Google Play Movies - best streaming device for this?

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jonathan18

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#262158 8-Jan-2020 11:12

So I've bought a new TV which, unlike our other TV (an LG), doesn't have an app for Google Play Movies (something I overlooked prior to buying!). So I'm trying to find the best option for using this on the new TV; requirements are for it to support (and properly display) a 4K HDR picture and support discrete surround audio (5.1 minimum).

I've tried using YouTube to play movies bought on GPM, but that doesn't support discrete surround.

Our current streaming devices are an Apple TV gen 2 (no 4K, and Airplay doesn't support discrete audio) and an Amazon Fire TV 4K (which doesn't have GPM available), so I assume I'll need a new device.

Another complicating factor at the moment is my receiver isn't 4K compatible (and this won't be replaced until the middle of the year), so I'd need to directly input the device into the TV; this means ideally I'd need to tuck the device behind the TV itself, rather than put it in the rack below (as no spare HDMI cables in the wall, damn it).

Does this mean a Chromecast Ultra is probably the main if not only option, given these specific needs and current limitations?

Any advice appreciated.

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#2387259 8-Jan-2020 11:16

Chromecast Ultra would be the way to go especially with the need for Google Play Movies

jonathan18

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#2387305 8-Jan-2020 12:21

Good to know I'm on the right track. I've not gone with a CC before as I generally prefer a dedicated remote, but beggars can't be choosers...

I see 1-day has reconditioned CC Ultras for $60 at the moment, which I'm ok with; the frustrating thing is they come with a third-party power adapter which doesn't have Ethernet - I'd much rather hard-wire it than rely on Wi-Fi (especially as the HT is in a metal-walled sleep-out!).

I assume there are alternative adapters that would provide me with an Ethernet option? By the time I buy that, though, I may be no better off than just buying a new one that comes with it...

cyril7

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#2387339 8-Jan-2020 13:02

Hi, I got an CC Utlra just before xmas from Noel Lemming for $88 as opposed to the normal $109, but it seems you can use pretty much any adaptor, I see Tradme has some, for $19

Cyril

jonathan18

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#2387354 8-Jan-2020 13:23

cyril7:

Hi, I got an CC Utlra just before xmas from Noel Lemming for $88 as opposed to the normal $109, but it seems you can use pretty much any adaptor, I see Tradme has some, for $19

Cyril

Sweet, thanks for that; it looks like it would be a few bucks cheaper off eBay (the Ugreen model that many here have recommended for the same purpose for the Amazon Fire TV), plus way lower postage costs. That said, if I can get it for around $88 from NL that's not too much more.

Another option is to try it first on Wi-Fi and see how that goes; if dodgy, order the adapter.

Kiwifruta

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#2387359 8-Jan-2020 13:40

You can access movies you’ve rented or purchased on GPM via the YouTube app. So you can make the GPM transaction via your phone but watch the movie on your Fire TV.

jonathan18

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#2387369 8-Jan-2020 13:52

Kiwifruta: You can access movies you’ve rented or purchased on GPM via the YouTube app. So you can make the GPM transaction via your phone but watch the movie on your Fire TV.

Thanks, yep I'm aware of this (I think you alerted me to it last year!), but as mentioned in my original post:

jonathan18:

I've tried using YouTube to play movies bought on GPM, but that doesn't support discrete surround.

I'm sure this isn't a big issue for most, but to some degree I actually care more about decent sound that the most amazing picture , which may reflect I've got excellent hearing and relatively crap eyesight (may not be saying this once I get my new TV on the wall tonight!).

I've tried on the YT apps on the TV, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. If anyone can provide instructions on what I can do to get at least 5.1 audio via YouTube that would save me a whole lot of hassles. I even have a free trial of YT Premium at the moment (which is supposed to provide support for discrete audio) and that hasn't done the trick...

Jiriteach

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#2387372 8-Jan-2020 14:00

Depending on your wifi setup - its going to be faster

Specs of the CC Ultra -
Wireless Standards: 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) 1x2 MISO Wi-Fi for high-performance streaming.

