How can I play local files through Chromecast?

[limdoug]

Hi,

I saw this at Droid-life, but for the life of me can't get it to work. When I put the file address into the address bar, it just starts downloading the file. Any one know what I'm doing wrong?

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/25/tip-you-can-play-local-video-files-through-chromecast/

Thanks.

 

[ioo]

using your laptop and chrome browser?

If your trying using a phone, you will need to wait for the functionality to be added to an app like mx player

 

[limdoug]

I'm using my desktop computer and the chrome browser.

using your laptop and chrome browser?

If your trying using a phone, you will need to wait for the functionality to be added to an app like mx player

 

[ioo]

whats the file type?

Chrome browser has to recognize it as a media file and know what type of media player to play it with.

 

[junglejunkie]

Just paste the full file path in Chrome (ie "C:\filename.extension") and select the file then hit the cast button. I have tried it with .mp4 with no problems what so ever. Even 3D content played flawlessly.
I did have to drop the output down to 480P from 720P to get smooth playback, but hey...it is still a beta feature.
Definitely worth the $35!!!

 

[limdoug]

tried it with an avi, mpg, or mkv...all just start downloading.

Just paste the full file path in Chrome (ie "C:\filename.extension") and select the file then hit the cast button. I have tried it with .mp4 with no problems what so ever. Even 3D content played flawlessly.
I did have to drop the output down to 480P from 720P to get smooth playback, but hey...it is still a beta feature.
Definitely worth the $35!!!

 

[ioo]

works fine for me

 

[dcastillo]

My guess is there's a setting in Chrome that tells it whether to play a file in the browser or down load it...

Posted by a Nexus

 

[Zeeshan Bakhrani]

If you download Divx web player, you can play MKVs through chrome and audio will still work.

 

[mrfett79]

I tried using the ctrl+O to get the window to open where you can navigate to the video location and double click on the video. It will play on both the computer and the Chromecast. It looks like you have to mirror your computer while streaming unlike using a tablet or phone where you can do other thinks while playing the video.

 

[dss2000]

It would be nice if they supported playing local video files directly to the Chromecast rather than have to use your computer to decode and broadcast it to the Chromecast. I have my video files stored on a Drobo NAS and wish there would be an app like Youtube where is sets up the connection and then passes it off your device. You could have your whole video collection on the NAS and then using the tablet or phone as a remote stream videos to any TV with Chromecast in your house. Maybe Google will support this in version 2.0.

 

[Jeremiah Overton]

tried it with an avi, mpg, or mkv...all just start downloading.

I am having the same issue; it's odd. I don't see any specific settings in Chrome that tell it to download instead of opening the files.

I've tried dragging it to the address bar, to the main frame, and I've tried ctrl+o. None of them work.

I've also tried it on two different computers, both have the same issue.

 

[ckidwell20]

I was having the same problem. I have been playing .mp4 files without issue, but the .avi files I have stored locally just try to download. I have been converting videos on my computer with handbrake from avi to mp4.

 

[Jeremiah Overton]

Ah, look at that. The MP4's totally work. All of the videos I tried must have been avi's.

Thanks!

I was having the same problem. I have been playing .mp4 files without issue, but the .avi files I have stored locally just try to download. I have been converting videos on my computer with handbrake from avi to mp4.

 

[lostchild]

Well, you could play anything using any video player with the Chromecast Desktop full screen cast, but you just don't get any audio right now.

 

[whitenack]

Is there any way to get Chrome to play a TiVo file?

 

[Liquidretro]

If Chrome desktop won't play it without local plugsins (Think quicktime) then the Chromecast wont play it. I would not be surprised if the .tivo format has DRM on it.

 

[whitenack]

Yeah, I can transfer it to my desktop via the Tivo windows program, but when I drag and drop into Chrome it just downloads it instead of plays. Tivo has DRM on some of their shows, but most of the programming that I watch is not.

 

[dss2000]

If your rooted with Cyanogenmod you can stream from many media sources: http://phandroid.com/2013/08/09/cyanogenmod-chromecast/

Posted via Android Central App

 

[John Boysen]

Ok I have tried this but all it does is download the movie... what the heck am I doing wrong.