Computers Google introduces Chromecast - 35 bucks?!? - Page 14

**SuperChief** · 07-24-2013, 12:16 PM

This looks like it will really test Roku/Apple TV. For that price point, I'm not sure how it couldn't. From what I'm hearing, you can stream anything from your desktop to the connected device, but not from mobile. Only supported apps from mobile will stream. More to come, I'm sure.

http://cnet.co/1c2ZBTm

Google's taking yet another stab at the living room.

Today Google introduced Chromecast, a stick-like device that connects to one of your TV's HDMI inputs and accepts video pushed from smartphones, tablets and the Chrome browser. It's available for just $35 starting today from the Google Play store in the US, with availability in other countries to follow.

The compact 2-inch device will work with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV, and Google Play Music at launch, with support for future services, including Pandora, coming soon. It's a cross-platform device, with support for both Android and iOS devices, as well as the Chrome browser on both Windows and Mac computers. More details are currently available on the Google's Chrome blog.

Chromecast's approach is different than most devices on the market: it's half-remote, half-streaming media box. The idea is instead of designing a TV-optimized user interface, you'll be able to select and control content from your smartphone or tablet. Browse the Netflix app, find your content, then tell it to play in your living room. Chromecast even goes one step further, by automatically switching your TV to the correct input and giving you the ability to adjust the volume using your mobile devices built-in volume controls. The ability for Android devices to pause content without unlocking the phone first seemed particularly well-implemented.

You'll also be able to juggle control between multiple mobile devices, with Chromecast syncing between connected devices. You can start playing Netflix from your tablet, then later use a smartphone to fast-forward. Using the YouTube app, you can also create a shared queue of content, stringing together several short web videos for an extended viewing session. All-in-all, Google's demos looked particularly slick.

As sleek as the Chromecast device looks, Google's initial presentation skimmed over some of the rougher edges. The specs in the Google Play store list both a USB power cable and a power adapter, which indicate that the Chromecast will have some wires hanging off it -- it's not truly "just a stick". It's the same method PLAiR used to power its similar HDMI-based streaming stick.

The hardware itself supports 2.4 GHz WiFi 802.11, which isn't quite as nice as the dual-band Wi-Fi offered on Roku's Streaming Stick. The internal processor is capable of playing back full 1080p video with 5.1 surround sound.

I haven't had any hands-on time with the Chromecast yet, but from the initial announcement, the biggest limitation appears to be app support. Supporting only four services out-of-the-gate puts Chromecast well behind established players like Roku and Apple TV, and limited functionality was also one of the major knocks against the ill-fated Nexus Q.

However, the big difference with Chromecast ultralow $35 price. It's a lot easier to accept those limitations when you haven't paid much upfront and the low price should also help spread adoption, which should encourage services to include Chromecast at a faster rate.

This is a developing story so stay tuned for further details as we get them.

**Shogun** · 03-07-2014, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Yeah, I don't get the connection.

I am using their router. I was told by a comcast rep that the reason I can't connect to the internet on my Chromecast is because Comcast doesn't support it yet.

Vegas_Dave · 03-07-2014, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shogun

I am using their router. I was told by a comcast rep that the reason I can't connect to the internet on my Chromecast is because Comcast doesn't support it yet.

I had a similar issue with CenturyLink. If I used the DSL router's WiFi, my chromecast wouldn't be reliable. I tried everything. So I plugged in a separate WiFi router, disabled the DSL's WiFi and bam, everything has been glorious since.

**Shogun** · 03-07-2014, 11:15 PM

Yeah, I'm still going to return it, but I'm going to strongly consider getting my own Modem/Router so I don't have the restrictions. Comcasts stuff is mostly garbage. Just got it at the time out of convenience.

Miles · 03-07-2014, 11:22 PM

Is there a decent free way to stream video files from your PC using a chromecast? I realize Plex launched something a few months ago but required a premium subscription so I didn't bother.

Miles · 03-07-2014, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shogun

I am using their router. I was told by a comcast rep that the reason I can't connect to the internet on my Chromecast is because Comcast doesn't support it yet.

Different market so the equipment could be different but I was able to get it to work with no trouble on Comcast routers in two cities.

**hometeam** · 03-07-2014, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shogun

I am using their router. I was told by a comcast rep that the reason I can't connect to the internet on my Chromecast is because Comcast doesn't support it yet.

He is wrong.

**hometeam** · 03-07-2014, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles

Is there a decent free way to stream video files from your PC using a chromecast? I realize Plex launched something a few months ago but required a premium subscription so I didn't bother.

Dude.. open up a chrome tab. Drag drop the file you want to play onto the chrome tab.

Cast the tab.

Done.

**Shogun** · 03-07-2014, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

He is wrong.

I know he is, I even told him as much and showed him that on their own support forums that there are people who are using it. I just can't figure it out for the life of me. Followed all of the instructions, changed everything that I was supposed to in the gateway, still nothing. There are a bunch of people who have had this issue. I would love for it to work.

Miles · 03-07-2014, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometeam

Dude.. open up a chrome tab. Drag drop the file you want to play onto the chrome tab.

Cast the tab.

Done.

Thanks. Would never have guessed it was that easy now and also had no idea you could drag drop media into chrome.

listopencil · 03-07-2014, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

I have two Roku boxes and have seen references to Plex as a way to stream from a PC to the Roku...and I've seen where I can add a Plex channel in Roku. Is this basically what it is? Specifically, one thing I'd like to use it for is to stream current episodes of The Walking Dead from a site like free-tv-video-online.me to my Roku, then to the TV. Can it do this?