If you use a hard wire its going to be 10/100mb - https://store.google.com/product/ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast?sku=_ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast

Its better to use wifi. Not that you will need more than a 100mb :)

I never have any problems with my CC Ultra on wifi. Its absoutely solid!

cyril7

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#2387389 8-Jan-2020 14:23

Hi, I would rather wired 100Mb/s any day over a shared wireless media that I would rather leave for the devices that needed it. Further a 1x2 ac connection on a 40Mhz channel is at best going to give you 150Mb/s as a phy rate, so real rate will be around 70Mb/s at best. And as we know even 4k material from any online provider will rarely break over 25Mb/s, typically half that.

Just looking at my CC now when connect to a 2x2 AP on 40MHz and 3m away with clear line of site between and the AP is reporting the CC has 150Mb/s PHY as mentioned.

Edit: the OP also mentions that the CC will be in a room with no ideal wireless coverage.

Cyril

ShinyChrome

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#2387392 8-Jan-2020 14:27

Forgive me if I am giving unwanted, unnecessarily spend-y advice here, but rather than adding a 3rd device, have you considered combining everything in to a single streaming box? Then you get one UI to learn, and one place to go for everything.

Naturally jumping to the most expensive options, a ATV4k (don't know how good the GPM app is though?) or the next one I am waiting for, an Nvidia Shield. I am sure there are cheaper Android TV based options others could suggest out there as well, but may not support 5.1 or stuff like DV.

If it helps, the Shield also supports 4K casting and gigabit ethernet.

jonathan18

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#2387395 8-Jan-2020 14:32

Jiriteach:

Depending on your wifi setup - its going to be faster

Specs of the CC Ultra -
Wireless Standards: 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) 1x2 MISO Wi-Fi for high-performance streaming.

If you use a hard wire its going to be 10/100mb - https://store.google.com/product/ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast?sku=_ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast

Its better to use wifi. Not that you will need more than a 100mb :)

I never have any problems with my CC Ultra on wifi. Its absoutely solid!

And that's with a 4K picture?

Generally I've found Ethernet more reliable since my Wi-Fi is via Grandstream APs that have been far from stable.

I get ok Wi-Fi speeds in the HT but, noting it's pretty much a metal box, it's not the most ideal environment! But, yeah, got nothing to lose by giving it a go using Wi-Fi, and add the adapter if necessary.

Jiriteach

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#2387397 8-Jan-2020 14:33

cyril7:

Hi, I would rather wired 100Mb/s any day over a shared wireless media that I would rather leave for the devices that needed it. Further a 1x2 ac connection on a 40Mhz channel is at best going to give you 150Mb/s as a phy rate, so real rate will be around 70Mb/s at best. And as we know even 4k material from any online provider will rarely break over 25Mb/s, typically half that.

Just looking at my CC now when connect to a 2x2 AP on 40MHz and 3m away with clear line of site between and the AP is reporting the CC has 150Mb/s PHY as mentioned.

Edit: the OP also mentions that the CC will be in a room with no ideal wireless coverage.

Cyril

Interesting that you are seeing a 150 Mb/s connection. Mines connected via 5Ghz and I am seeing 400 Mb/s

cyril7

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#2387398 8-Jan-2020 14:38

Purhaps you are using an 80MHz channel, due to multiple APs in our house I limit them to 40MHz.

As mentioned the CC will rarely if ever connect to stream greater than 25Mb/s, so for me a wired 100Mb/s it is.

Edit, also note on streaming services jitter is important, I'd put my hat on a uncontended wired connection for that every time

Cyril

jonathan18

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#2387449 8-Jan-2020 14:50

ShinyChrome:

Forgive me if I am giving unwanted, unnecessarily spend-y advice here, but rather than adding a 3rd device, have you considered combining everything in to a single streaming box? Then you get one UI to learn, and one place to go for everything.

