In the next article we are going to take a look at Cast to TV GNOME. This is a Gnome Shell extension that seeks to make it easy for Ubuntu users stream multimedia content from our computer to a TV with Chromecast. In the following lines we are going to see how to install it and put it into operation.
As I said, Cast to TV is an extension for GNOME Shell with which we can stream videos, music, and pictures to Chromecast or other devices over a local network. This extension supports video transcoding on the fly (for videos that cannot be played directly on the device), customizable subtitles, display a music viewer while streaming music, and much more. To control the device, this extension is going to add a new button on the top panel with playback controls.
This is a GNOME Shell extension that allows GNOME desktop users to stream any local media file stored on our computer to a nearby Chromecast device.
General features of the Cast to TV extension
- This extension will make it possible for us stream videos, music and images to: Chromecast devices, any device with a web browser (another PC or smartphone) or media player application (for example, MPV, VLC).
- Supports built-in and external subtitles.
- Will allow us play on another device using the built-in web player and change the content without updating the web page.
- Transcode videos to a supported format on the fly.
- VAAPI / NVENC video encoding, optional for low CPU usage.
- We can use our system as a Chromecast remote control, control the playback from the top bar of Gnome.
- We will be able stream music with visualizations, although it requires a fast CPU. In Cast settings, you can activate music vieweras it is disabled by default. There are also other settings that can be changed.
- Nautilus context menu integration.
- The media playlist is compatible with 'Drag and Drop'.
Install the Cast to TV extension
For those who do not know, GNOME shell extensions are small blocks of code that extend the functionality and features of the GNOME desktop. You can think of them as browser extensions, but only for the desktop.
This extension will allow users to stream music, videos and photos from our computer to a Chromecast device with options to: encode media on the fly, set the position of on-screen player controls, set the bit rate, or view a music viewer on the TV when playing music.
Something necessary before installing the extension, is the connector. To install it in a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) we will need to write:
sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell
Although it is a GNOME shell extension, it requires a few more things to install. It has many dependencies, which are necessary for the tool to work properly. Fortunately, all of them are available for installation in the official Ubuntu repositories. To install all these dependencies, we will only have to open a terminal (Ctrl Alt T) and execute the command in it:
sudo apt install nodejs npm ffmpeg
Once the dependencies are installed, it's time to install the extension. We can find this in the following link, which will take us to the web where we will only have to activate a switch and select Install.
If you don't have it enabled yet, the page will indicate that you need to install the plugin in the browser, as you can see in the following screenshot. All you need to do is click on the highlighted link to install it.
Once the extension is installed, before you go ahead and test it, there is some additional dependencies that need to be installed. To do this, we are going to return to the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and move to the extensions directory with the following command:
cd ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/cast-to-tv@rafostar.github.com
Then we will only need to execute this other command to install dependencies:
npm install
Cast media to Chromecast
To stream multimedia content to a Chromecast, our Ubuntu team and the Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Once this is done, we will have to click on the systray to open the GNOME shell status menu, and then click on «Cast Content»To expand it.
In this menu we can select the type of media we want to transmit. The selection we make will open the navigation window that will allow us to navigate and select a file. When we select it, we just have to click on Cast Media, and the transmission will begin immediately (about). If it does not start, you will have to go to the option «Preferences»And configure the device to which we want to send the content.
Depending on the Chromecast model, some videos may not play. Nevertheless, You can choose the option Transcode video, which is intended to ensure playback.
It has to be said that in the extension website, indicate that the functionality of the extension can be extended through some add-ons. Although I have to say that the option to broadcast the desktop, in the tests that I have done, it has not worked.
A pilonga chestnut. It does not work for me. I no longer waste my time trying.
The one with the article is already worth it, the whole article is pasted and then at the end tell you that it has not worked for him, hahahahahahaha, well neither him nor anyone else. If you want to handle the Chromecast well, I give you some tips. Google's videostream extension, which only works in Chrome, in Chrome-based browsers it won't work, even if it lets you install the extension. And Emby is similar to Plex, only much better, you install it in a deb package, it is configured very easy and in Spanish and running. Both videostream and emby have a mobile app, at least Android, Apple I don't know because I only smoke quality weed. With apps you can control what you have on your pc and pass it to the Chromecast, as long as Chromecast, pc and mobile are on the same Network. Another option is VLC but it has the problem that the subtitles are not seen on the Chromecast. For Emby subtitles, none of them fail and another option is smplayer that has support for Chromecast, but at least it has never worked for me.
Plex too, but I was hung up a lot and they are not clean wheat, they know at all times what you are doing and if you use their free service, which is the most normal, to see we are going to say certain files downloaded through the Internet , which are not supposed to be downloaded, they report you, be careful with Plex. Here you take it, hahahahahaha.
Man, when I say in the article that it does not work for me, I mean the add-on that you must install for adults to send the system desktop to the tv. The extension as is, if it works correctly.
Don't waste time, it only works with mp4. That's what chrome is for.