chromecast

Thargor · 25-11-2013 10:07AM

And Google Play Music and one or 2 other useless apps, Im sure we'll see Hulu, HBO, SkyGo etc apps in future but none of it will be free, this is the reason the device is only $35.

clairefontaine · 25-11-2013 03:25PM

GrumPy wrote: »

So it's basically limited to Netflix and Youtube.

And iTunes. Huluplus.

redscan · 25-11-2013 04:49PM

Thargor wrote: »

People need to realise this is strictly a Youtube/Netflix dongle and it works fine for those, Google is deliberately killing anything that lets you cast your own videos to the screen which Im guessing a lot of people are buying this for, Plex is a load of sh1t, even if it wasnt a suttering mess its a horrible app to use, you'll understand whe you see it trying to scan your library. Other options like running VLC in a Chrome tab and casting that are equally bad, stuttering and unwatchable unless in 480p and even then not great.

Theres a chance Google might release a video casting app that will let you watch local content and if it works as well as Netflix and Youtube casting it will be great but judging by the way they're acting that's not going to happen, get an Android stick or a Rasberry Pi or whatever if you want to watch pirated stuff.

I'm interested in getting one of these. I read that you can drag local content into your chrome browser bar and then it works with the chromecast. This is taken from the comments section of the top review on amazon.com: "You don't need plex. If you simply drag the desired file into the chrome tab or copy and paste the the file location into the tab, it will play fine without plex."

From your experience, this isn't the case?

Thanks.

Thargor · 25-11-2013 06:18PM

No, that used to technically work but the last update killed it, now its a black screen with audio for anything that's not mp4 and it never worked with .avi in the first place, and it was crap anyway because it was just a workaround and any video was a stuttering mess.

Seriously I could barely book a Citylink ticket on my tv while casting the tab from Chrome last weekend, there was a delay and the mouse cursor was juddering around the screen, try it with a video playing in that tab instead and it breaks down completely, its a no-go.

Netflix on the other hand and Youtube are completely flawless even in 720p and the top option which is ultra-hd 720p whatever that is. There are plenty of workarounds and extensions but none of them work, they cant handle the bandwidth necessary for video and they cant access the parts of Chromecast that Netflix and Youtube do when they do it, this is 100% a deliberate decision by Google so I'm not holding my breath for that to change any time soon.

Plenty of Android sticks on Ebay to watch pirated content and turn your tv into a pretty good casual gaming/emulator/XBMC machine and plenty of apps to let you control from your phone/tablet etc, basically anything you can think of someone will already have released it to the Play store, Chromecast is a locked down piece of crap compared to them.

Personally I just bought a 10 meter HDMI cable from Ebay and ran it down the back of the skirting board from the tv to the couch, when I want the tv for a film or whatever I just plug the cable into the HDMI port on my laptop or tablet, the screen goes black and appears on the tv instead and away I go, no faffing around with video formats/signing in/permissions etc.

groom · 25-11-2013 08:04PM

http:// http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/21/google-chromecast-sdk-hackathon-app/

The SDK might be getting released soonish

... restrictions have prevented these apps from being released for widespread use. That will probably change next month, as Google has invited several developers including CyanogenMod / AirCast dev Koushik Dutta and Thomas Kjeldsen to a hackathon on December 7th and 8th in Mountain View. An opportunity to test drive the "upcoming release" of the Cast SDK is promised, plus an opportunity to talk with Google engineers about what it can do.

GrumPy · 26-11-2013 04:31PM

Anyone buy one of these recently (I just ordered one as a gift) from Amazon get a 30/60/90 free trial of Netflix?
I think BestBuy in the US where including it with some of their chromecast stock, but no idea if it comes in the box with European devices.

Other question: Anyone know a place you can get Netflix gift codes cheaper than here?

Thanks.

Thargor · 26-11-2013 04:40PM

Theres 3 months of free Netflix with it I think? Cant check for sure as I was only testing my friends one but Im 90% sure unless that just applies to America.

zing · 26-11-2013 04:41PM

GrumPy wrote: »

Anyone buy one of these recently (I just ordered one as a gift) from Amazon get a 30/60/90 free trial of Netflix?
I think BestBuy in the US where including it with some of their chromecast stock, but no idea if it comes in the box with European devices.

Other question: Anyone know a place you can get Netflix gift codes cheaper than here?

Thanks.

Bought 2 in Best Buy a month ago and no Netflix trial info included with either.

stevenmu · 26-11-2013 04:59PM

So what's a good (and bargainy) Chromecast alternative?

Sniipe · 26-11-2013 05:26PM

What would be the best way to get one of these to Oz? I want to gift it to my sister there.

26-11-2013 06:37PM

stevenmu wrote: »

So what's a good (and bargainy) Chromecast alternative?

now tv box. search the thread in bargain alerts on it. £10 + €3.50 delivered through parcelmotel.
get it and install plex on it and on your pc. see this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmQBcbVLWZc

god's toy · 26-11-2013 06:42PM

zing wrote: »

Bought 2 in Best Buy a month ago and no Netflix trial info included with either.

The netflix offer was only for the first month of sale in the US, its long gone now.. people were buying loads at a time just for the codes...

