Stream it straight to the big screen.

3 Apr 2018

Google Chromecast lets you stream content to your TV screen from your mobile phone, tablet or computer via your home Wi-Fi network. And enjoy the luxury of the big screen anytime.

You can view different streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Google Play and more. You can even stream content from your Chrome browser to the big screen.

What you need

All you need to stream it up big is the Chromecast USB dongle. Choose from:

Chromecast
Support for 802.11ac
and 5 GHz wireless bands
Chromecast Ultra
4K Ultra HD support,
plus Ethernet (wired
connection) support
Chromecast Audio
Audio streaming only
to any powered speaker
Image

Tablets and computers use the Google Home app or Google Chrome browser. Supported operating systems include:

  • Mac OS X 10.9 and higher
  • Windows 7 and higher
  • Chromebook OS version 53

Mobile devices use the Google Home app. Supported operating systems include:

  • Android 4.1 and higher
  • iOS 8 and higher

Chromecast set-up

setting up chromecast

 

1. Prepare your TV

  1. Turn on the TV. 
  2. Plug the Chromecast dongle into your TV’s HDMI port. 
  3. Plug the dongle’s USB wire into the TV’s USB port or power outlet. 
  4. If you’re using a 4K Chromecast Ultra, you need to connect it to a power outlet: a USB port doesn’t supply enough power.
  5. When Chromecast has powered up, you’ll see a message on the TV screen telling you it’s ready for set-up.

2. Set up your device

  1. Download the Google Home app onto your smartphone or tablet. 
  2. Now check your Chromecast dongle: if it’s shaped like a disc, you can connect to it via Bluetooth*. Just make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your smartphone or tablet.
  3. If your Chromecast dongle is a longer thumb-like shape, you’ll need to connect via WiFi. Search your phone or tablet’s WiFi settings and connect to the temporary Chromecast WiFi network that’s just been created.

 

Good to know

*You can also use WiFi with Bluetooth Dongles, if Bluetooth doesn’t work.

 

Whether you use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to set up Google Chromecast, once set up it always uses your home WiFi network to stream content.

 

3. Configure Chromecast

  1. Now that you’re connected, start up the Google Home app and follow the prompts. 
  2. You’ll see devices you can set up at the top of the TV screen. Make sure the Chromecast code on your phone matches the code displayed on your TV, then tap ‘Set Up’.
  3. Continue through the prompt screens, then enter the network name (SSID) and password of the home Wi-Fi network you want to stream on. TIP: They should be written on the back of your modem.
  4. If the modem is dual band (both 2.4GHz and 5GHz) you’ll see both bands appear. Google recommends connecting to the 2.4GHz band for Chromecast.
  5. If you have more than one WiFi network at home, put Chromecast on the WiFi network you use for your phone or tablet.
  6. As an optional step, you can also sign into your Google account to get access to your YouTube content plus movies, TV and music that you buy through Google.

4. Test your Chromecast is working

You can check by using an app such as YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify that has streaming or ‘casting’ built in.

  1. Open a video via one of these apps
  2. Look for the Chromecast logo in the upper right corner of the screen, and click it.

The app should automatically stream to Chromecast and begin playback.

Image

This logo tells you an app has Chromecast built in. Click it to start streaming.

Try streaming, or ‘casting’ from different connected devices like your smartphone, tablet or PC. If other devices can’t cast, reboot the modem and the devices then try again.

We’re here to help

Got better things to do with your life than set up Chromecast?

Contact us to get in touch with the experts at Telstra Platinum.

What else can Telstra Platinum help me with?

Whether your service or technology is from Telstra or another provider, our tech experts can help you. They’re available 24x7 over the phone and online to help you with your mobile, tablet, Wi-Fi, email, smart home and connected devices, data back-up and more. It’s all part of a Telstra Platinum subscription.


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