How do I cast my Sling TV to Chromecast?

What is Sling TV?

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service owned by Dish Network that was launched in 2015. It allows users to watch live and on-demand TV content over the internet on a variety of devices without a cable subscription. According to the official Sling TV website, “Sling is the best deal for live TV streaming. Sling lets you stream on-demand movies, live TV shows, and live sports instantly on all your favorite devices” (About Sling TV).

Sling TV offers various tiered channel packages starting at $35 per month, with add-on options for premium channels. It provides a middle ground between cable TV and on-demand streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Sling TV carries many popular cable channels including ESPN, CNN, TBS, AMC, HGTV, and more. It also offers a free tier with limited channels. Overall, Sling TV aims to provide a more affordable live TV streaming option compared to traditional cable or satellite subscriptions.

What is Chromecast?

Chromecast is a streaming device made by Google that plugs into a TV’s HDMI port. It allows you to stream video, music, photos, and more from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop directly to your TV. Some key things to know about Chromecast:

• Chromecast itself is a small dongle that you plug into your TV. It connects your TV to the internet via WiFi.
• You can control or “cast” content to your TV from compatible apps on your mobile device or computer. Popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify etc. have a cast button built in.
• Chromecast works by mirroring or streaming content from your device to your TV. This lets you view web content on a big screen.
• There are different Chromecast models like Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV etc. They support up to 4K streaming.
• Chromecast requires an internet connection via WiFi. You’ll need a WiFi router and connect both your Chromecast and streaming device to the same network.

In summary, Chromecast provides an easy and affordable way to stream entertainment and web content from your devices onto your TV. It expands the functionality of your TV without needing smart TV capabilities built in.

Why cast Sling TV to Chromecast?

Casting Sling TV to your Chromecast allows you to view your favorite shows, movies, sports, and more on the big screen. By connecting your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV via Chromecast, you can enjoy the Sling TV experience on a larger display for a more immersive viewing experience. According to Sling TV, casting provides an “entertainment experience from their mobile device to the big screen seamlessly” (Sling TV Live on Google’s Chromecast).

Another major benefit of casting Sling TV is that it allows you to share the viewing experience with others. Gathering around the TV to watch movies or sports is a great way to spend time with family and friends. With Chromecast’s ability to stream from multiple devices, everyone can queue up content and videos to share on the big screen. No more crowding around a tiny phone screen!

Requirements for Casting Sling TV to Chromecast

Before you can cast your Sling TV subscription to Chromecast, there are a few requirements you need to meet:

• An active Sling TV account – You need a Sling TV account to cast content. If you don’t have one yet, you can sign up for a free trial.
• Chromecast device – You can purchase a Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, or Chromecast Ultra and connect it to your TV via HDMI.
• TV with HDMI port – Your TV needs to be compatible with your Chromecast device and have an open HDMI port
• Android/iOS device or Chrome browser – You need an Android or iOS mobile device or a laptop/computer with the Google Chrome browser installed in order to cast Sling TV

As long as you have all of those elements, you are ready to start casting Sling TV from your device to your TV using Chromecast.

How to cast from a mobile device

Casting Sling TV from your mobile device to a Chromecast is easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Connect your mobile device (Android or iOS) and your Chromecast device to the same WiFi network.
2. Open the Sling TV app on your mobile device.
3. Tap the Cast icon in the top or bottom right corner of the app. This will bring up a list of available Chromecast devices on your network.
4. Select the Chromecast device you want to cast Sling TV to from the list.
5. Sling TV will now start casting to your selected Chromecast device. The video and audio will play directly from the Chromecast while you control playback from your mobile device.

That’s all there is to it! Once you select your Chromecast device in the Sling TV mobile app, it will automatically connect and start casting your content (1). You can then use your mobile device to control playback, browse Sling TV channels and shows, and more while the video plays directly on your TV from the Chromecast.

How to cast from a laptop

To cast Sling TV from a laptop to Chromecast, you’ll need to install the Google Cast extension for Chrome and use Sling TV’s web player.

Here are the steps:

1. Install the Google Cast extension in the Chrome browser on your laptop. This will enable the Cast feature.
2. Go to Sling TV’s web player and log into your Sling account.
3. Start playing a video and click the Cast icon that now appears in Chrome.
4. Select your Chromecast device from the list.
5. The video will now start streaming from your laptop to the Chromecast device.

