Chromecast - Data Vampire - Continuous background data use

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robjg63

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#159888 16-Dec-2014 11:07

I got a Chromecast at the weekend and reckon its generally pretty cool.

I have it hooked up to a permanent USB power supply (no USB ports on my TV or Amp to switch on/off with the TV unfortunately). So its on all the time (or was).

I saw the lovely screensaver/background - but noticed it never goes to sleep - it got me thinking about data use.

A few google queries tells me that the device could use between 10 and 20 MB each and every hour its on.

So around 7-14GB per month??

Its fine if you live on an uncapped data plan, but its not insignificant on an 80GB plan - especially when I was considering buying a second chromecast.

There is no way I have found to disable the background. I logged an issue via the google system suggesting they have an option to not display any background. It pays to complain directly - but who knows if they will take notice - it doesnt appear to be a new issue.

Some people have set up their own blank image and tried to get the CC to use this - apparently it then just starts using the google image gallery again.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1198486 16-Dec-2014 16:10

Some people have set up their own blank image and tried to get the CC to use this - apparently it then just starts using the google image gallery again.

This is a new feature that has only just been implemented. Haven't tried it myself, but I'd be disappointed if it doesn't work.

Jaxson

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#1542783 27-Apr-2016 13:54

Seriously relieved, amused and frustrated to see that this thread exists. We've just gone over our 80GB data plan so I've started digging as to what's going on.

Most interesting point is that we've been away for 4 days and there's a consistent base usage of 240MB per day, which over a month is around 7GB of data.

Only thing I can think of, especially given the pretty consistent use each day, is the Chromecast background images.

Does that idea of pulling from one Google+ folder, containing just one image, actually work, or does the unit automatically branch out and source other images, or keep downloading that same image periodically etc?

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#1542788 27-Apr-2016 14:02

Never really thought about how quickly that all stacks up.

Monitornode sitting on its own little VM goes through 450MB/day. Thats only 40kbit consistent usage.

would be just enough to saturate dial up!

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

lookout

626 posts

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#1543029 27-Apr-2016 20:39

Jaxson:

Seriously relieved, amused and frustrated to see that this thread exists. We've just gone over our 80GB data plan so I've started digging as to what's going on.

Most interesting point is that we've been away for 4 days and there's a consistent base usage of 240MB per day, which over a month is around 7GB of data.

Only thing I can think of, especially given the pretty consistent use each day, is the Chromecast background images.

Does that idea of pulling from one Google+ folder, containing just one image, actually work, or does the unit automatically branch out and source other images, or keep downloading that same image periodically etc?

Same issue here. 80gb Vodafone RBI? I tried adding an album with 5 pics. It still randomly fetches the stock background images every now and then.

I assume you can't power the Chromecast from a USB port on your TV? I purchased a master/slave powerboard from Bunnings (Click brand $30) which you can plug the Chromecast into a slave socket and the TV into the master. It will power down when the TV is in standby. Works really well and seems to have saved some data.

The other thing I found out too late - watching YouTube on Chromecast will be at the highest quality your connection allows.

Dratsab

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#1543037 27-Apr-2016 21:14

Never really thought about this (or been bothered) as I have an unlimited plan but can see how this would be a massive pita for those with caps. It actually sounds like a basic design flaw to me - if there's no output through the HDMI port it shouldn't be downloading data.

NzBeagle

963 posts

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#1543038 27-Apr-2016 21:15

All my video Chromecasts are in fact powered from the USB ports on the associated TVs. Just for convenience, so that's a pleasant side effect I guess. I haven't investigated the audios, but can't imagine they'd be drawing much data when not in use.

Jaxson

8044 posts

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#1543060 27-Apr-2016 21:29

My older TV doesn't have a USB port so I powered this off a power pack, with it plugged into my receiver.

I think I'll put a switch on it and only power it up when required. Basically it was for YouTube when I wasn't using the PS3 (capped at 720p via PS3) or for fanpass, which I rarely use.

Agree it's a major design flaw PITA.

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1543075 27-Apr-2016 22:11

For a while some people have been complaining on the busy nature of their Chromecast.

Chromecast data vampire