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Roku 3 vs. Google Chromecast vs. BluRay DVD (1 Viewer)

Whcih Device would you choose?

  • New BluRay DVD - with Wifi and Apps

    Votes: 11 22.9%

  • RoKu 3

    Votes: 20 41.7%

  • Google Chromecast

    Votes: 17 35.4%
  • Total voters
    48
snogger

snogger

Footballguy
We've had a Samsung BluRay DVD now for 3+ years that, in theory, is suppose to connect to a wireless network and stream NetFlix, Hulu, Pandora, etc..

After all these years of not caring that it couldn't connect to the network, my wife brought up the idea of getting a subscription to NetFlix.. :excited:

But after hours and hours of trying, and searching the web, and finding out this is a known issue for this "old" model Samsung.. unless you set it your Wireless network to "no security" . um, yea that ain't happening.. I've thrown in the towel...

So.... trying to decide if we should get a new BluRay DVD player with built in WiFi and Apps.. There are many highly rated ones at Amazon for around $100

Get Roku 3 for $100, which many seem to like and don't seem to have the same network connection issues.

or

Get a Google Chromecast for $35... Same type of "easy setup" reviews.... We have a Windows Tablet, a couple Windows notebooks, as well as I have a Samsung Galaxy phone from which I could stream from.

So what says the FFA? :popcorn:

 
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Just set your wireless network up so there's "no security" and "Voila!"

(By "no security" you mean "no password needed to connect to your wifi,right?)

 
I just bough a Chromecast a couple days ago. I was very surprised at how easy it was to set up. I was literally watching HBO GO from my phone to my TV five minutes after I took the Chromecast out of the box.

I don't think Chromecast has all the bells and whistles as some of these other things, but if you just want to watch Netflix, I think it's an awesome choice.

 
For Netflix there are numerous issues with Chromecast where it won't stop casting, won't cast, or lose ability to pause etc. I wouldn't go with it for Netflix. Have never used Roku so I can't comment on it's abilities.

 
glock said:
Just set your wireless network up so there's "no security" and "Voila!"

(By "no security" you mean "no password needed to connect to your wifi,right?)
Click to expand...
yes..and no thanks.. I check my "attempt connections" enough to know that no password means others around me will use my connection and I don't trust 99.9% of them ;)

 
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.

 
kutta said:
I just bough a Chromecast a couple days ago. I was very surprised at how easy it was to set up. I was literally watching HBO GO from my phone to my TV five minutes after I took the Chromecast out of the box.

I don't think Chromecast has all the bells and whistles as some of these other things, but if you just want to watch Netflix, I think it's an awesome choice.
Click to expand...
Hawks64 said:
For Netflix there are numerous issues with Chromecast where it won't stop casting, won't cast, or lose ability to pause etc. I wouldn't go with it for Netflix. Have never used Roku so I can't comment on it's abilities.
Click to expand...
:thanks: kind of the input I'm looking for..

With all the :nerd: here figured I could get input on the good, bad & Ugly with each option before I decide which route to go..

at some point we might find other reasons to connect the system up ( Hulu, Amazon prime, Web, etc..) just would like to get Netflix going first and then go down the road on the others.

 
Hawks64 said:
For Netflix there are numerous issues with Chromecast where it won't stop casting, won't cast, or lose ability to pause etc. I wouldn't go with it for Netflix. Have never used Roku so I can't comment on it's abilities.
Click to expand...
Really? I have the chromecast and have not had any issues when using netflix.

 
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
:thanks: Was initially trying to decide between Google, or new DVD, but then saw the Roku 3 on Amazon and started looking at it and got intrigued.

 
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
No on the bold. Netflix does not require Chrome browser.

 
Johnnymac said:
Hawks64 said:
For Netflix there are numerous issues with Chromecast where it won't stop casting, won't cast, or lose ability to pause etc. I wouldn't go with it for Netflix. Have never used Roku so I can't comment on it's abilities.
Click to expand...
Really? I have the chromecast and have not had any issues when using netflix.
Click to expand...
Wonder if this comes down to the PC/Phone/Tablet you are using to connect or the TV.. or the connection to wireless network??

Reading up on the Google Chromecast I did read some say that even if you don't need the "dongle" attachment to get around the wall issue, it helps for wireless connections. :shrug:

 
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danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.

 
kutta said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
Kutta is correct, in iOS the apps have to have the ability to cast built into them. You can't use Chrome to cast on an iOS device.

