Have you ever been bored by the limited TV shows you have in your hotel? If you're a Chromecast user, just bring your device and you can enjoy Netflix or Hulu in your hotel room. Now let's teach you how to easily cast and watch when you are on a business trip.
The first step is crucial: make sure the TV in your hotel room has an open HDMI connection that you can connect to (many TVs don't). Once you find a free interface, plug your Chromecast into it.
Step 1: Check the side or back of the TV, the HDMI connector is usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.
Step 2: Plug your Chromecast into any of the HDMI ports and remember the port number.
Step 3: Connect one end of the power cable to the Chromecast, and plug the other end into the wall plug (if the USB port of the TV is sufficient, you can also try to use it; otherwise, it is recommended to give preference to the wall plug).
Tip: In case there may not be a free outlet near the TV, remember to carry an extended USB power cable.
Step 4: Switch the TV input source to the HDMI port connected to the Chromecast.
Once successful, you'll see the default settings screen for your Chromecast. If you can't find a free HDMI port, try the next step.
If you don't have an HDMI port available or can't switch input sources, consider an alternative option: unplug the cable that's plugged into the HDMI port and replace it with your Chromecast. This means that you won't be able to watch hotel TV channels for the time being, but you can switch back to your original line after watching the hit series on Netflix.
It is important to note that many hotels use HDTVs connected to their own media servers, which can cause the HDMI port to be locked. Even if you find that there are idle interfaces, they may not work properly.
At this point, you can try a little trick: look at the back of the TV, and if you see a cable like a network cable connected to the TV, disconnect it. This is the data flow (RJ11 cable) that the hotel uses to transmit the cable TV signal. Once disconnected, you should be able to use your TV's HDMI input.
Next, make sure your phone or tablet is connected to your hotel's Wi-Fi network, then download and open the Google Home app and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Chromecast under the same Wi-Fi network.
If you're still having trouble setting up and using your Chromecast after the above steps are completed, there are other methods worth trying:
Step 1: Set up a Wi-Fi hotspot.
If Chromecast can't connect to hotel Wi-Fi, you can create your own Wi-Fi hotspot.
With a Windows laptop, you can share its Wi-Fi connection to smartphones and Chromecast.
MacOS laptops are also possible, but they need to be connected via an Ethernet interface, which is rare in the room.
Phones can also be used as hotspots, but be aware that video streaming can quickly consume data if there are data limitations.
Step 2: Bring your travel router.
Travel routers are the most reliable way to create a Wi-Fi access point that can be shared by devices in a hotel room, including Chromecast.
There are many such products on the market, and the price is usually less than $75. Some routers require an Ethernet interface, but this is difficult to find in hotels. Choosing a model that supports Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) mode or Bridge mode allows you to log in to your hotel Wi-Fi and then convert that connection into a regular Wi-Fi network with a custom name and password.
Of course, if you find this too cumbersome, or find that your hotel already has a Chromecast-compatible system (such as RoomCast), then you don't even need to carry a Chromecast. More and more hotels are adopting these systems, so you can enjoy the movie anytime with just your phone, tablet or laptop.
In conclusion, it is a great option to bring and connect a Chromecast to your hotel TV when your travel location only offers basic cable TV. Follow the steps above and you'll be able to catch up on your favorite shows whenever you want, as long as your hotel TV supports it. Finally, don't forget to unplug your Chromecast when you leave and restore your TV's original settings.
Post by Tom