Set up and use Chromecast

The Chromecast is widely used to play videos from Netflix, NPO Start or YouTube on the television. Pictures or music can also be sent to the television. In particular, people without a smart TV can also use these services on the TV. Actually, the Chromecast is a kind of receiver. You send something, such as a video, to the Google Chromecast from the smartphone or tablet. He then makes contact with the television. The transmission is called ‘casting’.

A Chromecast is a small round device designed by Google. It has a short cable with an HDMI output. A requirement for use is that the television has an HDMI input. Otherwise you will not be able to connect the Chromecast. There are also televisions with Chromecast built-in. Other than connecting, this works the same.

If you’re using the Chromecast for the first time, you still need to set it up.

• Connect the Chromecast to the television by plugging the HDMI input into the television.
• Plug the supplied USB cable into the Chromecast and plug the plug part into the wall socket.
• Turn on the television.
• Choose the correct HDMI channel.
• The Chromecast is connected. Install the Google Home app on the smartphone or tablet. That app is also used, for example, for smart devices in the home:
  • Google Home on the App Store (iOS)
  • Google Home in the Play Store (Android)

• On the mobile device, open the Google Home app.
• Sign in with a Google account. (Don’t have an account yet? Then follow the steps in the ‘Create a Google account’ article.)
• Tap the plus sign at the top left.
• Tap on Set up device.
• Tap on Set up new devices in the house.
• Choose a house or create a new house and tap Next one.
• The app searches for devices. The screen shows that the Chromecast has been found. Check that the correct number is shown on both the telephone and the television. For example: Chromecast6495.
• On the phone/tablet, tap Yes.
• The Chromecast will connect. Tap on To connect to confirm.
• On the television you will see a code consisting of four numbers and/or letters. If you see the same code on the phone or tablet, tap Yes.
• There is an option to help improve the Chromecast. We choose this No thanks.
• The Home app asks where the device is. Choose the suitable location and tap Next one.
• The next step is to connect to the Wi-Fi network. Tap the Wi-Fi network and then tap Next one.
• Enter your WiFi password and tap To connect.
• You can link the Chromecast to your Google account. We’ll skip this for now and tap Not now.
• Google indicates which rights the app has. Tap on Next one.
• Google asks if you want to receive offers. We skip this and tap No thanks.
• Google asks if you want to link video services. We skip this and tap Not now.
• The Chromecast is set up. Tap on Get on.

These steps are for first time use only. From now on you can cast with a few steps.

How to cast Netflix to television:

• Open the Netflix app.
• Tap the cast icon .
• Tap the location where your Chromecast is located, as you marked it. For example ‘Living room’ or ‘Kitchen’.
• In the Netflix app, tap what you want to watch. This will now play on the television.
• In the Netflix app, tap the play bar to see more options. Here you can, among other things, pause the program, turn on subtitles or rewind.
• Tap the cast icon and then ‘Unlink’ to stop casting.

NPO casting goes like this:

• Open the NPO app.
• Tap the cast icon at the top right .
• Tap the Chromecast location. The television will now connect.
• Choose a program and play it. That happens automatically on the television.
• You can stop by tapping the cast sign again and then clicking Stop casting.

YouTube casting goes like this:

• Open the YouTube app.
• Click on the cast icon .
• Tap the location of the Chromecast to connect.
• Tap a video and tap Play.
• To quit, tap the cast icon again and then tap Disconnect.

Also in other video apps it is often possible to connect to the Chromecast. Look for the cast icon in the app, and tap the ‘play’ or ‘connect’ option or the name of the Chromecast.