chromecast OMG!!!

[Speedaddict81]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I have to agree with Luz on this one. I am so hesitant to get a Chromecast. I just don't see the need. I have an HTPC setup, so if I could get it on a computer, I might as well get it using a hard-wired LAN connection in full 1080p with up to 7.1 surround sound. For me, the odds of starting to watch something on a computer or tablet and then thinking "Hey! I'd like to have that on the 'big' screen" are slim to none. I initiate playback on a device connected to the screen I want to watch on. With Smart TVs being the defacto standard, the chromecast just adds duplicity to already present services, granted searching on a computer is often easier than using a remote, but at the same time, playback control is easier with a remote.

Again, more options is better. Not everyone is in the same situation, so having Vudu available on Chromecast is the right move, it just does nothing for many.

[LuzRinggold]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I have to agree with Luz on this one. I am so hesitant to get a Chromecast. I just don't see the need. I have an HTPC setup, so if I could get it on a computer, I might as well get it using a hard-wired LAN connection in full 1080p with up to 7.1 surround sound. For me, the odds of starting to watch something on a computer or tablet and then thinking "Hey! I'd like to have that on the 'big' screen" are slim to none. I initiate playback on a device connected to the screen I want to watch on. With Smart TVs being the defacto standard, the chromecast just adds duplicity to already present services, granted searching on a computer is often easier than using a remote, but at the same time, playback control is easier with a remote.

Again, more options is better. Not everyone is in the same situation, so having Vudu available on Chromecast is the right move, it just does nothing for many.

Not to mention that not everyone owns a computer. We don't! My husband has a laptop, but it belongs to his company. If we only had Chromecase then I wouldn't be able to use it while he was at work.

[jjohns]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

Not to mention that not everyone owns a computer. We don't! My husband has a laptop, but it belongs to his company. If we only had Chromecase then I wouldn't be able to use it while he was at work.

The Chromecast is really designed for people who own a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Yes, it can also be used with a desktop or laptop computer using the Chrome extension, but that was always stressed as being a beta feature and, as far as I know, still is beta (according to the description on the Google Cast extension page of the Chrome store).

If you don't have a mobile device, Chromecast probably isn't for you. If you also don't have a computer, Chromecast definitely isn't for you.

[LuzRinggold]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

The Chromecast is really designed for people who own a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Yes, it can also be used with a desktop or laptop computer using the Chrome extension, but that was always stressed as being a beta feature and, as far as I know, still is beta (according to the description on the Google Cast extension page of the Chrome store).

If you don't have a mobile device, Chromecast probably isn't for you. If you also don't have a computer, Chromecast definitely isn't for you.

I couldn't even imagine trying to cast from my smartphone because streaming is SO SLOW on every phone that I have owned!

[jjohns]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I couldn't even imagine trying to cast from my smartphone because streaming is SO SLOW on every phone that I have owned!

The smartphone doesn't stream the content, but rather tells the Chromecast what you want to stream so that it can retrieve the content. The Chromecast does all of the hard work, leaving your mobile device free to do other things you might want it to do.

[Squatting Hen]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I almost bought a Chromecast when they first came out and had the Netflix deal, but I passed. I don't have any apple or android devices. I recently had the urge to buy one again, as I like to try out new tech, and this is a very cheap device. I reached out to the only person I know who bought one, and he said he does not care for it. He compared it to the Wii. Seemed pretty cool initially, but once he started using it, he found that it was a downgrade to what he was already using, and it now just collects dust....granted not as much as the Wii, since it is smaller.

[jjohns]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I almost bought a Chromecast when they first came out and had the Netflix deal, but I passed. I don't have any apple or android devices. I recently had the urge to buy one again, as I like to try out new tech, and this is a very cheap device. I reached out to the only person I know who bought one, and he said he does not care for it. He compared it to the Wii. Seemed pretty cool initially, but once he started using it, he found that it was a downgrade to what he was already using, and it now just collects dust....granted not as much as the Wii, since it is smaller.

How long has it been since he last used it, though? That's close to my initial impression of the device. I loved the concept, but the apps weren't there yet so I set it aside and let it collect dust while I waited on the app situation to improve. It took far too long for that to occur, sadly, but by the end of 2013 it had reached the point where the Chromecast finally did everything I needed except for Vudu.

[LuzRinggold]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I almost bought a Chromecast when they first came out and had the Netflix deal, but I passed. I don't have any apple or android devices. I recently had the urge to buy one again, as I like to try out new tech, and this is a very cheap device. I reached out to the only person I know who bought one, and he said he does not care for it. He compared it to the Wii. Seemed pretty cool initially, but once he started using it, he found that it was a downgrade to what he was already using, and it now just collects dust....granted not as much as the Wii, since it is smaller.

That is how we felt. We bought one from BestBuy, because we knew we would be able to return it if we didn't like it. Once we got it home and got everything setup on the computer we found that it was a "downgrade" from Roku and our smart TV and even the Blu-ray player when it came to casting Netflix. Most all other sites that didn't have the cast button (or whatever it was) had to be started differently. It took my husband a few hours to figure that part out. But those sites had a pink screen and you couldn't make out anything on the television. Someone here suggests that there is a work around for that, but to me everything should just work and everything should work the same way from site to site.

