Chromecast device

[ChrisFredKeen]

I have two Chromecast-enabled TVs, which I have been using to my great satisfaction for many years. I recently tried to find one for another TV but now understand that the device has been discontinued. I purchased a MiraScreen device on Amazon as it stated that Chromecast was a "special feature" of the device so I supposed it to be compatible. After spending hours trying to get Google Home to recognise the device, I realised that this was not the case. I don't need to purchase a Streaming Media Box as all I really want to do with it is stream BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Can anyone suggest a solution, please?

Thanks in advance,

Chris 

[jenniffert]

Hi ChrisFredKeen,

Thank you for posting in the community! I'd be happy to help with your concerns about how to play BBC iPlayer and ITVX radio.

I also apologize for the inconvenience with your Chromecast. Since you’ve mentioned that you bought a new streaming device. I’d like to confirm if you’re trying to play BBC iPlayer and ITVX through the Chromecast or the MiraScreen device.

If you want to play the radios from the MiraScreen device, I’d recommend contacting the manufacturer for further assistance. 

Please keep me posted.

Best regards,

Jenniffer

[ChrisFredKeen]

Hi Jenniffer

First, thank you very much for taking the time to reply. 

All I want to do is to cast BBC iPlayer and ITVX to my TV. I have dongles for two other TVs and I wanted to add another one to the 'network' so that I can choose to cast to the living room, kitchen or annexe. Chromecast was listed as a "special feature" of the MiraScreen device so I assumed it was compatible but, unfortunately, it is not. I contacted MiraScreen support but did not receive a reply so I have returned the device for refund via Amazon. I should therefore be grateful if you have any ideas for a lower cost solution than the Google TV Streamer, which has many more features than I need.

Thanks again and kind regards

Chris

[jenniffert]

Hi ChrisFredKeen,

Thank you for following up! 

I appreciate your interest in Google Chromecast devices. Since you're looking to stream BBC iPlayer and ITVX to your TV, I'd suggest checking out the Google Store to see which Chromecast device best suits your needs.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Best regards,

Jenniffer

[ChrisFredKeen]

Hi Jenniffer

Thank you again for your quick reply. I have found a Chromecast with Google TV device. It is not yet available but the price point for the HD version is much closer to that which I paid for my existing dongles. I am prepared to wait for it as it is a genuine Chromecast device but have a few questions in the meantime:

- is it compatible with my existing Chromecast dongles, i.e. will it be part of my current Chromecast network?

- does it require any licences or subscriptions? (I don't need Google TV)

- will it enable me to cast BBC iPlayer and ITVX to my TV? (These are the only services I need) 

Thanks again and kind regards

Chris

[jenniffert]

Hi ChrisFredKeen,

Thanks for the reply!

Regarding your questions, Chromecast devices act as a bridge between your phone and TV, allowing you to stream content from apps like Netflix or YouTube. For some apps, you may need to have a subscription to watch content. Even without a subscription, you can enjoy free content from many other apps.

The Chromecast with Google TV HD can work independently from your other Chromecast devices. You can download apps directly onto the TV interface. However, for other Chromecast models, you might need to download apps on your phone and then cast. For more details on different Chromecast types, please refer to this article: Chromecast and Google TV Streamer specifications.

Finally, I recommend checking the BBC iPlayer and ITVX websites to confirm if they support Chromecast casting.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Best regards,

Jenniffer

[ChrisFredKeen]

Hi Jenniffer

Thank you for your reply. 

The BBC iPlayer and ITVX both support Chromecast. Indeed I have been watching them for several years on two TVs in the house, which is why I was disappointed that I could not buy a third such device from Google.

I see from your reply that the Chromecast with Google TV HD device can work independently from other Chromecast devices. Can it also work together with them, i.e. such that it can be selected from the same Chromecast screen as the other two?

Lastly, when will the Chromecast with Google TV HD device be available to purchase?

Thanks again and kind regards

Chris   

[jenniffert]

Hi ChrisFredKeen,

Thanks for following up!

Regarding your question about simultaneous casting, for now it's currently not available to cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time.

In this case, each Chromecast device, whether it's an older or newer model, works independently with its connected TV. While there may be minor differences in the user interface and casting experience between older and newer models, all Chromecasts are designed to cast content from a wide range of apps. Some models also support casting directly from your mobile device or even the TV itself.

For updates on when the Chromecast with Google TV will be available, I recommend keeping an eye on the Google Store website.

Keep me posted.

Best regards,

Jenniffer

[ChrisFredKeen]

Hi Jenniffer

Thank you again for your detailed response, from which I can see that I should have explained myself better. I don't want to cast simultaneously to multiple devices but rather to have a choice of the TV to which I want to cast. At the moment I can select "Living Room" or "Kitchen" when I want to cast from my iPhone. I should therefore like to add the Chromecast with Google TV device into the 'network' such that I can cast to "Living Room" or "Kitchen" or "Bedroom". Will that be possible?

Thanks

Chris

[jenniffert]

Hi ChrisFredKeen,

Thanks for following up!

I appreciate all the details. In this instance, you might need to choose the Chromecast that is connected to a different TV in order to cast to it. Currently, there is not an option to control several TVs or rooms with a single Chromecast.

The TV interface and the Google assistant, which is available in certain versions, are the primary differences between the older and more recent models. Only one TV may be controlled by the Chromecast, though, and it can be added to the same Google Home app if it is connected to the same WiFi network.

Keep me posted.

Best regards,

Jenniffer

[jenniffert]

Hi ChrisFredKeen,

Thanks for following up!

Regarding your question about simultaneous casting, for now it's currently not available to cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time.

In this case, each Chromecast device, whether it's an older or newer model, works independently with its connected TV. While there may be minor differences in the user interface and casting experience between older and newer models, all Chromecasts are designed to cast content from a wide range of apps. Some models also support casting directly from your mobile device or even the TV itself.

For updates on when the Chromecast with Google TV will be available, I recommend keeping an eye on the Google Store website.

Keep me posted.

Best regards,

Jenniffer