Apple TV is another option but you mentioned Amazon Prime. Not sure if Roku can stream that but Apple TV can't natively, you have to use your iOS or Mac to stream it using Airplay.

 
kutta said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
But you're still running Netflix or HBO Go on that device, not on the Chromecast. Anything else running on your phone (or tablet) is going to slow down the transmission - and though I haven't tried it yet, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that exiting out of the Netflix app on my phone to take a call kills the connection to the Chromecast.

 
pats3in4 said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
No on the bold. Netflix does not require Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
You can cast from a different browser? I didn't know that. Good info. But you still need to run Netflix from your computer, not natively on the Chromecast, IIRC.

 
Johnnymac said:
Hawks64 said:
For Netflix there are numerous issues with Chromecast where it won't stop casting, won't cast, or lose ability to pause etc. I wouldn't go with it for Netflix. Have never used Roku so I can't comment on it's abilities.
Click to expand...
Really? I have the chromecast and have not had any issues when using netflix.
Click to expand...
I have 3 chromecast devices, and have the issue on 2 out of 3 consistently.

 
danielmclark said:
kutta said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
But you're still running Netflix or HBO Go on that device, not on the Chromecast. Anything else running on your phone (or tablet) is going to slow down the transmission - and though I haven't tried it yet, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that exiting out of the Netflix app on my phone to take a call kills the connection to the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
No again. You start off running Netflix or HBO Go on your mobile device, then when you press the CAST icon, the mobile device instructs the Chromecast to run *its own* Netflix app that resides on the device and fetch the movie from the Netflix server. Then your mobile device acts as a remote, sending pause/play, volume, subtitle on/off, etc. commands to the Chromecast to control playback. The mobile device is free then to be used for other things as it is *not* transmitting content to the Chromecast.

 
danielmclark said:
pats3in4 said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
No on the bold. Netflix does not require Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
You can cast from a different browser? I didn't know that. Good info. But you still need to run Netflix from your computer, not natively on the Chromecast, IIRC.
Click to expand...
PC and Mac = casting from Chrome.

iOS device = app has to have the ability to cast built in.

No experience with an Android device and Chromecast.

 
danielmclark said:
kutta said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
But you're still running Netflix or HBO Go on that device, not on the Chromecast. Anything else running on your phone (or tablet) is going to slow down the transmission - and though I haven't tried it yet, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that exiting out of the Netflix app on my phone to take a call kills the connection to the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about that because I just got mine. So far I'm very happy with the 35 bucks spent on the Chromecast.

 
I'm throwing my hands up in mock indignation - how dare you people give me correct information and prove me wrong.

How.

Dare.

You.

No, really, thanks for schooling me on this. My experience with my Chromecast has not been good compared to my experience with my AppleTV, so maybe I've been looking at it wrong. I'll have to plug it back in and try again. So, for the purposes of the OP, it sounds like between Roku/AppleTV and Chromecast, it probably comes down to a matter of cost and app selection. (Though do you need to initiate casts on a computer or mobile device, and Roku doesn't need that).

 
danielmclark said:
I'm throwing my hands up in mock indignation - how dare you people give me correct information and prove me wrong.

How.

Dare.

You.

No, really, thanks for schooling me on this. My experience with my Chromecast has not been good compared to my experience with my AppleTV, so maybe I've been looking at it wrong. I'll have to plug it back in and try again. So, for the purposes of the OP, it sounds like between Roku/AppleTV and Chromecast, it probably comes down to a matter of cost and app selection. (Though do you need to initiate casts on a computer or mobile device, and Roku doesn't need that).
Click to expand...
:D

The bolded is a feature, not a bug. And probably why Chromecast sells so well.

 
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danielmclark said:
kutta said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
But you're still running Netflix or HBO Go on that device, not on the Chromecast. Anything else running on your phone (or tablet) is going to slow down the transmission - and though I haven't tried it yet, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that exiting out of the Netflix app on my phone to take a call kills the connection to the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
You'd be losing your dollars, then. You can completely power down your phone if you'd like while casting from netflix app on your phone, because the phone isn't actually streaming the file. It's simply directing the Chromecast on what to stream, and then sending signals to pause/ff/etc when necessary.

ETA: It sees pats3in4 beat me to this.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
[icon] said:
danielmclark said:
kutta said:
danielmclark said:
Roku (or AppleTV) all the way. Second choice, Chromecast. Way off in the distance, Blu-Ray.

Roku is a standalone box that will be periodically updated with new apps. You can stream almost anything to it from your computer, or you can run things on it bypassing your computer.

Chromecast requires your computer and you can only stream things to it from the Chrome browser. So if you want to watch Netflix, you have to go to your computer, find something on Netflix (in the Chrome browser) then send it to the Chromecast. This is not ideal because your computer will slow down the works - the quality on your TV could be (but in my experience, always is) less than what you get with the Roku.

