Google Chromecast

Wabbit Ears · 22-08-2014 8:50pm

I have a chromecast I bought in currys and really, i cant for the life of me understand what the point is? I mean I get what it does, I just cant see why anyone would actually watch netflix or youtube or your chrome browser on the tv instead of the ipad/Androud tab???? I honestly rate it as the most pointless tech toy of the decade.

Xaniaj · 22-08-2014 8:54pm

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

I have a chromecast I bought in currys and really, i cant for the life of me understand what the point is? I mean I get what it does, I just cant see why anyone would actually watch netflix or youtube or your chrome browser on the tv instead of the ipad/Androud tab???? I honestly rate it as the most pointless tech toy of the decade.

Outside of the fact that it opens up a whole host of 'other' streaming options, how would it be preferable to watch Netflix on a phone/tablet than on a TV?

You basically get to smarten up any old TV for a very cheap price...

AlanS181824 · 22-08-2014 8:55pm

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

I have a chromecast I bought in currys and really, i cant for the life of me understand what the point is? I mean I get what it does, I just cant see why anyone would actually watch netflix or youtube or your chrome browser on the tv instead of the ipad/Androud tab???? I honestly rate it as the most pointless tech toy of the decade.

One major reason personally would be...

Nexus 7 is 7"

My tele is 52" and 32"

Which do you think it's more fun to watch Orange Is The New Black on?

Cossax · 22-08-2014 9:03pm

AlanS181824 wrote: »

One major reason personally would be...

Nexus 7 is 7"

My tele is 52" and 32"

Which do you think it's more fun to watch Orange Is The New Black on?

Exactly.

I can stream Netflix onto my HD tv instead of using a 5 or 7 inch screen and I don't need to have a computer or laptop in the room and hooked up via cables and, of course, the phone acts as a remote.

That's without even mentioning using Plex to stream local content from my server to any tv in the house via the Chromecast - with Plex I can watch that same media on my phone when travelling or on a PC while away from home as well but that's a whole other story.

Also, I got another one to plug into a sound bar to just stream music to.

robertxxx · 22-08-2014 9:10pm

The f'ing one thing I bought this bucket of crap for was to use "filmon" from my iPad. Yes that's right it doesn't work with apple .

Waste of time and money. DO NOT BUY THIS IF YOU USE APPLE PRODUCTS.

ziggy · 22-08-2014 9:13pm

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Mimikyu · 22-08-2014 9:15pm

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ColdTurkey · 22-08-2014 9:18pm

Thanks for the heads up Op. bought it today. It's the job

salamanca22 · 22-08-2014 9:26pm

robertxxx wrote: »

The f'ing one thing I bought this bucket of crap for was to use "filmon" from my iPad. Yes that's right it doesn't work with apple .

Waste of time and money. DO NOT BUY THIS IF YOU USE APPLE PRODUCTS.

A product made by google works best on an OS made by google? Shock horror!

Should of done your research.

robertxxx · 22-08-2014 9:29pm

salamanca22 wrote: »

A product made by google works best on an OS made by google? Shock horror!

Should of done your research.

I did, it says on it's own site it works with apple.

But now we all know it kind of works but not really.
Is this a sale through false claims.

salamanca22 · 22-08-2014 9:34pm

robertxxx wrote: »

I did, it says on it's own site it works with apple.

But now we all know it kind of works but not really.
Is this a sale through false claims.

What did you expect to work on it? You can stream music and video to your TV on multiple apps.

Sonics2k · 22-08-2014 9:44pm

robertxxx wrote: »

I did, it says on it's own site it works with apple.

But now we all know it kind of works but not really.
Is this a sale through false claims.

It works with iPhone, but APPLE restrict things like Chromecast from working properly. Its Apple who are causing the problem because of their silly little fight with Google.

robertxxx · 22-08-2014 9:53pm

salamanca22 wrote: »

What did you expect to work on it? You can stream music and video to your TV on multiple apps.

Filmon

bidiots · 22-08-2014 9:56pm

robertxxx wrote: »

I did, it says on it's own site it works with apple.

But now we all know it kind of works but not really.
Is this a sale through false claims.

Eh, I'm afraid you're the issue here and not the chromecast...

_Whimsical_ · 22-08-2014 10:15pm

I wonder if we could start a google plus group or fb group or something to share info on good chromecast tips/tricks/apps that we can't talk about here?

degsie · 22-08-2014 10:20pm

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

I wonder if we could start a google plus group or fb group or something to share info on good chromecast tips/tricks/apps that we can't talk about here?

