yeah, I mainly use mine for streaming stuff from sunday ticket or espn3

and downloading torrents, converting them to mp4 from mkv with Handbrake, then dragging and dropping into a chrome tab works great

11/16/2013 10:52:06 AM

I picked one up a few weeks back and have been pretty pleased with it - my father-in-law is interested in one for himself, but his TVs are a little dated and only one has an HDMI port. Has anyone had any luck with an adapter or know of one that might work? I've seen a few HDMI-in/DVI+Audio-out boxes, but I'm not sure if there would be issues with the Chromecast trying to pass through those. Any thoughts?

11/16/2013 1:25:21 PM

You can get an HDMI switch for about $50. They usually have 3-5 hdmi ports, and then one goes to the TV. Most have a remote to switch between the ports or you can do it directly from the box.

11/16/2013 7:18:38 PM

$50 is about $40 too much if you're looking for a decent HDMI switcher.

I bought one exactly like this a year or so ago, and I was amazed at how much it didn't suck. It's tiny, it doesn't require an external power source, it comes with a remote(which I promptly added to my Harmony setup and then tossed in a drawer), and it works just like you'd expect it to. $10 shipped from a US address. I don't know what features are included in one that costs 5 times the price, but I'm assuming not a lot.

12/4/2013 2:16:50 PM

interesting. You're not going to find one at a name store for that price. But we all know that the mark up on electronics is absurd. If someone vouched for it, I'd give it a shot for $10.

[Edited on December 4, 2013 at 6:44 PM. Reason : .]

12/4/2013 6:40:28 PM

Quote :

"If someone vouched for it, I'd give it a shot for $10."

I...thought that's what I just did.

12/4/2013 9:01:17 PM

yes.. you did. And I would give it shot if I was in need of one.

12/5/2013 12:26:51 AM

http://lifehacker.com/chromecast-adds-ten-new-apps-including-vevo-beyondpod-1480381338?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_source=lifehacker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Pretty cool Plex can stream directly to it...

12/11/2013 11:07:01 PM

gotta have plexpass though

12/11/2013 11:10:58 PM

Oh, well that's lame. I'll continue using PlexConnect/Apple TV for free, but I wouldn't mind giving them some $ at some point.

12/11/2013 11:34:29 PM

^^You make it sound like that's a punishment?

I took what would normally be 1 month's worth of cable TV payments and bought a Lifetime PlexPass.

WELL worth it, not only to thank the Dev, but for a great service that works extremely well and for features that continue to be added (hello Chromecast!).

12/12/2013 1:20:03 AM

Will the plex support let me play .mkv?

12/12/2013 7:09:19 AM

Quote :

"What is the best format for my video content? There isn't a single definitive answer to this question as it can depend on which Plex client you're using to access your content as well as how you plan on accessing that content (locally on the computer, local across your network, or remotely from outside your network). That said, we can recommend some general guidelines that most people find useful: MKV and MP4/M4V are popular file formats/containers that both generally work well. Video encoded as H.264 is the most broadly compatible, can often take advantage of hardware acceleration, and tends to give small filesizes for the quality you get. AAC and AC-3 are popular audio formats to use with video. DTS is also popular if your playback hardware supports it. VIDEO_TS (as well as ISO, IMG, dvdmedia, and other "disc image" format) content is generally not recommended as it is not compatible with most Plex clients and usually can't be streamed. SRT format subtitles are the best supported. VOBSUB/PSG format subtitles may not work with all clients and particularly with streaming. Plex Media Server"

http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/Frequently_Asked_Questions

12/12/2013 9:43:06 AM

In lieu of plex, realplayer cloud works pretty well. I set it up today. My only complaint is it searches and self populates from the start. It started adding inmedia clips from the android sdk... I had to mess around and remove files, then the library on my android devices still showed the content. Eventually I discovered something like "compact database" and that removed references to files I removed from my library.