A Blu-Ray player will seldom, if ever, get updated with new apps as far as I'm aware. And they tend to have far fewer apps out of the box than Roku.
Click to expand...
Actually, Chromcast is quite easy to use with your phone. Just pull up the Netflix App or the HBO GO App and fire away. No need to use the Chrome browser.
Click to expand...
But you're still running Netflix or HBO Go on that device, not on the Chromecast. Anything else running on your phone (or tablet) is going to slow down the transmission - and though I haven't tried it yet, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that exiting out of the Netflix app on my phone to take a call kills the connection to the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
You'd be losing your dollars, then. You can completely power down your phone if you'd like while casting from netflix app on your phone, because the phone isn't actually streaming the file. It's simply directing the Chromecast on what to stream, and then sending signals to pause/ff/etc when necessary.
Click to expand...
Yeah, we got there eventually. Couple of posts up ;)

 
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.

 
I have two Sony Blu-Ray players for my kids rooms, and while they play Netflix OK, the navigation is slow and sloppy. It works for them because they put it on a single Disney show and watch episode after episode, but if it was my main TV in the living room, I would tire of it quickly.

I would most likely go with one of the other two, which sounds like the consensus here.

 
Roku works as a media center hub for everything. Plex, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Pandora. From what I know about Chromecast it's a bit limited and you always need some other computer to control it.

My goal is to have all media on TV controlled by a Harmony remote, I don't watch shows or movies on tablets, laptops, or phones. So a Roku on each TV is perfect.

 
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kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.

 
I have been using Roku for a few weeks. It's one of the best media devices I have ever purchased. Simple to use and inexpensive.

I bought the 2, the three is 20.00 more and looks like the only difference is Angry Birds, some other games, and a YouTube app.

 
snogger said:
kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.
Click to expand...
yes.

Just a heads up. Chromecast is powered either through usb or plugging it into an ac outlet. It doesn't just plug into hdmi and go.

 
snogger said:
kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.
Click to expand...
I am obviously no expert, but I don't see why you couldn't do this. It just plugs into the HDMI port on the TV.

 
jamny said:
snogger said:
kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.
Click to expand...
yes.

Just a heads up. Chromecast is powered either through usb or plugging it into an ac outlet. It doesn't just plug into hdmi and go.
Click to expand...
kutta said:
snogger said:
kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.
Click to expand...
I am obviously no expert, but I don't see why you couldn't do this. It just plugs into the HDMI port on the TV.
Click to expand...
:thanks: was just concerned it might be "registered" with one TV, and you'd need to buy an additional one for other devices.

 
snogger said:
jamny said:
snogger said:
kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.
Click to expand...
yes.

Just a heads up. Chromecast is powered either through usb or plugging it into an ac outlet. It doesn't just plug into hdmi and go.
Click to expand...
kutta said:
snogger said:
kutta said:
I didn't realize that the casting was done the way it was described by a couple folks in here, and I own one. That's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
:goodposting: and the reason for the thread :)

Thinking the Google Chromecast. at least for the price, is sounding pretty good.

Question for users..

Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is, or take it to my Bedroom and connect it to the HDTV there, and watch content also?

There are many times my wife and/or daughter are watching something "live" that I have zero interest and nothing else is on. Would be good to just wave :bye: and head to one of the other rooms and watch something I want to watch.
Click to expand...
I am obviously no expert, but I don't see why you couldn't do this. It just plugs into the HDMI port on the TV.
Click to expand...
:thanks: was just concerned it might be "registered" with one TV, and you'd need to buy an additional one for other devices.
Click to expand...
You can indeed move it from one TV to another. You can also control playback with your mobile device, then "pass off" control to other mobile devices/PCs in the house. This can also be a great source of hijinks as you can be watching something on Netflix, then your children can switch over to YouTube.

 
17seconds said:
Roku works as a media center hub for everything. Plex, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Pandora. From what I know about Chromecast it's a bit limited and you always need some other computer to control it.

My goal is to have all media on TV controlled by a Harmony remote, I don't watch shows or movies on tablets, laptops, or phones. So a Roku on each TV is perfect.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm really happy with my Roku as well. I love that it works pretty well in most situations with my old harmony remote, but the iPhone and Android Roku apps are great remotes, too, especially when a keyboard comes in handy for searching.

I don't use it much, but the Roku remote with headphones is a cool feature for those using it in a bedroom.

 
Chromecast is just so easy to setup and use. Can cast anything in a Chrome tab to your computer. So that means pictures/videos from Dropbox, regular internet browsing, YouTube, Netflix, HBOGo, Pandora, etc. Just as easy from an Android tablet or phone. Just open the app and click on the Chromecast icon and you're good to go. It's nice too because it easily hides behind your TV. So for a mounted TV, you won't have to worry about an extra box taking up space and such. Also, you really can't be the $35 price tag. Sometimes you can even find it for $30 with a $5/$6 Google Play credit, which will get you a free movie.

