Detect Chromecast Model / Generation in Javascript

detect-chromecast.js

/**
 * We use this workaround to detect the Chromecast device generation.
 * Unfortunately the Cast Application Framework (CAF) does not have an API for that.
 *
 * cc-1: Chromecast 1st Gen.
 * cc-2: Chromecast 2nd Gen.
 * cc-3: Chromecast 3rd Gen.
 * cc-ultra: Chromecast Ultra
 * cc-builtin: Android TV with Chromecast built-in
 */
const getModelInfo = () => {
    // https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media#video_codecs
    try {
        const { hardwareConcurrency, userAgent } = window.navigator;

        // Android TV with Chromecast built-in
        if (userAgent.includes('Android')) return 'cc-builtin';

        // Chromecast Ultra supports 'HEVC main profile, level 3.1'
        if (MediaSource.isTypeSupported('video/mp4; codecs=hev1.1.6.L93.B0')) return 'cc-ultra';

        // 3rd generation Chromecast supports 'H.264 high profile, level 4.2'
        if (MediaSource.isTypeSupported('video/mp4; codecs=avc1.64002A')) return 'cc-3';

        // 2nd and 1st generation Chromecast can be differentiated by hardwareConcurrency
        if (hardwareConcurrency === 2) return 'cc-2';
        if (hardwareConcurrency === 1) return 'cc-1';
    } catch (e) {
        // do nothing
    }

    return 'cc-unknown';
};

Hi @lfalke - have you figured out how to detect the newer Google TV with Chromecast (Gen4) device ?

Hey @dilukd, no, I did not. But the people from MUX have implemented my solution, and it seems that they have done it :)
Have a look here: https://github.com/muxinc/chromecast-mux/blob/master/src/index.js#L12