. Choose the content you want to stream
Start playing the movie or video you want to stream to your computer.
Step 5. Click on the "Cast" button on your browser
It features an icon depicting a television and some curved lines. The list of devices to which content can be cast will be displayed.
Step 6. Click on the name of your Chromecast
The latter will receive the broadcast signal and display the content on the TV screen.
Part 5 of 5: Cast a Website to Chromecast from a Laptop
Step 1. Download and install the Google Chrome browser on your computer
To stream content to the Chromecast, you will always need to use the Chrome browser. The Chromecast name indicates that this device works exclusively with Google Chrome.
You can download and install Google Chrome from this URL https://www.google.com/chrome/.
Step 2. Launch Google Chrome
You can use the Google browser to view any web page on the TV screen using the Chromecast.
Make sure the laptop or desktop PC you are using is connected to the same Wi-Fi network that the Chromecast is connected to
Step 3. Visit the webpage you want to cast to Chromecast
You can choose any page without any limitation, the important thing is to use the Google Chrome browser. Type the page address in the bar visible at the top of the Chrome window.
Step 4. Click the ⋮ button to access the Chrome main menu
It features an icon with three vertically aligned dots located in the upper right corner of the browser window.
Step 5. Click on the Transmit… option
It is one of the items listed in the menu that appeared when you clicked on the icon depicting the three dots. At this point, the list of all devices connected to the network will be displayed to which you can transmit the video signal in streaming.
Step 6. Click on the name of your Chromecast
The image displayed in the active Chrome tab will be streamed to the Chromecast and displayed on the TV screen.
