Google Chromecast – Part 1

Today I finally bought a Google Chromecast. The Chromecast is a handy, inexpensive way to stream media from online to your TV over your home WIFI network, using your computer or mobile device as a bridge. It’s pretty simple to setup, but for those who need a little more help this guide can walk you through each step and make sure you get everything working properly on the first try.

Step 1 – Plug in the Google Chromecast

The first thing you have to do when you take the Chromecast out of the box is plug it into your TV’s HDMI port and connect the USB cable to a powered USB port. If your HDMI ports are very close together, you may need the included HDMI cable extender to give the Chromecast more room. And if your TV doesn’t have a powered USB port, you need to connect the Chromecast to its included power adapter, and then plug that into a power outlet. However you get the Chromecast plugged in and powered, it should start flashing as it turns on.

Step 2 – Switch your TV to the correct input channel

Set your TV to the HDMI port which the Google Chromecast is connected. Your tv should show the “set me up” screen with the Chromecast’s name and a URL to visit to begin the setup.

Step 3 – Download the Chromecast app

Chromecast can run on Windows, Android, IOS and Mac OS. Go to the Chromecast setup page on your computer or find the Chromecast app on the Google Play or iTunes App stores and install the app for your platform of choice.For this guide I have used my laptop with Windows 8.1 and the Google Chrome browser.

Click the “Download” button to begin downloading the software, after the download is complete run the installer.

Step 4 – Configure Chromecast WIFI settings

After the software is installed it will automatically open.

Click the “Accept” button

Step 5 – Confirm the Chromecast code

After you select the Chromecast, your device will attempt to communicate with it. It will show a four-character code on the screen that should match a code that appears on your device in the setup software. If the code matches, click the correct box to move on to the next step.

Step 6 – Select Wi-Fi network and and rename your Chromecast (optional)

The software should automatically populate with your device’s current Wi-Fi network. Here you can enter your network password or use the “Get Password” button to automatically fill in your password. You can select “Show password” to make sure it is the right one.

If you have more than one Chromecast, the software will let you change its name. You don’t have to change the name if you’re okay with ChromecastXXXX as its designation. Still, you may find it useful to name each one based on the room it’s in, such as Living Room or Bedroom.