Requirements for installing the chromecast extension

One of the first things you need to keep in mind when it comes to installing the extension is that it’s currently supported only by Chrome and Opera. If you don’t know what Google Chrome is, well, this is a free browser that competes with Apple’s Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and IE.

The operating systems the browser is available for include Mac, Linux, and Windows. Right now we’re going to tell you how to install the chromecast extension on your Chromecast. If you don’t have Chrome installed yet, be sure to download and install it first.

Installing chrome with the Chromecast Extension

You can skip this step if you already have Google Chrome installed. It’s also important to mention that if you want, then you can also install Chrome for iOS and Android devices. Now, in order to download and install Google Chrome, you’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Download Google Chrome from here. Once the link loads, you should click on Download Chrome and the download will start.
2. Once the installation is complete, the installer will launch automatically. If it doesn’t, then you need to locate where the file was downloaded and start the installation manually.
3. At this point the installation process will begin. Be patient as your computer installs Google Chrome. Once Chrome is installed, you can proceed to installing the chromecast extension.

Chromecast extension installation

Open up Chrome on your PC and head over to the following link. Once you’re there, you’ll have to add it to Chrome by clicking the button. Your computer will not start to download and install the chromecast plug-in. Once complete, you’ll notice a small icon if you look at the top right corner of your browser.

Cast videos

At this point you’ll finally be able to cast videos from your computer to your Chromecast. To do that, you have to open any website that you want to cast in Chrome. Once you open it, click on the Chromecast icon in the top right corner. You’ll also have to choose which Chromecast you want to cast to. To stop the casting, you just need to click the cast icon again. The process is very simple, but we guarantee that you’re going to have a lot of fun using this amazingly useful extension.

Installing the Google Chrome extension in Opera

While in the past the chromecast plugin was only available for the Chrome browser, it seems that now it can also be used with Opera. As you may very well know, Opera is one of the most popular browsers in the world and not only is it fast, but it also offers you a lot of options to make the most of it. Being able to install the Google extension on it is one of them. Here’s a guide on how you can do that.

How to install the chromecast extension in Opera?

As you may have imagined, installing the extension in Opera is rather simple. You will need to be a bit patient and thorough though. In our example, we chose to use the Google Cast extension so we can make the most of Chromecast. Here are the steps you should take to install the chromecast extension in Opera:

1. Go online and download Opera.
2. Next, you need to download the Chrome extension that you can find in the add-on galley in Opera.
3. Go to the Google cast extension page in Chrome.
4. Click on Download Chrome Extension and then click to add it to Opera.
5. Once you do that, you’ll be greeted with a message saying that the extension was disabled since it comes from a source they cannot verify. Here you just have to click on Go.
6. You’re now in the Extensions page in Opera where you should click on Install in the Google Cast extension.
7. You’ll be asked once again by Opera to confirm that you want to do this, so please do so.

Once you do that, you’ll have managed to install the chromecast extension for Opera. Enjoy using it in the same way you’d use it in Chrome!

The post How to install the Google chromecast extension appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Ever since Chromecast was released though, the market has changed quite a bit. Now we have a lot of streaming devices we can choose from, with the most popular ones including the Amazon Fire, Roku, and the Apple TV.

However, Google has released version 2 of their dongle and now you can get the google chromecast 2 which promises amazing performance at the same price. Some of the new features include screen mirror, but also gaming mirroring, and content aggregation.

Design and setup

While the original Chromecast looked very much like a stick, the second generation seems to shy away from that design. The 2nd gen features a round chassis that can be connected to your television’s HDMI port. In fact, the google chromecast 2 is also a cross-platform device, meaning that it has support for both Windows and iOS devices. The broader compatibility together with its low cost makes it by far one of the most attractive offers for anyone looking for a high quality streaming device.

As it was with the original Chromecast, the setup process for the latest iteration is basically the same. You just need to attach the power cable and then install Chromecast on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. At this point you’ll just need to power up the application and then follow the commands on the screen to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network and finally pair it with your chosen device. Once you do this, you’ll be able to start streaming.

The new app

Even though the setup process is simply the same, the second generation Chromecast runs a fully redesigned app. According to Google, their app now acts as a sort of hub for all your digital content needs. So the way it works is that it pulls content from every app that you have installed on your device and then makes it possible for you to stream it.

