I created this thread for people to suggest features they like to see the chromecast do. Whether it be the chromecast device itself, the chrome browser extension, chromecast app on the phone, or even just to give ideas to developers to create an app for or integrate into apps they already have.
Suggestions:
1) Cast embeded videos like youtube videos in google+ straight to chromecast? I'm currently watching a video on google+ and went to cast it but there is no button in the video. I'd have to start playing it first, click to watch it in youtube, then cast it from there.
2) Be able to use chromecast with Picture-In-Picture. I haven't tried thus yet so it might already work.
3) An app that integrates chromecasting into the android share menu so you can cast any app straight to your T.V. I know Koush is working on sharing the gallery but being able to cast almost any app would be huge! Cast pdfs, facebook pictures, instagram, etc.
Control Control Control
1) When controlling the chromecast from my phone, if a call comes in, it would be great if the Chromecast would record the time the call started and when I hang up, ask me if I want to rewind to that point or optionally pause what's playing when I pickup the phone.
2) I would like a generic app in the notification bar to control ffw/rwd/pause of any media playing on the Chromecast. The idea being it would be a standardized interface for all media apps (instead of the per app notifications like netflix uses) and any device on the wifi network could control any chromecast (rather than having to start up netflix or whatever app the chromecast is servicing on another device.
3) Queuing/queue control either in apps or in the generic app in #2. Watching Mad Men on netflix is a PITA because as a episode ends, I have to open up the phone and then open the series, then scroll to the next episode and hit play. Would be nice if it was easier to just skip to the next episode, song, whatever.
4) Android Netflix App - it's obvious that Netflix app on android is not (yet) optimized to be a remote control. As mentioned in #3 managing the queue is a PITA. Also the lack of FFWD/RWD buttons and the accuracy of the slider in portrait mode only leaves something to be desired. Landscape orientation when controlling chromecast, FFWD/RWD/NEXT/BACK, a better timeline (maybe a gesture to scrub fwd/back?) and most importantly a queue/automatic play of the next episode (like the browser app, PS3, most TVs already do) would all go to making the user experience greater. (While the lock screen overlay controls were a pleasant surprise, why it doesn't have more control buttons is beyond me).
kernelhappy said:
2) I would like a generic app in the notification bar to control ffw/rwd/pause of any media playing on the Chromecast. The idea being it would be a standardized interface for all media apps (instead of the per app notifications like netflix uses) and any device on the wifi network could control any chromecast (rather than having to start up netflix or whatever app the chromecast is servicing on another device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe RemoteCast does this already. I know it does within the app but I can't remember if it adds any controls to the notification bar.
Two more suggestions:
1) Add an option for auto power off of the device after a specified amount of inactivity. (saw this in another thread)
2) Add caller ID so we can see who is calling when casting from the phone. Pause the cast when the call is answered.
supernova_00 said:
I believe RemoteCast does this already. I know it does within the app but I can't remember if it adds any controls to the notification bar.
Two more suggestions:
1) Add an option for auto power off of the device after a specified amount of inactivity. (saw this in another thread)
2) Add caller ID so we can see who is calling when casting from the phone. Pause the cast when the call is answered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I learned about remotecast about 20 minutes after posting here, gonna check it out in a little bit.
I do like the Caller ID though.
kernelhappy said:
Yes, I learned about remotecast about 20 minutes after posting here, gonna check it out in a little bit.
I do like the Caller ID though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be soooo easy to do with Google Voice since the Hangouts app already supports it on the chrome PC extension
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Suggestions:
1) Cast the clock app to your TV to display the current time, alarm notification, and/or display the countdown timer.
2) Cast daydream to the TV (I'm not sure the usefulness of this as I have never used the feature on the phone)
3) Cast google earth to the TV. That would be beautiful to have that on a huge screen!
4) Cast specific google now cards to the TV
Soundcloud
Amazon Cloud Player
Tab casting from Android devices.
How about having it work with a wifi webcam or something for a video hangout (similar to kinect)? May not be feasible but I like the idea.
Native chrome tabs
I would like to be able to cast a tab, but instead of it mirroring my screen over the local network, run it locally on the Chromecast. A remote control interface would similate a trackpad and buttons, and only send the pointer coordinates (oh, and keyboard entries) and button clicks over the local network.
I would think that this would give us a higher quality experience, especially when viewing a streaming site that is not "Chromecast optimized".
Another suggestion:
Please for the love of god make chromecast switch the input back to what was on before I casted. This is by far my single biggest gripe.
