Got my Chromecast yesterday

[rctour]

For those who don't know what a Google Chromecast is, it's a little HDMI Wi-Fi TV plug in that allows a mini operation of Google TV, it currently only has YouTube, Netflix and Google Chrome. I purchased it to modify my RV bedroom TV into a smart TV. It retails for $35.

Although it's only $35, it's not worth the money. There are several ways to achieve the same trick, and although they may cost slightly more they are easier to install and manipulate. The unit requires a controller of some type, which does not come with the unit. This unit didn't like my laptop but did accept my smart phone after adding the needed apps.

The process is to open the smart phone app like Netflix, then open the movie or program, it downloads to the TV through the Chromecast unit, and then you may watch the desired program on TV. The Wi-Fi setup was not a slam dunk, so to change it each time you travel to a different connections is not practical, unless you use a smart phone hot spot or tether (not worth the effort)

I think it's too rudimentary and not up to Google's' standard, I'm still waiting for something more seamless.

[1492]

Tell us where we can get a smart TV for the price of a Chromecast for $35, or in my case, a Fire TV stick for $40?

[jgeidl]

Guys, It is a lot easier just to get a smart TV and watch the stuff you want to watch if it is originating on the webernet...like Netflix.

Jim, K6JMG

[strollin]

schneid wrote:
I got mine when released. Cost $11 net with the Netflix credit. Other than trying it out, it remains unused. I wanted to connect with my VZW unlimited data plan and stream with my S3. Can't do it. The CC and source must be connected to the same WiFi network. You cannot do WiFi and a hotspot on the S3 at the same time. I can connect the CC to my android tablet and connect them both to the hotspot and that works. Unfortunately, all I can then stream is Netflix, Youtube and Google online music. My Roku does all that. As of yet, one cannot cast from the Chrome browser in Android. Must be Windows or Mac. I can also connect my phone and tablet directly to my TV's via HDMI which is much easier and will display whatever the device is displaying provided the DRM tickets are punched.

CC is supposed to have a great future ahead of it but for me, for now, it's a novelty.

Yes, I can see where not being able to use the hotspot on your phone would be a limiting factor to use the Chromecast in the RV. I have 2 smart TVs in my RV so don't need to use it there.

I don't have a smart TV in the stick house which is where I use the CC. I have a Blu-Ray player but it has only 3 apps, Netflix, Pandora and some Best Buy service. The CC beats that right out of the box with the potential to be much better.

Just using the CC for watching Netflix in my stick house is so much better than using the app built-in to my Blu-Ray player. The ability to use a keyboard to type in search items as opposed to using the laborious search facility within the app is well worth the cost of admission. Using the letter-by-letter selector with cursor keys in the app takes probably 50 times longer to use than typing the search in using the keyboard on my laptop.

The CC may not be for everyone but it works great for me and I firmly believe there will be many more capabilities added to it once Google allows developers to release apps they are currently working on.

[strollin]

rctour wrote:

strollin wrote:


Not sure why you don't think it was worth the money. I got the $24 Netflix credit so mine cost me only $11 but I would have been happy even without the credit.

You're not sure why I don't think it's worth the money? I just told you! Silly people! ...

I was trying to be nice, I should have said your reasoning as to why it's not worth $35 is lame, at best. However, it is your money so you get to determine whether it's worth it to you or not.

[schneid]

I got mine when released. Cost $11 net with the Netflix credit. Other than trying it out, it remains unused. I wanted to connect with my VZW unlimited data plan and stream with my S3. Can't do it. The CC and source must be connected to the same WiFi network. You cannot do WiFi and a hotspot on the S3 at the same time. I can connect the CC to my android tablet and connect them both to the hotspot and that works. Unfortunately, all I can then stream is Netflix, Youtube and Google online music. My Roku does all that. As of yet, one cannot cast from the Chrome browser in Android. Must be Windows or Mac. I can also connect my phone and tablet directly to my TV's via HDMI which is much easier and will display whatever the device is displaying provided the DRM tickets are punched.

CC is supposed to have a great future ahead of it but for me, for now, it's a novelty.

[rctour]

strollin wrote:


Not sure why you don't think it was worth the money. I got the $24 Netflix credit so mine cost me only $11 but I would have been happy even without the credit.

You're not sure why I don't think it's worth the money? I just told you! Silly people! Going on EBay to make a $30 profit isn't worth my time.

One of you posted a link to "Tricks," after reading it, it seems to me the geeks like it but one said it appeared to him as if Google sent it out under a Beta program. I agree with that assessment, and I also think it will work well with a tablet. I just don't like using my telephone.

[wcjeep]

There's an embargo on some of the apps that are ready for the Chromecast. When the embargo is lifted you will be able to send video direct from your mobile device to the Chromecast. Any reason you're not running a wifi router dedicated to the RV? This would allow an external antenna setup to maximize campground wifi. Also allow you to move files around wirelessly.

Quick search found some tips that are already live.


CNET tips

[strollin]

If you're not happy with it, return it or you could probably sell it at a profit on Ebay since it's in such high demand.

Not sure why you don't think it was worth the money. I got the $24 Netflix credit so mine cost me only $11 but I would have been happy even without the credit.

Were you planning to use it on campground wifi? I doubt it would work well on campground wifi.

I've had one for awhile now and pretty happy with it. There are lots of developers that are lining up to make their apps work with it so once Google has the API stabilized there should be lots of apps appearing that can work with it. I believe it will surpass the capabilities of a Blu-Ray player or Roku in short order.

EDIT: Actually, the capabilities of the Chromecast already surpass those of a Roku or Blu-Ray player. Although there are currently only a handful of apps that support the Chromecast, anything that can be viewed in the Chrome browser can be "cast" to the TV. That means many video websites that can be brought up in the browser can be viewed on the TV. You can also "cast" your desktop so any file you can view on your desktop you can view on the TV including local video and picture files.

[1492]

You can do the same with most Bluray players these days. I bought a refurbished Toshiba Bluray for $30. that can stream those same sites through an Ethernet connection. Others have WiFi built-in, or use an optional WiFi adapter.

If you want to use a WiFi connection but the Bluray player only has Ethernet, then you can buy a WiFi bridged client router such as this $18. TPLink. You just connect to it using your browser, and set to Client mode with the same encryption type, SSID and password used for your WiFi connection. Or get a recycled thrift store router for $4.-$5. and upgrade using a third party firmware such as DD-WRT if necessary. That's what I've done.