 
Al Czervik said:
snogger said:
Can I unplug it from say my Living room TV, bring it down to my basement where the X-Box is...
Click to expand...
You know you can stream via your XBox?
Click to expand...
yea.. about that... :kicksrock:

My Wireless security is not recognized by the X-Box.. So I'd have change what security I use on my router..

Seems fine, but that means reconfiguring the 3 Windows Notebooks in the house, the other 2 PC's I have that are connected wireless, the 2 Kindle Fires, the 3 Phones, The Windows tablet.. :yucky:

Luckily for me my daughter is not a huge X-Box user and hasn't begged for X-box live..

Otherwise, since she has me wrapped around her little finger, I'd be going through the hassle. ;)

 
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I have a couple AppleTVs. Love them. Love playing music through the TV, and you can set up your pictures as screensaver and that is just cool. Sometimes you just get caught up staring at the pictures as they randomly come up on the screen.

There is a program called Airfoil (Windows and Mac) that allows you to send specific sound (e.g. Spotify) to your AppleTV w/o other sound going. Nice, so you don't get the beeps from email, or you can play a YouTube on computer and not disturb the AppleTV.

They are also great for playing Netflix, Hulu+, HBO, ESPN, and other programs. (No Amazon :cry: ) Setup is real easy. And if you put your Media in iTunes you have access to all of it on your TV.

(I love my Mac, so I lean this way)

 
Wife let me know she was heading to Wally World so told her to pickup the Google Chromecast and we'll give it a shot..

First test will be getting it connected to the wireless network. If that works, then we'll signup for NetFlix and give a whirl. :popcorn:

 
i still think the Western Digital Live is a great device that constantly gets nice firmware updates

 
NutterButter said:
Dentist said:
i still think the Western Digital Live is a great device that constantly gets nice firmware updates
Click to expand...
they have an amazon app yet?
Click to expand...
I don't think so... you talking for Amazon prime stuff?

maybe that's an area where they are weak.

I guess I'm not a good person to judge these devices as I have no interest in netflix, hulu, youtube videos, etc.

I just want a device to be able to play my torrented files over my network well... if the torrents go away I'll probably just watch regular TV or maybe do something crazy like go outside.

 
snogger said:
Wife let me know she was heading to Wally World so told her to pickup the Google Chromecast and we'll give it a shot..

First test will be getting it connected to the wireless network. If that works, then we'll signup for NetFlix and give a whirl. :popcorn:
Click to expand...
It should be hooked up by now...

 
kutta said:
snogger said:
Wife let me know she was heading to Wally World so told her to pickup the Google Chromecast and we'll give it a shot..

First test will be getting it connected to the wireless network. If that works, then we'll signup for NetFlix and give a whirl. :popcorn:
Click to expand...
It should be hooked up by now...
Click to expand...
Not unless I want my wife to connect it( I'm still at work).. and in that case, I might as well as just had her pickup a new TV while she was at it since the existing one wouldn't be working by the time I got home.. ;)

 
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Own a Roku and love it. Aside from the usual suspects (amazon, Netlix, HBO GO, etc) this thing has another 80 zillion channels/apps. I have a crappy DSL connection and have had no problems streaming anything. The Netflix interface isn't bad with the Phone App since you can search. Otherwise it's pretty much the same as the web site (which also is clunky as hell.

I do wish I could "cast" to it tho. Not sure why, but I feel like i'm missing out on some kind of needed functionality :shrug:

 
MattFancy said:
snogger said:
Wife let me know she was heading to Wally World so told her to pickup the Google Chromecast and we'll give it a shot..

First test will be getting it connected to the wireless network. If that works, then we'll signup for NetFlix and give a whirl. :popcorn:
Click to expand...
It's on sale right now at Staples: http://www.staples.com/chromecast/directory_chromecast. Granted it's only $5 off, but it's still $5.
Click to expand...
That's 62.5 shares of HEMP!

 
Well.... THAT WAS EASY!!!

Loaded the app onto my phone, plugged the device into the Tv, setup screen came right up, connected right up to my wireless network and after an update and restart I was streaming "bad NFL lip reading" from youtube and my daughter & I were :lmao:

Just finished episode 1 of "orange is the new black" on Netflix.. no breakups throughout even though wife & daughter were surfing the web during it. :thumbup:

 
Anyone looking at the new roku stick coming in april? I think i might drop my chromecast and pick this roku up

 
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