This is my review of Google Chromecast. Please comment below and tell me what you think of Google's latest gadget.
There are tons of ways to view online content at your HDTV. Your media hub, a great option console, your Blu-ray player—even your HDTV itself may very well be able to access YouTube and Netflix. The Google Chromecast can be an alternative to all of the above. It can be $35 (direct) stick that plugs within your HDTV's HDMI port and lets you stream media from Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play to perform your smartphone, tablet, or notebook. It isn't quite Google's simple answer to AirPlay then it's not quite a full-featured media streamer, but it is an incredibly inexpensive strategy to access online media and Google Play's generous movie and music libraries at your HDTV.
However, ever since the launch of one's Chromecast, the $50 Roku Streaming Stick has come out, offering simpler admission to a truly wider breadth of content without requiring a smartphone or tablet, in association with local media streaming support. If you live because of your smartphone and would like to put the best YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu Plus shows at your HDTV, the Chromecast is an excellent technique to bring your devices together. Just like a media hub, though, it does not really offer nearly as smooth or simple an experience like the competition.
Design
The Chromecast is not too difficult HDMI stick you plug into the rear of your respective HDTV, identical to the Roku Streaming Stick. It plugs directly your HDTV's HDMI port, plus the included USB cable connects towards the micro USB port alternatively end of the stick with power it. The Chromecast possesses a single button upon the back for setup plus a single LED light to point it's on. The rest is on-screen and controlled by an app.
Google was surprisingly thoughtful within its selection accessories regarding the Chromecast. Even though it usually works making only the stick plus the micro-USB-to-USB cable plugged in to all of your TV, in addition it incorporates a USB power adapter if you don't have any spare ports. It even has a short HDMI extender, that may be very helpful if the Chromecast seems to be too thick to match against other HDMI devices in case the HDTV's ports are clustered tightly together.
Setup and Supported Apps
Setup
The setup process is so uncomplicated and entirely app-controlled. Load the app using your mobile device or computer and it'll automatically scan both the Wi-Fi network you're currently on as well as Chromecast sticks in "Setup" mode. Tap the stick in Setup mode and enter the password to your Wi-Fi network (the app will automatically complete the Wi-Fi network you're currently using). The Chromecast will automatically connect with your network, and it will show that it's connected (and the strength of one's Wi-Fi connection, and to discover the assigned name of one's Chromecast).
Every app and good requires Chromecast support built-in; it isn't like Bluetooth audio or AirPlay on that iOS device where the option to send content to your current speaker or HDTV simply pops up along with operating systems. Due to this, streaming content choices are limited, though Google did speak freely its Chromecast SDK to encourage developers to create their apps Chromecast-friendly. When the Chromecast is set up and you will be operating a compatible app, streaming media to Chromecast is just as easy as streaming through AirPlay; just load the media and tap the screen icon
Chromecast support has actually been added onto the Android and iOS versions of Songza, Pandora, HBO Go, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Youtube, and plus a handful of other services. Subsequently, the alternative is more beneficial than it was at launch, as soon as the Chromecast collaborated with lot more than Youtube and Netflix. But it's still scant compared to the content sold in Roku's Channel Store. All supported apps get their own personal Chromecast buttons when the Chromecast app is installed along with your Android device detects Chromecast sticks toward the network.
You can also stream media coming from a computer (Windows or Mac OS X), which includes content of an active Chrome tab. You could use this procedure to stream Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu Plus video for your Chromecast, or even (with a little browser trickery) play your own personal local media. There's a significant lag between loading a service at your computer and to discover the page making it as far as the Chromecast, though, and not to mention scrolling with a page may take nearly ten seconds to display.
You'll be able to arrange multiple Chromecasts about the same Wi-Fi network, and the setup app even lets you rename them, so you can label each HDTV and room. Naturally they're called "ChromecastXXXX" (with different four-digit numbers to recognize them), nevertheless you could easily change them to "Living Room" and "Bedroom." Multiple Chromecasts operate with multiple devices, yet i had don't worry accessing two different YouTube videos, one on my Samsung Galaxy S4 and another driving on an iPhone 5, and playing both them on any different Chromecast within the lab while all four devices were coupled with exactly the same Wi-Fi network. You basically require being wary of bandwidth, since streaming too often videos at one time could cause lag.
