Calling All "Chromecast" Users

[ameerat42]

Hello! !O-O-OLLEH

(What a strange echo!)

I succumbed to the lure of the shiny metal and bought an old version Chromecast key.
[Insert visions of seamless inter-device communication here.]

Well, what's the go? Sure, I've got only a 54Mbit 2.4GHz WiFi network, and the router
is a hall and a room away from the TV. I set it up today and everything proceeds at a
RATE OF NOTS - That's Not much and Nothing much. Oh, and I didn't even get to try to
"cast" something. I gave up long before.

Tell me, is the router the problem? - Poor bandwidth?

Ta.
Am(not dazzled).

- - - Updated - - -

PS: Prior to this, I was casting stuff from phone to TV and Laptop to TV via
HDMI cables. - Seamless!

[ricktas]

I am not sure I understand. I just plugged my chromecast in, Set the tv to the HDMI port I had plugged it into, then using my laptop I did what it said to do on the TV screen, waited a bit and it worked. Then its just a matter of finding what you want to watch on the computer, laptop, mobile, and 'casting' it.

[ameerat42]

Have you got a fairly strong WiFi network? I suspect that's my problem.
And, I was using the phone to set it up. The setup went well enough, but
casting didn't work. And I waited years between everything. I think maybe
put the router near the TV?

[ricktas]

ive got a dual band router/wifi combined unit. So I have 2.4 and 5.0 ghz network running simultaneously. Signal is fine throughout the house.

[Boo53]

Are you using google chrome. Doesn't work for me with mozilla on the Windows machine and haven't tried safari on the Mac, but never had a problem using google chrome on either machine

[ricktas]

Are you using google chrome. Doesn't work for me with mozilla on the Windows machine and haven't tried safari on the Mac, but never had a problem using google chrome on either machine

yeah, you need to use chrome to set it up, and then use it. Some Apps detect it once setup, like Netflix App, and they have the cast icon in the top right corner for you to just tap and cast the netflix show to the tv.

[ameerat42]

Ta All. I will have to shift a router, I "fink". Rick, but do the computer, TV, and CC key all have to be on the
same frequency, like 2,4GHz, or can something be on 5GHz and the other different?

[Boo53]

Am. We have the older version and it seems to require everything on 2.4GHz, not sure that that is absolutely true but its what I had to do to get it to work

[ameerat42]

Ta, Boo.

[ricktas]

Yep, mine doesnt like the 5ghz network and only likes other devices on the 2.4

[ameerat42]

Well, a few more results of "muckin around"
1. You NEED a GOOD strong WiFi signal. (Did I hear someone say "A new router"?)
2. You NEED everything on the SAME WiFi network. - No mixing wired and WiFi, even from
the same router.
3. It works on anything that has an HDMI connection (older, non-Smart TV, older HD monitor).
4. See 1.
5. See 1 again
6. Apart from that it's alright.

[Hawthy]

A good strong WiFi signal is the go. As is having your computer and the Chromecast on the same WIFI network. It won't work if your computer is on a wired network even coming from the same router.

We had a Chromecast on a TV about 12 or 15 metres away from our router. The WiFi signal had to pass through two walls and it provided variable results. One day we could watch for hours with no problems and the next day might see drop outs and endless buffering. Using an iPad or iPhone was worse - presumably because they are competing for the same weak WiFi signal. If I put it on a TV about one metre away and only one wall to go through it worked perfectly. But that was a little 32-inch TV.

I completely solved the problem by buying a 60-inch Panasonic Smart TV.

[ameerat42]

Yes, that's what I thought - It's been almost two years.

Much apathy has passed under the bridge since my last try, but now I can
report confirmation of the findings:
- A good, strong WiFi signal;
- All devices on same WiFi only signal.

In the meantime I got a more powerful dual-band (incl AC band) router.
The only thing is that I have the 2.4GHz only Chromecast key. - But it works.

Who knows when I'll next use it

(So pass the fads of the world.)

[Boo53]

Am, you can of course stream youtube stuff through chromecast, or any web related stuff, or with an app (used to be called a program didn't they? ) like Videostream you can also send video files straight from your hard drive

[ameerat42]

I see, ta. I have not heard of that one and I will check it out.
Certainly Chromecast is Cumbersome. - And the device gets quite hot in the HDMI port.

[ricktas]

If you have an App called Google Home, on your device, when you open youtube etc, the cast icon should appear in the top right corner.

I use Android, so here is the link for that: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cast.app&hl=en

[ameerat42]

Thanks, I've got it working, Rick, but I just find it all a bit clunky. I noticed the video
did not progress on (the silly little) HP Pav computer as it was casting, but that's
nothing, as it caught up when stopped/finished. I will persevere.

I'm wondering why the Ccast key itself gets hot after a while in the HDMI port. It's
powered from its own mains power supply, rather than from a nearby USB port.