Chromecast doesn't show channels

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quickymart

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#303855 14-Mar-2023 22:19

(Apologies if this is in the wrong place).

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=164&topicid=303795

^ I picked up one of these and it was delivered today. Connected to my TV and setup, so far so good. I've setup my Youtube and Netflix accounts on it and it works fine - much faster than my old Western Digital box.

However I'm struggling trying to get it to show (free) streaming channels from overseas. A friend of mine had an Amazon Fire stick, and (as I mentioned in the other thread) I remember he had dozens of free channels streamed from overseas he could pick from.

He suggested an app called IPTV Smarters, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to (a) install it, and (b) get it working.

Can anyone suggest anything or point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance 😊

gzt

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#3050225 14-Mar-2023 22:38

I'm not sure why that one is not available. There are numerous equivalent apps available on Chromecast.

I have used Kodi although it's a heavyweight it's well maintained. I also have something light I think was recommended by Matt Huismann's site.

I'll let you know what I use as soon as find the remote ; )

quickymart

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#3050462 15-Mar-2023 15:42

Yes please, I was trying to get something along the lines of what he suggested, which was like this:

Basically something where I can see a list of channels and pick and choose what to watch.

jonathan18

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#3050471 15-Mar-2023 16:00

From what I can see that specific app you mention isn’t available on the Google Play store - a Google search shows it was removed earlier this month at the request of the Spanish football league.

It looks like the APK can still be downloaded, and if you’re really keen you can find out how to sideload apps on the GCCWGTV; just be sure you’re getting a legit and safe APK and it’s a version that works on a media device (as opposed to a phone). In my case, I’ve not found any need to sideload apps on this device as the GP store has had everything we’ve needed.

That said, there are other options, eg have you checked out Plex? I have a sub and use it for managing/playing downloaded content so I’m not exactly sure what’s included in the free vs paid versions, but it does have a lot of streaming content so could be worth a look. The app itself works well on a GCCWGTV.

https://www.plex.tv/live-tv-channels/

Edit: Kodi’s another one that can give you access to a range of ‘channels’. Can also download specific apps like Pluto.

robjg63

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#3050537 15-Mar-2023 17:10

As mentioned above the app is no longer in the play store, but IS on the iptv smarters website.

I have not used this app so cant comment about that....

To install it (or any other apk/app files) from outside the google ecosystem, you need to sideload.

This requires you to set the CCwGTV to let you break the normal security.

Google has been fiddling around with this recently, so some of the guides wont quite be accurate, but the steps are roughly:

Have a look for the steps below here

1. Enable developer mode on the CCwGTV

2. Install the app "Downloader by AFTVnews" via the google play store - ignore the AFTV bit. It works fine.

3. If that app asks you to give it permission to install unknown apps - let it.

4. Open that app and go to the https://www.iptvsmarters.com/download site and navigate to the android download. It should download and ask if you want to install the app. Follow the prompts and it should install the app. It will probably ask for extra permissions to do this. Allow it.

That downloader app lets you go to other apk libraries and install other apps that the google play store may not let you access. Be cautious, but the well known sites are normally ok. Also, be careful that you choose the apps that are for Android TV. The apps for phones and other android devices will either not work at all - or work badly. Some android apps are not made for Android TV.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

gzt

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#3050625 15-Mar-2023 19:19

Sideloading is generally not a good idea. At the least, no automatic updates. At the worst, you're mostly unprotected from the things platform appstore protects you from and gets better at all the time.

farcus

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#3050628 15-Mar-2023 19:29

there is already an app for live tv built into any android tv device (including chromecast with google TV).
You also need to install an app called TVirl
Then you set up the feeds in that app and use the google live tv app for viewing.
For NZ or AU live channels google matt huisman iptv android and follow the guides.

gzt

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#3050631 15-Mar-2023 19:36

^that is the one I use.

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Handle9

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#3050651 16-Mar-2023 02:27

You need two things.

The first you need is an IPTV app like Tivimate, Kodi or IPTV Smarters. They are all much of a muchness with different pros and cons.

The second thing you need are channel playlists. These will be in m3u format. You’ll also need the accompanying guides in xml otherwise you are surfing around blind. You can usually load multiple versions playlists into an app although some make multiple playlists a paid feature.

These apps are of varying quality as they are often used by pirate tv providers.

quickymart

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#3056815 30-Mar-2023 20:30

Another query I've got as I've been using the device for a few weeks now: I have all my movies stored on a hard drive that is connected to my router. I would like to be able to play these movies on my Chromecast.

What's the best way to do this? It's connected over wifi and I've got sharing activated (this is on Windows 10) but it doesn't see my shared folders.

Handle9

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#3056816 30-Mar-2023 20:39

Kodi if you want pretty artwork or VLC if you just want to play files.

How have you determined if the chromecast can “see” the network shares? It won’t play them outside an app of some sort being pointed at the share.