Windows 10: Using Google Chromecast to stream media from local PC to TV on W10

Hi there,

It's not very clear on the sales blurb about Google's Chromecast (probably for obvious reasons) but this device works fine for watching locally stored movies etc on your TV when streamed from a local PC (or PC connected to your network). These movies are on Local folders or network accessible folders on your PC / network.

I use MEZZMO on the PC -- start that up and on your Android / IPhone install MEZZMO for Android.

Switch your TV to the input where you've plugged in the chromecast dongle and ensure it's connected to the network.

Start the Mezzmo app on your Phone -- this acts as a controller for the TV - just click on the Mezzmo server icon on the PC you want to stream from. You should then see your movie folders -- browse to the one you want and start streaming.

Note the list of servers is displayed ON THE PHONE app so click say the server you want your movies to come from. The movie library / folder(s) will then be displayed on the phone -- just click what you want to see on the TV and away you go. The phone is essentially the remote controller or handset for the application.

Note MEZZMO for android is 5 EUR --IHMO absolutely first rate as it does exactly what it needs to do -- but you can get a 15 day trial for free to check it out. Mezzmo itself on the PC is also a paid for application -- but as I said there are other ways such as PLEX for using a chromecast dongle for streaming --for me Mezzmo is just simple, I have it anyway and it works on my smart TV's -- but the chromecast works better than the smart tv using the built in (non chromecast) movie media server app.


Note - the phone is just used as a controller so no battery drainage on the phone. The phone app is used to select options like subtitles etc .

I find that even on a SMART TV the google chromecast dongle performs way better and can handle more formats -- even if inline transcoding is done - the OS in the chromecast device is a lot more efficient than that in most smart TV's anyway.

There are other ways also of streaming local media from a PC to a TV using the chromecast device but as I have and like Mezzmo it's a great way of doing this -- especially on "Non Smart" TV's. - You will need though an HDMI input on the TV / remote device you want to stream to.

For around 40 - 50 EUR / USD a great piece of kit from google. Documentation is a bit sparse though so you might have to experiment a bit - but once you get it working - great stuff. I don't bother with the built in apps apart from BBC Iplayer which it manages better than that provided by my Smart TV.

Never thought I'd actually be buying and recommending a Google product - but this one gets my vote -- also flawless on W10.

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

Sony Bravia TV and ASUS Laptop (Windows 10) issues with Screen Mirroring

Hi,

I have a first-generation Google Chromecast, Sony Bravia TV (KDL-48WD653) and ASUS Laptop with Windows 10. I previously could use either screen mirroring
[1] or the Chromecast [2] to see either the laptop screen on the TV (with screen mirroring) or a tab from Google Chrome (with the Chromecast). Recently I can't get either to work properly. I also used to have the option to cast direct to the TV within Chrome
(i.e. not via the Chromecast) but this has disappeared. Any help appreciated.

Details:
[1] When I select Screen Mirroring on the TV and select Connect on the laptop it finds the TV but fails to connect, the TV screen also looks like it's going to work for a while until it fails.

[2] Chromecast allows me to cast tab from Chrome but it's unwatchable (very blurred) and jumps a lot. YouTube and Dailymotion work fine. The TV is connected by cable to the router, laptop is via
Wi-Fi (although I've also tried cable which doesn't help).

Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Network & internet / PC

 

Does Windows Phone 8 work with Chromecast device?

No.

Microsoft, Apple, Google and Amazon are playing childish games (you can't play with my toys) and as always the users are the losers. That said, I have a Chromecast and have used Roku boxes for years and there is so much more you can do with Roku that it makes
one wonder why so many are buying the Chromecast. Chromecast basically runs YouTube, Hulu+ and Netflix. You can cast Chrome tabs and run local media if you jump through a few hoops, but why? Conversely, the Roku will run more "channels" than anyone else
by far and most notably runs Amazon Prime like a champ. Via the free Plex server and the included Roku channel for Plex it will run ALL your local content. The one thing missing WAS native YouTube support but now that's included on the Roku3 (and rumors
say it's coming soon to the Roku2). You can also run YouTube (and much, MUCH more including free Hulu, etc. etc.) on any Roku through the PlayOn channel (disclaimer: PlayOn is $49 right now (on sale) for the lifetime subscription, worth it for cord cutters
IMO). As for "smart TVs", be smart: buy the less expensive "non-smart" model and add a $50 Roku2 XS or $80 Roku3 (sale prices). You'll have FAR more functionality than on any "smart" TV and when the TV dies you'll still have your Roku. Yikes, I'm sounding
like a Roku commercial, but they were the TV streaming originator and their boxes are really that good. I've installed almost a dozen Roku2 (mostly Roku2 XS) for friends and family and even the non technical people use it a LOT and I have yet to hear a single
complaint. To top it off the Roku installs were quicker and easier than the Chromecast (I ran into the dreaded can't connect to your Chromecast bug). Advice from a heavy streaming user that has both: forget the Chromecast and pick up a Roku. Then don't
look back...

 

I like Chromecast very much and use it frequently. An absolutely marvelous free alternative to stream anything is the free Chrome extension Videostream (What you bought your Chromecast for.).




Install the extension in Chrome, install the app on Android or iOS device and you are all set. Videostream supports external subtitles.

Paid for Premium version adds some features but the free version is good enough for me:

 

Yep. I use both Mezzmo and Chromecast for both of my Samsung Smart TV.
Use Google Chrome to cast online Video & Mezzmo to stream Video from NAS and local drives.
Good stuff.