1) Split audio and video into two separate synchronized casts. That would allow you to send the video only to your TV and then listen to the audio on your PC/phone/tablet using headphones (i.e. similar to the roku 3). Also, it would allow you to send video to your TV but cast to a second device connected to a receiver.
2) Add the option to restrict casting from certain devices. That way you could put the chromecast on a semi-public network (i.e. hotel) and others on the network would not be able to hijack your chromecast.
3) If a cast is in progress, display a warning if you attempt to start a new cast. This would prevent you from accidentally terminating someone elses cast. I could easily see people getting a chromecast for every TV, and without this, you could accidentally cast to the wrong TV which already has a cast in progress.
4) It has been mentioned before, but add a sleep mode option.
5) User defined URL for chromecast backgrounds. This would allow the chromecast to display a sideshow of your pictures when not casting.
6) Cast to remote device. This would allow you to cast if on a network with access point isolation enabled. It would also enable casting to a different subnet. Lastly it would also allow you to start a cast for someone else if you were not at home.
Casting content from SMB shares
I'd like the Chromecast to be able to pull directly from an SMB share, rather than just HTTP.
I'd then also like a companion app on my phone that can browse SMB shares and allows me to select a file to be casted so that the Chromecast fetches and streams the file directly from the SMB share. An existing app that already supports browsing of SMB shares (such as ES File Explorer or XBMC) with the added casting ability would do the trick.
netflix should go to the next tv episode automatically. this is my number one request
UPNP and DLNA
The UPNP and DLNA support would simply be a killer feature for the chromecast. The bigest problem wold be the codec support
uncola said:
netflix should go to the next tv episode automatically. this is my number one request
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I wanted it too but I'm not sure if I trust that to work properly. What if it skips an episode by mistake?
Chromecast Playlist Bridge
I mentioned this in my review at ChromeCastCentral.Com, but one of the big drawbacks for the Chromecast is that while it is cross-platform, it still has a single-user mindset. All my friends can send stuff to it, but only if THEY take control over it. There is no good way to have multiple people/apps add things to a playlist. So what we need is an app (on the PC preferably) that is both a RECEIVER and a TRANSMITTER. It could be called something like Chromecast Playlist. Multiple people/apps could cast to IT and it could build up a playlist queue that it casts to the actual Chromecast on the TV.
Casting content from SMB shares
boffo123 said:
I'd like the Chromecast to be able to pull directly from an SMB share, rather than just HTTP.
I'd then also like a companion app on my phone that can browse SMB shares and allows me to select a file to be casted so that the Chromecast fetches and streams the file directly from the SMB share. An existing app that already supports browsing of SMB shares (such as ES File Explorer or XBMC) with the added casting ability would do the trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It occurs to me that perhaps the Chromecast is already able to pull directly from an SMB share. Apparently Chrome browser itself (in Win7) can play mkv files directly from a share using URL formatted as file://host/share/file.mkv, so perhaps the Chromecast can too? If so, then I'd just need a companion app to support casting a file from an SMB share.
Btw, I don't actually have a Chromecast yet
Turn off TV/AMP after idle, or device disconnect.
Mine turns on and switches inputs automatically using HDMI-CEC, which is fantastic for putting music on in the house, but it would be nice if it would all turn off again when I'm done.
Ensure all app 'home screens' use burn in prevention techniques. The YouTube one is a ***** on our plasma.
Netflix app improvements as mentioned.
Google music on CC to store a playlist so source can disconnect from WiFi without stopping the music.
Various Options for visual stimulation whilst playing music, yet still indicate what's playing. Or even show screenshare /web stuff whilst playing music. Hogging a large screen just for music isn't super efficient, may as well use the Bluetooth method we have used till now and free up the tv.. here using the TVs optical out, can't change input or turn screen off.. Must be quite common.
Google photos /g plus incorporation. photos as screensaver etc..
Uh..
Sent from my Nexus 7
Related
So the Nexus Q had the ability to allow multiple users to control the current music playlist, which I believed was a great feature. Has anyone got something like this working with the Chromecast dongle? Seems when I try to hook up another device (by hitting the cast button in Play Music), it stops the first from playing correctly and boots it off the dongle. Little bit of a let down. Maybe it will be something Google will add with updates.
Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=WT0o1truK9w&t=237 This is the original presentation for the Nexus Q that shows off the functionality I am talking about.
hinataoccu said:
So the Nexus Q had the ability to allow multiple users to control the current music playlist, which I believed was a great feature. Has anyone got something like this working with the Chromecast dongle? Seems when I try to hook up another device, it stops the first from playing correctly. Little bit of a let down. Maybe it will be something Google will add with updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which music app are you casting from?
Youtube lets you add to queue.
I don't think there is a true Music casting app yet.
Echodawg said:
Which music app are you casting from?
Youtube lets you add to queue.
I don't think there is a true Music casting app yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Casting from the Play Music app. You wouldn't consider that a true music casting app?
hinataoccu said:
Casting from the Play Music app. You wouldn't consider that a true music casting app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad, Google play didn't have the cast button show up a few minutes ago so I thought it wasn't baked in yet.
I'll have to set up another music account to see because I don't believe I can't have more than 1 instance of G Music playing at once so just trying from another device won't cut it.
hinataoccu said:
Casting from the Play Music app. You wouldn't consider that a true music casting app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what he is saying is kind of what they demoed with the Netflix app, where multiple phone/tablets can control the music, and music queue, not just one device. Or in my case, control the music on two different phones with two different google accounts, but I don't even think that will be possible.
This is from the original Nexus Q presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=WT0o1truK9w&t=237. If you watch the next min or so you will see exactly what I am talking about. With the Nexus Q multiple people could access the queue in real time and play their own music from their Google Play Music cloud.
During the presentation he mentions multiple people being able to que things so it should work, haven't had a need to specifically test it though.
I own a Q and I can confirm that Chromecast does not work like the Q did when it comes to group queuing. When a second device is set to cast, the music will just stop.
One can then start playing from the second device and they will both be "connected" but in my experience if one tries to then play a song from the initial device it will give a "cannot play music requested" error.
Also, when both devices are connected the queue isn't in sync between devices like on the Nexus Q
However, if one is using the google cast chrome extension it will display the track playing and play/pause controls.
Hopefully this is just an early limitation and full sync will be enabled in the future.
I'm sure this will be added to function like the YouTube app with a shared queue that multiple devices can add songs to.
When i connect my iphones pandora to my chromecast the tv plays the music like it should, and the music on the tv matches what is displayed on my iphone, volume works, skip, pause all works like it should. However, when i go to the ipod app on my iphone and press play the iphone stops pandora and plays the ipod like it should, but the chromecast on the TV keeps playing pandora. when i go to the pandora app on the phone it has to restart (like it wasnt running in the background) and starts playing a song, but the song is different than the one chromecast is playing. the iphones controls no longer control chromecast like it did before and chromecast will continue to play song after song even when the iphone is turned off completley. when i change the input on the tv to cable or something else the chromecast will make the tv switch back to it when the next song starts, it will also turn my tv on if i turn the tv off. the only way i can get the chromecast to turn off is to unplug the power. does anyone know why its doing this? as far at i know the chromecast is just to transfer media from another device to a tv, not make its own media. where is it getting the pandora from?
shordinges said:
as far at i know the chromecast is just to transfer media from another device to a tv, not make its own media. where is it getting the pandora from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's where you're wrong, you aren't 'slinging' the actual content to your Chromecast, just the login/tokens and content SELECTION to the chromecast... then it takes over, it runs a regular instance of chrome on the chromecast and does all the streaming of the media directly on the chromecast over the internet... for instance, I can start watching Netflix on my Chromecast from my Android phone... I can then put my phone into airplane mode (which turns off wifi), it will continue playing Netflix... luckily, on Android, when I reconnect, and open Netflix, it realizes that my Chromecast is already playing, and gives me control again. Probably just an iOS bug with Pandora, I would just stop playing it before jumping over to the standard music app, or... Use an an Android device.
*edit*: the exception to the above is if you're casting a tab from a desktop/laptop browser, then you are encoding whatever is on the tab to video, then decoding it on the Chromecast.... This would require the computer as a intermediary as the page itself will always be rendered on the PC.
jmhalder said:
*edit*: the exception to the above is if you're casting a tab from a desktop/laptop browser, then you are encoding whatever is on the tab to video, then decoding it on the Chromecast.... This would require the computer as a intermediary as the page itself will always be rendered on the PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or if you have a rooted Chromecast and you are using AllCast to play media from your Android phone/tablet.
(depending on what you are watching)
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
which app can I use on Android to cast from a NAS without transiting through my phone (Galaxy S4)??
I've tried LocalCast and the ES File Manager chromecast plugin and both stream my files to my phone and then on the chromecast... What a useless loop...
