If we don't have a smart TV, using a Google Chromecast is one of the cheapest and easiest solutions to bring all the Android technology to the TV. With this small device we can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN and many other streaming apps controlling them from the comfort of our Android phone. A marvel.
Another of the most powerful streaming app for mobile devices is KODI, an open source multimedia player with incredible potential to watch live DTT, and even free series and movies through its large repository of legal add-ons. The bad thing about KODI is that by default it still does not allow to send content to the Chromecast, so we must use the odd trick to get it.
How to install KODI on a Google Chromecast
The first thing to make clear is that Chromecast devices are mere receivers. That is, you cannot "install" any application on them: not KODI, not YouTube, or any other app that may come to mind. The only thing we really need to see any type of content is that the application is compatible with Google Cast technology (a protocol similar to DLNA and Miracast).
For practical purposes and leaving the technicalities aside, this means that the app have an icon with the Chromecast symbol that allows us to transmit to TV what we see on the player. An icon, which by the way, is not yet officially present on KODI.
Currently, there are 3 methods that allow us to stream content from our KODI player to dongle Chromecast connected to the monitor or television on duty.
Local Cast (Difficult method for Android)
If we want to send content from the KODI app to the Chromecast The best way possible, we must resort to an app called Local Cast. It is free and we can download it from the Google Play Store without major problem.
Download QR-Code LocalCast for Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Smart TV Developer: Stefan Pledl Price: Free Once we have the app installed, we complete the following steps:
- We download the playercorefactory.xml file. This is a very important file, since it is the script that is responsible for forcing the transmission of content from KODI to LocalCast so that we can send it directly to the Chromecast.
- We open the file explorer of our Android device. If we don't have any installed, we can try ASTRO, a lightweight manager that works quite well. Next, we go to the browser settings menu and in "Configure the default view settings" we activate the tab so that hidden files are shown.
- Now, we navigate with the file explorer to the folder "downloads"Or"Downloads”And locate the playercorefactory.xml file that we just downloaded. We copy it and paste it in the folder "userdata" located in "Android -> Data -> org.xbmc.kodi -> files -> .kodi -> userdata".
As you can see, it is a somewhat more complex trick, but once we have everything in place it is a pure marvel. We open KODI, select the content we want to view and the LocalCast app will automatically send the playback to the Chromecast.
One of the great strengths of this method is that we can continue to transmit even with the mobile screen off. Just great.
Using the Google Home app (Easy method for Android)
If all this seems too complicated, we can also see the KODI content on the Chromecast by transmitting "bareback" the mobile screen directly to the TV. It is not the most practical solution in the world, but yes, it is really easy to configure:
- We open the Google Home app from our Android device.
- Let's go to the menu of "Beginning”(House-shaped icon, located in the lower left margin) and select the Chromecast we want to connect to.
- We select the option "Send my screen”.
- Next we will see an information box where we will click on "Send screen”.
From this moment, everything that is seen on the mobile will also be seen on the Chromecast screen, including whatever we are playing on KODI. In any case, as we mentioned, it is not the most recommended method, since when the screen of the phone or tablet is turned off, the connection to the Chromecast will also be cut off.
Install Chromecast browser extension (Method for Windows PC)
Finally, if we have a laptop or a desktop computer, we can also use KODI to send content to the Chromecast. It is not as cumbersome as the "difficult" method for Android, but it is not the most elegant solution in the world, what are we going to do ...
- We open the Chrome browser.
- We display the settings menu and click on the "Transmit" option.
- A floating window will appear and the browser will try to detect the Chromecast. Note: for this to work, both devices need to be connected to the same network.
- We display the "Sources" tab and select "Transmit desktop".
- To finish, click on the Chromecast to start broadcasting and on the next screen we select the desktop screen and click the blue button "Share”.
Automatically, we will establish a connection with the Chromecast by playing everything that is seen on the PC monitor. From here, just open KODI and view what interests us the most.
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