You may already know about
Chromecast
: a super cheap $35 dongle that lets you quickly stream content from your Android device (and even PC) right on your big screen TV.
If you like the idea of being able to quickly push streaming content from your mobile device to your TV, the Chromecast is definitely worth the money.
But did you know that you can get (almost) the same functionality completely for free?
You read that right. Thanks to the efforts of developer Sebastian Mauer, you can now turn any of your spare Android devices into a Chromecast receiver using his free app called CheapCast.
The chase? You will need a spare Android device that supports MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) or HDMI to connect it to your TV.
So what kind of device acts as a receiver?
Just about anything. A spare Android TV stick, Android set-top box, tablet, phone – it doesn’t matter, as long as it has a way to connect to the TV.
However, for devices with microHDMI and/or MHL support, you will likely need an adapter. Even after taking into account the cost (usually under $5 on eBay/Amazon), it’s still cheaper than an actual Chromecast.
How to Download and Run CheapCast
Step 1: Connect the Android device that you intend to use as a receiver to the HDTV. How you do this will depend on the device you’re using. For some people this will be as simple as plugging a microHDMI cable into the TV’s HDMI port, others will need to use an MLH adapter.
Step 2: Download Cheap (UPDATE: This app is no longer available) on your Android device that you have connected to your TV. Go ahead and open it up immediately.
Step 3: Go where it says Friendly name. Touch it. It will display a prompt, giving you the option to give it whatever name you want.
Step 4: If you want Cheap the app starts every time the receiving device boots, make sure you check the box for the option that says Start CheapCast at startup.
Step 5: To launch your CheapCast, tap the top right button labeled service start. Now you are ready to go.
Step 6: Put down the Android device receiver. Now it’s time to set up the device that you intend to use as a remote to send content. Now you’ll want to go to Google Play and download the official one Chromecast application.
Step 7: Open it up. It will scan for your ChromeCast (or in this case, your CheapCast). It should now see the CheapCast device listed. Click it, follow the instructions, and you’re good to go!
You can now start taking content from your Android device and streaming it to your TV.
Screenshot of a full-size YouTube video running on a CheapCast receiver.
CheapCast Limitations and Other Considerations
As you can see, setting up CheapCast is super easy. But it is not without its flaws. For one thing, Chromecast actually works with both Android devices and Chrome browsers (your PC), while CheapCast only works with Android devices.
Second, CheapCast is still a limited beta, which means that while it can work with some services like Youtube and Google Play music, it doesn’t seem to work with Netflix yet and can’t stream websites. Of course, this is a work in progress and will likely get better over time.
So should you bother or is it better for you to pick up a Chromecast? The answer depends.
While the CheapCast’s ability to act as a Chromecast device is really far from perfect, the host Android receiver also has the full power of Google Play and Android apps behind it that can enhance the experience and make it’s much better than what you get for $35.
Hot Tip: Looking to stream video from your PC to Android? Check out our great guide!
Ultimately, it comes down to ease of use. Chromecast is plug-and-play, while using a secondary Android device with CheapCast requires a little more DIY spirit. What do you think? Love the idea of Cheapcast or do you want to shell out for the real thing?
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