NAS -> wireless N router -> phone -> wireless N router -> chromecast
How can I make it stream directly from the NAS in that sort of way: NAS -> Router -> chromecast, and the phone as remote controller????
Thanks you
mathieums said:
How can I make it stream directly from the NAS in that sort of way: NAS -> Router -> chromecast, and the phone as remote controller????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your NAS supports DLNA you might have more luck. If it strictly supports only CIFS/SMB/AFP type file-sharing, I don't know of any apps whose Chromecast component can browse those.
bhiga said:
If your NAS supports DLNA you might have more luck. If it strictly supports only CIFS/SMB/AFP type file-sharing, I don't know of any apps whose Chromecast component can browse those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, I say NAS but in reality it is a HDD conencted to a Asus RT-N16 router running tomatousb which (I think) runs minidlna of something similar.
My smart TV, xbox, ps3, computers... they all see the files and stream it no problem.
mathieums said:
well, I say NAS but in reality it is a HDD conencted to a Asus RT-N16 router running tomatousb which (I think) runs minidlna of something similar.
My smart TV, xbox, ps3, computers... they all see the files and stream it no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. Check BubbleUPnP or maybe Avia. I'm pretty sure there as one early app that later started pulling directly, but I can't remember which one it was at the moment. I think it was discussed in a thread here.
bhiga said:
OK. Check BubbleUPnP or maybe Avia. I'm pretty sure there as one early app that later started pulling directly, but I can't remember which one it was at the moment. I think it was discussed in a thread here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'll look into it right now!
If you're lucky @Asphyx might remember
I think Bubble may be the answer provided no transcoding is required.
I know the dev was dabbling in limited in device transcoding as well but not sure where that is at or if it is even needed for Music.
aVia most definitely runs everything through the phone if I'm not Mistaken but that too could have changed since I least used it.
Pretty much everything I stream to CCast now is via Plex which does not require the launch device to stay on.
Most 3rd party Content providers whose content is on the web and who support CCast via the casting icon will send the stream direct.
That would include Pandora, Hulu Etc...
Bubble or Plex is probably the best option but both will require a PC to handle the streaming.
It doesn't take much or affect the PC's ability to function but it will require an always on PC.
I think last time I checked (which was more than a year ago, probably closer to 2), Avia kept streaming from my server running Serviio (UPnP server) even after I rebooted my phone, but I'm not in a spot that I can retest this.
Asphyx said:
I think Bubble may be the answer provided no transcoding is required.
I know the dev was dabbling in limited in device transcoding as well but not sure where that is at or if it is even needed for Music.
aVia most definitely runs everything through the phone if I'm not Mistaken but that too could have changed since I least used it.
Pretty much everything I stream to CCast now is via Plex which does not require the launch device to stay on.
Most 3rd party Content providers whose content is on the web and who support CCast via the casting icon will send the stream direct.
That would include Pandora, Hulu Etc...
Bubble or Plex is probably the best option but both will require a PC to handle the streaming.
It doesn't take much or affect the PC's ability to function but it will require an always on PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just tried Bubble and it works with the launch device turned off. Exactly what I was looking for :good:
Avia is a paid app, I didn't try it. I'll look into Plex, thanks!
mathieums said:
I've just tried Bubble and it works with the launch device turned off. Exactly what I was looking for :good:
Avia is a paid app, I didn't try it. I'll look into Plex, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some respects Plex is a semi-paid app...
You don't need to pay to use it with a CCast but to get everythig requires a Plex pass account which has grown very expensive from the day when I bought my lifetime membership.
If Bubble works and the interface is not an issue then stick with it...
Plex is a little prettier and does full scraping of titles for a better display but if all you want to do is fling content you might not need all of that.
y2cast is released.
You could download it from google play store.
y2cast is a DLNA/UPnP media render, which could forward media to chromecast.
You could push media from iphone/ipad, android phone/pad, PC (windows, linux, mac) etc to y2cast.
e.g.: wondershare, moliplayer, pptv, kuaishou, targetv.
Keyword: chromecast, googlecast, DLNA, UPnP
User guide:
code.google.com/p/y2cast
1. Select your chromecast.
2. Press "Home", go to your video APP, e.g.: wondershare, moliplayer, pptv, kuaishou, targetv.
3. Play a video in your video APP.
4. Select "Push" in your video APP.
5. Select y2cast as DLNA/UPnP render.
6. Done.
You could cast local media, LAN, online video to y2cast, then to chromecast.
y2cast could let xbmc cast to chromecast too:
http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/threa...oid(Y2Cast-amp-Moliplayer)-to-Chromecast-Free!
http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.liby2cast.app
Thanks I'll check this out when I get home.
making CCast a DLNA Renderer is one of the things I always thought CCast should do but doesn't.
