Chromecast 2020 with Google tv

EagererBeaver · 07-11-2020 10:25pm

The Android TV iPlayer app works fine:

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/media-applications-technologies-for-the-bbc/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2-0-4-3-release/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-0-4-3-android-apk-download/

SteM · 07-11-2020 11:22pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

The Android TV iPlayer app works fine:

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/media-applications-technologies-for-the-bbc/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2-0-4-3-release/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-0-4-3-android-apk-download/

Doesn't work for me. It opens but just hangs then shuts itself down.

Nowso · 08-11-2020 4:59am

SteM wrote: »

Doesn't work for me. It opens but just hangs then shuts itself down.

Mine was hanging then i changed the vpn protocol and then selected a menu suggestion , it loaded up and played straight away -

ive found before different connect types work better ie open vpn

when opening app itself it can hang - use voice command to play match of the day on i player and it works a bit better

when i started playing a video the menus starting to move and work

one i go on home screen it stops get into other menus its fine

EagererBeaver · 08-11-2020 12:16pm

Dunno, the up to date app and a UK VPN work fine for me.

SteM · 08-11-2020 12:39pm

The kodi add-on was the solution for me, tested it this morning and no issues.

Nowso · 08-11-2020 1:28pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Dunno, the up to date app and a UK VPN work fine for me.

even on the home screen from launch - what protocol is your vpn using / other settings ?

breeno · 08-11-2020 2:28pm

I'd be interested in a guide on the iplayer too if possible. Have tried 2 different vpns and various protocols etc and it hangs and crashes each time.

Nowso · 08-11-2020 2:54pm

breeno wrote: »

I'd be interested in a guide on the iplayer too if possible. Have tried 2 different vpns and various protocols etc and it hangs and crashes each time.

dont load the app directly - voice search for ie match of the day on bbc i player and get on from there

Nowso · 18-11-2020 11:58am

argos offer posted elsewhere

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/8133364/Trail/searchtext%3ECHROMECAST.htm 20% off

EagererBeaver · 18-11-2020 12:13pm

I downloaded the iPlayer APK for Android TV listed above, Nord VPN (the app on the Chromecast) quick connect to UK. Nothing more.

Nowso · 18-11-2020 12:18pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

I downloaded the iPlayer APK for Android TV listed above, Nord VPN (the app on the Chromecast) quick connect to UK. Nothing more.

is yours a gb version ? mine just sticks on the home tab when launched that way - dunno why have itv hub working aswell easy enough

EagererBeaver · 18-11-2020 1:00pm

Nowso wrote: »

is yours a gb version ? mine just sticks on the home tab when launched that way - dunno why have itv hub working aswell easy enough

Bought in Spain as it's where I'm based. Dunno if standard European version or ESP/ITA. Don't think it should make a difference

Nollog · 27-11-2020 2:58pm

No Black Friday deals on it then? Shame I missed out on the Argos offer last week...

sioda · 28-11-2020 6:31pm

Anyone got the ethernet adaptor yet or suggest a non Google alternative?

Gooey Looey · 28-11-2020 6:45pm

sioda wrote: »

Anyone got the ethernet adaptor yet or suggest a non Google alternative?

Search for ugreen Ethernet adapter on Amazon, there are a few different ones to choose from and they are reduced in piece for black Friday. I have one working on a Mibox which is also Android TV

SteM · 28-11-2020 6:47pm

I got the Google one a few weeks ago. It works well for me, happy with it given my patchy wifi.

Nowso · 28-11-2020 7:10pm

sioda wrote: »

Anyone got the ethernet adaptor yet or suggest a non Google alternative?

got it the other day from google working good

sioda · 28-11-2020 8:10pm

Gooey Looey wrote: »

Search for ugreen Ethernet adapter on Amazon, there are a few different ones to choose from and they are reduced in piece for black Friday. I have one working on a Mibox which is also Android TV

Have the ugreen on my mi box but it doesn't have a power pass through.

