Tag Archives: TV

How to add Chromecast Extension on your Chrome Browser

Leave a reply

How to add Chromecast extension onto your Chrome browser. By adding the Chromecast extension, you can stream from many websites such as ESPN, FOX, CBS, Netflix, Pandora, and even movie files straight from your PC. This is great for people who does not want to install individual apps onto your tablet or smartphone in order to stream content. In my personal experience, I found that casting from Google Chrome website seems to be more stable and reliable. Besides, I’m usually on my PC when I am working on a project so it is convenient to be able to stream right from where I am working!

  1. First, make sure your PC has WiFi enabled and is connected to the same network as your Chromecast.
  2. Launch Google Chrome browser. If you do not have Google Chrome browser, you can install it from here.
  3. Once you launch Chrome browser, click the three horizontal bars just right of the url bar at the top.

chromecast extension 1

 

 

 

 

4. Next, click ‘Settings’ and you will see the below options.
5. Select ‘Extensions’ from the menu on the left. chromecast extension 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. From the Chrome Web Store, search ‘chromecast’. Select ‘Google Cast’ offered by google.com. Do not install any other Chrome or casting extension or app other than from Google unless you trust the source.

chromecast extension 3

 

 

 
7. Click ‘add to chrome’. The below pop up will appear. Go ahead and select ‘add extension’.

chromecast extension 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. You will see a banner pop up saying Google Cast – Chromecast extension has been installed. Click onto the cast icon on your chrome browser and you will see a request to ‘Help Improve Cast’. It is enabled by default, uncheck it to disable this feature unless you are want to be a willing contributor.

chromecast extension 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. If you click on the cast icon, you will be able to select your Chromecast that is on the same WiFi network.

chromecast extension 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Once you cast, you have options to mute volume, change quality of video, or to stop casting. Changing the video quality is useful if your Internet connection is not so great and you want to downgrade the streaming quality to prevent streaming issues.

chromecast extension 7chromecast extension 8

 

 

 

 

Google Photos Update Breaks Chromecast Support – Wait What?

googlephotoGoogle updated their photos recently giving numerous features such as UNLIMITED backup for lower quality photos. This is done automatically when you set up auto-backup. For original size pictures, you are limited to 15GB. This has been handy and it competes with other offers such as Microsoft OneDrive, Amazon Cloud, and other services such as Dropbox and Box. However, Chromecast users who enjoyed casting directly from Google Photos were dissapointed and somewhat shocked that the updated app lost support for Chromecast. Word is that Google is working to re-enable and there is no info on why the support for Chromecast was dropped.

Meanwhile, here are some features from Google Photos:

  • Visual Search – Capability to sort and search by tags or people by face if you enable this feature.
  • Auto Backup – Set auto backup and no need to manually backup your photos again! Take pictures and sign in when you are on your PC or tablet to see and edit the pictures.
  • Save space – Everything is in the cloud so you do not need to worry about running out of space on your phone.
  • Bringing photos to life – Google Photos can automatically create slideshows, collage, or videos by associating similar photos or photos taken at a particular location or time.
  • Editing – handy tools where you can do basic editing like cropping, filters, rotating the photos.
  • Sharing – share individual photos, albums, or via url link which you can email or text.
  • Rediscover – go back in time and look at what you did weeks, months, years back.