Chromecast automatically load a webpage - Google Chromecast

I currently run a restaurant and I have a few TVs in the store. I'd like to have a dongle in the HDMI port and automatically load a webpage. The webpage will have half the screen to play a set of videos and the other half static text/image advertisements. I have several questions if and how Chromecast can even do this:
1) Is there a way to make Chromecast automatically load my webpage whenever it is plugged in? (please kindly describe what I'd need to do to achieve this...eg. rooting/installing custom rom?)
2) If 1) is not possible, can I just use my laptop, send the Chromecast to my webpage once, and leave the Chromecast on forever (like for months) with the TV. I am assuming I need to make a Custom Receiver App/Page so that it does not disconnect when my Sender is disconnected?
3) If there is another Dongle (please provide model) that can get this done easier.
Thanks!!!

Related

Will Not change channel when TV is on another channel

What steps will reproduce the problem?
1.TV already on, for example on 5.1 Fox
2.Start streaming on either smart phone or browser to chromecast
3.TV supposed to switch channel to HDMI2 but it will not
(Of note: when TV is off, there is no problem, when streaming chromecast will turn on the TV and switch to correct input, no problem.)
What is the expected output? What do you see instead?
Expected chromecast to switch input to HDMI2 and connect, but it won't. It used to do this when I first got it, but after the 1st day it won't any more.
What version of the product are you using? On what operating system?
TV Philips 32 inches 32PFL3403D with HDMI-CEC on
Chromecast 12840
Phone Nexus 4 4.3 stock
Computer Asus laptop with latest chrome browser
Anyone having similar problem? if so please add it to this https://code.google.com/p/google-cast-sdk/issues/detail?id=29

Why does Chromecast need internet to function?

Rooted with latest Eureka firmware. The Chromecast is already configured and tested for the local WiFi.
However, the TV displays the following Chromecast screen with WAN disabled:
"reconnect me
'MyChromecast' connected to MyNetwork, but can't access the internet
Check that your internet connection is working
Otherwise, run the Chromecast app to choose a different network"
This is reported by BubbleUPnP when attempting to play a file:
"Cannot Play: GoogleApiClient is not connected yet."
After enabling the WAN, the Chromecast works as normal. The WAN can then be disabled again, and the Chromecast can still work. However, if the Chromecast is powered off, then it needs to connect to the internet again in order to work.
One would think it wouldn't have to call home every time you turn the device on. Seriously, just that idea that this thing has to connect to an external online server to work locally is ridiculous. Does anybody know how to work around this limitation?
xdadevnube said:
After enabling the WAN, the Chromecast works as normal. The WAN can then be disabled again, and the Chromecast can still work. However, if the Chromecast is powered off, then it needs to connect to the internet again in order to work.
One would think it wouldn't have to call home every time you turn the device on. Seriously, just that idea that this thing has to connect to an external online server to work locally is ridiculous. Does anybody know how to work around this limitation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chromecast loads the player apps via web requests. Google's whitelist determines what application should be loaded for a particular request type.
It's primary design is to stream from Internet-based services (YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora, etc) so it needs Internet access.
Chromecast is not a wireless HDMI connection.
bhiga said:
Chromecast loads the player apps via web requests. Google's whitelist determines what application should be loaded for a particular request type.
It's primary design is to stream from Internet-based services (YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora, etc) so it needs Internet access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right but it does also some caching of the apps loaded (this doesn't survive power down). That's why OP could kill WAN connection and still have it (semi) working.

[QUESTION]Using multiple Chromecast's with one device

I was wondering if it is possible to use for example 4 chromecast's plugged into 4 seperate TV's with one android device such as a smartphone and to broadcast the same thing on all the TV's from the phone.
I doubt it. I think it's one chromecast per phone. A way around it is to use a hdmi splitter. Connect the chromecast to that and send the signal to the various TVs. Might be lots of cabling involved though....
Sent from my SM-G900H using Tapatalk
Broman400 said:
I was wondering if it is possible to use for example 4 chromecast's plugged into 4 seperate TV's with one android device such as a smartphone and to broadcast the same thing on all the TV's from the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that it is possible, but the software you are using to control the chromecast would have to be designed for it. OR, you would have to use sneaky tricks to make it work.
The way chromecast works, is it *installs* some part of the application you are running onto the chromecast, configures it to work with the service, and then just sends play/stop/pause/etc. signals directly to the chromecast.
You can observe this behavior by terminating your wifi connection to the chromecast while it is playing. Notice that the chromecast keeps going?
So the trick;
Start the first chromecast going. Terminate the wifi, terminate the application on the phone, restart the wifi, restart the application, select the next chromecast, start it going, etc.
Maybe you can skip the termination of the wifi, just force kill the application.