The Cast icon makes it easy to send your Sling TV video from the laptop to Chromecast. From then on, you can continue browsing on your laptop while the video plays uninterrupted on your TV.

Casting tips and troubleshooting

If you are having issues casting Sling TV to your Chromecast, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Make sure your mobile device, laptop or tablet is updated to the latest OS version according to this Sling TV help article.
• Check that your WiFi connection is strong. Connect your casting device and your Chromecast to your router using a 5GHz network or connect via Ethernet if possible for fastest speeds.
• Try unplugging your Chromecast device from power for 10 seconds and plugging it back in to reset it according to the troubleshooting steps from Sling TV.
• Force close and restart the Sling TV app on your mobile device or laptop.

These basic troubleshooting tips should help resolve most issues casting Sling TV streams to Chromecast. If the problem persists, contact Sling TV customer support for further assistance.

Mirroring vs Casting Sling TV

There is an important difference between mirroring your device’s screen and casting the Sling TV app when watching on Chromecast. With screen mirroring, everything on your phone or laptop screen is mirrored and shown on the TV. This can drain your device’s battery quickly and may result in choppy video playback. With casting, only the Sling TV app is sent to the TV, allowing for a more optimized streaming experience.

To cast Sling TV, open the app on your mobile device or laptop, tap the Cast button, and select your Chromecast device. This streams the video feed directly within the Sling TV app on your Chromecast. You’ll still be able to use your phone or laptop normally while the content casts.

Screen mirroring may be necessary if the Sling TV app isn’t supported on your device. This mirrors your entire screen. On iPhone and iPad, use AirPlay to mirror the device. On Android, use the Cast Screen feature. For laptops, use the Cast tab in the Chrome browser. But casting directly within the Sling TV app is recommended for the best performance.

In summary, casting streams only the Sling TV app and is the optimal way to watch on Chromecast. Mirroring displays your entire screen which can drain battery and reduce video quality. Stick to casting within the app unless your device isn’t supported.

Sources:

https://blog.airsquirrels.com/streaming-mirroring-casting-sharing

Looking to try Sling. How does it work with Chromecast?
byu/Nosnibor1020 inslingtv

Using Sling TV on Chromecast

Once you have successfully casted Sling TV to your Chromecast device, you can control playback using your mobile device or laptop that you casted from. This includes play, pause, rewind, and fast forward functions. You also have full access to Sling TV’s library of on-demand and live content to stream through your Chromecast.

Sling TV supports closed captioning on Chromecast. To enable closed captions, tap on the cast icon while streaming Sling TV and select “Enable Closed Captioning”. You can then customize the closed caption settings like text size, color, opacity, etc.

One difference with Chromecast compared to watching directly on a mobile device or laptop is that you won’t see the Sling TV interface on your TV. The Sling TV app is only visible on the casting device. So you will need to use your mobile/laptop to browse and select content then cast it to view on your TV.

Both Sling TV’s on-demand library and live streaming channels are available when casting to a Chromecast device. So you get full access to Sling TV’s content and features.

Other Ways to Stream Sling TV

In addition to Chromecast, Sling TV is available on a variety of streaming devices and smart TV platforms:

Roku

Sling TV is available as an app on Roku streaming players and Roku TV models. Simply search for “Sling TV” in the Roku Channel Store and install the Sling TV app to start streaming. For more details, visit the “How to Install Sling TV on a Roku” article on Sling TV’s Help pages.

Amazon Fire TV

The Sling TV app can be installed on Amazon Fire TV sticks, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Edition televisions. Search for “Sling TV” in the Fire TV app store, install the Sling TV app, and log in to start streaming live TV. See Amazon’s support article on using Sling TV for more help.

Apple TV

There is a Sling TV app available for download in the App Store on Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models. Open the App Store, search for “Sling TV”, install the Sling app, and log in with your Sling credentials. Visit Apple’s support site for details on using Sling TV on Apple TV.

Smart TVs

Many smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Vizio, Sony and others have Sling TV apps available. Check your smart TV’s app store/channel store to find and install the Sling TV app. You can then log in and start watching live TV through the app.

Web Browser

You can access Sling TV by visiting www.sling.com in any desktop or mobile web browser. There’s no app to install – just head to the website, log in, and stream live TV right in your browser window.