Can someone explain Chromecast to me

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Rikkitic

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#160016 20-Dec-2014 11:10

I thought Chromecast could be a useful addition to our home entertainment but it has turned into something of a nightmare. I had a devil of a time getting it to work at all, definitely no 1-2-3, but finally I did satisfy all its demands. Last night everything was set up and working, though I was getting stuttering even at low res. But after two days I figured I was making progress and would try tweaking it in the morning. So this morning I turned everything on and … no Chromecast. There is a beautiful logo on the TV sitting right next to me, as well as the constantly changing background images, but regardless of what I try (and I have tried everything) the chromecast app insists that there is no device to be found. No clues of course as to what the problem could be, it just says it can’t find anything. So what I am I supposed to do? I have posted about this on the support site but so far no answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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#1201004 20-Dec-2014 11:25

What's the wifi reception like near your TV? If you were getting low-res playback before, low or no wifi signal could be your issue.

kenkeniff

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#1201011 20-Dec-2014 11:38

Use this app to test your wifi signal strength at your TV and change wifi channel if necessary: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en

Try using an HDMI extension cable to reposition the chromecast for better reception: Or HDMI cable plus + http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/computer-cables-adaptors/ds-adaptor-hdmi-female-female-dsnz-cn2300

What devices are you using? Are you sure your mobile is on the same wifi network and not trying to use 3G?

freitasm

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#1201024 20-Dec-2014 12:04

As above. Most likely WiFi issues than a Chromecast issue. If you have low signal close to your TV, or if you have a lot of interference then you might have to think about moving the access point, or changing WiFi channels.

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Rikkitic

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#1201037 20-Dec-2014 12:58

Ok, I got a reply from the Chromecast forum. There is some bizarre issue with the TP-Link router I am using and I had to change the security settings. It now recognises the device but video quality is still rubbish, blurry with stuttering and drop-outs. The wi-fi signal is somewhere in the middle, around 3 bars according to Windows so not great but not awful either. Maybe that is the problem. Maybe it is the phases of the moon. I don't care anymore. I am thoroughly over this thing. It is like trying to solve printer handshaking problems in the 1980s. This is not a polished product but a breadboard experiment. Colour me disappointed.

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kenkeniff

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#1201038 20-Dec-2014 13:00

Give you 20 bucks for it?

plambrechtsen

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#1201042 20-Dec-2014 13:23

I can say with experience that 99% of your problem is wifi related. I have found them to have rather poor wifi coverage, so unless you get full bars on your phone while holding it next to the TV then you need to move your Access Point.

I actually installed a second AP next to my TV just for the ChromeCast just to get it working properly as the area my TV sits in is a bit of a deadzone from where my main AP sits.

What I then did was run two SSIDs, one connecting into my VPN in the US so I can watch NetFlix and another off to the normal interwebs. I mostly leave the chromecast on the US SSID, and sometimes put it into NZ if I really want to stream youtube.

I think it would be nice if there was an ethernet port on them or external antenna jack. Since their internal wifi antennas are rubbish even with the extender dongle thingie.

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freitasm

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#1201045 20-Dec-2014 13:44

plambrechtsen: I think it would be nice if there was an ethernet port on them or external antenna jack. Since their internal wifi antennas are rubbish even with the extender dongle thingie.

If you want a streaming device, with an ethernet port, with its own IP/DNS configuration so you don't have to do it on the router, then you should look at Amazon Fire TV. I have both and the Amazon Fire TV is the one with more options for us.

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Rikkitic

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#1201047 20-Dec-2014 13:47

kenkeniff: Give you 20 bucks for it?

Thanks, nah, going to keep it as a paperweight.

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freitasm

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#1201048 20-Dec-2014 13:48

Parents-in-law might have a use for it - let me know if you want to unload.

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Rikkitic

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#1201049 20-Dec-2014 13:52

plambrechtsen: I can say with experience that 99% of your problem is wifi related. I have found them to have rather poor wifi coverage, so unless you get full bars on your phone while holding it next to the TV then you need to move your Access Point.

I'm sure you are right but I have already invested more effort into this thing than I wanted to. I had a hard enough time getting the wi-fi to work acceptably where I wanted it. I'm not about to rearrange it again just to satisfy the endless demands of this useless waste of money.

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Rikkitic

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#1201051 20-Dec-2014 14:00

freitasm: Parents-in-law might have a use for it - let me know if you want to unload.

Thanks for the offer. I have some more things to try after I calm down. If that goes nowhere I will get in touch. First I tried to set this up in the lounge where the TV is. In my innocence I took Google at their word and assumed all I had to do was plug it in. That meant threading through the cables behind the TV. When it absolutely wouldn't work I brought it into the computer room where it was easier to fiddle with. The wi-fi signal may be marginally better in the other room though I don't hold out a lot of hope. At least now I know it makes a connection so will try again.

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richms

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#1201072 20-Dec-2014 14:43

They do just plug and work if you have enough wifi signal.

Dont blame google for you trying to cover an entire house with wifi from a single accesspoint.

Blame google for them only being single chain 2.4GHz so the max air rate they will ever see is 72 megs on a 20MHz wide channel, which is barely enough to stream HD under perfect conditions with noone else using the network and minimal/no interference.

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#1201092 20-Dec-2014 15:17

richms:

Dont blame google for you trying to cover an entire house with wifi from a single accesspoint.

Actually I did go to some trouble and expense to install a second access point. That is what the D-Link is.

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#1201153 20-Dec-2014 17:47

I have found the chromecast is best for streaming youtube or play apps, becuase it seems to stream it directly from the internet, rather than going through the device. However if you are casting over a tab in chrome, such as TVNZ on demand, it will first load it through the device which then sends it back to the chrome cast, which can cause quality problems, as there is an additional device in the chain. Just a pity lightbox won't work over chromecast, just shows a black screen must be due to it using silverlight. Other videos though seem to work fine.

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#1201179 20-Dec-2014 18:23

Have you checked your router to ensure AP isolation is off? Chromecast will not work if it's on.

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