Using Roku or Chromecast

[dgodinez]

I was wondering if anyone uses Roku or Chromecast when staying at RV parks or camps that provide free WIFI. I use them at home for streaming movies and such, but my concern will be that the parks FREE WIFI will be too slow to handle the load, I also have seen places that limit the amount of bandwidth that can be used.

Any comments will be appreciated.

[wcjeep]

pyoung47 wrote:
Back in the day we would troll neighborhoods for wifi so we could check email and surf. Now, of course, email is about as much an anachronism as a landline phone (or a flip phone). Last year's campground had a sophisticated wifi with several towers in the park. Still speed was about like dial up. My wife streams movies constantly on her cellphone, and since we have unlimited data, rarely log on to campground wifi. Only disadvantage is the print on my phone is getting smaller and smaller.

Depending on the phone, you might be able to use an HDMI or mhl/HDMI adapter to send the movie to your TV.

[pyoung47]

Back in the day we would troll neighborhoods for wifi so we could check email and surf. Now, of course, email is about as much an anachronism as a landline phone (or a flip phone). Last year's campground had a sophisticated wifi with several towers in the park. Still speed was about like dial up. My wife streams movies constantly on her cellphone, and since we have unlimited data, rarely log on to campground wifi. Only disadvantage is the print on my phone is getting smaller and smaller.

[mx727]

Seems like any Flash or video down loader (eg. Download Flash and Video) would work just as well and you don't deal with buffering issues.

[ToadHaul]

OK, back with an update...sort of. 🙂 I've successfully used PlayLater to record some programing on my laptop to take on the road. The mp4 files all look good although I did have some failures that required me two or three tries before I got them downloaded. That was probably related to bandwidth being used by other devices in my HOME (I capitalized that for the person who thought I was hogging campsite resources)at the same time I was downloading them. At any rate, they look good but I've been so busy getting ready for the road that I've not actually viewed any. If I don't post any more to this thread, please assume that PlayLater worked as advertized. If there are issues, I'll come back and "whinge" about them. Happy travels everyone and thanks for all of your responses. 😉

PS Mr Wiz...it streams them in real time and records as it streams. At least I'm pretty sure that's what it is doing...it takes 30 min. to record a 30 min. program and as I mentioned, I had a few failures when I was recording during times of high usage in my house. 😉

[kevingregg]

I built desktop computer with 9 TB of storage space (many 100s of movies, tv shows, home movies, MP3s, digital pics, etc) and use Roku box to watch these movies. No wifi needed. Thinking about building a smaller PC for use in MH (when I get the MH).

[credmau5]

A subscriber on my YouTube channel suggested I join here and post my video about my use of Chromecast in my RV. Here's the video.

I use an LTE hotspot which runs on my cellular provider on its own data plan ($35/5GB with $10/GB overage). It's for occasional usage obviously but it works wonderfully. Considering I fulltime it, and save hundreds in rent, I don't mind spending a couple hundred each month on the "toys".

[ToadHaul]

Great information, thanks everyone! 😉

[MrWizard]

I had a nice chat with Ryan at play later support

The upshot of the conversation is
That play later records directly to your pc, in real time, while the video is being delivered to your pc from the source site
The play later software controls the access and recording, but it is done on your pc, their server provides ready access and redirects for network programs, and uses your subscription info for services from Netflix, HuLu plus, etc..
Your pc must be on and must be connected to the internet for the recording to happen
Once recorded on your pc in mp4 format, you can move/ copy the recorded video to any other device that supports mp4

[MrWizard]

i sent a enail to play later support
this is the response

PlayOn Support (Skip) (Support Center)

Aug 18 18:48

Hello George,

I'm happy to answer your question.

PlayLater records in real time as it would play in a browser. If your network speed is slow and there is buffering within the video as it plays, it would record that way, but as long as the stream is not interrupted, it should be complete.

Best regards,

Skip
PlayOn Support

[MrWizard]

Never heard of it before, so I went to the website
What I read said "online dvr"

To me that means your movie or program is recorded to "THEIR" server
Not downloaded to your pc, you still have to stream it over the internet, when you watch it

The only thing I saw about downloading, was downloading the program
Not the recorded video

okay found this

"PlayLater is like a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) for online videos. Once you install the Windows software on your PC you can record movies, TV shows, and video clips from the internet and save them on your hard drive or move them to another PC, smartphone, or tablet in order to watch them later at your convenience.

We call it a DVR for online videos because it lets you record things like your DVR and save them for later viewing when they may not be available online or when you may not have an internet connection. But unlike most DVRs, the recordings are not stuck inside your cable box. They are mp4 files that you can move to different computers (PC or Mac) or sync to your iPhone or iPad through iTunes or drag and drop onto your Android phone or tablet.
"


let me know how this works out for you

I like the idea .. IF the recording is done on their server, then downloaded as one file to your PC

BUT IF it stream records on the PC in real time
I think my internet connection would give hang ups quality issues, pauses blank spots etc..

[sato4000]

I use my roku every time I can while camping. I have verizon unlimited data so I just use my phone as a hotspot. Just got back from a weekend camping trip and used 11gb on the roku. I only had 3g as well but it streamed relatively well. I also use plex so any movies I download on my computer at home I can watch using the roku while camping. I have a mobile data booster which boosts 3g and 4g signal. It usually improves whatever signal I get by about 20-25 percent.

[ToadHaul]

I guess I should have made it clear...I don't use either Roku or Chromecast while traveling. PlayLater is software that is intended to let you download content while you are at home...save it on your H/D for viewing "offline". I don't use free wi-fi anywhere at any rate. My phone will tether to my 'puters and tablet and so I only use the bandwidth that I have paid Verizon for. ;-D

I'd still like to hear from anyone that has used this software. 😉

[AllegroD]

This topic is an example of why so many complain about CG free wifi. Just because you can, does not mean you should, especially at the cost to others.

[ToadHaul]

I just got a lifetime subscription to PlayOn and PlayLater that includes a "free" Chromcast. I've used PlayOn at home a little but prefer my Roku. PlayLater is supposed to let you record programing to your computer for viewing offline. I had travel in mind when I ordered it but I've not yet had a chance to try it.

Does anyone else have experience with it? http://www.playon.tv/store/buy/playlater/

Thanks! 😉