Using a chromecast without a google account?
from 0x0@programming.dev to linux@lemmy.ml on 15 Sep 2024 20:43
https://programming.dev/post/19441320

cross-posted from: programming.dev/post/19441267

I have a 2nd-gen chromecast, it’s factory reset. If i plug it in all it tells me is to install the app to start configuring.

I don’t have a google account not do i want to install/use google-related stuff on my phone.

My home router doesn’t register any new device, which makes sense since the cast doesn’t know the SSID/pass of the WiFi.

Does it try to ping some service/port? Multicast perhaps? Where would it get an IP from without authenticating?

My (wired) PC runs gentoo.

How can i get it to work in these conditions?

#linux

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avidamoeba@lemmy.ca on 15 Sep 2024 22:09 next collapse

I don’t think you can. On the other hand, if you register a Google account, use a secondary user on your phone to login, install the app and activate the Chromecast, I think you can subsequently use it without the Google account. Delete the secondary user once you’re done with the setup. You wouldn’t have given Google any useful data and you’d have cost them some.

Extrasvhx9he@lemmy.today on 15 Sep 2024 22:36 collapse

Oh that’s smart. Would it essentially be just a miracast dongle thing?

avidamoeba@lemmy.ca on 15 Sep 2024 22:40 next collapse

Well I don’t know what OP is planning to use it as, but desktop VLC can cast to Chromecast on the LAN for example.

0x0@programming.dev on 16 Sep 2024 11:16 collapse

Mostly this.

lolcatnip@reddthat.com on 16 Sep 2024 00:13 collapse

Miracast is a separate, older protocol from what Chromecast uses.

flashgnash@lemm.ee on 16 Sep 2024 08:40 collapse

Imagine how much more convenient the world would be if the Chromecast protocol was open source

lolcatnip@reddthat.com on 16 Sep 2024 14:07 next collapse

The newer version is: w3c.github.io/openscreenprotocol/

I used to be on that team at Google and when I left they were working on an open source implementation of it.

flashgnash@lemm.ee on 18 Sep 2024 11:09 collapse

That’s awesome if they’re implementing it.

My Google home and Chromecast at the moment are necessary evils because when I sit down to watch something I don’t want to have to worry about whether it’ll work with x or y, whether I’m getting good bitrate etc

Would however be really cool if I was able to cast my screen, cast YouTube etc from my Linux laptop

Have been able to do it in the past using chrome but I already need to keep two browsers installed don’t want a third

Para_lyzed@lemmy.world on 19 Sep 2024 12:58 collapse

Just a thought, but since someone else in the thread said you can stream to Chromecast via VLC, you can desktop capture natively in VLC and stream that to your Chromecast. I can’t remember if the native capture can do sound or not, but if not, you can instead use OBS virtual cam (you’ll need v4l2loopback for the virtual cam to show up), and open that as a capture device in VLC. You should be able to attach an audio source to that as well. While I haven’t personally tested it with audio, I have used OBS virtual cam with VLC before, and it worked flawlessly for me. If you can’t find a more elegant solution, then it’s worth a shot to try and see if it works

0x0@programming.dev on 16 Sep 2024 21:09 collapse

Less ewaste too. Less profits for google though…

flashgnash@lemm.ee on 19 Sep 2024 07:32 collapse

If it’s actually possible when my Chromecast stops being usable I’m putting Linux on it and using it to run some light weight projects (someone mentioned you can Linux them)

0x0@programming.dev on 19 Sep 2024 08:29 collapse

(someone mentioned you can Linux them)

Source?

NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world on 16 Sep 2024 02:11 next collapse

How can i get it to work in these conditions?

Borrow an android phone from some friend/neighbor for an hour…

Steamymoomilk@sh.itjust.works on 16 Sep 2024 06:34 next collapse

Probably not that helpful, but i do know of a few articles installing linux on a Chromecast

github.com/frederic/sabrina-custom-os

jherazob@beehaw.org on 16 Sep 2024 10:56 collapse

In that line, is there an open standards, no Google required answer to the Chromecast?