Google Chromecast

Corsi

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Google's Chromecast is Mountain View's next foray into the television market: a $35 HDMI dongle that mirrors content watched nearby on a tablet, smartphone or computer. Hrm, that sounds familiar. The two-inch device runs "a simplified version of Chrome OS" and requires separate USB power; connect it to your local WiFi network and similarly connected devices work with Chromecast. It can be ordered right now on Google Play and will apparently ship in "1 - 2 days" -- of note, the device seems US-only for now, as our UK colleagues are showing a "not available in your country" prompt. Early buyers get three months of free Netflix with the purchase -- it's also heading to retail via Best Buy on July 28th. Google ended its presentation with a quick word that Chromecast functionality will eventually come embedded in various other devices, and that it's working on getting other countries access "as quickly as possible." No specs were given during the presentation, but its Google Play page lists the device as HDMI-CEC compatible, and it uses 2.4GHz 801.11 b/g/n WiFi. Given the separate USB power required, the $35 nets you a Chromecast device, an HDMI extended, a USB power cable, and a separate power adapter.
 
Apps that work with the device include a "Cast" button that allows users to push video to their televisions and control various aspects remotely (volume, play, pause, etc.). "Once Chromecast is plugged in, you just go to YouTube on your smartphone," Google reps said. "You'll see the cast button in your UI and you press it -- Chromecast will pull the info you requested from the cloud and play it on your TV."
http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/24/google-chromekey/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKG5HDyTW8o
 

Corsi

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Trying to figure out where this fits in with the Rokus of the world.  The price-point is certainly terrific.  
 
I'm thinking of picking one up to stream NFL Sunday Ticket from the laptop to the television, since the PS3 app for NFLST is so shitty.
 

Seven Costanza

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It's not like Airplay in the sense that it just mirrors your laptop/phone/tablet and throws what's on that screen on to your television.  Using Chromecast you'll select a youtube or netflix movie on your phone, hit the cast button, and go about your business in other apps, services etc.  
 
I believe as of right now only Google services (youtube, play videos, play music) and Netflix is supported, although I'm sure other services like MLBtv and Sunday Ticket aren't far behind.
 
edit: I'm just ripping this stuff off the Verge: http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4552204/google-reveals-chromecast-tv-streaming
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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You can also stream directly from Chrome, so that if MLBtv and Sunday Ticket can run in chrome then hypothetically they should be streamable.
 

MannysDestination

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Seven Costanza said:
It's not like Airplay in the sense that it just mirrors your laptop/phone/tablet and throws what's on that screen on to your television.  Using Chromecast you'll select a youtube or netflix movie on your phone, hit the cast button, and go about your business in other apps, services etc.  
 
I believe as of right now only Google services (youtube, play videos, play music) and Netflix is supported, although I'm sure other services like MLBtv and Sunday Ticket aren't far behind.
 
edit: I'm just ripping this stuff off the Verge: http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4552204/google-reveals-chromecast-tv-streaming
 
Not sure the bold is true from reading through your link and some other materials. Seems like any media content that can be shown in the Chrome browser can be sent to the Chromecast from within the browser, while some services like Netflix and google services don't require the media to be loaded within Chrome first... I may be off though.
 

Seven Costanza

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MannysDestination said:
Not sure the bold is true from reading through your link and some other materials. Seems like any media content that can be shown in the Chrome browser can be sent to the Chromecast from within the browser, while some services like Netflix and google services don't require the media to be loaded within Chrome first... I may be off though.
 
 
No, you and Dernell are right. The Netflix & Google services stuff are the apps themselves (like can't stream out of the mlbtv android app).  Totally whiffed on the stuff within the browser. 
 
I have a Google TV box- it's a pretty cool feature to pull up a YouTube or Google play movie on my phone, press a button, and have it displayed on the TV in the other room interrupting whatever HGTV foolishness my fiance is watching. 
 

Corsi

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PseuFighter said:
Count me in if it allows NFL Sunday Ticket streaming from my laptop.
 
This is where I'm at.  It should be able to, since it sounds like anything streamed within the Chrome browser can be streamed via Chromecast.
 
At $11 net (with the Netflix discount), I ordered two.  Should arrive on Friday.
 

