How do I cast audio and video?
Casting allows you to wirelessly stream audio, video, and screen content from one device to another, such as from your phone to your TV. There are a few main reasons someone might want to cast media:
Convenience – Casting makes it easy to enjoy content from your mobile device on a bigger screen without any cables to connect. You can cast a video from your phone right to your smart TV.
Portability – You can bring your personal media with you and easily cast it to any external display using just your mobile device. This allows you to share videos, photos, music and more wherever you go.
Collaboration – Casting enables sharing content with others in real time. You can cast a presentation from your laptop to a boardroom projector for a business meeting, for example.
Overall, casting provides a quick and simple way to wirelessly push media from a small screen onto a larger display for an enhanced viewing experience.
Choosing a Casting Device
Some of the most popular casting devices include:
Google Chromecast (starts at around $20) – Chromecast allows you to cast content from your phone, tablet or laptop to your TV with ease. Simply tap the Cast button from a compatible app and the content will start playing on your TV screen. Works great for casting apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Spotify etc. Chromecast plugs into the HDMI port on your TV.
Source: https://www.smartprix.com/casting_devices/most-popular-casting_devices
Amazon Fire TV Stick (starts at around $30) – The Fire TV Stick works much like the Chromecast, allowing you to cast content from your mobile device or laptop to your TV. It also comes with a remote so you can browse and launch apps and content directly on your TV. Supports major casting apps like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+ etc.
Roku Streaming Stick (starts at around $30) – Similar functionality to Chromecast and Fire TV Stick, allowing you to cast content from your phone or laptop to the TV. Roku offers a simple interface to browse various streaming channels and apps. Works with top casting apps.
Apple TV ($120+) – With AirPlay functionality built-in, Apple TV makes it easy to cast content from your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Also features a slick interface and access to all the major apps. More expensive than other streaming sticks.
Setting Up Your Casting Device
Setting up your casting device like a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick is easy with just a few steps. First, plug the device into an open HDMI port on your TV. For Chromecast, also plug the included power adapter into a wall outlet to power the device. The Chromecast will automatically turn on when plugged in, while you may need to find and press the power button on a Fire TV Stick remote.
The device should display a setup screen on your TV. Open the compatible app like the Google Home app for Chromecast or the Amazon Fire TV app for Fire TV Stick. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the device to your WiFi network. The app will walk you through scanning for and selecting your WiFi network, then entering your password to connect.
Once connected, the main app dashboard should display the newly added device. Give it a name to easily identify it, and select which room it’s located in if prompted. Your casting device is now connected and ready to start streaming!
According to How to Set up Your Chromecast, “Plug your Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port and into a power supply. Turn on your TV and press the input or source button to select the HDMI port.” Following the app instructions makes getting set up quick and seamless.
Installing Casting Apps
To cast audio and video from your mobile device, you first need to install a casting app. There are several good options for both iOS and Android devices:
For iOS, the Apple TV app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cast.video.screenmirroring.casttotv&hl=en_US&gl=US) allows you to AirPlay videos, photos, music and other content to an Apple TV or other AirPlay-compatible devices. You can also use third party apps like AllCast (https://www.airdroid.com/screen-mirror/screen-mirroring-app-for-android/) or AirPin Pro to cast to a wider range of devices.
On Android, popular casting apps include Google Home (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cast.video.screenmirroring.casttotv&hl=en_US&gl=US), which works seamlessly with Chromecast devices, and AllCast (https://www.airdroid.com/screen-mirror/screen-mirroring-app-for-android/), which can cast to Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV and more. Other good options are Web Video Caster, LocalCast and Castto.
Most casting apps are free to download. Take some time to test a few out and see which one(s) work best for your device setup and casting needs.
Using Screen Mirroring
Screen mirroring allows you to wirelessly cast your entire device screen from a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet to a larger display like a TV. This lets you view content from your smaller screen on a bigger screen for an enhanced viewing experience. With screen mirroring, you can mirror your device’s screen exactly as it appears and interact with apps and media just like you normally would, but now seeing it on a TV or monitor.
To use screen mirroring, you first need to make sure both your mobile device and receiving display are compatible and set up for casting. For example, an iPhone can screen mirror to an Apple TV or smart TVs with built-in AirPlay support. An Android device can cast its screen using Google Cast to Chromecasts, Android TVs, or Cast-enabled TVs. You also need to connect both devices to the same local wireless network.
