> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vidow.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chromecast & AirPlay — Cast Detected Videos to Your TV

> Cast any video Video Downloader Plus detects directly to your Chromecast or AirPlay device — no app install on the TV, no sideloading, just pick a stream and send it to the big screen.

Video Downloader Plus includes a built-in cast player that forwards any detected video stream to a Chromecast or AirPlay-compatible device on your local network. If the stream can be detected, it can be cast.

## How to cast

<Steps>
  <Step title="Detect a video stream">
    Browse to a page with video content and wait for the Video Downloader Plus icon to turn blue, indicating a stream has been found.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the cast player">
    Click the Video Downloader Plus icon, find the stream you want, and select the **Cast** option. This opens the Video Downloader Plus cast player in a new tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a device">
    The cast player scans your local network for available Chromecast and AirPlay receivers. Choose the TV or display you want to use.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start watching">
    The video begins on your selected device. Use the cast player interface on your computer to control playback.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Cast player features

The Video Downloader Plus cast player runs in a dedicated tab and gives you full control over the session:

* **Play, pause, and seek** — Standard transport controls that sync with the cast device
* **Volume control** — Adjust audio level directly from the player interface
* **Quality selection** — Switch between the quality variants available in the stream manifest
* **Thumbnail preview** — Shows a preview image for the stream before and during the session
* **Session management** — Each session has a unique ID so multiple tabs or devices don't interfere with each other

## Availability

Casting is available on both Free and Professional plans. Free users may have daily session limits. No account is required to cast — the feature works for signed-out users as well, subject to those same session limits.

## Technical details

* Each cast session is assigned a UUID that uniquely identifies it for the duration of the viewing window
* Sessions expire after 2 hours of inactivity to free up server-side session state
* The cast player uses HLS.js to handle adaptive bitrate delivery to the receiving device
* Thumbnail polling runs at a low frequency during active sessions to keep the preview image current

## Requirements

* A Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, or an AirPlay-compatible receiver (Apple TV, AirPlay 2 TV)
* The cast device and your computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network
* A Chromium-based browser: Chrome, Edge, or Brave