Bongorific

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1) Do I need to be streaming from a google device, or will it work with iphone?
2) So you plug the thingy magig into the hdmi port on the tv.  Where does the USB come in to play?
 

Corsi

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1) Compatible with Mac/iPad/iPhone

2) USB is for power. Depending on the version of your television's HDMI, it may need to be powered by its USB port or a wall outlet.
 

Corsi

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Someone on Slickdeals was able to pick one up from Best Buy and says basically everything is streamable from Chrome and he was also able to play local files by navigating to the folder via the Chrome browser.
 

zenter

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Trautwein said:
Why buy this when I can spend $500 on the xbone?

Bingo, and don't forget Live sub costs. When it was first announced, I thought "The big loser here is Microsoft."

But, I guess this end the whole Smart TV thing (good riddance) or makes Google the software guys behind TVs with integrated services. That said, if Google is app-limited (e.g., NFL wants a king's ransom, etc), and if you eventually can't throw a browser window at the TV, this could be south Google TV. I doubt this well happen, given the product name.
 

jayhoz

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If you can access local files then this thing really does look like the streamer to rule them all.  I am curious what the local file UI looks like.  If it is just a list of files then someone needs to build a Plex / XBMC type skin that pulls in cover art, synopsis, actors, reviews, etc.
 

Apisith

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You can access local files by entering your storage location (such as C: Movies) into Chrome and cast it from there.
 

jayhoz

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Apisith said:
You can access local files by entering your storage location (such as C: Movies) into Chrome and cast it from there.
Yup.  I understand that.  I want my UI for local file to look like this
 

 
Not like this
 
 

InsideTheParker

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Since I already have a media player for Netflix, etc., II don't want this unless and until it supports mlb.tv. I expect someone will post that when it happens?  My Samsung TVs only have two HDMI ports, both of which are in use. Is there any kind of extender for HDMI to multiply inputs?
 

Corsi

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InsideTheParker said:
Since I already have a media player for Netflix, etc., II don't want this unless and until it supports mlb.tv. I expect someone will post that when it happens?  My Samsung TVs only have two HDMI ports, both of which are in use. Is there any kind of extender for HDMI to multiply inputs?
 
I should have mine in hand tomorrow evening.  I'll confirm that MLB.TV works via the Chrome browser.  I'm pretty sure it will.  The MLB.TV app isn't currently supported, but MLB Advanced Media is basically best in class, so I imagine support isn't far off.
 
Here are some HDMI Splitters on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HDMI%20splitter
 

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InsideTheParker said:
Since I already have a media player for Netflix, etc., II don't want this unless and until it supports mlb.tv. I expect someone will post that when it happens?  My Samsung TVs only have two HDMI ports, both of which are in use. Is there any kind of extender for HDMI to multiply inputs?
I send mine through a receiver.
 

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jayhoz said:
Yup.  I understand that.  I want my UI for local file to look like this
 

 
Not like this
 
 
Can't you just have a local .html/javascript file that links the files locally?  That'd allow you whatever UI look you want.
 

zenter

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SumnerH said:
Can't you just have a local .html/javascript file that links the files locally?  That'd allow you whatever UI look you want.
 
.... He writes, as if most people can do that....
 

SumnerH

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zenter said:
.... He writes, as if most people can do that....
Well, I'd assume if it's possible that some programmer will write one (or a program that generates a custom one) that other people can download and use.
 

jayhoz

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SumnerH said:
Well, I'd assume if it's possible that some programmer will write one (or a program that generates a custom one) that other people can download and use.
This is my hope.
 

derekson

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I understand that if you want to play something from Youtube or Netflix or anything else that is natively supported that you're just sending a stream into the queue on the Chromecast and it'll stream it without you mirroring it off of your device, but does it work the same way for playing something from the Chrome browser on a computer? Like if you're playing an MLB.tv stream with it from your laptop's Chrome, is it just mirroring what you have open in Chrome or does it also just fire across an address for the Chromecast to directly grab that same stream and play it?
 
Edit: From reading the article Corsi posted above this post, it looks like "casting" a tab from the browser means you need to keep it open and it's basically video mirroring.
 