It should really do it as part of the default home page as Google insists on a 5 Min receiver app timeout if idle.
I'm assuming that timeout is present and if you don't select media within that time frame we will have to re-activate the renderer app?
Or have you found some way around that on the sending side instead?
Neat idea! I'd like to see a PC app/service that could present a DLNA renderer for every Chromecast on the network and do transcoding. I'd rather not use up my batt on the phone and a universal dlna->chromecast mapper running on a fast PC would be sweet!
rkirmeier said:
Neat idea! I'd like to see a PC app/service that could present a DLNA renderer for every Chromecast on the network and do transcoding. I'd rather not use up my batt on the phone and a universal dlna->chromecast mapper running on a fast PC would be sweet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, y2cast is only a render (DMR), not a player (DMP).
After you push media to y2cast, y2cast will forward media to chromecast.
chromecast will get the link of media, and starts to play it.
After chromecast started to play it, you could even quit y2cast.
Media file will keep playing on chromecast since chromecast already gets the link.
If you want to push a new media or control playback (pause/seek), you could run y2cast again.
After connected y2cast to chromecast, you could pause/seek the media which is still playing.
heres a dropbox link for them in a zip file.
its 172 files. not sure what happened with my chrome extension but i got them, probably with duplicates. I'm too lazy to sift through them though
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o7a8zruliyilz7l/Chromecast Wallpapers.zip
mimepp said:
Actually, y2cast is only a render (DMR), not a player (DMP).
After you push media to y2cast, y2cast will forward media to chromecast.
chromecast will get the link of media, and starts to play it.
After chromecast started to play it, you could even quit y2cast.
Media file will keep playing on chromecast since chromecast already gets the link.
If you want to push a new media or control playback (pause/seek), you could run y2cast again.
After connected y2cast to chromecast, you could pause/seek the media which is still playing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... Thanks for the clarification.
I don't understand step 4. Select "Push" in your video APP. Basically I play a video in my favorite app moliplayer or mxplayer but I can't see an option to "push" at all. What am I doing wrong?
kawaiichi said:
I don't understand step 4. Select "Push" in your video APP. Basically I play a video in my favorite app moliplayer or mxplayer but I can't see an option to "push" at all. What am I doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In moliplayer there's an option (select the settings menu while playing a video, render to : ) to select a external rendering device
If you have ys2 running in the background, then it will show up in moliplayer, which will then cast it to your cc
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk
drivenby said:
In moliplayer there's an option (select the settings menu while playing a video, render to : ) to select a external rendering device
If you have ys2 running in the background, then it will show up in moliplayer, which will then cast it to your cc
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I found it in moliplayer, but not in mxplayer
kawaiichi said:
Thanks, I found it in moliplayer, but not in mxplayer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it should be noted that this requires using a player app that can target DLNA Renderers.
I do not believe MX Player supports that feature.
Hi,
To push from an Ipad, you have to first start the y2cast program from an Android phone. So, why wouldn't you just also push from the Android phone instead of the Ipad. Am I missing something or is an Ipad version of y2cast coming where you wouldn't need the Android phone? Or would this work with 2 Chromecasts at the same time once you started y2cast, one for the phone and one from the Ipad?
Thanks
Think about this case:
You have an Android phone, your wife has a ipad.
She'd like to use ipad to push media file to chromecase, not operate on your Android phone, right?
Hi Again,
I was trying to get this working on my computer without a phone using Bluestacks, an android emulator. It works the same as on the phone except the cast button doesn't show up on Y2Cast. Is there any way to get the cast button to show up that you know of or is it not possible.
Thanks
I do not try bluestacks, but please make sure y2cast and chromecast is under the same LAN, otherwise, it could not find chromecast.
it seems bluestacks has different IP address, and it could not be changed.
vincent1964 said:
Hi,
To push from an Ipad, you have to first start the y2cast program from an Android phone. So, why wouldn't you just also push from the Android phone instead of the Ipad. Am I missing something or is an Ipad version of y2cast coming where you wouldn't need the Android phone? Or would this work with 2 Chromecasts at the same time once you started y2cast, one for the phone and one from the Ipad?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what people are watching. Because not all apps on Ipad are available on Android and vice versa. Or you may prefer how smoothly certain apps run on Ipad versus Android, or vice versa. I've tested it from our Ipad Air and I think it's brilliant.