I also remember that if the site didn't have that if the website/application wasn't Chromecast enabled that the streaming seem to happen on the computer and not in the Chromecast device. That is, we couldn't do other things on the computer without it showing up on the television.

If you want to have a toy to play around with, and you have an extra $35 to spend, then buy one. But if it were me and I didn't have a good streaming device already then I would put that $35 towards an Roku 3. It's worth paying a little more for an upgrade to your streaming experience.

[MaxH]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I mostly use mine for showing photos and video that are on the laptop -- social networking sites, YouTube, etc. -- without having to run a cable from the laptop to the TV. I love having Chromecasts just for that. For Netflix or Vudu, I have set top boxes (TiVo, Roku, etc) that will play them, and they all have both ethernet connections and more robust processors.

[Woodoo4Vudu]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I haven't bothered with Cramcast to be honest, but if you had of said Apple TV I might of said weeeeee! My Blu-Ray player is a fine Vudu option for me atm.

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

This is what I think is the rationale behind the Chromecast.

First, it assumed you have a smartphone and that said smartphone is of either the iOS or Android variety. This is true for a significant portion of the overall cell phone market.

Under that assumption, we know one thing: your phone already has apps. Do you really need yet another box, with it's own remote, UI, apps, etc., etc.? Your phone/tablet apps likely have more features and are updated quite a bit more often. In short, your phone/tablet will always have the best user experience.

To me, it only makes logical sense to leverage the apps I already have, and I think that's the driving force behind what the Chromecast is all about. It gets rid of the middleman (Roku, Blu-Ray Player, etc.).

Also, from a developer perspective, it doesn't get any easier. Maintaining different apps across many platforms suddenly becomes maintaining two apps (one for Android and one for iOS).

Don't get me wrong, there is still a market for the other boxes (especially the Apple TV). However, I can definitely see a point at which developing apps for Smart TVs and Blu-Ray players just doesn't make a lot of business sense.

[LuzRinggold]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

This is what I think is the rationale behind the Chromecast.

First, it assumed you have a smartphone and that said smartphone is of either the iOS or Android variety. This is true for a significant portion of the overall cell phone market.

Under that assumption, we know one thing: your phone already has apps. Do you really need yet another box, with it's own remote, UI, apps, etc., etc.? Your phone/tablet apps likely have more features and are updated quite a bit more often. In short, your phone/tablet will always have the best user experience.

To me, it only makes logical sense to leverage the apps I already have, and I think that's the driving force behind what the Chromecast is all about. It gets rid of the middleman (Roku, Blu-Ray Player, etc.).

Also, from a developer perspective, it doesn't get any easier. Maintaining different apps across many platforms suddenly becomes maintaining two apps (one for Android and one for iOS).

Don't get me wrong, there is still a market for the other boxes (especially the Apple TV). However, I can definitely see a point at which developing apps for Smart TVs and Blu-Ray players just doesn't make a lot of business sense.

I think you have it backwards. It ADDS a "middleman"...a cell phone, tablet, or PC must be used with it. You don't need any of those to stream to your TV through a Roku device, Blu-ray player, or your smart TV.

Here is what would suck for us if we used Chromecast for our streaming...if I am home and my husband is away from home then I cannot use it. Why? Because he took our cell phone. Chromecast also makes the assumption that every person has their own cell phone.

What this does is force families to invest in far too much technology simply to turn on a television set and watch a movie. I am not so sure we really need that much technology for something people were doing back before there were cell phones, computers, and internet.

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I think you have it backwards. It ADDS a "middleman"...a cell phone, tablet, or PC must be used with it. You don't need any of those to stream to your TV through a Roku device, Blu-ray player, or your smart TV.

Here is what would suck for us if we used Chromecast for our streaming...if I am home and my husband is away from home then I cannot use it. Why? Because he took our cell phone. Chromecast also makes the assumption that every person has their own cell phone.

What this does is force families to invest in far too much technology simply to turn on a television set and watch a movie. I am not so sure we really need that much technology for something people were doing back before there were cell phones, computers, and internet.

I understand your points, but I stand behind my post.

I'll say it again. The Chromecast, I believe, was designed to leverage the apps people already have available on their smartphones/tablets. For the millions of people in this group, yes, it does remove the middleman as it eliminates the need for another box that runs those same apps.

[Grey Ghost]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I have used Chromecast with HBOGo, Netflix and youtube and it works great. I can have a movie playing a lot quicker than using a Bluray player or Smart TV.

It may not fit everyone's needs but that does not mean it is not a good product.

[LuzRinggold]

Re: chromecast OMG!!!

I understand your points, but I stand behind my post.

I'll say it again. The Chromecast, I believe, was designed to leverage the apps people already have available on their smartphones/tablets. For the millions of people in this group, yes, it does remove the middleman as it eliminates the need for another box that runs those same apps.

I'll buy that...if you are a big cell phone user then perhaps this is a good solution for you. If your not, then this will simply add more to the mix than really necessary. Perhaps it's Roku's fault that we didn't appreciate Chromecast for what it was. Roku made streaming to the television set so painless and easy. I guess we're spoiled?