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.
Jeff_Twrote:I realize you guys are on the track of different devices but here is another note about the Roku for anyone else reading that might be interested (and no I don't get royalties from Roku hahaha).
Roku needs your WiFi lan and internet to be set up, once that is done then the internet can be removed and the wireless lan side will still operate. As an example I configured an old router I have with the same settings ssid etc. as the router I used to to access the internet, I removed the router with the internet connection and powered up the older router, Roku gave me a warning there was no internet but other than that I could cast just as normal. The purpose was that if my router ever malfunctioned I could at least set up a spare to watch my recordings on the "big set"
The Roku does actually appear to be a better device and if I were needing it to actually stream I might consider it. But my devices, including TVs, already have the apps I need to stream sites like Netflix. Only thing I need my Chromecast for is to cast locally on my older TV, not for online streaming.
Again, does appear to be a better device overall without all the baggage.
I don't think there is a lot of difference between them BirdDog, I don't have a smart TV yet :smileysad:
I even read somewhere that Win 8 or 10 can cast to Miracast devices I need to look into that one day, do smart tv's us Miracast??