Went with https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QXMNF1X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_.bQWFbV6QRS44
as it will allow my cheapo keyboard to work

SteM · 28-11-2020 8:56pm

sioda wrote: »

Have the ugreen on my mi box but it doesn't have a power pass through.

Went with https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QXMNF1X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_.bQWFbV6QRS44
as it will allow my cheapo keyboard to work

Does that have an ethernet port?

Gooey Looey · 28-11-2020 8:57pm

SteM wrote: »

Does that have an ethernet port?

Looks like just a usb hub

EagererBeaver · 28-11-2020 9:06pm

After a few weeks with this, have to say the performance isn't on a par with the 4K Firestick. Dunno if it's the hardware or software but have suggested plenty of slow load times and laggy transitions and animations.

I find it frustrating that only Netflix and Disney+ get pulled into the Google TV interface. Can't directly resume anything from Prime Video from the home screen for example.

sioda · 28-11-2020 10:29pm

Gooey Looey wrote: »

Looks like just a usb hub

Feic looked at way too many today and ordered the wrong one
Thanks for the save 😁

Gooey Looey · 28-11-2020 11:07pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

I find it frustrating that only Netflix and Disney+ get pulled into the Google TV interface. Can't directly resume anything from Prime Video from the home screen for example.

That's more to do with the apps themselves than the OS, Amazon prime doesn't do much from the home channel on a Shield either, it's a pretty clunky app too. It's also very early days for the Google TV UI

EagererBeaver · 28-11-2020 11:12pm

Gooey Looey wrote: »

That's more to do with the apps themselves than the OS, Amazon prime doesn't do much from the home channel on a Shield either, it's a pretty clunky app too. It's also very early days for the Google TV UI

I didn't say it was Google TV's fault, I merely said I found it frustrating, particularly so given the integration and smartness of the UI was one of the big selling points of the thing.

Actually received an incremental update this evening, so will see if that improves the disappointing performance of it.

SteM · 29-11-2020 12:22am

I really dislike the default home screen to be honest, it's the same with the firestick. I installed the alt launcher linked earlier in the thread and much prefer it. I don't want suggestions thrown at me every time I turn on the box.

ULMarc · 30-11-2020 2:47pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

After a few weeks with this, have to say the performance isn't on a par with the 4K Firestick. Dunno if it's the hardware or software but have suggested plenty of slow load times and laggy transitions and animations.

I find it frustrating that only Netflix and Disney+ get pulled into the Google TV interface. Can't directly resume anything from Prime Video from the home screen for example.

I actually sent my Chromecast back. I already had a Fire TV. Some of the things I like the least about the Fire TV are not being able access the Play Store, that the home screen won't load if it has trouble connecting to Amazon, and that the homescreen is so geared towards content advertising rather than the apps I'm interested in using.

I hoped the Chromecast would feel a bit more like my device rather than a Google service device. But in the end it very much felt like a Google'd Fire TV. I know you can set it to app-only mode but it's no better an experience than the default.

And the remote's crap!

Nowso · 06-12-2020 12:04pm

I was about to pack in my chromecast and then i looked into my modem - powerplug set up last night
after moving the modem to be pluggied into the wall and not the extension lead i kept the extension lead away from them 2 and now it is as good as im gonna get it - had the same issue wift wifi before but now that sorted both

Yamanoto · 10-12-2020 12:01am

Can someone tell me if a chromecast comes pre-loaded with the likes of Netflix and Disney+?

I'd like the folks to be able to piggyback on our Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts, but casting from a phone app would be too fiddley for them.

Can those services be accessed & UI / menu browsed solely via the chromecast?

EagererBeaver · 10-12-2020 12:22am

Yamanoto wrote: »

Can someone tell me if a chromecast comes pre-loaded with the likes of Netflix and Disney+?

I'd like the folks to be able to piggyback on our Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts, but casting from a phone app would be too fiddley for them.

