Chromecast is an innovative streaming device that plugs into an HDMI port on your television and lets you stream from Netflix, YouTube and more. Plus it works with Google smart home products so you can use voice commands to operate both your television and other electronics with voice commands.
But there’s one minor niggle with how TalkBack works. Navigating a screen while using speech can become confusing.
How to Set Up
Google Chromecast is a wireless dongle that enables you to stream content from your mobile device or desktop computer directly onto a television. Setup is effortless, and it works with many apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and more for easy streaming on-the-go.
One of the first steps you should take is connecting your device to your television’s HDMI port and plugging its power supply into an open outlet. After doing this, your television should display a Chromecast Welcome Screen; if not, press ‘Input’ or ‘Source’ on your remote until it does.
Once your device has been connected to your television, it’s time to set up the Google Home app and get everything working together. You can do this on either your phone or tablet for free – simply follow these steps.
Once installed, the app will prompt you to log into your Google account. Doing so allows the system to search nearby Chromecast devices and display them all so you can select which one to cast to.
Now, just make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This step is essential, as if your Wi-Fi isn’t on the same network as your Chromecast, it won’t be able to connect.
Before using Chromecast with your TV, make sure it supports HDMI-CEC. Most popular brands support this feature; however, you can check if your specific television does by inspecting its box of instructions.
If you don’t understand HDMI-CEC, Google provides a helpful explanation. While some TV makers use their own terms for it, we’ve included an alphabetized list of the most common ones to make it easier.
Once all this is set up, all that’s left for you to do is press the “Cast” icon on any supported app and it will start streaming to your TV. Alternatively, you could use Google Home smart speaker for similar functionality.
Getting Started
Chromecast is a Google-owned media streaming device that connects to your TV via Wi-Fi. Founded in 2013, it offers users access to Netflix, YouTube and more on their television sets.
For only $35, you can purchase an Android TV box that works with Google Play and all its apps. The most recent version (released 2020) also has a sophisticated user interface that learns your streaming habits so it can suggest relevant content and customize your home screen accordingly.
Setting up an Android device is relatively straightforward, while Windows and iOS machines may require more steps. Android phones will typically automatically fetch the Wi-Fi password if it can detect the Chromecast device; however, older models such as iPhones and iPads require manual entry of this information.
Once the app detects your Chromecast, tap ‘Set up’ to reveal a four-digit code which needs matching with that on either your TV or app.
Once matched, you’ll see a list of rooms your Chromecast is in and can select which one to cast to. This comes in handy if you have multiple TVs in different rooms and want to decide which one to cast to.
Additionally, Chromecast can function as a remote for your TV. In the app, there’s a 4-way directional pad, select button and voice search feature that allow you to easily browse content on-the-go.
If you want to experience the latest Chromecast features before they’re available to everyone, sign up for the preview program. This will grant you early access to new Google Assistant capabilities and more.
On a related note, when setting up your Chromecast you may want to consider which Wi-Fi frequency you choose. While 2.4GHz frequencies typically offer faster wireless speeds, they may also be susceptible to interference from other devices on your network. If speed and range are important factors for you then 5GHz spectrum should be taken into account.
Using the Remote
The Chromecast visual guide is an accessible way to learn about and utilize your device. It displays a grid of apps supported by the device and lets you select them one at a time with the Arrow keys. Tapping either Select or Unmark can mark or unmark services for quick navigation.
Alternatively, you can search for content by asking the Google Assistant. For instance, if you say “Find comedy movies,” Google will display a list of available comedies on YouTube. Moreover, you can ask the Assistant to help locate a movie theater near you or order pizza while watching.
You can play music from services like Spotify and Pandora using the Chromecast, making it an excellent alternative to a regular stereo system. Furthermore, the Chromecast supports pass-through Dolby Atmos sound quality – great news for audiophiles who want to watch Dolby Surround movies and TV shows on their televisions.
To set up the remote, first download and install the Google Home app on your phone or tablet (if you don’t already have it). Then use your phone’s camera to scan a QR code located on your TV screen using that phone’s camera.
Once you’ve done that, the Google Home app will walk you through several steps to set up the device. After that, you’ll be able to cast your phone’s screen or audio directly onto a television using Chromecast.
Next, you’ll be prompted to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. Most Android and iPhones can do this automatically; if using an older phone or iPad however, then you must enter the network password manually.
If you’re having trouble doing that, try turning off your internet connection. That should solve the issue and allow you to turn on both your television and cable box with the remote control.
This remote is lightweight, weighing in at just over an ounce. It has a d-pad on top with outer circles for arrows and a center Select button, as well as three rows of buttons: Back/Voice Search in row 1, Home/Mute in row 2, and YouTube/Netflix shortcut buttons in row 3.
On the side of the remote, there are volume buttons for controlling your TV’s audio system. Furthermore, you can configure it to control your television’s power as well – especially useful if using a smart TV with this remote.
Using the Visual Guide
The Google Home app is an ideal way to keep track of all connected devices and services. With it, you can control your device remotely if you have an internet connection. Furthermore, the visual guide provided by the Google Home makes it a suitable option for those with vision impairment.
Though not as powerful as the Chromecast itself, this app still offers plenty of capabilities. For instance, it can display a map of your home or office, play videos from Google Drive and send notifications about events or offers coming up. Furthermore, you can set alarms or turn off your device at certain times with ease.
Aside from its impressive features, what really sets this app apart is that you can actually control your TV with it! To get started, open the app on either smartphone or tablet and it will automatically detect which TV you own and its location in the room. In settings, you can assign it a unique name.
Finally, the app’s main screen provides access to all your device’s latest updates. Although it has some impressive capabilities, it can run slowly at times and may not fit perfectly with your TV’s screen size or resolution. To improve speed in the app, try reducing how many devices are allowing simultaneous access.
Combining apps and features can simplify your life, but be sure to stay abreast of any new updates that might be coming your way. Doing this ensures you don’t miss out on any important aspects of the app, such as its augmented reality function which lets you use your phone as a virtual remote control.