Windows 10: Google Chromecast and PLEX -- great combo (Audio and video)

Hi there
while no great love for Google I have to admit the Chromecast device is brilliant.

Using PLEX (Free) on W10 / Linux (works on both) it works brilliantly to cast both your own local / server based VIDEO and AUDIO to a remote device and is so easily controlled with the PLEX app on a smartphone. What is particularly great is that the PLEX server can transmit FLAC files which the google chromecast easily plays on your remote TV.

The sound quality when pushed into a decent amplifier sounds fine --assuming the HDMI sound from the TV has reasonably good DAC converters to get the digital sound output OK.

When setting up the library first time on your TV ensure the agent is set to LOCAL MEDIA so all your local video files including TV series etc are built into the library the first time.

For a really cheap piece of hardware Google has come up trumps and converts any HDMI enabled TV into a smart TV.

Can't believe I'm actually praising Google - and controlling the app with a smartphone is really convenient as it saves yet another remote controller tv type handset.

Ensure you buy the latest version of the hardware as thee is an inferior earlier version.

No trouble with PLEX on W10 -- don't sign up for any extra stuff if you are interested in just streaming from a remote computer / NAS etc.

No trouble either if you have several PLEX servers running - I have one on Linux and another on W10 --the phone app allows you to scroll files on any of the servers and cast to the chromecast device.

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

Does Windows Phone 8 work with Chromecast device?

You'll need to check with Plex on that. They announced
support for the Chromecast back in December, but did not mention their
Windows Phone 8 app. They announced the WP8 app after their Chromecast announcement, but you would have to check with Plex people.

 

Does Windows Phone 8 work with Chromecast device?

As of june 2014 Plex for WP8 is not yet compatible with Chromecast (as read on the doc).

 

I know absolutely ZERO about using Chromcast. I have been thinking of getting one for quite a while now.
Would you please give a crash course to the ignorant ?

I have a flat screen 29 inch TV with 2 HDMI ports which I can connect to my pcs or my tablets. That's it. No other connecting ports.
I have connected my tablet to the TV to view movies from Netflix a few times.
That is all I know.
Thank you.

 

Hi there

0) - Ensure Wireless broadband is working fine

1) plug Chromecast to your HDMI TV connection -- assume HDMI 2
2) switch TV to HDMI 2
3) install Chromecast App on mobile phone
4) Select from the Chromecast devices -on the chromecast app (on your phone) and the TV will then prompt for setup.

Using phone and TV follow instructions on TV to set up your chromecast device -- takes a few minutes.

Now to play media from local / remote computer / NAS device install a media server say PLEX (free) on to BOTH your computer and mobile phone.

On the computer follow instructions to set up your libraries - ensure for AGENTS you choose local media and for scanner choose video scanner rather than freebase movie scanner.

On your phone start the PLEX app
select your media server (computer) and browse folders for movie content you want to play

simply then play it

on the devices choose your chromecast device and hit connect

then hey presto movie plays on TV

In settings you can select subtitles etc.

Works for music too --easy really.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Thank you.
Can I not use the my smart phone ?
I just want to use Chromecast on my PC and my tablets.

 

Hi there
The cheap Chromecast doesn't come with a remote controller which is why you need a smartphone to control it. You might find a version which DOES have a handset controller but this isn't the one I was referring to. A ROKU device could be an alternative if you don't want to use a smart phone.

You can also use a tablet as the controller too -- check the google chromecast page. I think you can use a laptop as well --the idea though of using the phone avoids you having to carry a laptop or tablet around -- also if you have a laptop you might as well plug it directly into the HDMI cable to the TV (unless you are streaming from a different computer).

Cheers
jimbo

 

OK. Thank you.