Can those services be accessed & UI / menu browsed solely via the chromecast?

Yes.

Nowso · 10-12-2020 3:00am

Yamanoto wrote: »

Can someone tell me if a chromecast comes pre-loaded with the likes of Netflix and Disney+?

I'd like the folks to be able to piggyback on our Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts, but casting from a phone app would be too fiddley for them.

Can those services be accessed & UI / menu browsed solely via the chromecast?

netflix yes and disney plus can be easily installed as its a recomended app -

howamidifferent · 14-12-2020 2:02pm

Supercell wrote: »

Started using mine yesterday, loving it. Remapped Netflix button to Kodi which is working brilliantly.
Thought i would need to use Jellyfin to downsample playback but native playback over the NFS share is working perfectly.
Love the voice commands. Wish you could power off and on more than one device by pressing the power button, for example the power button can either turn on and off the tv or sound bar but not both, seems an odd thing to leave like that, but overall very happy.

How do you remap the Netflix button?

Nowso · 14-12-2020 2:43pm

howamidifferent wrote: »

How do you remap the Netflix button?

button Mapper app does that not sure if the free one does it gove it a go

micks_address · 14-12-2020 8:58pm

Hi folks,
I have a vpn but how do I sideload apps? With nordvpn set to uk on google tv apps say not available in country...works fine with hbo max

Nowso · 14-12-2020 9:03pm

micks_address wrote: »

Hi folks,
I have a vpn but how do I sideload apps? With nordvpn set to uk on google tv apps say not available in country...works fine with hbo max

im in ireland i just said install nordvpn on google assistant and it brought me to it to install . dowload your apk - i use Wifi file explorer app from play store to move the apk from laptop to the downloads file and then install
sideload launcher is good for any apps that dont display on main screen

Nowso · 14-12-2020 9:12pm

you might need developer status activated so go on the build info in the set up and hit it 10 times

EagererBeaver · 15-12-2020 12:40am

Just use the Downloader app to get the APK you need from APKmirror or similar and allow install from unknown sources in your security settings.

VPN is for actually accessing the content in the apps themselves. You can't use VPN to access apps from a different country's Play Store - your account is tied to a specific country (presumably Ireland in your case) and you can only change it by having payment options from a different country.

carbsy · 18-12-2020 1:03am

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Just use the Downloader app to get the APK you need from APKmirror or similar and allow install from unknown sources in your security settings.

VPN is for actually accessing the content in the apps themselves. You can't use VPN to access apps from a different country's Play Store - your account is tied to a specific country (presumably Ireland in your case) and you can only change it by having payment options from a different country.

Kinda correct but if you clear the cache on the Play Store app and then connect with a VPN you then have access to that Country's specific apps. I've used this trick for years....

Nowso · 10-06-2021 4:00pm

Latest firmware Update now supports Stadia for anyone who wants to use it

CiDeRmAn · 10-06-2021 11:45pm

Nowso wrote: »

Latest firmware Update now supports Stadia for anyone who wants to use it

Sounds good, I have a Stadia running via the included Chromecast Ultra on the main TV, I've another Stadia set but the Google TV dongle on the other house telly, this will be perfect

Machinehead · 17-06-2021 4:07pm

It's dropped in price by €10 today to €59.95 from Google store.

Nowso · 27-06-2021 4:28am

anybody having issues with bbc i player - ok to cast from web , but not connecting from app on device

EagererBeaver · 27-06-2021 7:04am

Nowso wrote: »

anybody having issues with bbc i player - ok to cast from web , but not connecting from app on device

Watching it now, absolutely fine.

Sometimes the VPN (Nord) ain't great and programmes can take an age to buffer to the point it becomes unwatchable.

Nowso · 27-06-2021 1:16pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Watching it now, absolutely fine.

Sometimes the VPN (Nord) ain't great and programmes can take an age to buffer to the point it becomes unwatchable.