The Chromecast performed fairly well, but was limited by our Wi-Fi network and felt sluggish sometimes. I loaded Fringe on Netflix it also seemed like it was eventually in standard definition, inidicating Netflix was seriously downgrading the true quality as a result of the network speed.Run Lola Function on Crackle also showed compression artifacts along with other compromises to video quality. Even streaming a Chrome tab from my PC towards the Chromecast looked compressed, though the site (our own PCMag.com) was still very legible. Music videos on YouTube looked much better, as did Ice Age on Google Play once i loaded both one more time when it seemed like the network congestion cleared up. The device itself lacks any difficulty outputting video about 1080p, however it relies heavily from the bandwidth plus the signal strength of your network.
Conclusions
Unlike Apple TV and AirPlay, Chromecast doesn't permit you too stream your locally stored media. Google Play Music gives an error message whenever you make an attempt to play music you loaded on your device and not within the Google Play store (I came across this out once i attempt to stream a song from the DRM-free Shadow Warrior soundtrack, purchased legitimately through the Humble Bundle). Google Play Movies goes one step further; the new variety of the app that will send media to Chromecast doesn't list locally loaded videos really. This happens to be Chromecast's biggest weakness, when Apple TV and any other device which allows mirroring gives you the ability to share your general music and videos with no need to snag them against a small number of limited, highly controlled outlets. According to the pros, with Google Play integration, if you really subscribe to All Access music it's possible to stream any music coming from a massive library to Chromecast plus your HDTV.
The Google Chromecast is basically a limited device, though one with some very handy uses and an appealing visible price. Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play integration let you transform smartphone or tablet into an access portal to store a startling amount of movies and music at your HDTV. Unfortunately, the lack to be local media and to discover the tight Chrome tab streaming support holds it back. It can be $35 product that held up against $100 devices similar to the Roku 3 and of course the Apple TV, nevertheless the $50 Roku Streaming Stick simply offers more content and makes it much easier obtain, because of an included remote, on-screen menu system, and support for streaming media from your mobile device. The Chromecast costs about two-thirds equally as much, but offers none of those toys features. At $35, though, it's still the most affordable way to access online media services on your HDTV, even when those services are somewhat limited. It's still worth your consideration, but only if you also weigh the difficulty it is important for you to place in it, and to discover the features you'll be abandoning, to fix that $15.
There are tons of ways to view online content at your HDTV. Your media hub, a great option console, your Blu-ray player—even your HDTV itself may very well be able to access YouTube and Netflix. The Google Chromecast can be an alternative to all of the above. It can be $35 (direct) stick that plugs within your HDTV's HDMI port and lets you stream media from Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play to perform your smartphone, tablet, or notebook. It isn't quite Google's simple answer to AirPlay then it's not quite a full-featured media streamer, but it is an incredibly inexpensive strategy to access online media and Google Play's generous movie and music libraries at your HDTV.
However, ever since the launch of one's Chromecast, the $50 Roku Streaming Stick has come out, offering simpler admission to a truly wider breadth of content without requiring a smartphone or tablet, in association with local media streaming support. If you live because of your smartphone and would like to put the best YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu Plus shows at your HDTV, the Chromecast is an excellent technique to bring your devices together. Just like a media hub, though, it does not really offer nearly as smooth or simple an experience like the competition.
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Design
The Chromecast is not too difficult HDMI stick you plug into the rear of your respective HDTV, identical to the Roku Streaming Stick. It plugs directly your HDTV's HDMI port, plus the included USB cable connects towards the micro USB port alternatively end of the stick with power it. The Chromecast possesses a single button upon the back for setup plus a single LED light to point it's on. The rest is on-screen and controlled by an app.
Google was surprisingly thoughtful within its selection accessories regarding the Chromecast. Even though it usually works making only the stick plus the micro-USB-to-USB cable plugged in to all of your TV, in addition it incorporates a USB power adapter if you don't have any spare ports. It even has a short HDMI extender, that may be very helpful if the Chromecast seems to be too thick to match against other HDMI devices in case the HDTV's ports are clustered tightly together.
Setup and Supported Apps
Setup
The setup process is so uncomplicated and entirely app-controlled. Load the app using your mobile device or computer and it'll automatically scan both the Wi-Fi network you're currently on as well as Chromecast sticks in "Setup" mode. Tap the stick in Setup mode and enter the password to your Wi-Fi network (the app will automatically complete the Wi-Fi network you're currently using). The Chromecast will automatically connect with your network, and it will show that it's connected (and the strength of one's Wi-Fi connection, and to discover the assigned name of one's Chromecast).
