On many occasions you will have heard about Chromecast from afar, or to give an example, in applications like YouTube or Netflix we find that in the settings and player sections we find many mentions of this special feature that can make sharing and viewing much easier. audiovisual content. In Actualidad Gadget We are always ready to help you, that's why We want to explain what Chromecast is and above all to discover how you can make the most of its capabilities and have a great time. So, after the jump you are going to find the definitive guide on Chromecast and everything you can do with this wonderful Google tool.
As always, it is advisable to start the house with the foundations, so in the first place we are going to give a couple of laps to the concept of Chromecast and then we are going to offer you the best alternatives and the possibilities when using it, let's go there .
What is Chromecast and what does it mean?
Well, it is curious, but Google Chromecast has remained in an unusual way with a name that currently is not the one that belongs to it, and that is that at the end of 2017 Google decided to change the name of Chromecast to Google Cast at the software level, while the device that Google sells to make any device with compatible HDMI input is still called Chromecast. So ultimately we must understand that Chromecast is the device that makes it possible to receive and broadcast content that is played through the Google Cast protocol.
This device allows us to play programs, series, music and all kinds of content such as video games through a television that we have connected through the HDMI port. For this, it is necessary that we have a sending device that is compatible with Chromecast, an example is any smartphone with Android or iOS. Once connected if the application is compatible (such as Netflix or YouTube) by pressing the Chromecast button we can see on the TV what we were previously playing on the mobile phone. The best thing about all this is that we do not need to be continuously playing on the smartphone, since the Chromecast is responsible for executing the playback itself, so we can continue to use the smartphone for other things. For this, the Chromecast takes advantage of the WiFi network to which we have previously synchronized it to make it work.
How do I set up my Chromecast?
This is quite easy, the first thing we will need is a Google Chromecast, you can easily buy it in this link though You also have it available in stores like El Corte Inglés, Worten or MediaMarkt for prices around 25 euros constantly, although special offers with interesting discounts could be added. Once we have it, we will proceed to connect the HDMI of the Chromecast to our television. At the same time we are going to connect the microUSB cable to the Chromecast that will give it power to work and the USB-A that has the other end of the cable to any power source, even a USB from the TV is usually enough.
When we turn on the TV, the Chromecast will start to load the image and open the configuration menu, now is when we will download the Google Home application to Android or for iOS. Then we will start the application that will guide us through a quick and easy tour that will allow us to assign the Chromecast to a WiFi network in our house, which must be the same to which the smartphone is connected in order to complete the configuration. Once the screen shows the same alphanumeric code as the Chromecast, we will press next and the configuration will be finished, Now the Chromecast is fully compatible with any broadcast within our WiFi network, it can even be run from any device, it does not necessarily have to be the one that has made the configuration.
Can I see my smartphone screen on TV?
Indeed this is one of the capabilities of the Chromecast. For this, we must have one of the many compatible Android devices (it is not possible to do it with an iPhone). Simply selecting the "duplicate screen" function will allow us to see the smartphone screen in real time on our television. This feature is extremely interesting, for example, to enjoy the content of applications that are currently not compatible with Chromecast, such as Movistar +, so we can watch the football matches that we have contracted on any television.
Despite everything, some Android devices do not support this functionality, for this we will need download the Google Home application that is available in the Google Play Store through this linke, totally free and that in turn will also allow us to configure the device quickly and easily. What we will need is that the Android device and the Google Chromecast are always connected to the same WiFi network at all times.
What types of Chromecast are there and what are their differences?
Not only is there one Chromecast available on the market, there are currently three and it is important that we know what their differences are so that we can acquire the one that best suits our needs, we explain how they differ:
- Chromecast Ultra: This is the Chromecast with the most capabilities and most powerful on the market, it has the ability to play content in high resolution such as 4K and with dynamic range of image or HDR functionalities that are so popular today. However, we remind you that in order to get the performance of the one it shows, it is necessary that we have a television that is effectively compatible with this resolution and functions. This is the most expensive model available, around 59 euros in the Google store itself.
- chromecast: This is the normal edition, capable of playing content in resolutions up to 1080p or Full HD, without HDR capabilities but lighter and smaller. You can buy it for less than 30 euros in the Google store itself.
- Chromecast Audio: This version of the Chromecast is intended for users who only need to stream sound. Instead of an HDMI port it has an Aux or 3,5 mm Jack output that we will connect to the compatible device. Thus you will receive songs from Spotify or any compatible application quickly and especially cheaply.
The best alternatives to Chromecast
As always, we have cheaper alternatives and similar content to the Chromecast. We are going to tell you some of them so that you can consider buying them in case the Chromecast seems expensive or lacking in functionalities:
- Roku Streaming Stick: This device costs around 40 euros and in addition to making the Chromecast functionalities it is capable of offering 1.200 international channels of all kinds of audiovisual content. It is quite similar to the Chromecast but also includes a remote control that will allow us to easily interact with its user interface and it is something very welcome, I have never finished understanding why Google's Chromecast does not include its own remote control. You can buy it on Amazon through this link.
- Miracast Measy A2W: Miracast is a great alternative to Chromecast that is very popular on the internet, because in addition to being compatible with the content offered by Google, Chromecast is capable of installing certain applications that will allow us to quickly access our own content libraries. That is why many Android mobile devices, especially from Chinese brands, have this device installed natively. that you can buy on Amazon very cheap.
- Amazon FireTV Stick: This seems to me to be the smartest and most functional purchase, it is capable of everything Chromecast offers and much more since it brings Android TV installed with Amazon's own customization layer. Also fully compatible with Amazon Prime content and we can install .APK naturally and independently, such as Movistar +, HBO or Netflix. It costs only 39,99 euros if you are an Amazon Prime customerand for me it is the smartest purchase. Unfortunately it does not offer 4K content in HDR but it does reach Full HD in addition to including an easy-to-use and quite intuitive control.
What can I watch through my Google Chromecast?
The applications that provide the most popular audiovisual content are present in the compatibility with Chromecast as it could not be otherwise: Spotify, HBO, VLC, YouTube, MusixMatch, Microsoft Power Point… etc. But we can do much more, and that is that there are a multitude of games compatible with this Google service, an example is the possibility of playing Angry Birds, for example.
In addition, if you have an Android terminal, all incompatibilities disappear the moment you can duplicate the screen of your phone in real time so that it is seen on the screen where we have the Google Chromecast connected. So you can make the most of the capabilities of this "great little device" so you don't miss out on anything, especially now that Netflix has become quite popular and other firms are joining in. Further, Some televisions such as Samsung Smart TVs already have Chromecast natively, you do not need to buy the unit separately to enjoy its capabilities.