The Chromecast Tips and tricks thread

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Mobus

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I love and hate the Chromecast. Probably a few users here have a chromecast lying in a drawer somewhere just because it doesn't cast reliably. I'm creating this thread that users can share what worked and didn't work for them.
 
Tips:
* DATA USAGE: The bloody data hungry chromecast can download ~500mb per day in HD photos - even if the TV is off or on another input source. Set the chromecast to show only photos from your own google photos albums. I created a blank album with only two black low res photos in it. At first I only had one photo but that didn't work. It wants at least two photos so that it can "cycle" through them :wtf:

* GETTING AN APP TO CAST: Casting works great on my wife's samsung A3, but has connection issues on my S6. On the S6, the in-app casting icon doesn't always show up, or when it does you only have a few seconds to click it before it disappears. A somewhat annoying workaround is to first open Google Home, enable screen casting from the pop-up menu, then launch i.e. netflix straight from the Google Home app. The cast icon will be available and you should be able to cast. In my case, the app loses the "casting control" connection rather quickly, but you can always pause/play/set volume from the Home app or the TV remote.

*UPDATE:
I think I have finally figured out the reason behind my casting problems. I had at some point designated our home wifi as a data "restricted network" in my phone's settings (because it is not uncapped). This is a relatively obscure setting under Data usage > More > Restrict networks, which prevent apps that are running in the background from using the selected wifi networks. My theory is that communications to the chromecast is handled by a background service which, with this setting enabled, got disconnected from my wifi.
 
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I've noticed recently that casting my desktop etc has improved greatly. I think they have sorted out their software now. Casting movies from my PC using the videostream app also works a treat. And the ability to quickly set up a youtube playlist using my phone is amazing. I love using mine.
 
I have two Chromecasts. The original model, and the Ultra.
TIP - don't power it from the USB port on the television. It does work, but eventually will cause problems with the unit. Which is why my old Chromecast started having wifi issues and was retired.
 
Never knew about the large data use on photos

I also use wall plug supplied

I have gen2 with no issues so far from s7 and redmi note 3

If anyone has another to sell lemme know...
 
crawler said:
Never knew about the large data use on photos

I also use wall plug supplied

I have gen2 with no issues so far from s7 and redmi note 3

If anyone has another to sell lemme know...
Click to expand...
I advertised an ultra in the classifieds today
 
crysis said:
I've done this for three years with no issue?
Click to expand...

So did I. And then I started getting connectivity issues on it. Eventually I googled it and found that the same problem can be caused by voltage spikes from the television. Those ports are not really designed for power supply. So I'm playing it safe and powering it separately.
 
One word. Roku
I love my streaming stick. Uh - I mean the Media Player.
It might not have ShowMax, but I don't miss it. The Wifi Remote is incredible, and its integration with Plex, Netflix and Youtube makes it light-years ahead of Chromecast.
 
ngwe23 said:
I have both and I prefer the chromecast. The mibox is trash when streaming youtube.
Click to expand...

My mi box streams youtube perfectly.

There was a recent system update for mi box with youtube fixes. Have you downloaded and installed it?
 
I just mainly need
Showmax
Netflix
DStv now

Less often
Youtube
 
Anyone else with success/failure with the chromecast and an S6?
 
I have posted an update to my original tips post. I think I have finally solved my chromecast connection isssues.
 
Quey_Quick said:
Use mine for Plex and Youtube with no problems. (Have a S6 and Chromecast 2nd gen.)
Click to expand...

Can you tell me a bit more of your plex & chromecast setup? Do you have a separate/local plex server and plex app on your phone ?
I haven't used plex before, but understood you must supply your own content?
 
Mobus said:
Can you tell me a bit more of your plex & chromecast setup? Do you have a separate/local plex server and plex app on your phone ?
I haven't used plex before, but understood you must supply your own content?
Click to expand...

I have a separate plex server and plex app on my phone. I use my own content for plex, but channel options are available as well.

See here:

https://cordcutting.com/plex-channels/
 
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