Forum Discussion
Chromecast...what's the advantage?
Yea, the advantage is it is wireless so if someone's only other option is running a cable accross the floor or ceiling it is handy. It casts local content to the TV using Chrome and can also cast/stream online content. There's differents feeds that can be subscribed to, some free and others with a fee. Basically it can make a relatively dumb TV smart. My one older Roku TV is kind of clunky when it comes to casting so I purchased the Chromecast for it.
The newest edition of VLC video player can cast to it pretty well if not wanting to use Chrome all the time, with a few minor bugs yet. It should get better with future releases.
In the end, just another tech gadget to play with that can be useful at times.
Also Gabe there is this. A simple casting device that doesn't require Internet. It is available on a popular auction site and also the site that has the jungle name. Less bells and whistles but costs more it appears. Go figure.
UPDATE: Just found it on Newegg refurbished for $19 + free shipping. That's a deal.
Yes, you need a smartphone with the Home app for the settings.
I haven't noticed a big data drain from the backdrops.
GabeU, if the broaband speed is low, Chromecast will be slow and pixelate a bit -- when that happens to me, I revert to the HDMI cable and using a wireless mouse to control the laptop. (I use a short HDMI cable)
maratsadewrote:I revert to the HDMI cable and using a wireless mouse to control the laptop. (I use a short HDMI cable)
Ya know, sometimes things are right in front of you and you feel like a moron for not seeing them. I have a wireless mouse, but it never dawned on me to just use the mouse as a remote and have the laptop out of the way so I don't have to trip over the cable. SMH. Just unbelievable. That's a HUGE DERP moment. :p
GabeUwrote:
maratsadewrote:I revert to the HDMI cable and using a wireless mouse to control the laptop. (I use a short HDMI cable)
Ya know, sometimes things are right in front of you and you feel like a moron for not seeing them. I have a wireless mouse, but it never dawned on me to just use the mouse as a remote and have the laptop out of the way so I don't have to trip over the cable. SMH. Just unbelievable. That's a HUGE DERP moment. :p
Lol, I used to do that. Just got tired of lugging the laptop out to the TV to connect the HDMI.
I guess they are all fairly similar but my favorite is the Roku, I just bought another Roku Express last week for $26 from Wal Mart. I don't know whether the Chromecast does this but apart from the freebie channels Roku also allows you to add channels some of which you may already subscribe to through your Dish/Direct Tv subscription. The advantage of this is if you have a TV in a room with no cable/satellite feed you can still watch things like abc, BBC etc. for no additional cost providing you are connected to your WiFi/Internet. Also certain Roku devices have a USB port enabling you to play your home media if ever you lose your WiFi. I have said a few times before I like to combine the PlayOn server with my Roku devices because of the off peak recording feature, I can watch pre-recorded movies and series on any TV in the house using WiFi (no internet required). I believe PlayOn supports Chromecast https://www.playon.tv/features . Regarding smart phones with Android OS there is an app called Allcast that allows you to cast vids to your streaming device, I don't use that much it's more of a novelty. I bought my first Roku 3 or 4 years ago, zero data leakage that I have seen.
Does Roku stream from a laptop or from the internet itself? The reason I ask is because I like the control of my laptop and to be able to change the resolution and such of the Youtube videos or other players.
I have a dedicated laptop that sits next to the television and is always connected with a short HDMI cable. I use it for DVDs too because it has a DVD bay.
"Lol, I used to do that. Just got tired of lugging the laptop out to the TV to connect the HDMI."
It took me a while to figure out too.... It works really well, and you can keep the laptop somewhere else. I can't have cables on the floor because the dogs would trip and get entangled.
GabeUwrote:I revert to the HDMI cable and using a wireless mouse to control the laptop. (I use a short HDMI cable)
Ya know, sometimes things are right in front of you and you feel like a moron for not seeing them. I have a wireless mouse, but it never dawned on me to just use the mouse as a remote and have the laptop out of the way so I don't have to trip over the cable. SMH. Just unbelievable. That's a HUGE DERP moment. :p
