‘Cast’ websites from PC to TV
What you need: Google Chromecast; Windows 7, 8 or 10 Time required: 15 minutes
When Google launched its popular Chromecast dongle ( www.snipca.
com/21744), you needed to install a Chrome browser extension to ‘cast’ content from websites – such as Youtube and BBC iplayer – to your TV. The latest version of Chrome (number 53) has this function built in, so you no longer need to add an extension. This makes it a great way to watch online videos, read emails and browse the web on your TV’S bigger screen.
STEP1
If you don’t have Chrome on your PC, install it from chrome.google.co.uk and go straight to Step 2. If you already use Chrome, you’ll need to update it to the latest version. Do this by clicking the menu button (three horizontal lines) 1 , moving your cursor to Help 2 , then clicking About Google Chrome 3 . The browser will install the required updates (click Yes to accept any prompts), showing its progress as a percentage. When it’s finished, click Relaunch 4 to complete the update. The browser will now reopen with a message saying ‘Google Chrome is up to date’.
STEP2
Long-term users will notice several changes in this version of Chrome, such as straight rather than rounded edges to tabs 1 . The menu button is now three dots 2 rather than three lines, and the menu it opens includes a new Cast option 3 . If this is the first time you’ve used a Chromecast, follow Google’s instructions ( www.snipca. com/21745) to set it up. Now switch on your TV, click the AV/ HDMI button on your TV remote and select the HDMI connection to which your Chromecast is connected. The name of your Chromecast will appear in the bottom left of the screen.
STEP3
Back in Chrome, open the website you want to cast, click the menu button 1 , then click Cast. Click ‘OK, Got It’ on the pop-up message that appears, then click to select your Chromecast. Anything you do within that browser tab will now appear on your TV screen. A blue icon on that tab 2 indicates that it’s being cast to your TV. To cast a different tab, click it, select the Cast option in the menu, then click Cast 3 . When you want to stop casting, click the menu’s Cast option again, then click Stop 4 .