| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
Right off the top, I want to say that when it comes to Computer Literacy, I'm almost up to the level of Hooked On Phonics. Yesterday, I bought a Chromecast so that I could watch AFT races on my TV and not just my laptop. But the damned thing seems to only work from a Smartphone. If I had an iphone or an android, it would be no problem. But I'll be damned if I can make it work with my laptop. And that's after I had a lengthy conversation with Habib in New Delhi, or Old Delhi or maybe the Deli counter at Safeway when I called the Help line. So; do any of you know what to do to make it work? And if not, do you know of a product that will allow me to watch the races on my 50" class TV, and not just my 12" laptop screen? | ||
| Ratbuell |
does your laptop have an HDMI output? At 50", I presume your TV has an HDMI input...could be just a matter of a long cord. Either that, or get a USB to HDMI adaptor if your laptop only has USB ports... If your laptop is REALLY old (I have a couple like that), you can use the old-school monitor port to feed video to the TV, and the headphone jack to feed audio. Easy solution? Take your laptop with you to the local Best Buy. Tell them "I want to hook this to my TV so I can watch shows and races". They'll either get a convertor box, or a cable, that will work. Make sure you can tell them "my TV has XYZ inputs" (HDMI, RCA, etc). Or just "my TV is make/model XYZ". | ||
| 99buellx1 |
To start off, you have to use Chrome Browser to cast from the laptop. Then, you should see the cast icon. Here are some different ways to cast content, depending on how the page is setup that you're trying to cast. https://support.google.com/chromecastbuiltin/answe r/6375070?hl=en | ||
| Froggy |
Your laptop has a Mini DisplayPort video connector, not HDMI, so if you want to hard wire to the TV (which is what I recommend, less hassle and more reliable), you will need to get a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter and a HDMI cable of whatever length you need. If you want to cast, you will need to use Chrome as they use a proprietary connection standard. Some TVs support "Miracast" right out of the box, so you can broadcast using the Edge browser without any additional dongles. (I'm 99% sure your laptop will do Miracast but I'll have to double check). Since you got the Chromecast already I'd try do that. You can follow these directions to configure it: https://www.techbout.com/setup-chromecast-on-windo ws-10-computer-25102/ Edit - If you do need cables/adapters, get them from Monoprice.com, it will be a fraction of the price vs buying in store. (Message edited by froggy on May 16, 2019) | ||
| Hootowl |
+1 on monoprice.com. You’re getting screwed almost everywhere else. | ||
| Crusty |
As I said (and Froggy knows), I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to computers. I'm going to take Ratbuell's advice and mix it with Froggy's advice. Tomorrow, I'll go over to Micro Center with my laptop and hopefully leave with a mini Display Port adapter and a 10 Ft. HDMI cable, and I'll just plug the laptop into the TV. That seems like the most probable recipe for success. For some stupid reason, I don't get the option of installing the Chromecast to my computer when I try to set it up. The only options are for either an Iphone or an Android. I'll bring the Chromecast back and apply the money to the adapter and cable. It'll be a little more for those items at Micro Center than at monoprice.com, but I'll have them in my hand and if they don't work, it'll be easier to return them. | ||
| Froggy |
Microcenter is my home away from home, they know me by name at mine. Prices on most things there is reasonable and their staff know their stuff so you should be in good hands. You want this adapter: https://www.microcenter.com/product/486256/mini-di splayport-male-to-hdmi-female-adapter-6-in---white (SKU: 416669 - It should be all the way in the back where the Apple stuff and TVs are) And this appears to be the cheapest 10ft HDMI at $15 (Not Monoprice cheap but not a bad price) https://www.microcenter.com/product/486033/hdmi-ma le-to-hdmi-male-24k-gold-plated-high-speed-cable-w ith-ethernet-10-ft----black (SKU 413476, in Aisle 24, it will be more towards the middle of the store) Inland is their store brand, which is just someone else's stuff with their logo on it, I've never had any problems with them. | ||
| Froggy |
Once you do have it all plugged in, switch your TV to the right HDMI port, then on your PC all you have to do is hold down the Windows key (near the lower left corner, looks like the start button), hold down the Windows Key and press P. That will make a menu slide out where you can select different display modes, you probably will want Duplicate, which makes both your laptop and the TV show the same thing. Extended mode lets the TV act as a separate entity, so could put the races on the TV and then browse the internet at the same time on the laptop screen. Second screen only mode makes it so the laptop screen goes blank, and PC screen only is what you have right now.  | ||
| Crusty |
Thanks, Froggy. I'll head over there tomorrow afternoon. In the morning, I have to pull the Roadster's clutch apart and see why it's acting so funny, all of a sudden. David is lending me his Miata so I can get around while the Roadster's down. | ||
| Court |
I use a 50' Thunderbolt to HDMI cable and tie the Mac straight to the tube . . . . I watched TV like once last year. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I use Chromecast for almost everything... We have screens all around my office and in the conference room so I can put whatever I want wherever I want. Works great. That being said, there is no substitute for a hard-wired setup. | ||
| Ourdee |
I watched it at Two's on Sunday. | ||
| Midknyte |
If you need a device to control / cast from, might I suggest grabbing an Android TracFone. One can easily be had for $20 that will do the job. It does not need to remain on contract since you'd be using your in house WiFi. This plus the chrome stick together still comes in less than an Apple TV puck. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I watched it at Two's on Sunday. Which Sunday was this? Explain yourself! | ||
| Ourdee |
When we were there. You didn't miss anything yet. | ||
| Crusty |
I have , in my hot sweaty hand, a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter and a 10 ft. HDMI to HDMI Cable *Gold Plated*. Once I cool down a little, I'm going to plug them into their appropriate places and see my laptop screen on steroids. I hope. | ||
| Ourdee |
 |
