Google Chromecast (1 Viewer)

[CBusAlex]

You can probably cast something from one of the supported apps (Netflix, Youtube, etc) on two different TVs using the same phone/laptop. You probably couldn't cast ESPN3 or other streaming sites that don't have an app, since those need to feed through the Chrome browser the entire time.

ETA: I haven't tried it, but maybe opening up two different instances of Chrome would work? The quality is already kind of #### casting a browser tab; I can't imagine doing two at once from the same laptop would be at all watchable.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

What if you had multiple unique Chrome browser sessions open? I wonder if that would work.

 

[matttyl]

Forgive my ignorance on this, but can't you cast/stream anything that you can view inside of a chrome browser page? If I had two pages open, can I cast one to one TV and the other to the 2nd, and have different espn3 feeds, or watch espn feeds, or whatever other sports streaming site on each?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

That's what I was wondering.

Google search returned the idea of creating 2 chrome profile/users in settings. You can open the other by clicking on the top left icon of the browser. Each user can cast separately.

Apparently this works.

 

[matttyl]

That seems complicated, but I guess it works.

 

[McGarnicle]

I CAN STREAM PORN!!!!

 

[Dentist]

got one for christmas. underwhelmed. i thought i'd be able to stream whatever was on my tablet screen to my chromecast.

i can do that with the laptop.. not as cool.

I already have a wd live and like that better.

not sure how much i'll end up using this until the configure it to do more.

 

[Annyong]

Common Netflix problem while streaming from Chromebook?

Netflix is kind of frustrating. Watching multiple episodes in a row is a pain in the ####. First off, it wont just automatically start the next episode. Instead, I'll have to manually start the next one, then it starts playing on my laptop and the "cast" button magically isn't appearing anymore. So i then have to close the window and replay the episode to start it. sucks.

 

[jamny]

I was having buffering issues with my bluray player playing Netflix but the Chromecast works great. Possible or just coincedence?

 

[Annyong]

I was having buffering issues with my bluray player playing Netflix but the Chromecast works great. Possible or just coincedence?

from what i understand, your phone or computer is acting as a "remote" with Chromecast, and just tells your Chromecast what to play and the dongle is the one actually streaming it, which allows you to still **** around with your computer while it plays Netflix. Your bluray might be pulling the content from your computer, which causes the buffering issues.

 

[jamny]

I was having buffering issues with my bluray player playing Netflix but the Chromecast works great. Possible or just coincedence?

from what i understand, your phone or computer is acting as a "remote" with Chromecast, and just tells your Chromecast what to play and the dongle is the one actually streaming it, which allows you to still **** around with your computer while it plays Netflix. Your bluray might be pulling the content from your computer, which causes the buffering issues.

Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking. You'd imagine the browser that Chromecast uses is very streamlined and runs faster. Either way, I use the Chromecast now for all my Netflix!

 

[dal_boys_phan]

REMINDER

If you bought the Chromecast on launch day and received the Netflix 3-month promotion, tomorrow (12/31/2013) is the LAST DAY to redeem it.

I waited until the regular football season was over to maximize my 3-month use, so most people probably have used theirs already.

But just in case, I wanted to remind everyone.

 

[Dragons]

I use my chromecast for watching Netflix instead of the built-in app in my Samsung TV or the plug-in to Windows Media Center on my HTPC. The quality is better than the TV app and I can easily activate and de-activate subtitles (important when watching Sherlock).

The available content on Netflix streaming underwhelms me, but I've just started month 2 of 4 free months (initial signup and 3 months with the chromecast, so I'll give it more time).

 

[Brady Marino]

Anyone else having issues with streaming HBOGo? Seems sometimes that I can't pause or fastforward it and when I try, it just ignores me and keeps playing. I can't even watch a new episode or movie because it'll just keep playing the one it's on and ignore me.

 

[Annyong]

Anyone else having issues with streaming HBOGo? Seems sometimes that I can't pause or fastforward it and when I try, it just ignores me and keeps playing. I can't even watch a new episode or movie because it'll just keep playing the one it's on and ignore me.

i tried HBOGO once and it was super duper laggy and it bummed me out for reals.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I found entire episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Youtube.

 

[Popinski]

Anyone else having issues with streaming HBOGo? Seems sometimes that I can't pause or fastforward it and when I try, it just ignores me and keeps playing. I can't even watch a new episode or movie because it'll just keep playing the one it's on and ignore me.

Yes. I've also had issues where I pause it, then when I unpause, it starts playing on my device instead of the TV, even though it was still connected. Then it's playing on both my device and TV, not synchronized, and I get sick of it and have to reload it.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Common Netflix problem while streaming from Chromebook?

Netflix is kind of frustrating. Watching multiple episodes in a row is a pain in the ####. First off, it wont just automatically start the next episode. Instead, I'll have to manually start the next one, then it starts playing on my laptop and the "cast" button magically isn't appearing anymore. So i then have to close the window and replay the episode to start it. sucks.

