Developed by Google and released on July 24, 2013, Chromecast has evolved a lot regarding its main feature in streaming online or local media content to TV till now. And since Chromecast users are still tend to grow recently due to the cheap price (at $35) along with the ease of use, the need to get the most out of Google Chromecast become urgent. Therefore, in order to make the media streaming of Chromecast much easier, we've listed some most useful tips and tricks about Chromecast you may not know yet in the following article. Now let's check them out one by one.
5 Clever Things to Do When Streaming Media with Chromecast
1. Change Media Streaming Quality
Maybe you will find the streaming is a little fuzzy sometimes, right? Don't worry. If you are meeting with such problem, you can simply change the streaming quality by selecting the cast icon and then the gear icon when casting. There are multiple resolution options for you to choose from, which including standard (480p), high (720p), and extreme (720p high bitrate).
2. Stream Local Media to Chromecast
Currently there are two common ways to cast local audio and video files from computer to Chromecast. One is to use Chrome browser while the other is to use a media streaming app, such as AllCast, VideoStream, Plex, etc. With the help of these media management apps, you can easily stream movies, music, and photos via the Chromecast to large screen. They organize your scattered content and let you watch the media from tablets, phones, and more..
3. Stream DRM Media Files to Chromecast
Although Chromecast is able to stream various kinds of online media content, like Netflix, Spotify, HBO GO, Hulu Plus and more to TV for watching, it is not allowed to stream any DRM-protected media to TVs, for example, the movies and TV shows sold from iTunes Store. However, there is an app you can use to get rid of the DRM lock from the protected iTunes videos so as to stream the DRM iTunes movies to Chromecast for playback. This magic tool is ViWizard DRM Video Converter developed by ViWizard studio. For more details, you can visit the tutorial below to learn how to remove iTunes DRM and cast iTunes movies to TV via Chromecast.
4. Cast Android Phone's Screen to Chromecast
After the latest app update of Chromecast, you are allowed to directly mirror any Android device running KitKat 4.4.2 or higher to television with Chromecast. That's to say, you can cast whatever you see on your Android phone or tablet to the TV. To mirror the screen, you should just launch the Chromecast app, tap the options menu on the upper right of the screen, and tap Cast screen.
5. Stream Media with Guest Mode on Chromecast
Another great feature of Chromecast is that it will allow your friends to stream content from their Android devices to Chromecast without connecting to your Wi-Fi network. The only thing you should do is to turn on the Guest Mode of Chromecast in device settings. And then anyone who opens the Google Cast Ready app on his phone within 25 feet of Chromecast will be capable of casting any media content from the device to TV. If this doesn't work, he'll have to manually enter the four-digit PIN that will be displayed on the TV into the app's settings on the device.
Conclusion
As Chromecast is gaining more users' favor, we will be glad to see more functionality and app support to be added to this small yet powerful media streaming device in the near future. If you have some other tips and tricks regarding Chromecast that are missed in this article, just let us know in the comment below.
Nick Orin is a review writer, software geek and Mac OS enthusiast. He spends all his free time in searching useful software and gadgets to share with others.