Once the library is set up, it works just fine from a streaming from PC to chromecast standpoint.

I haven't tried plex yet, maybe when chrome cast functionality is free (that's all I really want)

12/13/2013 6:03:54 PM

Ok quick question...

I already stream most of my shows through my laptop or netflix.

If I get this would it essentially replace my directv? I DVR most stuff as it is.

Netflix works i see.

my REAL question...Would I be able to use this to broadcast powerpoints and such without having to use a hdmi cable or VGA onto a TV?

12/13/2013 6:31:31 PM

There is not native power point "streaming" application... However... If you can open the PowerPoint in a chrome tab, I suppose it is possible. I'll give it a try in a bit.

[Edited on December 13, 2013 at 8:15 PM. Reason : also, development is lacking still. Google has just started opening their APIs iirc]

12/13/2013 8:14:21 PM

Quote :

"my REAL question...Would I be able to use this to broadcast powerpoints and such without having to use a hdmi cable or VGA onto a TV?"

You could do this easily with a Apple TV + Air Parrot (assuming you're on Windows).

12/13/2013 8:55:59 PM

OK, I tried this out... You can use a chrome extension, open a PowerPoint, and cast that tab. Its not as clean as connecting directly and using PowerPoint natively.

12/13/2013 9:07:53 PM

there is (was) a beta feature in chrome to let you cast your whole desktop

12/14/2013 10:36:10 AM

Long and short of it, Bucky, is just buy one. Its $35

12/14/2013 12:19:04 PM

If your laptop is fairly new it probably supports wireless display, so you could just get a miracast/widi adapter for your tv.

12/14/2013 12:31:02 PM

Anybody else thats used the included 'hdmi extender' for tight spaces on their TV (i.e. wall-mount or poor hdmi port location) had issues with it? My N router is 15ft from the TV but behind a rock-faced corner so while streaming from my tablet the first time it would downgrade the streaming quality on Netflix every once in a while, my Wii never had that issue over wifi so I presumed it was the reception. I tried the extender to get the Chromecast more out from the back of the TV to the side and anything I was streaming would make the TV screen literally flash and have a popping sound from the speakers. Havent wanted to fuck with it again since.

I took it off and tried the Chromecast without the extender, it still downgrades Netflix randomly but doesnt have any other issues so I figure its definitely the extender cable. It's using the 5V USB port for power if it helps.

[Edited on December 15, 2013 at 1:48 PM. Reason : hrm]

12/15/2013 1:44:03 PM

Does it work with Windows XP?

12/15/2013 7:29:26 PM

i'm really excited about the Red Bull.TV app...not sure how i lived without it

12/17/2013 10:57:46 AM

On a whim, I bought this last night as a Christmas present for my boyfriend. Due to work, he splits time between 3 different home bases, hence why I bought this as opposed to Apple TV. Figured the size of Chromecast is ideal for frequent travelers. But did I make a mistake? Is Apple TV better? I'm on the fence.

Also, are there additional subscriptions that I should consider buying for him as an accompaniment? He already uses my Netflix account. A PlexPass subscription, perhaps?

12/17/2013 12:45:58 PM

^^^its is independent. If you can run chrome. Yes. Most of the interaction is best leveraged from mobile though, in my experience.

12/17/2013 5:36:38 PM

Is there a way to cast my tab in chrome on my iPad?

12/28/2013 10:56:34 PM

As far as I'm aware, no.

[Edited on December 28, 2013 at 11:11 PM. Reason : not yet]

12/28/2013 11:11:38 PM

It would be sweet if you could make your tablet/desktop castable, could just move my keyboard and mouse in the living room to use my computer. (Both Bluetooth)

12/29/2013 4:57:18 PM

Is there a way to cast a tab, and have it run full screen video, but then still be able to see other tabs in your browser? I was watching the UFC fight last night, and eventually just ended up browsing the internet in safari while my UFC tab was full screen.