This is very useful, since no more will you need to access each app individually in order to stream your desired content from it. You can therefore watch videos from Vimeo and Netflix alongside with videos recently added to the BBC iPlayer, for instance. Better yet, the google chromecast 2 also features a cross platform search function. What this means is that you can search for content from all other apps installed on your device, making the Chromecast 2 a truly all in 1 entertainment hub.

Large number of apps supported

One thing you’ll certainly love about the google chromecast 2 is the fact that it supports a wider range of applications. In terms of entertainment, Spotify is by far the best addition. If you used the 1st gen Chromecast, you probably know that it didn’t have Spotify support. The 2nd Gen Chromecast also added support of productivity apps, including Polaris Office and Google Docs. Another great addition is the ability of streaming web pages from tabs opened in Chrome. Thanks to this new functionality, you can now easily stream content from unsupported apps onto your TV. Lastly, google chromecast 2 supports some basic Android games (such as Wheel of Fortune for instance).

Streaming quality

According to Google, it seems that their latest Chromecast iteration is able to stream video a lot faster thanks to the added Fast Play feature and especially the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network support. As you may already know, the newest 5 GHz frequency allows the Chromecast 2nd Gen to connect to other devices a lot faster. If you had the first Generation Chromecast with its 2.4 GHz, you probably noticed that sometimes it would get jittery when streaming content.

Now when it comes to the Fast Play feature, it’s certainly a nice addition. The way it work is that it starts to cache content (that you’re likely to watch) in the background. Based on what Google said, thanks to this function you’ll be able to stream content about 80 percent faster.

Google Chromecast comparison (1stGen vs. 2nd Gen)

We wanted to compare the two Chromecasts and so we pitted them against each other. The results were as expected: the second generation was a bit faster. In our tests, we used a 55 inch Sony TV while streaming content from BBC iPlayer, Vimeo, and Netflix on a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone and a BUT Home Hub router.

We tested both devices on the 2.4 GHz frequency and were surprised to find out that the 1st generation Chromecast loaded between 2 to 5 seconds faster than the second generation. We then changed the frequency to 5GHz, but unfortunately no speed or picture quality improvements were noticed. In terms of loading times though, Chromecast 2 was faster.

While the device is truly impressive, it cannot yet stream 4K content unlike other competitors, such as Amazon Fire TV and nVidia Shield TV. While there is not too much 4K content out there anyway, the lack of 4K support doesn’t make the device future proof.

Should you get the Chromecast 2?

Well, if you currently have a first generation Chromecast device, then you certainly should not buy it. Its main selling point is the new app and improved application support. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a streaming device, then by all means get it.

Compared to all other options on the market, the Chromecast 2 is by far the most affordable choice. Not only that, but it offers functionality that is usually found in devices at least twice as expensive. Even if you’re an iOS user, we still recommend this device especially if you’re on a budget.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the Chromecast 2 is one of the best valued streaming devices you can currently get. While it’s not terribly original, it does its job of streaming content extremely well.

The post An honest review of the Google Chromecast 2 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

How does Chromecast work?

When it comes to casting, it’s important to keep in mind that all you’re doing is using your cell phone to tell the Chromecast device the content you’d like it to play. Once you do that, Chromecast uses its own connection to stream the content in the best possible quality.

If you decide to connect a Chromecast Ultra to a 4K TV, then you’ll be able to play 4K content you can view on your cell phone.

On the other hand, if you want to mirror the cell phone to your 4K TV, then you’re sending the signal directly from your phone to the Chromecast device, so both devices need to stay connected.

Requirements

To use Chromecast, you first of all need to plug it into your TV’s HDMI port, but also an open USB port on your display/TV. Your cell phone (iOS or Android) needs to have the Cast app installed and updated. You can also use a Chromebook, Mac or Windows computer, but make sure you have Chrome browser installed and updated. You should also ensure your device and Chromecast use the same Wi-Fi connection.  If they don’t, you won’t be able to cast on your TV.

Things you can do

Using Chromecast, you can cast photos, television shows cast enabled applications, but also movies and more from your iPad, iPhone, Android tablet and Android phone. If you want, you can also cast entire tabs or websites from the Chrome browser on Chromebooks, Macs, and Windows machines.

