Chromecast

[TheMTtakeover]

How do you guys like your Chromecast and what are your primary uses for it?

Also will it work on computer monitors with a USB port or does it have to be a TV?

 

[mattopotamus]

How do you guys like your Chromecast and what are your primary uses for it?

Also will it work on computer monitors with a USB port or does it have to be a TV?

I mostly use mine to push HBO GO content. The best part is that it changes inputs automatically.

The USB port is only used to give power to the device. It has to connect through an HDMI port.

 

[gotluck]

I use PLEX on mine most of the time. For local content on my PC and the various channels they have available. My wife loves it at home with our new baby. Works very well with her iOS devices.

 

[ChazUK]

Netflix, Plex, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Google Music and BT Sport are our main uses at the moment.

From my phone I also use AllCast to stream local phone content.

 

[appledes7]

Plex 99% of the time, YouTube the other 1%.

In my mind, it is missing a few key features that the Apple TV has.

1. Display mirroring
2. Just about any video you pull up on an iDevice in any web browser can be streamed to an Apple TV (universal support), and at this point almost none can be streamed to Chromecast from an Android device.
3. An Apple TV doesn't require an extra device to be functional

But the Chromecast is a good Plex player for the price. Other than that, its not that functional. But I guess that makes sense considering its only $35.

 

[khha4113]

Plex 99% of the time, YouTube the other 1%.

In my mind, it is missing a few key features that the Apple TV has.

1. Display mirroring
2. Just about any video you pull up on an iDevice in any web browser can be streamed to an Apple TV (universal support), and at this point almost none can be streamed to Chromecast from an Android device.
3. An Apple TV doesn't require an extra device to be functional

But the Chromecast is a good Plex player for the price. Other than that, its not that functional. But I guess that makes sense considering its only $35.

FYI, Chromecast does have display mirroring from your computer although it's still in experimental state.
http://www.cnet.com/videos/access-hidden-chromecast-features/

 

[Dontazemebro]

10% - Netflix/Plex
5% - Streaming content from the web
85% - Sitting on the shelf

 

[appledes7]

FYI, Chromecast does have display mirroring from your computer although it's still in experimental state.
http://www.cnet.com/videos/access-hidden-chromecast-features/

I was mainly talking about for mobile devices. iPhones and iPads can mirror to Apple TVs seamlessly.

 

[The Game 161]

use it all the time for netflix.

 

[kevinof]

at home netflix 60%, youtube 40%. Used one in the office the other day to put my chrome tab onto the tv for a presentation. Works great.

 

[twintin]

FYI, Chromecast does have display mirroring from your computer although it's still in experimental state.
http://www.cnet.com/videos/access-hidden-chromecast-features/

But that only works with Chrome Browser. Not everyone is using it and neither do I understand why I need one to begin with just to show my desktop or local content.

 

[Alfuh]

From mobile devices: YouTube, Pandora, Pocket Casts (I use roku for more dedicated video viewing like Netflix and Amazon)

From computers: cast full screen for spreadsheets during meetings, showing concept sites/ graphics during meetings, casting live streams

 

[khha4113]

But that only works with Chrome Browser. Not everyone is using it and neither do I understand why I need one to begin with just to show my desktop or local content.

You don't need to if you don't want to cast your screen on chromecast.

 

[twintin]

You don't need to if you don't want to cast your screen on chromecast.

That isn't the issue. The issue is if I want to mirror my desktop or play local content on my ChromCast without ChromeBrowser.

 

[khha4113]

That isn't the issue. The issue is if I want to mirror my desktop or play local content on my ChromCast without ChromeBrowser.

Why? You need an app to cast it, and Chrome browser is one.

 

[twintin]

Why? You need an app to cast it, and Chrome browser is one.

Not if the OS has native support for it (like OS X and Air) and if using an app, why limit your self to one particular (its not like ChromeBrowser is the best ever media player invented).

 

[khha4113]

Not if the OS has native support for it (like OS X and Air) and if using an app, why limit your self to one particular (its not like ChromeBrowser is the best ever media player invented).

You don't think it's up to Microsoft or Apple to support it with their OS?

 

[appledes7]

I hate that the current Chromecast extension only allows casting of one tab. It would be much smarter if the extension would always just cast the active tab. I almost never use Chrome and browse with only 1 tab.

 

[twintin]

You don't think it's up to Microsoft or Apple to support it with their OS?

Why would they care (apple for instance already have Airplay integrated) ? Basically, whether you like it or not you are stuck with ChromeBrowser for certain applications.

 

[gotluck]

Why would they care (apple for instance already have Airplay integrated) ? Basically, whether you like it or not you are stuck with ChromeBrowser for certain applications.

Exactly what media are you trying to play on the chromcast through chrome browser? There are better alternatives for most media than the chrome browser.

Personally I never tab cast

 

[0000757]

Just bought one today.

So far I've mostly used it either for watching YouTube videos on my TV, or having Pandora play ambiently in the background.

I chose the Chromecast over the Apple TV solely for the price. The only thing I lose out on with having a CC instead of an ATV is that I can't mirror my iPad.

 

[The Game 161]

If only NBA gametime app worked with it...

 

[T5BRICK]

I've had mine since launch. I use it for Netflix and streaming google play music and movies.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I hate that the current Chromecast extension only allows casting of one tab. It would be much smarter if the extension would always just cast the active tab. I almost never use Chrome and browse with only 1 tab.

It's Google's fault you have a bizarre usage pattern!

Why do you even bother? You seriously "hate" every device you have ever mentioned using...the constant negativity about everything is actually a real downer....

 

[appledes7]

It's Google's fault you have a bizarre usage pattern!

Why do you even bother? You seriously "hate" every device you have ever mentioned using...the constant negativity about everything is actually a real downer....

My fiance and I were going over wedding registry stuff. She was on my MBA and casted her tab to the TV so I could see comfortably. She was switching between a couple different online retailers to compare items. How is that a bizarre usage pattern?

Also, your made up idea about me hating every product I have is just that, made up. If I hate all my products, I would have sent them all back, thus making them not "my products" because I would no longer own them. If I hated my phone, I would buy and use one I don't hate. If I hated my tablet, I would buy and use one I don't hate. Your whole idea is fundamentally flawed. Nice try. Move along.