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Chromecast

This guide shows how to set up Blandvision Player on Chromecast (Google Cast). The following guide runs through the details of set up, customization and troubleshooting tips for Chromecast. You can also check out the sample project for set up Chromecast. For basic player SDK integration, you can refer to Getting Started.

Google Cast Integration

The AppDelegate class provided here demonstrates the integration of Chromecast (Google Cast) into an iOS application using the KKSPlayer library. Google Cast allows users to stream media content to supported devices like smart TVs and casting devices.

Important

Mostly HLS + FairPlay is used, but Cast receiver needs DASH + Widevine, so at least additional DASH url is required, and the sender module may take licenseUrl from source config.

Casting Requirements​

  • Use a provisioning profile with Access WiFi Information enabled
  • The NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription key is set in the info.plist

iOS Permissions and Discovery​

  1. Add NSBonjourServices to your Info.plist Specify NSBonjourServices in your Info.plist to allow local network discovery to succeed on iOS 14.

    You will need to add both `_googlecast._tcp` and `_<your-app-id>._googlecast._tcp` as services for device discovery to work properly.

    Update the following example `NSBonjourServices` definition and replace "ABCD1234" with your appID.

  2. Add NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription to your Info.plist

    We strongly recommend that you customize the message shown in the Local Network prompt by adding an app-specific permission string in your app's Info.plist file for the NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription such as to describe Cast discovery and other discovery services, like DIAL.

Key Components​

Import Statements​

import UIKit
import KKSPlayer
import GoogleCast
  • UIKit: The fundamental framework for building iOS applications.
  • KKSPlayer: A library for media playback in the application.
  • GoogleCast: The Google Cast SDK for integrating casting functionality.

AppDelegate Class​

@main
class AppDelegate: UIResponder, UIApplicationDelegate {
    // ...
}

The AppDelegate class conforms to the UIApplicationDelegate protocol and serves as the entry point for the application. It's where you typically set up and configure various components during app launch.

application(_:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:)​

func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
    // ...
}

This method is called when the application finishes launching. In this case, it performs the following tasks:

  • Initializes the Google Cast integration with CastManager.initializeCasting().
  • Sets up logging for Google Cast with GCKLogger.sharedInstance().delegate = self.

GCKLoggerDelegate Extension​

extension AppDelegate: GCKLoggerDelegate {
    public func log(fromFunction function: UnsafePointer<Int8>, message: String) {
        print("ChromeCast Log: \(function) \(message)")
    }
}

This extension conforms to the GCKLoggerDelegate protocol, which allows you to handle and log messages generated by Google Cast. In this implementation, log messages from Google Cast are printed with additional information such as the function name and the message itself.

Usage​

To use this code in your iOS application:

  1. Ensure that you have the required dependencies (KKSPlayer and GoogleCast) properly integrated into your project.
  2. Set up your project's configurations related to Google Cast (e.g., application ID).
  3. Initialize the Google Cast integration in the AppDelegate as shown in the application(_:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:) method.
  4. Handle Google Cast functionality as needed in your app.

Add the custom data to the Cast Receiver​

sourceConfig.castOptions?.customData = [
    "backgroundImage": SampleAppConfig.backgroundImageOfReceiver
]

Provide a different SourceConfig for casting​

For local playback we use a HLS stream and for casting a Widevine protected DASH stream with the same content.

func makeWidevineConfig(_ sourceConfig: UniSourceConfig) -> UniSourceConfig? {
    let dashUrl = URL(string: "your dash url string")!

    // Create DASHSource as a DASH stream is used for casting
    let castSourceConfig = UniSourceConfig(url: dashUrl, type: .dash)
    castSourceConfig.title = sourceConfig.title
    castSourceConfig.sourceDescription = sourceConfig.sourceDescription
    castSourceConfig.castOptions = sourceConfig.castOptions

    return castSourceConfig
}

    playerConfig.remoteControlConfig.prepareSource = { type, sourceConfig in
    switch type {
    case .cast:
        // Create a different source for casting
        return WidevineMaker().makeWidevineConfig(sourceConfig)
    }
}

Change the Cast Application Id​

let castManagerOptions = CastManagerOptions()
castManagerOptions.applicationId = "12345678" // Replace "12345678" with your appID
CastManager.initializeCasting(options: castManagerOptions)