Just take my money: Google Chromecast

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Just take my money: Google Chromecast

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | ... | 22

74 posts

Master Geek

#868347 30-Jul-2013 09:56

I managed to get local file playback via opening up a drive on Chrome (e.g. typing "d:\" into Chrome) and clicking on the file. The file plays in Chrome and you can cast that tab. I didn't think it was perfect though, it looked a little bit jumpy on the TV.

Just saw a post on Reddit about someone using Chromecast to run a Gameboy emulator too (link http://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/1ja42z/working_gameboy_emulator_running_on_chromecast/)

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#868357 30-Jul-2013 10:09

I confess I haven't looked closely at these but at first look its functionality in NZ would seem to be very limited

steve2222

499 posts

Ultimate Geek

#868361 30-Jul-2013 10:20

Brunzy: I had a quick play on you tube & Netflix
Video playback & quality fine. No issues with streaming

Are you in NZ?

How are you un blocking geo restrictions on Netflix? Eg are you with Slingshot?

Crowbar

150 posts

Master Geek

#868525 30-Jul-2013 14:01

KiwiNZ: I confess I haven't looked closely at these but at first look its functionality in NZ would seem to be very limited

They have nothing to do with where you live, the only limit will be how many app developers add the button.
We can most likely expect the larger ones very soon:

Youtube
Vimeo
Vivo
LiveLeak

Then also the gaming/tech centric apps/websites with non-youtube video players:

Twit.tv
G4TV
Gamespot
GameTrailers
Revision3
Engadget
Cnet
AllthingsD
The Verge

Then further down the track we might see local broadcast companies (If they're smart, but highly unlikely :( )

TVNZ OnDemand
TV3
iSky player

MrBread88

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#868535 30-Jul-2013 14:08

Very keen to find out if it works via Slingshots global mode..can anyone confirm?

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#868607 30-Jul-2013 15:10

Just ordered two of these from Amazon. Currently out of stock..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#868722 30-Jul-2013 16:55

Good FAQ posted up by an Amazon reviewer (in the US). He says he can play his own NAS content by putting the file path in the browser address bar.

Here you have it, a quick FAQ reflecting our experience with the product so far. I am updating it as we go and as we learn or discover more.

Q: What can I do with Chromecast?
A: I was able to stream Netflix, Pandora, Google Music, Google Play movies or YouTube, stream off my own HDD and off my Chrome browser.

Q: Could a Chromecast replace an already installed Roku or PS3, Xbox, Blu-ray player, media hub or whatever streaming solution?
A: Not fully. There's a lot more content available through the more mature 'streamers'. Roku has hundreds of channels including Netflix (but YouTube can only be streamed in a roundabout way and it doesn't have a browser), the PS3 and Xbox have both YouTube and Netflix and lots more including Amazon Prime and some basic browsers. I expect that Chromecast will quickly add many more services soon so time will tell.

Q: Should a Chromecast ever fully replace a larger or more expensive streaming device?
A: Not immediately, but it's a good, inexpensive, entry-level streaming solution and it's likely to get better fast.

Q: Is it equally easy to use it off a Mac/iOS as it is off an Android/PC?
A: I did not have time to test it on the Mac before leaving for a long vacation but please leave comments on your Mac/iOS experience and I will be happy to update this section.

Q: What are the best uses of Chromecast?
A: Anyone who doesn't already have some streaming device attached to their TV could use the Chromecast if the TV has an HDMI port. It could also be used on 'bedroom' TVs if they don't already have access to a streamer. It proved itself most valuable while on the road for as long as Wi-Fi was available and we could actually access the TV's features and HDMI ports (good luck with most hotel TVs).

Q: Is content truly limited to the few services currently supported through apps such as Netflix or Youtube?
A: Not exactly. You can also stream whatever content you have stored locally and (in Beta now) just about anything you can get playing on your Chrome.

Q: Will Chromecast suck up all the data off my phone's data plan if I use my phone to control streaming?
A: Probably not if your are using an app. Once I told my Netflix app running on my phone that I wanted to watch on the TV, it started to stream Netflix directly to the Chromecast/TV off our Wi-Fi router, treating the phone basically as a remote control.

Q: How do I setup my Chromecast?
A: You go to a provided URL with your browser and the Chromecast will be added to your Wi-Fi network.

Q: Does the Netflix app on my phone need an update to work with Chromecast?
A: Yes. I was prompted for it.

