Any way to watch a DVD from laptop to cast it to Chromecast?

[Shilohcane]

Gave away my old BluRay player to my daughter after I had Netflix and Xfinity. Stupid HDTV only has two HDMI inputs one for Xfinity and one for Chromecast and I didn't want a hdmi switch. Then I got some DVD movies as gifts that aren't on Netflix. Now all I have is a Laptop that has a DVD player. Yes the laptop has HDMI out but it would be more convenient to cast to Chromecast.

Since the movie dvd will play on the laptop is there any windows App that will cast it to Chromecast so I can watch the movie on the big HDTV? Since the DVD doesn't use the Chrome browser I can't get that to work.

 

[mavrrick]

There are a few options here.

First I don't know why we are linking DVD and needing HDMI. DVD is handled really well over the component/composite/S-video connection of old. Most likely your TV has atleast one of those available. Only catch with that would be if you are expecting upscaling, but the source would still be 480p reguardless of what connectivity you use.

You could also check and see if the movies can be converted to digital copy with like Flixster or Vudu. If the have they moves available as UV you could do a disc to digital conversion and pay a few bucks and have them online with those providers. Both of them can cast to CC

You could also go a step further and setup something like Plex off your laptop. Basically download the server load it on the laptop. Then rip the DVD content to your hard drive on the laptop. Once there tell Plex to inventory it. Once the content is in Plex you can send it to the CC via several methods.

The nice thing about Plex is it is probably the cheapest and most flexible option, but it is also probably the most complicated option. If you are converted to completely online digital copy only Vudu is probably the best option, and it isn't to bad to convert the content if it is licensed move content.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Isn't there an experimental chrome extension to cast your whole desktop? I haven't used it personally, but that should do the trick.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[mavrrick]

I didn't bring that up because I read several people's about how flaky that is.

Another option would be to rip them to mp4 video files, then use one of the many Chrome apps for casting local files. Videosteam comes to mind.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[eseeweb]

hi
Just about the chrome browser extension to cast desktop screen.
I got a Chromecast a week ago and i installed the Chromecast extension on a chrome browser at my desktop. I found that it work ok to cast the desktop screen. But, when i do the same thing to my notebook computer that is on wifi. It is not working well. It buffer alot. To a point that i give up on the idea of using wifi notebook with the Chromecast extension on Chrome browser. I think may be too much wifi traffic to/from notebook and Chromecast.

 

[Martin Wills1]

Using laptop/pc chrome browser in experimental full screen mode works well on my laptop.

I suspect quality of casting depends more on how much RAM you have on laptop rather than the laptop speed i.e. you can build up a nice buffer to create smooth playback?

 

[Graeme Smith1]

I also found that Using chrome browser in experimental full screen mode works very well on my PC.

 

[trippymanni]

hi
Just about the chrome browser extension to cast desktop screen.
I got a Chromecast a week ago and i installed the Chromecast extension on a chrome browser at my desktop. I found that it work ok to cast the desktop screen. But, when i do the same thing to my notebook computer that is on wifi. It is not working well. It buffer alot. To a point that i give up on the idea of using wifi notebook with the Chromecast extension on Chrome browser. I think may be too much wifi traffic to/from notebook and Chromecast.

Just decided on buying chromecast after it read this article. Now reading your comment I'm having second thoughts? Anyone have pointers with regards to the buffering concern?

 

[neu smurph]

Casting content web content from a local device that is wired to your router is flawless in my experience (Chromecast about 2 metres from my wireless router). Casting content that is stored on a device that is also on a wireless connection can be flaky - your experience is likely to depend on the characteristics of your router and network - e.g. distance from device to router, channel interference etc.

E.g. I used to have my Plex server reside on a laptop in my home office a floor up and and some 20 metres from my router. Casting Plex content worked but issues such as freezes, long buffering delays, phone Plex App losing it's Chromecast connection etc were common. Moved that laptop to the same room as the router and it all works fine via a wireless connection. Moved the Plex Server to a old XP laptop wired to the router and resurrected with a Linux install provided an additional minor improvement in loading times.