How to Use a USB-C Hub to Upgrade Your Chromecast With Google TV

TheChromecast with Google TVis one of our favorite gadgets for getting sound recording and video content up on an HDMI - equipped big screen , but its capabilities can be extended even further with the right supplement — specifically , a USB - C hub .

As long as you buy a hub that can excrete ability through to the Chromecast with Google TV , you ’ve like a shot got a lot more larboard to play around with . From what we ’ve see fromother peoplewho’ve try out with this , you need at least a 45W charger , which is what we used for our examination .

Some of these tweaks necessitate approach to the Developer choice menu under System in preferences . To enable this , go to preferences and pick organization , then About , and then pick out Android TV O construct seven times ( you ’ll see a message when you ’ve done it correctly ) . This reveal several low - layer gadget options that you would n’t otherwise be able-bodied to get to .

Photo: David Nield/Gizmodo

The hardware setup

As long as you ’ve got a USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate hub with power delivery that can be passed through to the Chromecast , and an upgraded power adapter that supplies enough wattage , the examination we ’ve outline here should forge as publicize . For reference book , this Aukey hubwas the one we picked up for the problem .

The more devices you colligate to the hub , the more index you ’re function to need . Some trial and error might be involved — with functionality like this that ’s only supported semi - formally , everything might not do work utterly first time around .

Playing local video

Once you ’ve plugged in the USB - C hub and your Chromecast with Google TV , you may also attach a USB campaign , as long as it ’s initialize as FAT32 ( which you may do in Windows or macOS ) . The warehousing should automatically be viewable and accessible to any apps on your Chromecast that can browse for files .

Install an app such as the VLC medium player , and you could then open up images , sound and video from your USB drive . Any data file management tool you install will be able to see the external storage , too , and you’re able to launch files that way as well .

Attaching peripherals

Another way you could use a USB - cytosine hub plugged into your Chromecast with Google TV is to attach a keyboard and a mouse . It makes entering text much easier , and allows you to better ascendancy apps that you ’ve sideloaded that were n’t meant for the gimmick ( like a WWW web web browser , for good example ) .

There ’s not much to the setup here , as once you connect a keyboard and mouse to the hub they should be recognized and work immediately . You might discover some bugginess in certain apps , but based on our testing , you should be able to type and click aside as much as you wish .

Making video calls

Google Duo prove up as an available app when you seek for it on the Chromecast with Google TV , so once it ’s installed all that you ’re missing is a webcam . Slot a webcam into a unembellished interface on your USB - coulomb hub and you ’ll be up and running — as long as you ’re using a power brick with enough wattage to keep everything switched on .

Duo should mechanically pick out your webcam , so you’re able to put through your audio and video song as needed ( remark the Duo app call for to be undefended on your Chromecast for incoming calls to seem ) . you could make audio - only calls without a webcam , too , using the microphone in the Chromecast remote .

Expanding storage

We ’ve make out playing file off of attached USB drive , and those USB drives can also be used for the Chromecast to redeem apps and other single file , if needed . Again , attached drives will need to be formatted as FAT32 for the Chromecast dongle to recognize them , which can be done from either Windows or macOS .

With your drive attached , open configurations and beak System , Developer option , and Force allow apps on external . Next , go to System , then Storage , and pick your USB drive . Select Erase & format as twist storage and the Chromecast will subsequently be able-bodied to use it ( this means you wo n’t be able to play local files from it any longer , however ) .

You ’ll be invited to move data and apps over decently off , but you may also do it later on . From circumstance , pick out Apps , then See all apps , and nibble the app you require to move . Select the app to get to its options , and quality Storage used to move it .

Your Chromecast will be able to see any attached storage.

Your Chromecast will be able to see any attached storage.Screenshot: Google TV

Boosting internet speeds

Some exploiter have bemoaned the lack of an Ethernet adapter for the Chromecast with Google TV — transcriber are uncommitted forprevious Chromecast model — but this is another problem that adding a USB - one C hub can restore . If you buy a hub that includes an Ethernet port , you may tie it straight to your router .

That means an internet connection that should be faster and more stable — perhaps significantly so , depending on the state of your wifi , and that will make a difference when watching motion-picture show , gaming , and so on . The wired connection should be recognise by the Chromecast automatically , once everything is plugged in , but you’re able to check by going to connection & Internet in preferences .

( update 3/4/22 with new contingent )

Duo will make video calls via your webcam once you give it the necessary permissions.