Playing TV audio on hifi using Chromecast Group seems impossible

[SimonTurner]

I want my TV audio to play on my hifi without using wires.

My TV is fed by a Chromecast. My hifi is fed by a Chromecast Audio. I can create a Chromecast Group of the two devices but the group is only available to audio apps and not to video apps, so it's useless for me.

Why is this and how can I use my hifi to play my TV audio otherwise (without wires)?

Thanks for any responses.

[Byteguy]

Unfortunately, you can only make a Group for playing Audio-Only content.  Nothing with video involved.

You won't be able to do what you want with a Chromecast Audio involved.

The new Chromecast with Google TV device (and ONLY that device) can play sound through a Bluetooth speaker.  Some people have used that to do what you want. But, it's still very first-generation and people have reported issues and sound delay.

[SimonTurner]

Thanks very much! I wonder why Google do not allow this. I'm sure many would appreciate the facility. Unfortunately my hifi (Naim NDX streamer) does not support Bluetooth, although I guess I could buy a Bluetooth dongle and a Google TV device... but that seems like overkill for something that could be so simple with existing hardware if Google allowed it.

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? 

Thank you,
Jeran
 

[SimonTurner]

It'd be good to know what Google do not facilitate the establishment of groups between chromecasts and audio chromecasts.

It'd also be good to know if there's another solution to my problem other than buying a bluetooth transmitter and a receiver (I don't want Google TV)

Thanks

[Jeran]

Hey there SimonTurner,

At this point in time, there is no official alternative for that kind of setup. If this is functionality you'd like to see in the future, please feel free to submit feedback via the Google Home app. While Google won't respond directly back to you, this is the best way to let Google know what features you'd want added.

I'm sorry I couldn't have been more help on this, but did you have any other questions or concerns?

Best regards,

Jeran

[SimonTurner]

Thanks Jeran.

Submitting development requests to Google is a thankless task. Every request just disappears into a black hole. The lack of any feedback from Google (on virtually anything!) concerns me as the company is beginning to remind me of a Soviet era Kremlin.

I would just like to know what reason Google had for NOT allowing synchronisation between Chromecasts and Chromecast Audios. It must have been a conscious decision taken for a reason.

[Jeran]

Hey SimonTurner,

I'm sorry my response is so late on this thread, I appreciate your patience! I know it can be a bit discouraging submitting feedback since Google doesn't respond when you submit it, but it really is the best way to request changes, be it bugs or feature requests. As for Google not allowing Chromecast Audios to be used as a pseudo-soundbar with the regular Chromecast models, I cannot say, sadly. I know I personally would use this feature myself if it were available.

I wish I could do more for you, but did you have any other questions or concerns?

Best regards,

Jeran

[SimonTurner]

Thanks for your reply Jeran but I'm afraid submitting feedback to Google is shouting into the void. The company does exactly what it wants in pursuit of money and power despite any feedback submitted by users. Long gone are the days of 'Do no evil'.

[Jeran]

Hiya SimonTurner,

I can understand how you feel, but Google does encourage submitting feedback and does take all forms of feedback seriously, but please understand that not all feedback is always implemented. It depends on how deep the issue is compared to how many people it affects, which is why the more feedback they receive about said issue, the more likely they are to prioritize it.

I'm sorry I cannot be of more assistance, but if you had any more questions or concerns, please let me know.

Best regards,

Jeran

[SimonTurner]

Yup. Google might encourage feedback but it doesn't listen to it and as I say, it's only a interested in maximising profits nowadays. 

[Jeran]

Hey there SimonTurner,

Since there isn't anything more we can add to the thread at this time, I'm going to go ahead and lock it in 24 hours. Let me know if you had any other questions that we can address, we're happy to help where we can.

Best regards,

Jeran