Naturally jumping to the most expensive options, a ATV4k (don't know how good the GPM app is though?) or the next one I am waiting for, an Nvidia Shield. I am sure there are cheaper Android TV based options others could suggest out there as well, but may not support 5.1 or stuff like DV.

If it helps, the Shield also supports 4K casting and gigabit ethernet.

No, that's cool - it's nothing I've not thought of myself!

The Apple TV 4K does support nearly every VOD service we use - but AFAIK there's no GPM app. Everything I read talks of two methods - playing via YouTube, or using AirPlay from an iOS device, neither of which I believe provides 5.1 etc. (YouTube non-premium doesn't support 5.1; and all attempts to AirPlay content to my gen 2 ATV have been in 2.0; I guess this may be different for the ATV 4K, but I'd want to be sure that was the case beforehand).

Shield, yeah, not yet convinced... I've read mixed reports of the gen 1, but will look into this further.

The other issue is neither of those offer an immediate solution, as neither will sit behind the TV to provide images in all their 4K HDR glory (noting my 4k-non-supporting receiver). An option could be to try to get an additional (and suitable) HDMI cable through the wall cavity, which is going to have to happen at some stage... Did I hear you offering to do this for me?!

Then there is the $$ thing. Have managed to persuade my wife to fork out early for the TV, and justified this on the basis of the extra savings going on the new receiver, so I can't exactly spend those savings twice! $55 on a recon ChromeCast Ultra is much more do-able.

ShinyChrome

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#2387456 8-Jan-2020 15:03

jonathan18:

No, that's cool - it's nothing I've not thought of myself!

The Apple TV 4K does support nearly every VOD service we use - but AFAIK there's no GPM app. Everything I read talks of two methods - playing via YouTube, or using AirPlay from an iOS device, neither of which I believe provides 5.1 etc. (YouTube non-premium doesn't support 5.1; and all attempts to AirPlay content to my gen 2 ATV have been in 2.0; I guess this may be different for the ATV 4K, but I'd want to be sure that was the case beforehand).

Shield, yeah, not yet convinced... I've read mixed reports of the gen 1, but will look into this further.

The other issue is neither of those offer an immediate solution, as neither will sit behind the TV to provide images in all their 4K HDR glory (noting my 4k-non-supporting receiver). An option could be to try to get an additional (and suitable) HDMI cable through the wall cavity, which is going to have to happen at some stage... Did I hear you offering to do this for me?!

Then there is the $$ thing. Have managed to persuade my wife to fork out early for the TV, and justified this on the basis of the extra savings going on the new receiver, so I can't exactly spend those savings twice! $55 on a recon ChromeCast Ultra is much more do-able.

Maaaaattttteeeeeee, I'll happily put some holes in your wall for ya. Not related at all, but do you know a good gib plasterer.....

Makes sense, i forgot you have some clearance issues to contend with and that practicality needs to give way to perfect here. I'll save my peer pressure for when you are ready to buy a receiver then...

jonathan18

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#2387468 8-Jan-2020 15:52

Thanks, but the destruction bit is the only part of being a home handyman I'm competent at, even when it's not deliberate...

Man, I wish I'd thought my install better when I built the place about six years ago; would have at least put conduit in, as all I have is empty switch boxes behind the TV and cabinet, so trying to get new cables up between them is going to rely on a decent guide wire, which I don't think is in place. So I'll need to use a current but unneeded cable (why would I have thought I needed 2xRCAs?!) to feed through a guide wire and go from there...

Speaking of 4K-ready HDMI cables - what's your advice on these, @ShinyChrome? Will any of the relatively reputable looking TM- or eBay-sourced cables that claim to be 4K-ready be ok, or do I need to be wary? I'm just thinking it could make sense to put one (or perhaps even two) in place now before the TV goes up, but my Scrooge mentality means I hate paying heaps for a cable if a cheaper one will do the job, especially when for resolutions below 4K it's just not been worth spending on more expensive cables... Thanks for the advice!

Edit - based on a bit of reading, I'm thinking something like this AmazonBasics CL3-rated 15 foot cable will do the job. What do you think?

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