Chromecast Extension For PC Archives

Get below a detailed Chromecast app list. It tells you how to stream local files to TV through Chromecast from PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone, iPad and more. Now the Google cast supported video formats are limited to MP4 and WebM. If you have the format incompatibility issue, just use Video Converterto convert your video to be supported by Chrome.

Tip: If you want to get more information on how to enjoy media on TV, check out this guide.

To stream local files to TV from PC or Mac, there are totally 4 ways to choose from. Just get the 4 solutions below.

Solution 1: Cast Chrome browser to TV

Step 1. Install Chrome browser and Chromecast extension

Make sure that you have the latest version of Chrome. You can check by clicking Settings > About Google Chrome to update your chrome.

Step 2: Connect Chromecast with TV

Plug in Chromecast in the HDMI input on your TV, and then plug the USB cord on the other end of the Chromecast to power it.

Step 3.Connect WiFi

Make sure that your computer and TV are connected in the same network. You should be connected to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi network.
If your Chromecast can't be connected to the Wi-Fi network, please check the Chromecast router compatibility here.

Step 4.Install Google cast extension

Please download Google cast extension here. After installation, there will be a Cast tab on the Chrome browser. You can click the option button to set video quality as Extreme (720p high bitrate) or High (720p) for your HD TV.

Step 5. Play local Video or music

Drag your local files to chrome browser, or press Ctr + O to browse and import your files. And then your video will be played in Chrome's built-in video viewer. Then click the Cast current tab on your browser to stream media files to Chromecast and then play it on TV.

Also you can choose Cast entire screen to share your desktop screen instead of a Chrome tab to TV.

1. If your videos can't be streamed, that's because Chromecast doesn't support these formats. You can check all the supported media HERE. If you really want to cast any format, check the second solution.

2. Stream video in background: When you stream video to your TV, you can use the 2 Windows short cuts to stream local video to Chromecast in background.
Alt+Tab: It lets you do other things by switching to other opened programs/apps
Ctrl+Esc: You can start a new program by pressing the 2 buttons to pop up the Star menu.

Solution 2: Cast with Wondershare Video Converter

Step 1. Install Wondershare Video Converter

Click here to download and install Wondershare Video Converter.

Step 2. Import any video to the software

Make sure your Chromecast and PC are located in the same network. Then click the "Add Files" button or directly drag-n-drop to import your video to the program. After that, click the "Stream" pane on the right side and choose your Chromecast as the streaming device. When everything is ready, hit the "Stream" button at the bottom.

Step 3. Start streaming

In the pop up window, click the "Play To TV" button to stream your video to Chromecast. Then after a few seconds, you can enjoy your video right on the big screen. You can also control the playback process by clicking the perspective buttons in the streaming window. That's done!

Solution 3: Cast with Plex for Chromecast

Plex is a Chromecast app for PC, Mac and Linux. It is designed to stream local homemade videos and movies to your TV through Chromecast. To use this app, you need to subscribe the PlexPass and pay $4.99 for Plex app. After everything is prepared, just hit play and tap on the Chromecast button, and then your local videos can be successfully streamed to your TV. It supports MP4 and WebM.

More Information about How to use Plex for Chromecast.

Solution 4: Cast with Videostream for Google Chromecast

Videostream for Google Chromecast is a free Chrome extension. To install it, the version of Chrome 32.0 is required. You can use it to free play local videos on Chromecast from your PC - Subtitles supported! Its supported format is MP4 and WebM.

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Google’s Chromecast works well for streaming videos from YouTube, Netflix, and other online services. But there isn’t an obvious way to stream local video files from your computer to your TV via the Chromecast.

All the options below require the Chrome web browser. VLC can stream to a Chromecast, but this feature is currently unstable and only available in experimental builds of VLC.

Fast and Easy: Videostream for Google Chromecast

RELATED:How to Stream From VLC to Your Chromecast

We’ve been impressed with Videostream for Google Chromecast. It’s a Chrome app and you can use it for free. You’ll have to pay $0.99 if you want playlist support, but everything else is currently free.

Install it from the Chrome Web Store and launch it. After you do, you’ll be able to pick a local video file on your computer and select the Chromecast you want to stream to. Your Chromecast will stream the video from your computer without the graphical issues and stuttering that occur when using the tab-casting feature.

MP4 is the most efficient file type you can use, as it’s supported by the Chromecast natively. But Videostream actually supports practically any media file type. If necessary, Videostream will automatically transcode the file as it streams it to your Chromecast.

More Setup Required: The Plex Media Server

RELATED:How To Cast Videos from Plex Media Server to Your Chromecast

The Plex Media Server has integrated Chromecast support. Plex is a popular media-server solution you’ll need to install on one of your computers. After you do, you can access it from all your other devices. Plex has apps for a wide variety of devices, from mobile phones and video game consoles to the Apple TV and Roku.

If you have a Chromecast, you can open the Plex web app in Chrome and you’ll be able to “cast” videos and other media files directly to your Chromecast. Your Chromecast will stream the media from your Plex media server. Check out our guide for more info on setting everything up if you need a step-by-step.

If you just want to watch a few videos now and then, Videostream does the same thing without any setup process. But, if you want to set up a full-blown home media server, Plex will work for you.

Not Recommended: Browser Tab or Full Desktop Streaming

RELATED:Mirror Your Computer's Screen on Your TV With Google's Chromecast

In a pinch, you could do this with the features included with the Google Cast extension for Chrome. Drag-and-drop a video file type Chrome supports — like an MP4 file — into the Chrome browser window and Chrome can play that video file back in a tab. Click the Google Cast extension icon, select your Chromecast, and you can Chromecast the current tab — and the video playing in it.

You could also play the video in another application on your desktop, such as VLC or another media player. Click the Google Cast icon in Chrome, click the down icon next to your Chromecast, and select “Cast Entire Desktop”. Make the video go full-screen and it’ll stream to your Chromecast.

These methods can work, but you probably won’t want to use them. The video won’t be as smooth and crisp as if it were streaming in the usual way

The Chromecast obviously doesn’t provide any way to plug in a USB drive and play local files, so you’re stuck streaming them over the network. Videostream and Plex take advantage of this, setting up one of your computers to function as a media server the Chromecast streams just the video file from. That’s why they’re so much more efficient than tab and desktop-streaming, which requires your computer to record the screen, encode a video, and stream it to your device on the fly.

Image Credit: iannnnn on Flickr