Chromecast with Google TV - where to buy in NZ?

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#2685932 3-Apr-2021 08:53

Jiriteach:
gzt:

Hmm. I had some idea it was not supported on the device itself yet, and only worked for casting. I'm not sure where I got that from. If that's wrong - good, yay! : ).

Definately no issues with it working. Works very well - we use it alot.

Same here.

TVNZ and Three also have apps in the store. And now that Neon has an official app for it too there's zero sideloading required.

robjg63

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#2701644 4-May-2021 12:53

Haljor: PBtech have the chromecast w/ google tv in store for $139.

Can confirm I saw a few of these at the PBtech Queen street branch today in Auckland when I was wandering around.

Price as mentioned above.

Still not showing on their website strangely enough - I also didn't take note from the box where the model was for (ie Aussie with an ANZ plug or elsewhere).

Not that the device itself is locked or anything - just the USB power adapter - but the seller would have to supply something with an NZ plug.

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

frankv

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#2701696 4-May-2021 13:18

Checked GZ price comparisons & PriceSpy, and bought mine from Dick Smith. It is currently waiting for a flight out of Melbourne.

allio

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#2701722 4-May-2021 14:28

This could be the perfect device but the lack of one feature - adaptive refresh rate switching - is absolutely brutal. I have to go into the settings to flip it to 50Hz whenever I watch NZ TV or sports, and then back to 60Hz when I want to watch Youtube, or 24Hz if I'm watching Netflix, etc. Failure to do so results in juddering so bad that I can't stand it and end up pausing the video five minutes in. I have no idea why Google doesn't prioritise this - do other people just not see judder?

I guess it's only a big issue in 50Hz countries, and there aren't that many of us.

gzt

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#2703629 8-May-2021 09:46

Ordered from Dick Smith and arrived in 10 days.

Problems during initial setup. Remote was erratic. Device could not connect to WiFi. This was all caused by my Nokia swamping WiFi with an OS update. Turned it off.

Manual updates after install:
- system update
- april patch update
- store update
- remote firmware update

@allio I saw something about refresh rates in the latest system update.

frankv

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#2703645 8-May-2021 11:50

Chromecast arrived Thursday. No problem installing it, although I couldn't figure out how to get the NZ free-to-air channels. Also couldn't figure out why the soundbar no longer worked.

So today, a bit of document scanning, and it turns out the HDMI cable for the soundbar has to be HDMI2, which I'd used for the Chromecast. And today had no problem installing the NZ FTA apps. So it's all good now :)

I haven't noticed the judder that @allio mentions. I have noticed that it does seem to swamp the (fibre) Internet connection... other stuff slows to a crawl.

gzt

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#2703659 8-May-2021 12:43

lchiu7:
tchart: Also, for bonus points, did you know you can pair bluetooth headphones to the device and have audio go the the headphones? Im genuinely so impressed with this device.
I have successfully used a Bluetooth headset with it

@lchiu7 @tchart does this work with Netflix etc? I have a Bluetooth soundbar. Audio on on Play Music. Nothing on the video streaming services. I expect this is not HDMI or there is no supporting Bluetooth protocol.

Wondering if this will be different with USB audio adaptor. In any case looks like I'll need another soundbar. My display does not have audio out.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

tchart

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#2703660 8-May-2021 12:50

Yes works with everything. I've only had an issue with Prime where if I pair during the stream I get no sound. If I pair before I start prime it's fine. No problems with any other apps.

gzt

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#2703689 8-May-2021 13:29

Is there a way to play music audio in the background?

This article says it's possible now with OEM Android TV.

Edit: Chromecast power down restart fixed the previous Bluetooth problem.

lchiu7

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#2703721 8-May-2021 16:09

gzt
@lchiu7 @tchart does this work with Netflix etc? I have a Bluetooth soundbar. Audio on on Play Music. Nothing on the video streaming services. I expect this is not HDMI or there is no supporting Bluetooth protocol.

Wondering if this will be different with USB audio adaptor. In any case looks like I'll need another soundbar. My display does not have audio out.

Works fine with all content including NF, YT, Amazone Prime, Hulu and Freeview. This is using a Sony BT headphone

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

gzt

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#2704131 9-May-2021 19:44

Power-cycling Chromecast solved my initial Bluetooth Wharfdale soundbar issue. Next, an issue with the soundbar going to sleep during movies. This ended after decreasing the soundbar volume and increasing Chromecast Bluetooth volume.

One remaining issue. No sound for The Mandalorian. Disney content like the series High Fidelity, sound is ok. I'll try some headphones tomorrow.

gzt

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#2704148 9-May-2021 20:55

gzt: One remaining issue. No sound for The Mandalorian. Disney content like the series High Fidelity, sound is ok. I'll try some headphones tomorrow.

Settings > Sound > Advanced > Surround Format > Manual.

gzt

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#2704197 9-May-2021 21:41

As a bonus this resolved an issue with Disney crashing during any Bluetooth disconnect/reconnect sequence. I expect this also resolves the simpler audio fail after Bluetooth disconnect/reconnect with other apps.

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#2705935 11-May-2021 12:49

gzt: Is there a way to play music audio in the background?

This article says it's possible now with OEM Android TV.

Edit: Chromecast power down restart fixed the previous Bluetooth problem.

Over the weekend I had Spotify playing and it went to my screensaver slideshow. Was very impressed

gzt

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#2705949 11-May-2021 13:16

Nice! Was this casting from another device or using the app directly on Chromecast?

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