Google Chromecast

Murphj7

So Im thinking of buying the device. Anyone have it? How do you set up Netflix on it?

steveon

I dont think they are available to buy here yet ...

coylemj

steveon wrote: »

I dont think they are available to buy here yet ...

Ever hear of Amazon?

OP, on it's own the Chromecast won't do much for you, you need another device (typically a PC, tablet or smartphone) to access the video stream and 'cast' it to the Chromecast stick.

You need to setup your Windows/Android/iOS device by installing the Chromecast download which is available here...

https://www.google.ie/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/

You then plug the Chromecast stick into the TV, you'll also need power via a USB cable (supplied). If your TV has a USB port for playing movies, than can be used to power the Chromecast stick.

You first need to signup to get a userid and password on Netflix, the first month is free and it's now 7.99 p.m. after that. Do that on any PC browser.

To use Netflix, you'd open the Netflix app on an Android phone or iPhone or access the Netflix website via the Chrome browser on Windows and having established the link, you click on the Chromecast icon which you'll typically see in the top right corner of the app, that will send the signal to the Chromecast stick which will play the video feed on your TV.

wibbleman

I have had my Chromecast for several months (got one in the U.S) and Netflix works really well. I kick the Netflix movie off on my Nexus 7 tablet then "cast" it to my TV. Works great. I also play BBC TV through Iplayer (running on my laptop) and "cast" it to my TV.. Playing local (network based) content is not built in yet, although you can use Plex (for a small cost). If you are an Android person (rather than apple) it's a great bit of kit for a cheap price.

Murphj7

Thank you for the information.

Ig you have skygo for example does plex allow you to cast it tv?

beglee

I just bought one in the states (€27ish). Set it up there when I got back, pretty simple.

Only problem seems to be the stream stutters on the tv when its fine on the laptop/phone etc. Im certain this is down to the low quality UPC router, as I'm sure it isn't handling "wifi to laptop, wifi from laptop back to router, wifi from router through to chromecast" which I think is how the chromecast works. The cisco router doesn't have enough bandwidth to handle that, I suspect it'd work much better with a Gigabit router, but havent tried yet. Think i have one stored somewhere so may have to dig it out

Murphj7

Thanks beglee. What store did you buy it in over?

RunDMC

The way Chromecast works (at least with Netflix and Youtube) is that it doesn't send the content from your phone to the Chromecast rather it send a pointer to the content to the Chromecast which then downloads it directly from the source. This minimizes the amount of network traffic over wireless. It's more likely that the Chromecast can't get a solid Wifi connection.

R

beglee

Got it in a Best Buy in Orlando. I first tried Radio Shack but they said only Best Buy would have it.