I got one for Christmas and I've run into this problem EVERY time I watch something. If I leave my phone up, it will work fine. But if I switch the phone off or to another app, forget it. I have to go into my settings, turn off WiFi, turn it back on, close Netflix and then reopen Netflix. Only then, will the Chromecast button reappear and allow me to control the movie. There has got to be an easier way. I realize I only paid $30 for it, but it's operating like I paid $2 for it and I bought it off the street from some guy at the Italian Market.

 

[[icon]]

Common Netflix problem while streaming from Chromebook?

Netflix is kind of frustrating. Watching multiple episodes in a row is a pain in the ####. First off, it wont just automatically start the next episode. Instead, I'll have to manually start the next one, then it starts playing on my laptop and the "cast" button magically isn't appearing anymore. So i then have to close the window and replay the episode to start it. sucks.

I got one for Christmas and I've run into this problem EVERY time I watch something. If I leave my phone up, it will work fine. But if I switch the phone off or to another app, forget it. I have to go into my settings, turn off WiFi, turn it back on, close Netflix and then reopen Netflix. Only then, will the Chromecast button reappear and allow me to control the movie. There has got to be an easier way. I realize I only paid $30 for it, but it's operating like I paid $2 for it and I bought it off the street from some guy at the Italian Market.

Kinda funny that Chromebook won't play nice with Chromecast

Have zero issues with mine from my Macbook running Chrome browser, or my iPhone casting from Netflix app. Bizarre.

 

[Keerock]

Common Netflix problem while streaming from Chromebook?

Netflix is kind of frustrating. Watching multiple episodes in a row is a pain in the ####. First off, it wont just automatically start the next episode. Instead, I'll have to manually start the next one, then it starts playing on my laptop and the "cast" button magically isn't appearing anymore. So i then have to close the window and replay the episode to start it. sucks.

I got one for Christmas and I've run into this problem EVERY time I watch something. If I leave my phone up, it will work fine. But if I switch the phone off or to another app, forget it. I have to go into my settings, turn off WiFi, turn it back on, close Netflix and then reopen Netflix. Only then, will the Chromecast button reappear and allow me to control the movie. There has got to be an easier way. I realize I only paid $30 for it, but it's operating like I paid $2 for it and I bought it off the street from some guy at the Italian Market.

Kinda funny that Chromebook won't play nice with Chromecast

Have zero issues with mine from my Macbook running Chrome browser, or my iPhone casting from Netflix app. Bizarre.

I have zero problems casting from my Chromebook.

 

[dickey moe]

Anyone figured out how to reliably play videos with this?

 

[Keerock]

Anyone figured out how to reliably play videos with this?

What kind of videos? I cast YouTube videos... and any other videos that can be played in a browser (read: pr0n) successfully.

 

[gmbacm]

Anyone figured out how to reliably play videos with this?

must be a way to play local content not running through a browser.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Common Netflix problem while streaming from Chromebook?

Netflix is kind of frustrating. Watching multiple episodes in a row is a pain in the ####. First off, it wont just automatically start the next episode. Instead, I'll have to manually start the next one, then it starts playing on my laptop and the "cast" button magically isn't appearing anymore. So i then have to close the window and replay the episode to start it. sucks.

I got one for Christmas and I've run into this problem EVERY time I watch something. If I leave my phone up, it will work fine. But if I switch the phone off or to another app, forget it. I have to go into my settings, turn off WiFi, turn it back on, close Netflix and then reopen Netflix. Only then, will the Chromecast button reappear and allow me to control the movie. There has got to be an easier way. I realize I only paid $30 for it, but it's operating like I paid $2 for it and I bought it off the street from some guy at the Italian Market.

Kinda funny that Chromebook won't play nice with Chromecast

Have zero issues with mine from my Macbook running Chrome browser, or my iPhone casting from Netflix app. Bizarre.

Oops. I misread the first post. Mine is running from my iPhone.

 

[[icon]]

Oops. I misread the first post. Mine is running from my iPhone.

Odd.. you playing thru browser or app? I've not tried casting from Chrome browser on the phone.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Oops. I misread the first post. Mine is running from my iPhone.

Odd.. you playing thru browser or app? I've not tried casting from Chrome browser on the phone.

No. I'm broadcasting through the Netflix app. Like I said, it works fine as long as I don't close the Netflix app. Once it's closed, I lose control of the movie. It'll keep playing but I can't pause or stop it. The button to use Chromecast disappears. I have to go through turning the WiFi off and on and then shutting down the Netflix app and rebooting it. Then I can reconnect the Chromecast and take control of the movie. Not very convenient if I need to pause the movie quickly. The whole process takes about 3 minutes to perform.

 

[One]

Hard to call this thing crap at such a low price point, but I'm getting there.

 

[Brady Marino]

Hard to call this thing crap at such a low price point, but I'm getting there.

Getting closer to hooking my long HDMI cord back up to the laptop. The whole HBOGo thing is really pissing me off. When it works, it works great. Otherwise, it's like it's saying "#### you" to me.