Every app and good requires Chromecast support built-in; it isn't like Bluetooth audio or AirPlay on that iOS device where the option to send content to your current speaker or HDTV simply pops up along with operating systems. Due to this, streaming content choices are limited, though Google did speak freely its Chromecast SDK to encourage developers to create their apps Chromecast-friendly. When the Chromecast is set up and you will be operating a compatible app, streaming media to Chromecast is just as easy as streaming through AirPlay; just load the media and tap the screen icon
Chromecast support has actually been added onto the Android and iOS versions of Songza, Pandora, HBO Go, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Youtube, and plus a handful of other services. Subsequently, the alternative is more beneficial than it was at launch, as soon as the Chromecast collaborated with lot more than Youtube and Netflix. But it's still scant compared to the content sold in Roku's Channel Store. All supported apps get their own personal Chromecast buttons when the Chromecast app is installed along with your Android device detects Chromecast sticks toward the network.
You can also stream media coming from a computer (Windows or Mac OS X), which includes content of an active Chrome tab. You could use this procedure to stream Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu Plus video for your Chromecast, or even (with a little browser trickery) play your own personal local media. There's a significant lag between loading a service at your computer and to discover the page making it as far as the Chromecast, though, and not to mention scrolling with a page may take nearly ten seconds to display.
You'll be able to arrange multiple Chromecasts about the same Wi-Fi network, and the setup app even lets you rename them, so you can label each HDTV and room. Naturally they're called "ChromecastXXXX" (with different four-digit numbers to recognize them), nevertheless you could easily change them to "Living Room" and "Bedroom." Multiple Chromecasts operate with multiple devices, yet i had don't worry accessing two different YouTube videos, one on my Samsung Galaxy S4 and another driving on an iPhone 5, and playing both them on any different Chromecast within the lab while all four devices were coupled with exactly the same Wi-Fi network. You basically require being wary of bandwidth, since streaming too often videos at one time could cause lag.
The Chromecast performed fairly well, but was limited by our Wi-Fi network and felt sluggish sometimes. I loaded Fringe on Netflix it also seemed like it was eventually in standard definition, inidicating Netflix was seriously downgrading the true quality as a result of the network speed.Run Lola Function on Crackle also showed compression artifacts along with other compromises to video quality. Even streaming a Chrome tab from my PC towards the Chromecast looked compressed, though the site (our own PCMag.com) was still very legible. Music videos on YouTube looked much better, as did Ice Age on Google Play once i loaded both one more time when it seemed like the network congestion cleared up. The device itself lacks any difficulty outputting video about 1080p, however it relies heavily from the bandwidth plus the signal strength of your network.
Conclusions
Unlike Apple TV and AirPlay, Chromecast doesn't permit you too stream your locally stored media. Google Play Music gives an error message whenever you make an attempt to play music you loaded on your device and not within the Google Play store (I came across this out once i attempt to stream a song from the DRM-free Shadow Warrior soundtrack, purchased legitimately through the Humble Bundle). Google Play Movies goes one step further; the new variety of the app that will send media to Chromecast doesn't list locally loaded videos really. This happens to be Chromecast's biggest weakness, when Apple TV and any other device which allows mirroring gives you the ability to share your general music and videos with no need to snag them against a small number of limited, highly controlled outlets. According to the pros, with Google Play integration, if you really subscribe to All Access music it's possible to stream any music coming from a massive library to Chromecast plus your HDTV.
The Google Chromecast is basically a limited device, though one with some very handy uses and an appealing visible price. Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play integration let you transform smartphone or tablet into an access portal to store a startling amount of movies and music at your HDTV. Unfortunately, the lack to be local media and to discover the tight Chrome tab streaming support holds it back. It can be $35 product that held up against $100 devices similar to the Roku 3 and of course the Apple TV, nevertheless the $50 Roku Streaming Stick simply offers more content and makes it much easier obtain, because of an included remote, on-screen menu system, and support for streaming media from your mobile device. The Chromecast costs about two-thirds equally as much, but offers none of those toys features. At $35, though, it's still the most affordable way to access online media services on your HDTV, even when those services are somewhat limited. It's still worth your consideration, but only if you also weigh the difficulty it is important for you to place in it, and to discover the features you'll be abandoning, to fix that $15.
