In case you couldn’t tell by now, we’re head-over-heels for all-things Android. This is particularly true of devices like Google Chromecast — the best digital signage device for business owners on a budget.
The question is, how do you leverage it correctly? And is it even a good fit for your digital signage program?
This guide breaks down how to use Google Chromecast for your digital signage, including how to pair Fugo so you can cast:
- Live reporting data
- Dashboards
- Operational metrics
- Company messages
Not sure if Chromecast is the right fit for you? We outline a few use cases in the sections below.
The impressive evolution of Google Chromecast
For the unfamiliar, Google Chromecast is a USB device that can push video content from your phone or computer to a TV screen. It also costs less than $50 per device, which is incredibly affordable in the world of digital signage.
The first Chromecast appeared in 2013, and for the price, it was a great way to stream your favorite shows. Today, the Chromecast is more than just a Raspberry Pi alternative — it’s one of the easiest ways to set up a digital signage program.
Let’s look at some of its recent evolutions:
- The Google Play store: With Android TV, users have access to the Google Play Store, where they can download a variety of apps (including digital signage apps like Fugo). This sheer availability can help you customize your digital signage experience and select the perfect apps for content management, scheduling, and playback.
- The addition of Google TV: The Google TV interface comes with an intuitive layout that makes it easy to navigate various apps and settings. This simplifies the process of setting up and managing digital signage apps, which ultimately reduces the learning curve.
- A more powerful processor: Google Chromecast now includes a more powerful processor: the Amlogic S905X3 (AKA a 1.9 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A55). This ensures the smoother playback of high-definition content and provides reliable performance for demanding digital signage applications. There might be an even stronger processor in the works!
- Evolved use case: Earlier Chromecast models could only cast content from smartphones, tablets, or computers. But today, Chromecast has partnered with Google TV to operate as a standalone device. This means you can use Chromecast without an external device to cast content, which simplifies (and cuts the cost!) of setting up digital signage.
Why Google Chromecast is a winner for digital signage
Google Chromecast may be a ‘prosumer’ device, but it’s certainly not lacking in digital signage capabilities.
With a Chromecast device, you can:
- Display TV dashboards and reporting tools (including Power BI)
- Play back 4k video with little if any latency
- Create zoned content and content with layered elements (think background images that have text or apps over top)
- Enable your digital signage software to take remote screenshots of content playback
- Remotely restart your signage app if problems arise
- Cache up to 4 GB worth of content for easy retrieval in the future
- Use a personalized user interface and app ecosystem to customize your signage however you see fit
But nothing is perfect, and you deserve to know the Chromecast’s limitations.
Chromecast devices cannot:
- Provide remote device management features. There’s no way to remotely update or modify system or network settings, implement advanced security configurations, or load template device configurations from a USB drive.
- Work around the clock. Chromecast devices weren’t meant for 24/7 usage, so its life cycle will be shorter than professional digital signage players.
So is Google Chromecast the right fit for your team?
Let’s take a closer look below.
Who should use Google Chromecast for digital signage?
Many small businesses turn to Google Chromecast to stream their digital signage both cheaply and effectively.
You may want to use Google Chromecast for digital signage if:
- You’re testing your options. It may be easier to start with Chromecast if you’re running a proof of concept or demoing Fugo.
- You’re a small business owner. People who manage a handful of screens (no more than 10) will get the most bang for their buck.
- You do business in one spot. All your TV screens (or conference room TVs) are within a single space or building.
But let’s address the elephant in the room: Google Chromecast isn’t ‘professional’ hardware. When is it time to migrate away from Chromecast and purchase a more specialized tool?
We recommend considering other options besides Google Chromecast if:
- You have more than 10 screens to manage
- You need to remotely manage device settings
- You want more powerful hardware for global signage management
If you’re ready for an upgrade, you’ll have several options available.
The Fugo Chromebox, for example, starts at $260. You could also look into AOpen’s Chromebox Commercial 2 or the Chromebase Mini, both of which start at $350.
The Fugo NUC is also worth considering — you’ll get an Intel Jasper Lake Celeron® N5105 processor for 4k support, so you can manage up to three displays per player.
Installing Fugo on Google Chromecast
Here's the step-by-step guide!
Fugo plus Google Chromecast is the penultimate digital signage pairing. We might be biased, but we’re not the only ones saying it.
Rather than tell you, why don’t you try it for yourself?
Here’s how to connect Chromecast to Fugo in three easy steps:
- Download Fugo from the Google Play store.
- Input the pairing code to Fugo (this will be a simple four-digit pin).
- Follow a few configuration steps to optimize your Fugo app experience.
And voilà! You’re good to go.
Get the full setup instructions here.
Get started for free with Fugo today
Fugo and Chromecast are like pizza and potato chips. When you try them together, you’ll know they were meant to be.
But there’s no need to take our word at face value. We’d rather you give us a spin for yourself.
Sign up for free to pair Fugo with Google Chromecast and confirm that our software is a fit for your digital signage.