Even though it’s not required, you can get the Cast extension so you can install the Cast icon in your browser. Once installed, you can click it and then choose the Chromecast enabled device you’d like to cast to. In just a few seconds, the content will be displayed on your TV.

Note: You don’t need a remote control nor is there a UI, meaning that you can control the app by just using your computer or mobile phone. Newer versions of the app now allow users to cast their Android screen to their TV.

What websites and applications are Cast-enabled?

Apps

Enjoying your mobile apps on a TV has never been easier. You can choose whether you want to use your tablet or mobile device as a remote control and control everything from volume to playback. If you’re curious and would like to know exactly what apps are compatible with Chromecast, below is a list of the most popular ones:

1. BBC iPlayer.
2. Pandora.
3. Twitch.
4. PBS Kids.
5. YouTube.
6. Google Photos.
7. Watch ESPN.
8. Hulu.
9. HBO Now.
10. Spotify.
11. Netflix and more!

When it comes to casting, you have many options to consider, yet using Chromecast to share photos and videos from your mobile device is definitely a lot more convenient and fun!

Websites

Many websites are already Cast enabled, with some of the more popular examples including Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Netflix, YouTube, and more. According to Google, new websites are being added all the time. To check if a website is Cast enabled, all you have to do is see whether it has a Cast button within its video player. Even if a website is not yet Cast enabled, you can still view content on your TV by using the Cast extension.

Why should you use Chromecast?

Experiencing things on a larger display accounts for a much more immersive experience. For instance, let’s say that you’re out with friends and you found a really funny video on YouTube that you’d like to share with everyone. Instead of having everyone huddled around your phone, you can use Cast to share the content on your big screen TV so everyone can enjoy it. In a similar way, let’s say you found a great website and want to show it to your friends. Instead of having them crowding around your laptop, you can use Chromecast to cast the website to your TV.

As you can see, there are many benefits to using Google Chromecast. From sharing photos with your friends and family to entire websites on your TV, Chromecast helps you go big when going big matters. On top of that, it’s easy to use and cheap, too!

The post What is Chromecast? Setup, Requirements and How-To’s appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

AirParrot does one simply thing – it streams your Mac’s display to your Apple TV 2 over AirPlay, in real time. Although the app is still in its early stages, it already does its job pretty well. Recently updated to version 1.2, AirParrot now features audio mirroring and external monitor support. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.7 and a second-generation Apple TV running firmware 4.4., no hacking/jailbreaking needed.

We are giving away 5 free licenses for AirParrot. So if you don’t want to wait until Mountain Lion with AirPlay Mirroring is released (this summer), join us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ to have a chance to enjoy AirPlay mirroring right now. Here are the details on how to participate in the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You may also want to read:
Munster: Apple TV set will be the biggest thing in consumer electronics since the smartphone
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Rogers and Bell already have the Apple iTV in their labs
AirPlay Mirror your Mac’s screen to Apple TV with AirParrot

The post Giveaway: Win a free copy of AirParrot for Apple TV 2 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

AirParrot does one simply thing – streams your computer’s display (the app works by encoding your display’s image as H.264 video) to your Apple TV 2 over AirPlay, in real time. And it does it pretty well: airplaying my Mac’s screen to Apple TV while surfing in Chrome, playing movies and watching photo slideshows worked quite seamlessly during my tests. Mirroring stopped only once, when I tried to play a video in QuickTime on full screen. However, on second attempt, it worked just as it should.

For now, you can’t AirPlay audio but the developers admit they are “dying” to add this in the next update. They will be also adding support for second monitor and higher video quality support in a future update.

UPDATE: AirParrot 1.1 has just been released with audio mirroring, external monitor support, password support and some performance enhancements. AirParrot 1.1 also supports trial versions.

AirParrot is available from here and costs $9.99 for a single license or $29.99 for 5 licenses. You don’t need any hacking; AirParrot requires Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.7 and a second-generation Apple TV running firmware 4.4.

You may also want to read:
Winner of “Apple TV Hacks Best of 2011 Award” Announced
AirPlay Mirroring coming to Mountain Lion, next version of Mac OS X
aTV Flash (black) 1.3 for Apple TV 2 released
Rogers and Bell already have the Apple iTV in their labs, controlled with Siri and hand gestures

The post AirPlay Mirror your Mac’s screen to Apple TV with AirParrot (Update: AirParrot 1.1 with audio mirroring is out) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.