A new Google Chromecast arrived at my home this past weekend. It was the reward for making 10 purchases using Android Pay in a promotion I was invited to participate in. I wrote about the promotion and using Android Pay in this post, and this post.
The packaging was nice and inside it was the Chromecast, as well as a USB power cord and AC adapter. This model Chromecast is the one designed for video, and it outputs that video and any audio via it’s HDMI cable. They also have a model made for audio only.
Besides requiring a TV or monitor with an HDMI port, you’ll also need that TV or monitor to have speakers if you want to hear any accompanying sound. This model of the Chromecast does not have a separate audio out connection.
There are no controls on the unit, except for a small reset button. You need to use software on an external device to setup and control the operation of the Chromecast. You can use a system running Chrome OS, Android, a Mac, or Apple iOS along with the Chromecast app. You can also use the Chrome browser with the Chromecast plug-in installed. For my use I used the Chrome browser plug in on Windows based systems, and the Chromecast app on Android based phones and tablets.
After plugging the Chromecast’s HDMI cable into a TV, and connecting it’s power cord, I used the app to set it up. It was pretty easy to follow the instructions, and once connected it found my new Chromecast unit quickly. There was a PIN displayed on the TV that I was asked to enter on the app, and I was given a chance to name my Chromecast and modify it’s settings. A short little tutorial video auto played.