Chromecast : worst experience ever !

Hi guys,
Is it just me, or is the Chromecast about the most ridiculous device ever made ?
It does not only need a Wi-Fi connection (which is normal : the wireless signal has to come from somewhere) but it also needs an internet connection.
I would like to cast the screen of my smartphone when I'm not at home.
So I got me a wireless router.
I activate it.
The Chromecast can connect to it.
The Smartphone can connect to it.
And so the smartphone can connect to the Chromecast.
But that's it...
I can't cast anything because I have no internet connection.
OK.
So I turned on my phone as an access point.
I then configured the travel router to get the internet connection from the phone.
Cool... now the Chromecast says it's ready to cast.
But now I'm stuck because as soon as I want to cast something from my phone to the Chromecast, I have to turn Wi-Fi on...
But turning on Wi-Fi on my phone disables the AP.
And so the Chromecast refuses to display anything because it's not connected to the internet anymore !
Isn't that about the most stupid thing ever designed ?
Frankly, I then see only really little use to it...
And I think I am not the only one : there are about 10 apps that are Cast capable...
And that after more than a year the dongle has been released !
Will look for something that is able to cast without an internet connection.
Will probably be much easier... and maybe even cheaper !
If you have an advice on how to get this POS to work without an internet connection, I'll gladly take your advice.
If that is not easily achieved, if you have an alternative, I'll gladly consider it...
regards.
What are you trying to send to your Chromecast? Netflix, YouTube, and other services that have the cast button basically act as remote controls for the Chromecast, but it needs its own Internet connection to stream the content as your phone is just inputting commands for it.
You could try (albeit I've never done this) connecting the Chromecast to your hotspot access point, and then just using the built-in screen mirroring feature of the Chromecast app. Granted, that would mean you'd have to leave your phone's screen on...but it would show the same thing that's on the phone, on the TV. And I'm not sure if that would even work since you still don't have WiFi on and your phone is acting as the modem and not as a device on the same network.
The only other things I could suggest, would be to buy additional hardware. You could go through your carrier to purchase one of those hotspot devices, then connect your phone and your Chromecast to that, and that will work. Though with that option you'll most likely have to pay an extra fee for the data line for the hotspot device. The other route you could take, would be to buy a cheap tablet or another phone and use it as the controller when your primary phone is in hotspot mode. The latter option is what my friend does as he uses his phone's unlimited data plan to provide Internet through his entire house when he's at home...and just uses his tablet to stream Netflix to the Chromecast.
If you have no internet connection, you'll be streaming everything over your mobile data connection anyway. That's going to get expensive, but whatever...
So why are you using the router if you can't get a wired or WiFi internet connection? Just turn on the WiFi access point mode on your phone, and have the Chromecast connect to it. Then both your phone and the Chromecast will be on the same LAN.
You even need an Internet connection when streaming local media because (1) the device has to constantly authenticate with Google, which I swear Google isn't going to be logging or abusing, and (b) the Chromecast is relatively stupid by streaming and spec standards, and you can't just give it a file and expect it to work.
That's why so many apps will take forever to load large pictures (slower than a picture CD) or even to unpause media... it throws its buffer away on pause.
Why not just try an HDMI cable? No WiFi needed, all local codecs are supported, etc.
I recommend you do basic research on a product before purchasing it next time. You should look into cheap miracast dongles.
I like my chromecast, but my android stick gets about 10x more usage. Chromecast seriously needs some more streaming services. If you don't have Netflix, in the UK it has about two widely used apps (youtube and iplayer), and that's it, not great this far on.
Ridiculous device ever made? Get yourself an internet connection for your house and then try the showbox app and allcast app to send the media to the Chromecast. I have 2 Chromecast in my house and I use it daily. If you simply want to cast your screen without internet. Get a slimport to HDMI cable.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
NexusPenguin said:
Is it just me, or is the Chromecast about the most ridiculous device ever made ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just you... Everyone else have internet connection at home, which is normal these days...
Hi Srandista,
Yes, everyboby has an internet connection at home.
But then again, everybody probably also has :
