In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, streaming has become the norm. But for those who don't have a smart TV, a Chromecast is the perfect solution. But what is Chromecast, exactly and how does it work? This innovative device, developed by Google, has revolutionized the way we stream content, transforming any standard television into a smart TV with ease. Chromecast allows users to cast their favorite videos, music, and apps from their mobile devices or computers directly to their TV screens, offering a seamless and user-friendly viewing experience. Whether you're looking to enhance your home entertainment system or simply enjoy your preferred media on a larger display, understanding the functionality and benefits of Chromecast is the first step. What Makes Chromecast Stream to Your TV? What Services Work With Chromecast? First launched in 2013, the Google Chromecast is a family of devices you can plug into your TV's HDMI port. HDMI stands for high-definition multimedia interface. Once installed, it allows you to cast video and audio streams from an iOS or Android device, or from the Chrome web browser.

Today, there are two Chromecast models available. Both have the basic casting functionality, but the newer Chromecast with Google TV has its own operating system that runs streaming media apps and other functionality without a smartphone or other device. In the U.S., the Chromecast retails for $29.99, and the Chromecast with Google TV is priced at $49.99. Google also offers a Chromecast with Google TV bundled with six months of Netflix for $89.99. You simply download the Google Cast app and navigate your favorite streaming platforms from your device. The Chromecast with Google TV, however, is the first Chromecast that comes with its own remote to help you choose what to watch. Although the original Chromecast looked a lot like a bulbous flash drive, the third-generation model is disc-shaped with a cord permanently attached that you plug into your TV. It's 6.4 inches long (162 millimeters) from end to end with the cord included, but the device itself is 2 inches (51.8 millimeters) in diameter and half an inch (13.8 millimeters) thick.

In addition to its HDMI connector, it has a micro USB port for power. It comes in two colors - chalk and charcoal. The Chromecast with Google TV has a similar form factor, although the device itself is ovular. It is 6.4 inches (162 millimeters) long, 2.4 inches (61 millimeters) wide and 0.5 inches (12.5 millimeters) thick. It comes in three colors: snow, sunrise and sky. The remote control for each is color coordinated and offers voice control in addition to physical buttons. Like its brother, the Chromecast with Google TV has an HDMI connector to plug into the TV, but the power cable uses a USB-C connection rather than micro USB. Although it has 8GB flash storage, the operating system itself takes around 3GB, cutting usable storage nearly in half. The third-generation Chromecast offers 1080p resolution with a 60 frames-per-second refresh rate. The Chromecast with Google TV can handle 4k HDR video with a refresh rate of 60 frames per second.

It also has functionality the basic Chromecast doesn't. Its voice remote lets you use Google Assistant, you can play games on Google's Stadia service and you can control smart-home devices with it as well. Chromecast gets content to your TV screen from a remote device in part by using something called the DIAL (Discovery And Launch) protocol. DIAL was developed jointly by Netflix and YouTube, which is owned by Google. DIAL is free for others to use and is used in devices and apps by many manufacturers and content providers. One of Chromecast's components, the DIAL Service Discovery protocol, uses Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) version 1.1, which is defined by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), to allow a DIAL client device to locate a DIAL server device running on the same network. The other component, the DIAL REST (representational state transfer) Service, is then accessed to query, launch or stop applications using HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) requests from the client device to the server device.

In the case of Chromecast, your phone, tablet or computer is the client and the Chromecast itself is the server. It developed the Google Cast SDK (software development kit) to enable developers to add related functionality to third-party apps that can be used to launch media from the client device to the Chromecast. There are Google Cast APIs (application programming interfaces) for each compatible operating system. All this allows for functionality such as pausing and volume control, as well as additional features that app developers are free to implement. The basic Chromecast runs a pared-down version of the Chrome browser. The applications on the device are web applications that receive the aforementioned HTTP requests and react accordingly. Once an app is launched, it runs on the Chromecast, but a communication channel will be open that allows the client device to act as a sort of remote control. This dynamic allows you to turn off your mobile device without stopping whatever is streaming from the Chromecast to your TV.

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