About maratsade

Well, what a sneaky device!  Glad I keep it powered off when not in use.     @BirdDogwrote: @maratsadewrote: Right, but if it's casting, it's not using Backdrop, right? Nope, it refreshes them in the background no matter what you're doing/seeing on the screen. Have verified with my Asus router that monitors per device use. It is one MAJOR dislike for me. I hate things that won't allow total shutdown of background use, especially something like Backdrop that can add up to 10-15 GB per month if left on 24/7.   ... View more

Right, but if it's casting, it's not using Backdrop, right?  ETA:  I mean, if I use my hotspot as the wifi for Chromecast, I wonder if it uses any data because it would be casting from the DVD bay and using the wifi as a conduit.  I don't understand how, if it's casting, it would also be downloading backdrop images.  ... View more

I'm not sure if that works, actually.  I was reading the Google forums and an employee says that Chromecast doesn't support that and that it doesn't always work.  And yes, it would use your mobile data..... I doubt it would work for me anyway because my mobile connection is laughable at home.     I will have to measure whether the Chromecast uses data when I'm casting a DVD from the laptop.  I don't think it does, I think it's just using the wifi as a conduit, but I'll check.    @BirdDogwrote: This also concerns me in the first link, does it mean it will use the mobile data instead?   Do you have 4G Data in your mobile hand set? Then there is absolutely no need to worry as you can stream your favourite content on 4G on your device and mirror it to your Chromecast without any hassles. This will save you from hard efforts that we put in struggling around with hot spots.   ... View more

I'm not sure if that works, actually.  I was reading the Google forums and an employee says that Chromecast doesn't support that and that it doesn't always work.  And yes, it would use your mobile data..... I doubt it would work for me anyway because my mobile connection is laughable at home.     I will have to measure whether the Chromecast uses data when I'm casting a DVD from the laptop.  I don't think it does, I think it's just using the wifi as a conduit, but I'll check.  ... View more

" So, how much is Google paying you? "     MILLIONS!      ka-ching!     ... View more

Using Chromecast without an internet connection:   http://www.uniquetechy.com/use-chromecast-without-wifi/   http://www.itpro.co.uk/mobile/28299/how-to-use-chromecast-without-wi-fi   I'll be trying these myself. I've seen the guest mode mentioned on the second site, but didn't know how it might work.   (Not trying to get you to get a Chromecast, Gabe, honest! I would like to be able to cast without wifi or even the internet, so I thought I'd see if there was a way).    ETA:  This seems to lay the issue to rest: you cannot cast w/o internet.   Oh, well.  I'm still going to try what the other links suggest.  Gabe, let us know how the device you pick works for you.  ... View more

But how do you feel about the Chromecast, @BirdDog? ;)   Sounds like a different device would suit @GabeU's needs much better, and it's great you had something to suggest.  :) ... View more

I thought you actually used the Chrome browser, @GabeU . ... View more

"Simply, what's on your laptop screen and coming through your laptop speakers is what shows on your TV and comes through its speakers. "   That's what it does, though.  You have to tell it to do it using the Chrome browser, but that's exactly what it does. ... View more

@GabeU, with the Chromecast you can stream anything.  I use it to cast from my laptop. You can also cast from apps, but it works fine with the internet. You have to use the Chrome browser for that.   I stream YouTube all the time.  You can also cast your desktop, like if you want to show a PowerPoint on your TV, or browse to websites and show them on your TV. ... View more

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." ... View more

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     ... View more

That's really cool, BirdDog.  I didn't even know that it could be done (Option 2).     @BirdDogwrote: Option 2 in that link is what really saves the data when the Chromecast is powered up. I made my own 1x1 pixel .bmp images instead it the author's. Mine are only 58 bytes in size compared to his 600+ kb size. Even that difference save a lot when the images are being refreshed every 30 seconds.   ... View more

Yes, I think you're definitely right, BirdDog.       My guess is like I said, you haven't left it on long enough to notice a big difference. Either that or what is being used by Backdrop you are thinking is being consumed by whatever online streaming you are doing.   ... View more

I do have it set up to turn off when the TV is off.  I just noticed that when it was in use, it didn't seem to use a lot of data for the backdrops.  I have the 2nd generation Chromecast. Would that make a difference? ETA: I imagine that because I don't have it on for long, and I'm streaming when using it, I may not have noticed a huge use of data. But since the backdrops are images that are downloaded, it makes sense they use up data.      I have the Chromcast connected using the USB port on the TV -- so when the TV  is off, no power goes to the Chromecast. ... View more

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) ... View more