Yes, it would be nice and tidy if y2cast was available for IOS. But this is a very cool work-around. Keep in mind you're still relegated to using apps that support DLNA. What would make y2cast even cooler is if it supported Airplay. Because I also tested apps on the Ipad that only support Airplay and the Airplay button was grayed out. I was hoping for some miracle that it would allow me to Airplay to y2cast. LOL! But it can't. You need DLNA supported apps.
The seekbar is definatelt smoother than allcast, shows the timer changing but the seek head returns to the beginning
ermacwins said:
The seekbar is definatelt smoother than allcast, shows the timer changing but the seek head returns to the beginning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which app are you using with y2cast? moliplayer?
mimepp said:
Which app are you using with y2cast? moliplayer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep moliplayer, forgot to mention it
All cast .avi video support from my android
I'm finding that I can't cast .avi files with Allcast or this app. Will there be any support? Mp4 files are the only video types I see. Further more, I've tried a lot of other cast apps for .avi files on my android nexus 7 and they just give a black screen and broken audio. Anyone had any success? Do tell!
Thanks.
Hi,
I've only recently found out about Chromecast, reviews were very praising so yesterday I went out and bought one. Unfortunately, my initial enthousiasm has almost disappeared because I can't successfully do the 2 most important things I was planning to do with such a device: 1) Stream my desktop for 720p/1080p video playback and 2) Stream/Cast my Nexus 6 screen (I get a green screen when I connect it, separate apps do work though).
Focusing on the pc casting, the video playback is lagging a lot even if I switch to 480p which is of course unacceptable for watching HD movies. I am not talking about the 0.5 - 1 second input delay, I don't care about that as I don't want to play games with it but rather for the constant speed dropping/pausing/catching up. I have a 50/10 mbps connection which I would think is enough for this but to its defense, I have only tried it through a 2014 Macbook Pro i7/16gb ram running Windows through bootcamp. Could that be the cause of slow performance? Bootcamp may be adequate for basic stuff but the computer does not feel at all like an i7 / 16gb ram unit should.
If the pc is not the issue, are there alternatives to cast your desktop at an acceptable level through other apps? I saw vnc2cast in another thread. Also, is it an option for Chromecast to work if i connect my pc through Ethernet instead of wi-fi for better performance?
Thanks
Why do you need PC video playback on CC? Its smth like record a video of playing movie by phone and then watch it, instead of copy the file to phone and then open it... You could find some FAQ first...
1.Google Cast extention for Chrome Browser will let play compatible formats of video to CC. Just drag&drop the file to a tab and hit the Cast button. It also has "Cast Entire Screen" option.
2.Videostream extention will transcode and play most of the unsupporded files, including .avi, besides the regular ones
3. Share the folder to local net, use ES File Explorer + ES File Explorer Chromecast plugin. Find the shared folder in LAN section then play with plugin.
4.KMP Player for android+KMP Connect on PC.
5.BubbleUPnP android app+BubbleUPnP server on PC for transcoding any file.
6.Plex Media Server + Plex android app
7.ANY Media server on PC (Twonky, Plex, Serviio, BubbleUPnP etc) + Any program that see DLNA (Avia for example). If an app has "open with" option, one can use VEGA Cast, AllCast, Avia, ES Cast Plugin etc...
For Screen Mirror try Koush's "Mirror" app. First join ClockWorkMod beta testers Google+ group, then it will be available in Google Play.
playahate said:
Why do you need PC video playback on CC? Its smth like record a video of playing movie by phone and then watch it, instead of copy the file to phone and then open it... You could find some FAQ first...
1.Google Cast extention for Chrome Browser will let play compatible formats of video to CC. Just drag&drop the file to a tab and hit the Cast button. It also has "Cast Entire Screen" option.
2.Videostream extention will transcode and play most of the unsupporded files, including .avi, besides the regular ones
3. Share the folder to local net, use ES File Explorer + ES File Explorer Chromecast plugin. Find the shared folder in LAN section then play with plugin.
4.KMP Player for android+KMP Connect on PC.
5.BubbleUPnP android app+BubbleUPnP server on PC for transcoding any file.
6.Plex Media Server + Plex android app
7.ANY Media server on PC (Twonky, Plex, Serviio, BubbleUPnP etc) + Any program that see DLNA (Avia for example). If an app has "open with" option, one can use VEGA Cast, AllCast, Avia, ES Cast Plugin etc...