- a Blu-Ray player with Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet ;
- a television that is Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet enabled ;
- a media player/streamer that is Ethernet and Wi-Fi enabled...
So we're saying the same thing :
- at home everyone has an internet connection AND connected devices => the Chromecast is useless ;
- when you're not at home, the Chromecast is useless until you're somewhere where you can get an internet connection...
And even then : if I want to cast a Video to my Chromecast, I have to upload my video to the cloud BEFORE I start to stream...
Isn't that ridiculous ? Especially as using other software allows to stream directly ?
Just for your information : there are other devices like the Chromecast (they even look like the Chromecast) that can be used without an internet connection.
Sorry, but despite your answer, I persist saying that the Chromecast conception lacks some common sense and some analysis of the customer needs.
Regards.
DJames1 said:
If you have no internet connection, you'll be streaming everything over your mobile data connection anyway. That's going to get expensive, but whatever...
So why are you using the router if you can't get a wired or WiFi internet connection? Just turn on the WiFi access point mode on your phone, and have the Chromecast connect to it. Then both your phone and the Chromecast will be on the same LAN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for your answer.
But that won't work. As I wrote in my post : if I turn on my phone as an AP, that disables the Wi-Fi. So I can't stream to my Chromecast that way.
Regards.
xFuGiToiDx said:
Ridiculous device ever made? Get yourself an internet connection for your house and then try the showbox app and allcast app to send the media to the Chromecast. I have 2 Chromecast in my house and I use it daily. If you simply want to cast your screen without internet. Get a slimport to HDMI cable.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Many thanks for your kind reply.
I would recommend you read posts before flaming people.
If you would have, you would have noticed that I was saying I was trying to use it WHEN I AM NOT at home.
I have a 100Mbps line at home. But also a networked TV, a networked Blu-Ray player and a networked Media player /streamer.
So I don't really have the use of a Chromecast at home...
Regards.
alton987 said:
I recommend you do basic research on a product before purchasing it next time. You should look into cheap miracast dongles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
That is what I usually do.
BUT : honestly :
1°) the need for an active internet connection for the thing to even work does not appear clearly ;
2°) I don't spend 5 hours researching for a 35 bucks device... my time is somewhat more precious than that.
I'll look into cheap Miracast devices. I only need to mirror my screen, so I guess that more than enough.
Regards.
primetechv2 said:
You even need an Internet connection when streaming local media because (1) the device has to constantly authenticate with Google, which I swear Google isn't going to be logging or abusing, and (b) the Chromecast is relatively stupid by streaming and spec standards, and you can't just give it a file and expect it to work.
That's why so many apps will take forever to load large pictures (slower than a picture CD) or even to unpause media... it throws its buffer away on pause.
Why not just try an HDMI cable? No WiFi needed, all local codecs are supported, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks...
Yes, that's what I am doing right now. Phone with a MHL adpator and HDMI plugged into the projector.
But that implies that I have a cable lying around my class and me or my student are likely to stumble on it...
That is why I wanted to use the Chromecast...
Regards.
Hi,
OK, to make things clear, here's what I would like to do.
I am a teacher.
During my class I pass .ppt slides on a VP.
During my class, I don't sit behind my desk : I walk among the students.
So what I would like to do is following :
- 1°) connect my phone to the VP with the Chromecast ;
- 2°) have my phone displaying the slides => a simple mirror of the screen will do ;
- 3°) use a tablet in "Presentation mode" as a remote for the phone so I can go the next slide when I want to.
I can achieve everything using a MHL adaptor to connect the phone to the VP.
But I would like to be able to make that wirelessly...
Chromecast is a no go... unless of course I add another device in the whole bunch : smartphone + 2 tablets. Phone as access point, tablet 1 as caster ; tablet 2 as remote. then of course, I will need some chargers, an external battery pack... Not really the simplification I was looking for.
Regards.
Goodness, the supporters of Google Cast are rather quick to throw down the gauntlet today. =( As somebody who is constantly critiquing devices, I can say with certainty that there are many things that even reading reviews will not disclose, and even if the information is available, it might be hard to find.