12/29/2013 6:43:46 PM

yeah - use chrome to cast and then use another browser for browsing is what i do

[Edited on December 29, 2013 at 7:33 PM. Reason : .]

12/29/2013 7:32:48 PM

how do you get it full screen though? if i do that the video doesn't fill the entire TV.

12/29/2013 7:59:01 PM

on my mac i put it on another desktop

12/30/2013 11:29:54 AM

I received one for Christmas and I cannot get it to work with my router (netgear wndrmac-100nas). All the settings appear to be correct. Would flashing dd-wrt possibly fix it?

12/31/2013 11:24:11 AM

Last I recall it doesn't work on the 5 ghz spectrum, but I think most routers these days are dual band, so I doubt thats the problem, unless you have your 2.4 ghz radio turned off.

1/3/2014 10:27:40 PM

That's correct.

But I had trouble with mine running my router in dual-band. I actually had to set it to 2.4 specifically to get it to work decently.

I can't think of any reason you would need to flash the router. But I can say that, ultimately, the Chromecast didn't work very well for me. I think maybe the tv was just in a bit of a dead spot for wireless or something. It would cut out quite a bit.

Actually, mine is just sitting here. If anyone wants one that is barely used and with the original packaging... $25.

[Edited on January 5, 2014 at 11:58 AM. Reason : .]

1/5/2014 11:55:08 AM

if you have a student account on amazon, you can get it for $25 with code 7CGHXJ2C

http://www.amazon.com/Google-Chromecast-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00DR0PDNE/

1/5/2014 10:16:02 PM

Anyone have trouble with HBO GO constantly buffering? I watched all of Game of Thrones with zero issues a month ago. Now I am trying to catch up on True Detectives and it stops and buffers like every 20 seconds. My internet connection is solid and other apps work flawlessly.

2/22/2014 9:51:00 AM

^Haven't had any issues with mine. I assume you're casting from the HBO Go App and not tab-casting it.

2/28/2014 6:03:41 PM

Correct. I actually had to tab cast it because the app was messing up so bad. Tab casting sucks btw.

3/2/2014 8:30:57 AM

What a finicky POS.

Bought one, it cant connect to my network. Read some google search results.

Checked my router settings, default setting are as suggested by google.

I've used both the USB port on TV and plugged it into my power strip via the AC adapter. No luck.

I've used both HDMI ports on the TV.No luck.

Brought the laptop, chromecast, and router with a foot of each other. No luck.

Nothing that does the job of an HDMI cable should take hours to set up.

I'll just buy a Roku, thx.

6/15/2014 9:47:07 AM

WatchESPN app now streams on Chromecast. Life is complete.

6/15/2014 8:44:58 PM

^^ I had issues with connecting to it at first also. Nothing would connect on the first night. I got frustrated and was ready to trash it. The next day I tried again and it worked instantly. Not sure what the deal is

6/16/2014 9:59:44 AM

Mine sometimes doesn't connect when setting up, but then it magically starts working after enough tries. No idea why.

6/16/2014 11:30:54 AM

After saying I preferred cheomecast, I've started having a problem with it disconnecting while playing YouTube.

How do you reconnect without changing the video? If I'm doing other things on my phone I lose the chromecast connection, so if I want to pause the video I'm out of luck. If I reconnect the cheomecast the video starts over.

11/13/2014 7:46:41 PM

As if it weren't cheap enough

Amazon Link: http://tinyurl.com/mnzwepx

$23

11/27/2014 4:45:56 PM

costs more and does less than amazon stick, even at that price

11/27/2014 9:50:01 PM

stick is $40 right? am i doing something wrong? i want to get one of these. whichever is better which looks like the stick, but if its really cheaper somewhere thatd be cool..

11/28/2014 11:24:52 AM

amazon fire stick is $19 with prime

11/28/2014 6:59:35 PM

My Fire Stuck will be here Wednesday!

11/29/2014 11:42:44 AM