Q: Does the Chromecast power itself off the HDMI?
A: With HDMI 1.3 I had to power it off the TV's USB port. If your TV doesn't have a USB port you can use the provided charger powered off an AC outlet. I wasn't able to test with HDMI 1.4 yet but comments to this review seem to indicate that the HDMI alone can't power the Chromecast.

Q: Are all needed wires and a power adapter included with the Chromecast?
A: Yes.

Q: Does my TV need to support Wi-Fi?
A: No, it's the Chromecast that talks to your Wi-Fi router. The TV simply gets the stream through the HDMI port.

Q: Can I use my phone to turn my TV on/off once the Chromecast is attached?
A: I couldn't find that option yet.

Q: Can I use my phone to control my TVs volume?
A: Yes, to some extent. You can lower it but if you want it louder than your TV is set for you still have to use your TV remote to turn it up higher. In other words, if your TV was initially set to 'very low' you will need your TV remote to make it louder.

Q: Can I stream whatever is in my Chrome browser to the TV?
A: I tried and it works but not very well at this time - lags, freezes. This feature appears to be in Beta but I suspect it will be made to work well soon.

Q: Can I stream from sources other than the Web, such as another computer or a NAS on my home network?
A: I just made it work on Chrome running on a Windows 7 PC by placing a file's path into the browser's address and it worked with a video file that was on a NAS (HDD on my home network).

Q: Do I absolutely need a phone or tablet to set up and run Chromecast?
A: No, you can do it off your PC as well.

Q: Can I return the Chromecast if it doesn't work for me?
A: Amazon will let you return anything that's defective for free but you may have to pay for shipping if you return something because you don't like it.

Q: What are Chromecast's best features?
A: Low price, easy installation, easy to move it from one TV to another, working with both Android and iOS devices.

Q: What are Chromecast's main shortcomings?
A: Not as many optimized (apps) streaming sources as Roku or a Google-enabled TV but that is likely to change.

Q: Does the H2G2-42 model number mean anything?
A: According to Gizmodo, H2G2 stands for 'HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (HHGG). And 42 is, of course, the answer to that big question about life, the Universe and everything. Clever.

Q: How likely is it that the author of this FAQ/review is/will be/was involved in the events chronicled by the HHGG?
A: It's improbable.

Sharesies

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

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#869045 31-Jul-2013 08:48

As both of my TVs HDMI inputs are in use I assume it will work from a HDMI port on a HT amp??

Regards,

Old3eyes

CJbravo

51 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#869417 31-Jul-2013 17:42

Is it just me or does this seem to be the best way to allow non-technical people to watch the new Premiere League streaming TV that 'kicks off' (sorry) here soon?

As part of Google's launch info for the Chromecast they said "Only 15 percent of households figure out how to send video to their TVs in a given week", which would seem to be a big flaw in Coliseum's busy model for PremiereLeaguePass without a plug-and-play device like this being available (and especially considering their absolutely dire 6-page PDF that attempts to help non-technical people get connected).

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#870788 2-Aug-2013 15:05

Hands on video from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23514400

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#871067 3-Aug-2013 02:27

Brunzy: I had a quick play on you tube & Netflix
Video playback & quality fine. No issues with streaming

"Are you in NZ?

How are you un blocking geo restrictions on Netflix? Eg are you with Slingshot?"

No sorry , I was in the US ( I mentioned in an earlier post I got it at Best Buy)

richms

28199 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#871219 3-Aug-2013 14:21

Has anyone seen if the chromecast correctly handles 24 and 25/50 FPS streams or if it makes a mess of it like android devices?

Richard rich.ms

gsr

112 posts

Master Geek

#871451 3-Aug-2013 23:10

Just got my chromecast yesterday (yes I'm in nz). It doesn't work with slingshot global mode and/or un block us. I tried everything I knew about what to do in that situation, but it seems it's not easy as streaming Netflix. I read that the people on xda have tried something like re routing requests from chromecast to their router, but haven't tried that yet. So, it DOES NOT work with the existing simplest solutions we're used to AFAIK.

hairy1

3332 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#871499 4-Aug-2013 08:54

Here is the answer from Unblock US:

http://support.unblock-us.com/customer/portal/questions/1385727-chromecast

It looks like the DNS are "hardwired" in the chromecast which is why it won't work. Hopefully as it has now been unlocked a fixed can be sorted.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

hairy1

3332 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#871500 4-Aug-2013 09:02

If anyone wants to fool around with their routers and see if this could work:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2378257&page=4

My Chromecasts aren't due to show up until the end of August (my Amazon order got updated this morning to a shipping date of around the 23rd of August)

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | ... | 22