Here is the latest version

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/media-applications-technologies-for-the-bbc/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2-0-4-5-release/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-0-4-5-android-apk-download/

i might reset and set it up again tonight

Nowso · 27-06-2021 1:27pm

working now last 2 nights its been off , must be working on it

emanresu123 · 23-11-2021 8:51pm

All the tabs are now showing in Ireland (for you, movies, shows)

Ryath · 26-11-2021 9:42pm

€50 plus €7 delivered in Currys. Doesn't seem to be stock to collect anywhere bar Tralee

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/tv-and-home-entertainment/digital-and-smart-tv/set-top-boxes/chromecast-with-google-tv-snow-10216159-pdt.html

It's €55 in Expert so slightly cheaper there if any stores have stock.

https://www.expert.ie/google-chromecast-with-google-tv-ga01919-ie/?gclid=CjwKCAiAqIKNBhAIEiwAu_ZLDvTM5ddWcvpZ2Q7HBb1wFM5y3UwTxJbuQWFLSuYJpdjsB9KgdTItAxoCVNMQAvD_BwE

Been tempted to get one for a while nearly bought it it with the Stadia remote bundle a few times. Knew I wouldn't play it that much I've a switch and decent PC that don't get a whole of use for gaming as it is. Tempted at that price though I am also considering the Fire 4K Max or stretching more for a Nvidia Shield TV or Pro. Currently using an old Now Tv box for most of our streaming bar the odd thing I need to use the chromecast for. TV is a old 1080P Panasonic Plasma it's a good TV but no 4K, doubt it will be upgraded in the short term anyways.

Really need to replace the NowTv box its fine while streaming but loses wifi while on standby and have to set up connection and is slow navigating. Considering getting rid of Sky too as all we nearly watch is on Netflix, Disney or Prime. Between using a decent streamer and Saoirview on the TV we should be covered for most things. Will miss the Sky Plus recording though, have a lot of shows and films recorded over the years the box is nearly 10 years old the hard drive ain't going to last for much longer though . What I'll save on Sky too will pay for Blueray Boxsets to replace some of the recordings.

Most of what I miss on Sky mainly Sky Atlantic I can pay for the odd month on Now TV which probably the only reason I'm considering the Fire 4K Max. Know I can just cast NowTV from the phone but is handier just using a remote especially when rest of family and inlaws will have to be able to use it. Hopefully the app comes to GoogleTV. Shield is tempting for the upscaling and server, I still have a shed load of DVDs a lot will never be on streaming services or Blue Ray so I hope at some stage to rip them and use Plex.

Any recommendations between them?

Nowso · 27-11-2021 1:38am

Id get the 4k max - chromcast is buggy atm loosing connection on long youtube videos etc

Suckit · 27-11-2021 2:07am

I'd go for (and have both) the mecool KM2. - Get 5% discount by subscribing to their newsletter or as a new user.

It's AndroidTV with USB and Ethernet. Luckily (IMO) it doesn't have the latest version of Google TV but is expected that it will update to it. But you can disable updates. So far the chromecast is the only device with it.

Google TV vs. Android TV: What's the difference?

Ryath · 27-11-2021 12:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118230581#Comment_118230581

It does seem to work very well alright. We're very much a Google household though speakers in most rooms, Nest Hub and Doorbell and several Pixel phones and going to add some extra external cameras soon, so in ways seems better to stay in the same ecosystem. I do have a Kindle paperwhite and the Kid Fire tablets.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118230643#Comment_118230643

Had considered that. The lack of long term support though kind of puts me off though. Chromecasts and Shields have always had several years of support and the Fire stick guarantees 4 years. The remote on it does look better though and the extra ports are handy. I can always just add a USB C hub to the Google TV chromecast though if I feel the need to hardwire anything or add extra storage.

Nowso · 27-11-2021 1:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118231490#Comment_118231490

i was using chromecast and no very little amazon - but had enough of loosing connections on long youtube videos etc another option for you is a tv with android or google tv built in

Chromecast 2020 with Google tv

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