Update: google now giving movie rental with chromecast (probably only US)

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/11/26/deal-alert-google-introduces-another-holiday-offer-now-giving-out-a-free-hd-movie-rental-with-chromecasts-purchased-from-the-play-store/

GrumPy · 28-11-2013 10:34AM

Just picked one of these up, it's a gift for a sibling that doesn't have Netflix and has been hearing great things.

(She only just got home broadband and only has FTA TV!)

She does have a an S4 mini and a Samsung tablet, so hopefully she'll be delighted with just Netflix alone! I bought on Amazon, got a free "Amazon Prime" trial and shipped it to ParcelMotel (My first experience using both services) and it arrived incredibly quick. Ordered it on 26th, arrived at my pickup point down the round before 07:00 this morning.

The SDK - (click me) is being released for developers to openly use and integrate into their apps in 2 weeks time, so there might be some new apps ready in time for Christmas.

Local content would be great (I'd certainly use it, akin to plex or XBMC) but as a gift to my sister, it's perfect out of the box.

rolexeagle1 · 05-12-2013 11:47AM

You can open locally stored files through Chrome, use ctrl+o and select the video file that you want to play.

Does this still work?

Thargor · 05-12-2013 12:42PM

srumball wrote: »

You can open locally stored files through Chrome, use ctrl+o and select the video file that you want to play.

Does this still work?

Already answered several times in this thread including on the previous page.

GrumPy · 10-12-2013 04:57PM

Great news! Just in time for Christmas. Official Plex support and everything.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/10/google-chromecast-adds-ten-new-apps-to-its-streaming-arsenal/

Official Google link: http://chrome.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/new-chromecast-apps-for-holidays.html

Most important extract:

"And for those many holiday gatherings, you can also cast your personal media straight to your TV using Plex, Avia, or RealPlayer Cloud apps. There’s no need to huddle around small screens when you can share your own photos and videos using your phone, tablet, or laptop."

rolexeagle1 · 10-12-2013 05:38PM

great news

The Sparrow · 10-12-2013 08:04PM

So where is the cheapest place to pick this up?

GrumPy · 10-12-2013 11:37PM

The Sparrow wrote: »

So where is the cheapest place to pick this up?

Still looks like amazon unfortunately. I think mine worked out about €47.

smee again · 10-12-2013 11:39PM

GrumPy wrote: »

Great news! Just in time for Christmas. Official Plex support and everything.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/10/google-chromecast-adds-ten-new-apps-to-its-streaming-arsenal/

Official Google link: http://chrome.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/new-chromecast-apps-for-holidays.html

Most important extract:

"And for those many holiday gatherings, you can also cast your personal media straight to your TV using Plex, Avia, or RealPlayer Cloud apps. There’s no need to huddle around small screens when you can share your own photos and videos using your phone, tablet, or laptop."

Need a Plex subscription to use Plex app

GrumPy · 10-12-2013 11:45PM

smee again wrote: »

Need a Plex subscription to use Plex app

You sure that applies to the desktop version? I know the Android/iOS have some cost involved...

smee again · 10-12-2013 11:49PM

GrumPy wrote: »

You sure that applies to the desktop version? I know the Android/iOS have some cost involved...

Yes,

Chromecast support is only available for PlexPass subscribers right now. The feature will be coming to free users shortly, though, so it shouldn’t be too long before you’re able to enjoy all your media on your HDTV of choice.

http://phandroid.com/2013/12/10/plex-chromecast-support/

Buying the Android app does not give you a subscription

10-12-2013 11:49PM

smee again wrote: »

Need a Plex subscription to use Plex app

Only while in Preview according to the developer in the rating on the Play Store....

Thargor · 11-12-2013 10:02AM

Is Realplayer going to be a proper way to just select any video file and cast it properly or is there some kind of subscription/DRM sh1te attached to it?

degsie · 11-12-2013 10:34AM

Can these be ordered and shipped to Ireland from anywhere?

Elessar · 11-12-2013 11:20AM

I'm reading conflicting reports so let me get this straight....can you stream full HD movies to chromecast via VLC or not?

Fresh Pots · 11-12-2013 11:25AM

degsie wrote: »

Can these be ordered and shipped to Ireland from anywhere?

From amazon.co.uk via parcel motel

Gryzor · 11-12-2013 11:42AM

Fieldog wrote: »

Only while in Preview according to the developer in the rating on the Play Store....

That's a backtrack if I ever saw one...they are getting slated in the latest reviews on Play. A monthly charge to stream your own locally hosted media inside your own house...feckin chancers..

Thargor · 11-12-2013 11:48AM

Elessar wrote: »

I'm reading conflicting reports so let me get this straight....can you stream full HD movies to chromecast via VLC or not?

Via VLC or any other media player not a hope, via Realplayer according to todays app update Im still looking for confirmation.

Plex may also be an option now even though its a horrible app, we'll have to wait and see what the reviews are like for todays release...

MrStuffins · 11-12-2013 12:08PM

I grabbed Plex for Android last night and set it up on my Windows PC.

I got as far as being able to link my Phone to the Computer in order to see and browse the files.

Haven't tried to play on the phone or broadcast to Chromecast just yet but I will when I get home.

chromecast

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