[Guide] How to Stream Local Video Files to Chromecast

Although there are a few apps that can stream local video to Chromecast, they are NOT free, and not intuitive. If you are curious, you may try Avia Media Player (Chromecast), or Plex, or the RealPlayer Cloud.

Actually, you can use Chrome browser to stream local video to Chromecast. Any videos that can be played on your PC can be played on your TV now.

You do not need  any apps (except the Google Cast extension for Chrome).  Of course, there is one downside: the streaming quality  is limited to 720p with high bitrate, no 1080p at this time. But this quality usually is sufficient for most videos.

What you need to do is  to install the Google Cast extension from Chrome store. Once this extension is installed, you can cast any tabs of your Chrome browser to the TV.

So, how to stream local video to Chromecast (and watch onTV)?

It is simple. In the address bar, instead of typing http bla-bla, now you type   file://c:/yourvideo.mp4 Of course, you need locate your video and give the full path of it. Once the video is played in Chrome browser, you can  sent it to TV through Chromecast using the Google cast extension.

For Google Cast extension, you can set the quality to  High (720p) or  Extreme (720p high bitrate) to get a reasonable video quality on a full HD TV. So this is the simplest way to stream local video to Chromecast without using any apps.

It is really simple. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Install and configure Google Cast extension (if you haven’t done it).

You can find the official Google cast extension in Chrome webstore or use this URL https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon

In Chrome webstore, type “Google cast” as shown below to search apps and extensions. Then click “FREE” (because it is free) to add it to your Chrome browser.

Before you can add the extension to Chrome browser, you will get a confirmation page. It tells you the permission this extension is seeking.

As it is from Google, you can trust it. So, click “Add” as shown below to add this official Google cast extension to your Chrome browser.

Once the Google cast extension is added successfully to your Chrome browser, you will get a notification on this (as shown below).

For Google Cast extension, you can set the quality to High (720p) or Extreme (720p high bitrate) to get a reasonable video quality on a full HD TV.

If your network connection is not good, or your video is in 480p, you can choose 480p.

To set the video quality, you may click the Google cast extension as shown below. Then clickOptions to choose the suitable tab casting quality.

Step 2: Fill the location of the video to the address bar in Chromecast

In the address bar, instead of typing a web address, now you type the video file address like (without quotation marks) “file://c:/yourvideo.mp4”.

Of course, you need locate your video file and give the full path to it. Once the video is played in Chrome browser, you can sent it to TV through Chromecast using the Google cast extension.

If you are using Windows, you can also just drag your video from Windows explorer and then drop it to Chrome browser as shown below. If Chrome browser cannot play it, it will be shown as being downloaded by Chrome.

Step 3: Enable casting to Chromecast

Once Chrome is playing the video, you can then click the Google cast extension and choose the Chromecast devices as shown below. The video will then be shown on TV

Step 4: Enjoy the video on the TV.

That’s all. This is the simplest way to stream local video to Chromecast without using any apps.

Source: http://www.allaboutchromecast.com/chromecast-how-to-guide/how-to-stream-local-video-to-chromecast/

More Tips to Stream Videos to Chromecast

For those who need to cast DRM protected movies that are downloaded from iTunes Store to Chromecast, you'll need a third-party software to help you bypass the DRM lock from the iTunes movies at first place. You can try TunesKit at this moment. Or simply refer to this complete guide on: How to Cast iTunes Videos to TV via Chromecast.