Corsi

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derekson said:
I understand that if you want to play something from Youtube or Netflix or anything else that is natively supported that you're just sending a stream into the queue on the Chromecast and it'll stream it without you mirroring it off of your device, but does it work the same way for playing something from the Chrome browser on a computer? Like if you're playing an MLB.tv stream with it from your laptop's Chrome, is it just mirroring what you have open in Chrome or does it also just fire across an address for the Chromecast to directly grab that same stream and play it?
 
Google says:
 
During tab casting, video and images for the tab being cast will be shown on your computer and on your TV. However, sound from the selected tab will only play on your TV. Sounds for other tabs and applications will continue to play on your computer. You may switch to other tabs and/or applications while casting; you can even do this in full-screen mode using the Alt-Tab (Mac: Command-Tab) keyboard shortcut.
https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3228332?hl=en&ref_topic=3210038
 
Liliputing says:
 
Keep in mind that if you’re streaming the contents of a browser tab to your TV, you need to make sure not to close that window. You can just leave it open in the background while you use your PC to do other things, but if you close that window or turn off your computer, video playback will stop.
http://liliputing.com/2013/07/google-chromecast-streams-internet-video-to-your-tv-video.html
 

Dollar

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Man, this plus VIPBox or Firstrowsports could make my sports watching experience a lot more enjoyable.
 
Is there a way to use HBOgo with this right now, or possibly in the future?
 

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Maybe I'm just missing something, but if it's a given that I'm bringing my laptop with me, how is this any better than just bringing an HDMI cable to plug into the TV?
 

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Rasputin said:
Maybe I'm just missing something, but if it's a given that I'm bringing my laptop with me, how is this any better than just bringing an HDMI cable to plug into the TV?
 
Instead of bringing your whole laptop, just bring your phone and this $35 dongle.
 
Also, to control your laptop while it's projecting on the TV you'd need a 10-15 foot long cable and people are going to have to hop over it when walking by. 
 

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Rasputin said:
Maybe I'm just missing something, but if it's a given that I'm bringing my laptop with me, how is this any better than just bringing an HDMI cable to plug into the TV?
 
For the dedicated apps (Netflix, Youtube, etc) it doesn't mirror your laptop/phone/tablet, it beams the media directly via a wifi connection to the Chromecast. Your laptop/phone/tablet isn't running the media, it's just the remote. On your device, the app is open in the background. So you can do other stuff on the device.
 
edit- and yes there's no cord
 

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Once HBOgo is supported, I'm buying this, which is actually significant in a way because I was thinking hard about getting an Apple TV just to stream HBOgo to my TV since HBO On Demand has a limited supply of what they offer. 
 
Could I get this now, and just stream the tab with HBOGo to the TV? Or would this be limited?
 

Rasputin

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Dernells Casket n Flagon said:
Instead of bringing your whole laptop, just bring your phone and this $35 dongle.
 
Also, to control your laptop while it's projecting on the TV you'd need a 10-15 foot long cable and people are going to have to hop over it when walking by. 
 
 
Infield Infidel said:
 
For the dedicated apps (Netflix, Youtube, etc) it doesn't mirror your laptop/phone/tablet, it beams the media directly via a wifi connection to the Chromecast. Your laptop/phone/tablet isn't running the media, it's just the remote. On your device, the app is open in the background. So you can do other stuff on the device.
 
edit- and yes there's no cord
 
There's pretty much zero chance I am ever going anywhere without my laptop in the near future so this would basically just be spending thirty five dollars to replace an HDMI cable just in case someone trips.
 
Also, someone quoted the specs above saying Silverlight and Quicktime aren't supported which leaves out Netflix and anything I have in iTunes which seems rather large.
 
I think I shall pass.
 

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Given that my Android phone has HDMI output, to me the wins for this are:
1. Wireless
2. The ability to ping Netflix and Youtube to it directly rather than playing on the phone.

Which is kind of nice, but not a no-brainer at all. Especially as a majority of the people I hang out with already have some sort of xbox/ps3/etc.
 

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Rasputin said:
There's pretty much zero chance I am ever going anywhere without my laptop in the near future 
Might be time to step away from the computer for a few minutes (hours?)