For Screen Mirror try Koush's "Mirror" app. First join ClockWorkMod beta testers Google+ group, then it will be available in Google Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reason for pc video playback is I'd like to see movies from my local drives without having to set up a media server/NAS thing. I guess the extensions you mention in 1) and 2) can do that? I'll try them out.
Now if I understand correctly 3-7 regards sharing files from pc to phone and then streaming them to CC? I'd like to avoid that if possible as it requires the phone to act as an intermediate between pc and CC If I am not mistaken.
mclisme said:
Reason for pc video playback is I'd like to see movies from my local drives without having to set up a media server/NAS thing. I guess the extensions you mention in 1) and 2) can do that? I'll try them out.
Now if I understand correctly 3-7 regards sharing files from pc to phone and then streaming them to CC? I'd like to avoid that if possible as it requires the phone to act as an intermediate between pc and CC If I am not mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is basically a remote to initiate and control the cast from the remote device/storage for all / most of these options (definitely for Plex and the BubbleUPnP options). It's not doing any heavy lifting.
Plex is probably the most adaptable option.
Also beware that casting local high bandwidth media from a wifi networked device/storage via router to chromecast may never produce consistent results as performance is often impacted by network conditions. Tweaking various arcane settings on your router can help but it's a pain.
For me there were huge differences in performance depending on whether the host device was is the same room as the router (very good) or in it's normal location a floor up and 20-30 yards away (pretty poor) or wired (excellent). I ended up resurrecting an old laptop heading for recycle with a fresh linux install to be permanently wired to my router to host a Plex server and media. Never looked back.
playahate said:
2.Videostream extention will transcode and play most of the unsupporded files, including .avi, besides the regular ones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I tried Videostream and I find it amazing. Even its interface is so simple and smooth and with the remote control app for the phone I think it's great. So watching my movies is solved.
Now, another reason I was looking for "cast your entire screen" alternatives is that I can't seem to get a specific video streaming service that I often use to work properly. If I cast the tab, for some reason the video does not show up in CC even though the rest of the page like pictures and video controls show up fine. I guess it has to do with the fact that this specific service is encrypted and does not allow HDMI connections, if it detects one it just stops. So maybe it similarly blocks Chromecast plugin from capturing the video off it and sending it to CC?
The only way to fool it is to cast my entire screen. Then the video works fine but at a rate below 24 fps which makes it almost unusable. I even switched to 480p but still the video is slow for live sports. I guess when screen-casting, the load is too much for CC to handle?
So If there aren't other ways to improve screen-casting to a watchable level (24fps) either by 3rd-party apps or CC hacks/mods, I can only hope something is developed in the future I guess...
When I right click on a pic or vid it gives me the option to "cast to device", but it never finds the Chromecast. Everything that's supposed to see my Chromecast sees it, except this. Anyone get this to work?
Nope. I've had to do it through chrome browser. Allcast too.
Yeah that only works for devices Win 10 has installed as devices which the CCast isn't because Google has never made anything for the PC to cast other than the Browser.
Google really should look into opening up the cast screen function to work over any networked device wireless or not and create a CCast APp for PC that allows it to use the CCast with Windows Wireless Display adapter functions.
Asphyx said:
Google really should look into opening up the cast screen function to work over any networked device wireless or not and create a CCast APp for PC that allows it to use the CCast with Windows Wireless Display adapter functions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely G should look into the way you advise.
Sent from my SM-T231 using Tapatalk
That Win10 function only works with Miracast (WiFi Direct) devices. I can get it to work with my Roku 3, for example, although only if I reduce the Win10 desktop resolution.
DJames1 said:
That Win10 function only works with Miracast (WiFi Direct) devices. I can get it to work with my Roku 3, for example, although only if I reduce the Win10 desktop resolution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also works on MS' own Wireless Display device....
I'm surprised it works on a Roku.
Truthfully it should work with any DLNA Target on the network and CCast should also identify itself as a DLNA Target.
The Roku 2/3/4 firmware optionally advertises a Mircast/WiDi Screen Mirror capability (still noted as beta-test status though). The MS Wireless Display device is also Miracast/WiDi (see https://www.microsoft.com/accessori...s-display-adapter/cg4-00001#devkit-highlights)
Not sure what you mean about DLNA - that's a different media streaming standard, nothing to do with screen mirroring. Are you thinking of DIAL? Roku also supports DIAL in their firmware, as did the original Chromecast firmware, but Google has moved on and customized the Chromecast protocol so that it is no longer DIAL compatible. Most Chromecast-compatible apps don't see the Roku DIAL receiver, but Youtube and Netflix still support DIAL, and they do see the Roku as an eligible DIAL cast receiver.
