Google introduces Chromecast - 35 bucks?!?

[SuperChief]

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.

[Fish]

FYI... You can play some videos from your local drive, but not all.

Open Chrome.
Click Ctrl+O (or Command+O on a Mac) and select the desired local video file.

Works great for any H.264 encoded video. DIVX support isn't as good, but it should play most. MKV files will not work though.. From reports, it's highly recommended that you have an 802.11n router to give it enough bandwidth.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

My Chromecast came in the mail yesterday. I was hoping to be able to watch live streams on my TV. I'm seeing some conflicting reports.

How do you watch Sunday Ticket on Chromecast?

Have you seen the "Get Sunday Ticket for Free" thread in the lounge? Follow those directions to get Sunday Ticket working in Chrome on your computer. Then simply export from Chrome on your computer to Chromecast connected to the TV.

From my experience mirroring Sunday Ticket to the TV though, it's going to reduce the video quality quite a bit. I've tried several different methods of doing this, using Airplay, Miracast, etc. And the video quality sucks when you send it to the TV. Haven't been happy with any solution....

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by DaFace

While I understand it sucks that it doesn't work the way you wanted to, it's not like they've been unclear about what it can do. Eventually, I'm sure they'll have a DLNA-like ability to play other files from the network, but they've specifically said that people need to wait for the developer toolkit to be finalized before tinkering with home grown apps.

It'll get there - just not when it's first released. It is Google after all.

Oh, I get it. I'm just disappointed that they borked Dutta's work and are essentially keeping the developers from releasing it into the wild. I literally saw your post, bought it, then a week later Google squashes it.

At least the wife will be happy with the ability to control netflix from the phone.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

My Chromecast came in the mail yesterday. I was hoping to be able to watch live streams on my TV. I'm seeing some conflicting reports.

How do you watch Sunday Ticket on Chromecast?

Where did you purchase yours from? I ordered one from Amazon on the 29th, and they still haven't given me a date that I can expect to actually purchase the device since they are out of stock.

[SLAG]

Originally Posted by bowener

Where did you purchase yours from? I ordered one from Amazon on the 29th, and they still haven't given me a date that I can expect to actually purchase the device since they are out of stock.

I ordered mine from Amazon on JULY 29th and its just arriving today

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by bowener

Where did you purchase yours from? I ordered one from Amazon on the 29th, and they still haven't given me a date that I can expect to actually purchase the device since they are out of stock.

I ordered mine directly form Goggle. took about 3 weeks.

[Great Expectations]

Originally Posted by bowener

Where did you purchase yours from? I ordered one from Amazon on the 29th, and they still haven't given me a date that I can expect to actually purchase the device since they are out of stock.

http://www.google.com/shopping

I took 10 days. I was going to order from amazon, but saw that google shopping was estimating shipment dates.

[SLAG]

direct link to order from google:

https://play.google.com/store/device...?id=chromecast

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

What all do you use it for? Netflix and youtube? That is about all I can see me using it for until Google gets their head out of their ass and allows us to stream local files.

netflix quite a bit but it can cast anything in the browser.

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by teedubya

How did you do this? I have a Chromecast... and I've not seen this option.

When Sunday Ticket launches you can right click on the top bar and choose to view it as a tab. That gives you the chromecast button.

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by Fish

Have you seen the "Get Sunday Ticket for Free" thread in the lounge? Follow those directions to get Sunday Ticket working in Chrome on your computer. Then simply export from Chrome on your computer to Chromecast connected to the TV.

From my experience mirroring Sunday Ticket to the TV though, it's going to reduce the video quality quite a bit. I've tried several different methods of doing this, using Airplay, Miracast, etc. And the video quality sucks when you send it to the TV. Haven't been happy with any solution....

Yes, I've seen it. I got really nice quality picture through the chromecast, better than hooking up directly with the HDMI cable. That's because my laptop doesn't have video settings in the 1080p range to make it look as good. I have decent quality, just a black box around it. With Chromecast, no box. Just full screen goodness.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Shaid

Yes, I've seen it. I got really nice quality picture through the chromecast, better than hooking up directly with the HDMI cable. That's because my laptop doesn't have video settings in the 1080p range to make it look as good. I have decent quality, just a black box around it. With Chromecast, no box. Just full screen goodness.

That's ****ing awesome dude. You might have just persuaded me to buy one.

Thanks.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Fish

That's ****ing awesome dude. You might have just persuaded me to buy one.

Thanks.

I've read (but don't know personally) that having plenty of bandwidth is important to get it to look decent. In other words, 802.11n is much better than 802.11g in this case.

[SLAG]

UPS said they delivered it - it never showed - Amazon only offering me refund

I no can has chromecast

[Shaid]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I've read (but don't know personally) that having plenty of bandwidth is important to get it to look decent. In other words, 802.11n is much better than 802.11g in this case.

I do have a very good router and strong wifi throughout the house. Kind of a big deal to me to have a solid connection. So yes, your mileage may vary depending on your connection.