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Having recently reviewed Chromecast, I received a few comments asking for more on how Chromecast works with Plex. This is it, and I can start by saying Chromecast and Plex are a fantastic coupling of products, with only a few minor complaints. Let's jump straight into this one.
Operation
So let’s start at the basics, how does one use Plex in conjunction with Chromecast? Honestly, there’s not much to it. Assuming you have your (or a friends) Plex server already setup and running, simply do the initial setup of your Chromecast, make sure you have the Plex app installed on any device you plan to cast with & you’re all set.
Operation
So let’s start at the basics, how does one use Plex in conjunction with Chromecast? Honestly, there’s not much to it. Assuming you have your (or a friends) Plex server already setup and running, simply do the initial setup of your Chromecast, make sure you have the Plex app installed on any device you plan to cast with & you’re all set.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/7/24574909/1484567.png?219)
- Mobile Devices
Chromecast is designed primarily for use with mobile devices, Android and iOS phones or tablets, and using Plex with one of these is a breeze. The latest versions of the Plex app for Android and iOS should have a Chromecast button available on the apps Action Bar, by tapping this you can choose to play files via Chromecast instead of locally. Whether you decide to do this before or after choosing your content doesn't matter, and once you do so Chromecast will present you with a Plex screen, letting you know it’s ready to play. From there Chromecast will instantly start to load your content once you select to play it, and you are free to leave the app entirely from there, continuing to use your phone normally.
- PC/Browser
Plex recently unveiled it’s new UI for the web, bringing a fresh look and along with some new features, one of which is the ability to use Chromecast from the browser. Working in much the same way as the iOS and Android counterparts, you simply select the Chromecast button that appears in both the top bar of the library UI and the video player options and select your Chromecast device from the list. This will instantly start the playback on Chromecast, allowing you to control it right from the browser. Unlike the Android and iOS apps, leaving the Plex playback tab will stop playback on Chromecast, so be sure to keep that tab open whilst browsing elsewhere.
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Performance, Quality Options & Consistency
How well Plex streams both in terms of speed and quality will depend on your network capabilities, your server and the file source, but having tested it on two different networks of varying speeds I found the quality to be excellent on both occasions. Buffering generally takes a few mere seconds (no different to using Plex on any other device) and I am yet to see any issues with playback or quality that is directly caused by Chromecast itself.
One potentially off-putting factor for some is that there is no control over the quality of the stream, but having been using Chromecast with Plex for sometime I have yet to come across a time where it hasn’t looked practically as good as the source.
What It Can & Can’t Do
Chromecast has been able to stream anything I have thrown at it from my server as well as friends servers, whether on the same, or a different network. Unfortunately however, I have yet to see any channels stream at all - regardless of whether casting from mobile or PC. This includes both officially supported channels as well as unofficial.
How well Plex streams both in terms of speed and quality will depend on your network capabilities, your server and the file source, but having tested it on two different networks of varying speeds I found the quality to be excellent on both occasions. Buffering generally takes a few mere seconds (no different to using Plex on any other device) and I am yet to see any issues with playback or quality that is directly caused by Chromecast itself.
One potentially off-putting factor for some is that there is no control over the quality of the stream, but having been using Chromecast with Plex for sometime I have yet to come across a time where it hasn’t looked practically as good as the source.
What It Can & Can’t Do
Chromecast has been able to stream anything I have thrown at it from my server as well as friends servers, whether on the same, or a different network. Unfortunately however, I have yet to see any channels stream at all - regardless of whether casting from mobile or PC. This includes both officially supported channels as well as unofficial.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/7/24574909/7946971.png?181)
Control
Of course the idea behind Chromecast is that everything is controlled via another device. No ‘old fashioned’ remote controls here. So what controls are you given? Once you’ve selected to play something via Android/iOS you are presented with a playing screen (see screenshots). From here you have the option to pause, stop, skip back 15 seconds, jump forward 30, drag the slider and change the volume. A nice touch is that the volume can be altered using the physical volume buttons on the device, even when locked.
Of course the idea behind Chromecast is that everything is controlled via another device. No ‘old fashioned’ remote controls here. So what controls are you given? Once you’ve selected to play something via Android/iOS you are presented with a playing screen (see screenshots). From here you have the option to pause, stop, skip back 15 seconds, jump forward 30, drag the slider and change the volume. A nice touch is that the volume can be altered using the physical volume buttons on the device, even when locked.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/7/24574909/1229569.png?288)
On PC, you can pause, stop, scrub along the timeline and change the volume. The Plex web service also integrates with the Chromecast plugin for Chrome, where you can disconnect it and see what is casting from any tab.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/7/24574909/4099567.png?267)
Sadly there is currently no ability to queue content for playback, not something I personally find too big of a deal, but it would be nice to set a TV series to continually playback. I believe this is something Plex are looking into, however.
Issues
Other than lack of queuing, so far I have only one major complaint, which is that my Android app will occasionally ‘forget’ something is being cast, meaning you lose control of the playback. You can attempt to reconnect, which may work without fault, but often will cause the current playback to stop and takes Chromecast back to the initial Plex screen. I contacted Plex regarding this issue to which they confirmed they are aware of the problem and are looking into a fix.
Issues
Other than lack of queuing, so far I have only one major complaint, which is that my Android app will occasionally ‘forget’ something is being cast, meaning you lose control of the playback. You can attempt to reconnect, which may work without fault, but often will cause the current playback to stop and takes Chromecast back to the initial Plex screen. I contacted Plex regarding this issue to which they confirmed they are aware of the problem and are looking into a fix.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/7/24574909/894474364.jpg?229)
Summary
So there you have it, other than the minor issues which are being addressed and the lack of channel playback, Chromecast and Plex just work. Everything is fast, high quality & easy to control. Easily a recommended buy for not Plex users who may wish to add playback to a 2nd TV, but for anyone with an interest in home entertainment.
So there you have it, other than the minor issues which are being addressed and the lack of channel playback, Chromecast and Plex just work. Everything is fast, high quality & easy to control. Easily a recommended buy for not Plex users who may wish to add playback to a 2nd TV, but for anyone with an interest in home entertainment.