Or.....
http://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/

better call saul · 22-08-2014 10:20pm

Could I stream sky go in a chrome tab to my tv?

Riesen_Meal · 22-08-2014 10:24pm

robertxxx wrote: »

Filmon

Film on works pefect on Android, don't know about iOS...

You could try film on on chrome browser on your Mac and use the Chromecast web add on and try beam it to TV that way?

You should have looked into what you were buying though as other posters stated, can you not bring it back where you got it and buy an apple tv if you like your walled garden so much?

I use Chromecast to mirror say a footy match or TV show from my Mac on my lap, straight to the TV, very handy...

_Whimsical_ · 22-08-2014 10:31pm

degsie wrote: »

Or.....
http://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/

Yeah that's true. I just never quite "got" reddit in terms of finding this sort of info. There's quite a lot of reading to find any gold by chance and they tend not to explain what they're talking about, just through out names here and there. Boards people are so much more helpful!

DubDJ · 22-08-2014 10:49pm

Sonics2k wrote: »

It works with iPhone, but APPLE restrict things like Chromecast from working properly. Its Apple who are causing the problem because of their silly little fight with Google.

More like app developers need to add support for Chromecast, nothing to do with Apple or any silly fights. You'll most likely never be able to mirror mainly because Apple won't open up things like that due to security and to encourage users towards the Apple TV instead.

I picked up the Chromecast a few months back and use it with iOS daily. Mainly for Youtube but I also stream from a NAS through the app, which they added Chromecast support to.

AlanS181824 · 22-08-2014 11:49pm

better call saul wrote: »

Could I stream sky go in a chrome tab to my tv?

Nope, Sky disable MiraCast which it interoperates Android Mirroring as.

better call saul · 22-08-2014 11:52pm

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Nope, Sky disable MiraCast which it interoperates Android Mirroring as.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

surely there must be a way around this? can you mirror your desktop in totality?

AlanS181824 · 23-08-2014 12:15am

better call saul wrote: »

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

surely there must be a way around this? can you mirror your desktop in totality?

Not currently unfortunately.

Chimichangas · 23-08-2014 9:37am

Â£20 in curry.co.UK. thanks op! ðŸ˜‰

Etnies · 23-08-2014 10:03am

Bought one of these ages ago, but not really useful to me, I'm wondering is there such a thing as an app that can stream other apps, I.e a container app?

Doesn't have to be chromecast related

bidiots · 23-08-2014 10:35am

Chimichangas wrote: »

Â£20 in curry.co.UK. thanks op! ðŸ˜‰

Cheaper on amazon now

Riesen_Meal · 23-08-2014 10:36am

Etnies wrote: »

Bought one of these ages ago, but not really useful to me, I'm wondering is there such a thing as an app that can stream other apps, I.e a container app?

Doesn't have to be chromecast related

Are you android?

The Chromecast app now let's your directly mirror your phone screen to TV now....

So just run the app from there?

I was playing GTA on my TV the other day...

Kurtosis · 23-08-2014 11:26am

Fieldog wrote: »

I was playing GTA on my TV the other day...

What an age we live in :pac:

Thanks for posting OP and to all those with app/functionality suggestions, ordered one from Amazon last night. Not dispatching for 1-3 weeks but will hopefully be worth the wait!

batistuta9 · 23-08-2014 11:34am

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Yeah that's true. I just never quite "got" reddit in terms of finding this sort of info. There's quite a lot of reading to find any gold by chance and they tend not to explain what they're talking about, just through out names here and there. Boards people are so much more helpful!

set one up & they'll come. :pac:
should get a few from this thread & the android forum.

Skippy along · 23-08-2014 12:56pm

penguin88 wrote: »

What an age we live in :pac:

Thanks for posting OP and to all those with app/functionality suggestions, ordered one from Amazon last night. Not dispatching for 1-3 weeks but will hopefully be worth the wait![/quote

Have 3 of these great yokes!!!

Chromecast Cast Screen Feature - How To Mirror Sc…: http://youtu.be/e-gooWoLTho

yabadabado · 23-08-2014 5:44pm

AlanS181824 wrote: »

I said I'd chance my arm and contact Amazon, they agreed to refund the difference in what I paid!

Meaning I got a Chromecast for less than £15!

Couldn't be happier!