DJames1 said:
The Roku 2/3/4 firmware optionally advertises a Mircast/WiDi Screen Mirror capability (still noted as beta-test status though). The MS Wireless Display device is also Miracast/WiDi (see https://www.microsoft.com/accessori...s-display-adapter/cg4-00001#devkit-highlights)
Not sure what you mean about DLNA - that's a different media streaming standard, nothing to do with screen mirroring. Are you thinking of DIAL? Roku also supports DIAL in their firmware, as did the original Chromecast firmware, but Google has moved on and customized the Chromecast protocol so that it is no longer DIAL compatible. Most Chromecast-compatible apps don't see the Roku DIAL receiver, but Youtube and Netflix still support DIAL, and they do see the Roku as an eligible DIAL cast receiver.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually what I meant was UPnP which can also be identified as a DLNA renderer. The Cast To feature of Win10 is not a screen casting feature it is merely a way of sending media to other devices from the computer (similar to how DIAL operates).
To do screen casting you actually set that up in a different area of WIndows (where you add the wireless display adapter Miracast or MS) and configure it as part of a Multi-Monitor display array.
The Cast feature will work with Kodi Devices and other devices that identify themselves as Media Players/Renderers. Which most DLNA Target devices do.
Unfortunately the CCast doesn't do that. Mostly because it really just loads Webpages, doesn't think of itself or have the software to be considered a Media Player and requires a webpage to be loaded that can be targeted as a Media Renderer before you can send media to it.
It's something all the other Media Sticks and Devices do.
Just not there with the CCast.
I guess I haven't tried the Cast feature then, only the Screen Mirroring. I'll have to try Cast...
Cool, I didn't realize that was supported in Win10. Works perfectly to cast photos and videos from Win10 to my Roku 2.
DJames1 said:
I guess I haven't tried the Cast feature then, only the Screen Mirroring. I'll have to try Cast...
Cool, I didn't realize that was supported in Win10. Works perfectly to cast photos and videos from Win10 to my Roku 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep it's a nice feature that Win10 added.
Unfortunately they did not go all the way and include Pictures and Powerpoint to the Castable media types, Just Video and Audio.
I suppose because those items are not normally supported by DLNA/UPnP devices without specific software on the device to handle it.
But If MS put their mind to it they could use a video encode to trick those devices into thinking a Video was being sent.
I think they may have this option (or something similar) on Office 2013 and 365 but I'm still using 2007.
Going back to the post I made before this one....
I wonder if it would be possible to create an App that would throw the CCast into a DLNA Renderer mode?
I'm guessing the biggest hurdle would be the Google Automatic Timeout of idle Apps.
I wish Google would just make the default screen also identify as a DLNA/UPnP target. So you could send media to it outside of just what supports DIAL.
I can Cast photos from my Win10 laptop. Did you mean something different by Pictures?
I think the difficulty with turning the Chromecast into a DLNA renderer has already been mentioned: the Chromecast only plays streams from a web server, and DLNA is a different protocol. I suspect that Google's dev kit for Chromecast doesn't allow generic apps that don't fit their model.
DJames1 said:
I can Cast photos from my Win10 laptop. Did you mean something different by Pictures?
I think the difficulty with turning the Chromecast into a DLNA renderer has already been mentioned: the Chromecast only plays streams from a web server, and DLNA is a different protocol. I suspect that Google's dev kit for Chromecast doesn't allow generic apps that don't fit their model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well technically the CCast only loads Webpages and it is the WebPages that can receive and play streams.
So the CCast is whatever the webpage it loaded makes it be.
The Default screen makes it a Slideshow.
There is no reason why that default screen can't also add code to identify as a DLNA Renderer so you can send Content directly to it via means other than DIAL.
When you DO use DIAL it will go off the default page and load up the webpage and when the Webpage unloads it will go back to default making it into a DLNA Render target again.
In fact I think there maybe an Android app that does allow CCast to become a DLNA Render Target but because Google has a Idle TImeout period for all receiver apps you have to enable it each time you want to send content to it.
By putting that functionality in the Default screen it would always be available when the Device itself is in idle without any timeout due to idle because that is what the default screensaver is there for.
As for the Pictures you are right...Win10 Can send pics as well....