I need to update my casting device what do I do?
I need to update my casting device what do I do?
The chromecast I've got is about 10 years old and a few things don't cast on it no more. I'm guessing I need a new one, but is there another option?
21 comments
-
-
If it's a Google Chromecast you can try downloading the Google home app from your devices app store and then connecting it to the same wifi as the Chromecast uses. If there is an update you should be able to select the Chromecast and then select the gear icon at the top left of the screen. An update will show up on the page it takes you to.
Please note that Google stopped supporting the original Chromecast. Because there is no support some things just may not work at all and there may be no updates for that device as a result.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/time-to-upgrade-google-ends-support-for-first-gen-chromecast
-
Thanks I'm definitely not getting an update showing, and I think it's an original chromecast. Should I buy another chromecast or is there another type of casting device that's better?
-
If all you need is basic Chromecast functionality for streaming there's the Onn box from Walmart that will do the trick and comes with a remote. They're about $20 in the US. I have seen people speak very highly of them (even though I don't personally use one ATM). If you're looking to do a lot more than just casting shows, I would recommend an Nvidia shield pro (not the tube). It will allow you to do all the Chromecast things, gets pretty sufficient security and QoL updates and even though these devices are older and a lot more expensive, mine hasn't had a hiccough yet.
The shield pro will allow you to do Chromecast and use services like GeForce now to do game streaming, and it can be used for media management of local files. So I suppose it all depends on what you want to use the new device for. There are options between these two at various price points, that offer different features including Google's newer chromecasts.
But yes I would recommend upgrading because IoT devices that are constantly connected to the internet are a weak link in the security chain of your home network and the original Chromecast is more so because it has not been receiving security updates.
-
-
-
For audio, a WiiM is an alternative.
For video, a new tv with built in cast support is an alternative.
-
Go fishing, plenty of options for casting devices with that hobby.
-
Spend a little and get an Nvidia shield. Really good performance, you'll see the upgrade instantly.
21 comments
You probably just need newer hardware capable of handling 4k streams perhaps? You're probably trying to send it an incompatible media type it doesn't support. No software updates will fix that, but you could maybe stream from something that will transcode it before sending it to the Chromecast.
Otherwise, probably going to need something that handles higher resolution media, or just make sure you're sending it 1080p media streams.
Thanks mate what is transcode? Please explain like you're explaining to your grandma
Transcoding is taking a file, and converting it on the fly to a different format that the client requests. For example: your Chromecast can only handle 1080p, but you have a 4k video you want to play on it, so you'll have to load up something like VLC, open that file, and tell VLC to transcode it to 1080p before casting it to your Chromecast.
It's like shaving down a square peg to fit in a circular hole, essentially.