You can do that with the PlayOn browser extension.

nstygma · 03-07-2014, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shogun

Followed all of the instructions, changed everything that I was supposed to in the gateway, still nothing. There are a bunch of people who have had this issue. I would love for it to work.

I had trouble getting mine working because of my odd network setup.

Some things that helped me:
make sure you can see the chromecast getting an IP address in your gateway lan stats or whatever page shows connected devices
enable UPNP in the router
i had to close out any VPNs i had going
also, I think I had to change from a wired to a wireless connection on my laptop

then i was able to complete the setup

**Shogun** · 03-07-2014, 11:52 PM

I did have a VPN but it was never connected, ever. I just deleted it but I don't think that would be the issue. Upnp is enabled. Already on a Wireless connection. meh

bowener · 03-08-2014, 02:32 PM

I've seen a lot of talk about Roku in here recently. I may be buying this for my dumb-TV since my chromecast is mostly so I can play HBOGo on my smart tv.

Hint: It is a Roku in stick format. $49.

NewChief · 03-08-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowener

I've seen a lot of talk about Roku in here recently. I may be buying this for my dumb-TV since my chromecast is mostly so I can play HBOGo on my smart tv.

Hint: It is a Roku in stick format. $49.

If you're wanting a micro deal like that, maybe look into a Rasberry Pi running XBMC? You'll have access to a LOT more stuff.
http://lifehacker.com/5929913/build-...5-raspberry-pi

**pr_capone** · 03-10-2014, 11:19 PM

I downloaded and installed allcast from the playstore. I was able to play video files from my phone and shoot them to the chromecast. Flawless.

This thing is most certainly worth buying now.

07-24-2013, 12:16 PM
SuperChief Damn it feels good. Join Date: Mar 2011 Casino cash: $7547978	Google introduces Chromecast - 35 bucks?!? This looks like it will really test Roku/Apple TV. For that price point, I'm not sure how it couldn't. From what I'm hearing, you can stream anything from your desktop to the connected device, but not from mobile. Only supported apps from mobile will stream. More to come, I'm sure. http://cnet.co/1c2ZBTm Google's taking yet another stab at the living room. Today Google introduced Chromecast, a stick-like device that connects to one of your TV's HDMI inputs and accepts video pushed from smartphones, tablets and the Chrome browser. It's available for just $35 starting today from the Google Play store in the US, with availability in other countries to follow. The compact 2-inch device will work with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV, and Google Play Music at launch, with support for future services, including Pandora, coming soon. It's a cross-platform device, with support for both Android and iOS devices, as well as the Chrome browser on both Windows and Mac computers. More details are currently available on the Google's Chrome blog. Chromecast's approach is different than most devices on the market: it's half-remote, half-streaming media box. The idea is instead of designing a TV-optimized user interface, you'll be able to select and control content from your smartphone or tablet. Browse the Netflix app, find your content, then tell it to play in your living room. Chromecast even goes one step further, by automatically switching your TV to the correct input and giving you the ability to adjust the volume using your mobile devices built-in volume controls. The ability for Android devices to pause content without unlocking the phone first seemed particularly well-implemented. You'll also be able to juggle control between multiple mobile devices, with Chromecast syncing between connected devices. You can start playing Netflix from your tablet, then later use a smartphone to fast-forward. Using the YouTube app, you can also create a shared queue of content, stringing together several short web videos for an extended viewing session. All-in-all, Google's demos looked particularly slick. As sleek as the Chromecast device looks, Google's initial presentation skimmed over some of the rougher edges. The specs in the Google Play store list both a USB power cable and a power adapter, which indicate that the Chromecast will have some wires hanging off it -- it's not truly "just a stick". It's the same method PLAiR used to power its similar HDMI-based streaming stick. The hardware itself supports 2.4 GHz WiFi 802.11, which isn't quite as nice as the dual-band Wi-Fi offered on Roku's Streaming Stick. The internal processor is capable of playing back full 1080p video with 5.1 surround sound. I haven't had any hands-on time with the Chromecast yet, but from the initial announcement, the biggest limitation appears to be app support. Supporting only four services out-of-the-gate puts Chromecast well behind established players like Roku and Apple TV, and limited functionality was also one of the major knocks against the ill-fated Nexus Q. However, the big difference with Chromecast ultralow $35 price. It's a lot easier to accept those limitations when you haven't paid much upfront and the low price should also help spread adoption, which should encourage services to include Chromecast at a faster rate. This is a developing story so stay tuned for further details as we get them.
Posts: 3,305

03-07-2014, 11:22 PM	#199
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1672400	Is there a decent free way to stream video files from your PC using a chromecast? I realize Plex launched something a few months ago but required a premium subscription so I didn't bother.
Posts: 14,521

03-08-2014, 02:32 PM	#208
bowener BAMF! Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $9549897	I've seen a lot of talk about Roku in here recently. I may be buying this for my dumb-TV since my chromecast is mostly so I can play HBOGo on my smart tv. Hint: It is a Roku in stick format. $49. __________________ Main Entry: bowe·ner Pronunciation: \ˈbō-nər\ Function: noun Date: circa 2007
Posts: 8,358

03-10-2014, 11:19 PM	#210
pr_capone ** SOC & ** YOU Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chiefs Hell Casino cash: $10018214	I downloaded and installed allcast from the playstore. I was able to play video files from my phone and shoot them to the chromecast. Flawless. This thing is most certainly worth buying now.
Posts: 19,884