Telling somebody they should get internet access in the snobbish manner seen here really doesn't help matters at all either.... less bile equals a greater percentage of useful content, right? Talking about MHL or Miracast or discussing manufacturer specific options or suggesting different CC compatible devices (Matchstick anyone? It's coming in 2015) might be more helpful.
For example, as it stands, I can't believe using a phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot would knock out its data functionality... or at least that it would make it impossible to connect to a CC. That seems like a fundamental problem there.
Here is the best possible solution for you nexus....
You will have to give up on the Phone showing the slides because you are attempting to stream to two devices which doesn't work.
You really shouldn't need the phone to display...
Plug the CCast into the Projector....
Turn on the Hotspot feature of your phone, It will still get it's data and email and tweets ect ect ....
Set up the CCast to get it's internet from the Phone WiFi Hotspot and then connect the tablet to the Hotspot as well.
You should then be able to cast the screen of the tablet to the Projector and run your slideshow.
You might even be able to use some other powerpoint viewer app that supports CCast (I think VBU kit does that) but you can just as easily screen cast the tablet to the projector if your tablet supports it.
You should be good to go the only thing that you will be missing is the display of the slides on the phone and since you are manipulating the slides on the tablet there really is no reason to see them on the phone as well.
I was pretty much going to recommend a similar fix. I have an old crap phone with no data plan that I play movies on while traveling. I just setup my actual phone as the hotspot and have my crap phone and CC connect to it. I have heard :? that the app that shall remain nameless thing works pretty good. I use Avia to throw those shows to my CC.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
hell yeah!
NexusPenguin said:
Hi Srandista,
But then again, everybody probably also has :
- a Blu-Ray player with Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet ;
- a television that is Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet enabled ;
- a media player/streamer that is Ethernet and Wi-Fi enabled...
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love my Chromecast. Prior to buying it, I had:
- A Blu-Ray player with internet connectivity... with a slow, horrible interface, and poor streaming services support.... that also didn't stream from local devices.
- An HDTV with no network support
- A "media player" that didn't work with most/any of the pay-for streaming services, that I had to constantly troubleshoot, with a low Wife Acceptance Factor.
With the Chromecast I can stream locally (from a Plex Server), watch most of the pay-for streaming services I want (so I can "cut the cord"), and it "just works" as far as the Wife is concerned, so she's happy. Even my kiddos can use it. Given that the Chromecast remains the top seller in the Electronics category at Amazon, I think Google hit the nail on the head with this one. Far from a "stupid", "useless", "ridiculous", concept that "lacks some common sense and some analysis of the customer needs" that results in the "worst experience ever".
Just because you're pissed that the square peg you bought won't fit in a round hole doesn't mean the device is stupid or useless. It's like the saying goes that "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". Go get yourself a screwdriver, because you have the wrong tool for your particular job. I mentioned Plex once already: If you're looking for a simple, offline streaming experience with that works like the Chromecast does get yourself a Raspberry Pi, and install RaspPlex on it. If you're trying to playback from a local disk, put XBMC on it instead. I plan on putting a media center in my kid-hauler, and one of these two will probably end up being what I use. There are many options out there for offline playback, but the Chromecast it not one of them.
Well said. I have two chromecast and they are exactly what I need. Very useful.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app

Secure connection to Chromecast from PC .

Hello.
What I want?
I want to be able to stream my PC/laptop desktop. I want to have few installations like that in one wifi network( 3x Chromecast + 3x projectors)
Laptop--> Chrome+Gogle Cast Beta(extension)-->Chromecast-->Projector
I can do it and it works but.... any one who connects to same wifi network can disconnect me and overtake projector streaming.
Question:
Is there any option to secure connection to specific chromecast? For example pin code displayed on specific projector view which I must type or any other option to lock specific chromecast with specific laptop/desktop.
Thank you for any idea/information.
Best Regards.
Anyone can not take over unless they have gone through the setup process. If I was to come over, I can't access your Chromecast. I can use the guest option (which you can turn off in the settings) to stream certain apps for a limited time. It doesn't give access to the settings.
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