Once set up, you simply enable screen mirroring on your mobile device, often through a quick settings toggle or option in the settings menu. The mobile device scans for available receiving devices on the network and you choose the display you want to cast to. Your mobile screen is now mirrored on the bigger display in real time. This lets you play games, stream video, browse the web, view photos, give presentations, and more with the benefit of a larger screen.
Casting from Media Apps
Many popular streaming and media apps have built-in Chromecast support, making it easy to cast videos, music and more from your phone or tablet to your TV. Here are some tips for casting from common media apps:
To cast from YouTube, simply open a video in the YouTube app and tap the Cast button. Your Chromecast device should appear as an option to begin casting the video. You can then control playback right from your phone. See this YouTube help article for more details.
For Netflix, open the app and begin playing a title. Tap the Cast button in the player controls and select your Chromecast to begin casting. Use your phone to pause, play, rewind etc. Refer to Netflix’s casting instructions for troubleshooting.
In the Spotify app, connect to a device using the Devices Available icon in the bottom right corner. Your Chromecast devices should appear there. Tap one to start casting Spotify from your phone to your TV. See Spotify’s help center for more details.
Most other popular media apps like Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Pandora, and more all have built-in Chromecast support as well. Simply look for the Cast button within the app. If you don’t see casting options, you may need to update the app to the latest version.
Casting Local Media
One of the most popular uses for casting is to display photos, videos and play music from your own device. There are a few different ways to cast local media files:
Using a gallery app – Most Android and iOS devices come preinstalled with a gallery app to view photos and videos. These apps often have built-in casting capabilities. For example, the Google Photos app allows you to tap the Cast button while viewing a photo and select your Chromecast device to display that image on your TV (Source).
Using a media app – Apps like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix and others allow you to cast music, videos and more from their libraries. Look for the Cast button within these apps to connect to your Chromecast or other casting device (Source).
Using a dedicated casting app – There are apps created specifically for casting local media, like Photo & Video Cast for Chromecast. These provide additional features focused on media casting (Source).
The process may vary slightly depending on your device and casting device, but the overall concept remains the same. Using apps built for casting makes it simple to display your photos, videos and audio on the biggest screen in your home.
Casting Tabs from Your Browser
One convenient way to cast content is directly from your web browser tabs. The two most popular browsers, Chrome and Firefox, both have built-in casting capabilities.
In Chrome, you can click on the 3 dot menu in the upper right corner and select “Cast.” This will allow you to choose an available casting device and mirror your current tab. Chrome can cast tabs from Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Firefox also has a Cast icon in the toolbar that functions similarly. Click it, select your casting device, and your tab will be mirrored. Firefox casting works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
Tab casting is useful for viewing web videos, presentations, web apps, and any other browser content on a bigger screen. Both browsers optimize the stream for casting to avoid quality loss. Just note that casting tabs consumes more data and may impact performance.
Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes you may run into issues when trying to cast audio or video. Here are some common problems and potential fixes:
Chromecast Not Connecting
If your Chromecast isn’t connecting properly, first check that your WiFi is working correctly. Make sure your mobile device and Chromecast are connected to the same network. Try rebooting your router or modem if the issue persists. You can also try changing the power supply or factory resetting your Chromecast (Source).
Unable to Cast Certain Apps or Websites
Some apps and websites may not be compatible with casting. Check for any available updates to the app or casting software. Try restarting your mobile device or casting device. If the app or website specifically doesn’t support casting, you may need to use screen mirroring instead (Source).
Buffering and Video Quality Issues
Buffering and video quality problems can occur due to a slow internet connection. Try moving your router, modem, Chromecast, and casting device closer together or upgrading your internet plan. Limit other bandwidth usage during casting. Adjust video quality settings in your apps and web browser.
Conclusion
Casting allows you to wirelessly stream video, audio, and other media from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to your TV or streaming device. This lets you view your content seamlessly on the largest screen in your home. The key benefits of casting include:
- Convenience – Casting is quick and easy, requiring just a few taps to connect your devices.
- Flexibility – You can cast from a variety of apps and services, not just built-in options.
- Quality – Casting mirrors the source content, so you get the highest resolution available.
- Control – You can still use your casting device while streaming content.
- Compatibility – Most major streaming platforms and devices support casting.
With the proper setup, casting your audio, video, photos, and other media is simple. Choose an appropriate casting device, install helpful apps, connect to your TV, and start enjoying your favorite content on the big screen.