So to those of you that purchased a Chromecast off Amazon recently, contact them and they'll refund the difference

Fair ****s man.I asked on live chat and got the refund.I bought it on July 17th.

Jet Black · 24-08-2014 10:51am

They're €22 in Dublin airport in Dixon's if your flying out.

AlanS181824 · 24-08-2014 10:51am

yabadabado wrote: »

Fair ****s man.I asked on live chat and got the refund.I bought it on July 17th.

That's great news!

Yeah Amazon are seriously accommodating.

wawaman · 24-08-2014 12:06pm

If you have Apple TV is it worth getting a chrome cast?

TheDriver · 24-08-2014 12:13pm

Is this a good idea for wirelessly connecting an android tablet to a projector using the app??

tfitzgerald · 24-08-2014 12:25pm

TheDriver wrote: »

Is this a good idea for wirelessly connecting an android tablet to a projector using the app??

If the projector has an hdmi port yes it is

24-08-2014 1:02pm

I have 2 of these coming from Amazon this week. Anyone know some really good sites that will help with setup and using these with apps including the ones we dare not mention on here? I can't get my head around Reddit so others would be good.
PS I know I could Google but want some recommended sites.

leck · 24-08-2014 1:21pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I have 2 of these coming from Amazon this week. Anyone know some really good sites that will help with setup and using these with apps including the ones we dare not mention on here? I can't get my head around Reddit so others would be good.
PS I know I could Google but want some recommended sites.

I wish someone on here would set up a Udemy course on how best to use the Chromecast. I've had one for about a year (bought in US) and rarely use it in Ireland. I have a subscription to HuluPlus which at first I was having problems with until I signed up for a VPN service. Then it was laggy casting from laptop to TV, which is prob down to my internet connection. I'm really not making good use of the Chromecast device and would love to hear some recommended apps too. Wish I knew what is the app that we daren't mention.

Mimikyu · 24-08-2014 2:48pm

This post has been deleted.

TheDriver · 24-08-2014 7:00pm

tfitzgerald wrote: »

If the projector has an hdmi port yes it is

Is it as simply as connect chromecast to projector or TV (even using a HDMI to VGA adaptor?) and then put chromecast app on tablet or does something need to give them IP addresses?

bluedoor27 · 24-08-2014 7:49pm

I am not sure if this was posted before but google Chromecast is now down to £18 on the currys.co.uk website. I think it's a bank holiday deal. It works out at just over €22 on the xe currency converter. Not able to post a link as I am a new poster. Maybe someone could help with that!

vicwatson · 25-08-2014 9:19am

Bought it on amazon for £18

blastman · 25-08-2014 10:19am

TheDriver wrote: »

Is it as simply as connect chromecast to projector or TV (even using a HDMI to VGA adaptor?) and then put chromecast app on tablet or does something need to give them IP addresses?

Pretty much, yes. There isn't a chromecast app as such, certain apps have chromecast support built-in, or you can use an app like localcast to play stuff that's on your tablet or phone. Setup is very easy, just a matter of following on-screen instructions, although there is some fiddly switching between your home router and the chromecast (which is essentially a router as well) during the initial setup.

Lucas Hood · 25-08-2014 10:43am

I bought this just because it was so cheap, had previously been using the app that can't be mentioned and allcast to cast to my ouya.
Will see how I get on.

droidman123 · 25-08-2014 10:52am

This might help people unfamiliar with Chromecast
fieldguide.gizmodo.com/10-tricks-to-make-yourself-a-chromecast-master-1606622927

Also this,not sure how up to date this one is

www.reddit.com/r/chromecast/wiki/apps

TheTownie · 25-08-2014 1:36pm

Just an FYI for people looking for a full desktop mirror/extending setup. I have a Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro laptop (has WiDi built-in) and just bought a Netgear PTV3000 (WiDi receiver, plugs into any TV with HDMI) for £49 which gives me a wireless extended display to my TV. Could have used the mini-HDMI connection but I like to use the laptop at the same time so it made sense to remove the need for a cable.

Its working brilliantly so far. I stream a lot of online content and this enables me to watch that content and use the laptop at the same time. There are quite a few people who have issues with WiDi so I can't say it would work great for everyone but with this combo of Yoga 2 Pro and Netgear receiver, its working great.

A lot of people probably don't have a compatible laptop but for those that do, I think this is a better solution all around than the Chromecast for a few extra bucks and worth the punt (as I said, fingers crossed you don't have major issues with it).

For everyone else.... as you were :P