 

[[icon]]

Oops. I misread the first post. Mine is running from my iPhone.

Odd.. you playing thru browser or app? I've not tried casting from Chrome browser on the phone.

No. I'm broadcasting through the Netflix app. Like I said, it works fine as long as I don't close the Netflix app. Once it's closed, I lose control of the movie. It'll keep playing but I can't pause or stop it. The button to use Chromecast disappears. I have to go through turning the WiFi off and on and then shutting down the Netflix app and rebooting it. Then I can reconnect the Chromecast and take control of the movie. Not very convenient if I need to pause the movie quickly. The whole process takes about 3 minutes to perform.

I had that same issue initially... the key is to be patient and wait for a moment before clicking on something... I forget the exact process.I can document it tonight if I have time though.

 

[xulf]

I just bought one. Was hoping it integrated with the Amazon Prime free movies/shows. Since it has to actually cast from my laptop it has some moments of choppiness which is not ideal. Ive read a couple things that Amazon may be creating an app for it, but I know very little about it. Anyone know anything about it or have any workarounds (ive already backed it off to 480 or whatever)?

 

[Ignoramus]

I found entire episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Youtube.

I found a hamster playing a piano on Youtube.

 

[Jaysus]

I have very slow WiFi at home... will HBO2go be a wasted effort if I picked up a chromecast?

P.S. will there be a smoke signal in this thread when they go on sale (for $30) again?

 

[jamny]

I have very slow WiFi at home... will HBO2go be a wasted effort if I picked up a chromecast?

P.S. will there be a smoke signal in this thread when they go on sale (for $30) again?

You mean $5 cheaper?

They sell for $35

 

[Brady Marino]

I have very slow WiFi at home... will HBO2go be a wasted effort if I picked up a chromecast?

P.S. will there be a smoke signal in this thread when they go on sale (for $30) again?

HBO2go will be a wasted effort in any speed because it's glitchy.

 

[Jaysus]

I have very slow WiFi at home... will HBO2go be a wasted effort if I picked up a chromecast?

P.S. will there be a smoke signal in this thread when they go on sale (for $30) again?

You mean $5 cheaper?

They sell for $35

Yep, that is my price point... hopefully with a freebie like a Google Play gift card, or a trial subscription to something too.

 

[Don Quixote]

I haven't noticed any issues with HBOGo so far. It has worked fine for me.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I use a lot with YouTube firstrow & Sunday ticket to go but i think its fantastic. I've only used once or twice with netflix but zero problems with it as well

 

[Jaysus]

I have very slow WiFi at home... will HBO2go be a wasted effort if I picked up a chromecast?

P.S. will there be a smoke signal in this thread when they go on sale (for $30) again?

You mean $5 cheaper?They sell for $35

Yep, that is my price point... hopefully with a freebie like a Google Play gift card, or a trial subscription to something too.

No freebie, but...http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/01/06/deal-alert-the-chromecast-sale-is-back-29-99-at-best-buy-and-amazon-or-24-98-for-amazon-student-members/

 

[Hawks64]

Oops. I misread the first post. Mine is running from my iPhone.

Odd.. you playing thru browser or app? I've not tried casting from Chrome browser on the phone.

No. I'm broadcasting through the Netflix app. Like I said, it works fine as long as I don't close the Netflix app. Once it's closed, I lose control of the movie. It'll keep playing but I can't pause or stop it. The button to use Chromecast disappears. I have to go through turning the WiFi off and on and then shutting down the Netflix app and rebooting it. Then I can reconnect the Chromecast and take control of the movie. Not very convenient if I need to pause the movie quickly. The whole process takes about 3 minutes to perform.

The Netflix app is a POS. Youtube and Hulu work flawlessly. Netflix behaves like this quite often though on our iOS devices.

 

[skol asylum]

I never did try it again but if they could make nfl game rewind work with this thing it would be money.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Oops. I misread the first post. Mine is running from my iPhone.

Odd.. you playing thru browser or app? I've not tried casting from Chrome browser on the phone.

No. I'm broadcasting through the Netflix app. Like I said, it works fine as long as I don't close the Netflix app. Once it's closed, I lose control of the movie. It'll keep playing but I can't pause or stop it. The button to use Chromecast disappears. I have to go through turning the WiFi off and on and then shutting down the Netflix app and rebooting it. Then I can reconnect the Chromecast and take control of the movie. Not very convenient if I need to pause the movie quickly. The whole process takes about 3 minutes to perform.

The Netflix app is a POS. Youtube and Hulu work flawlessly. Netflix behaves like this quite often though on our iOS devices.

Interesting. That would make sense.

Speaking of Netflix, does anyone else have issues where the picture quality is terrible? 80% of the stuff I watch is great, but then there will be that one afternoon where everything looks like fuzz. Pisses me off.

 

[James Daulton]

I love this thing. Spent a few hours over the holidays streaming netflix and youtube with no issues. Particularly good for those of us without smart TV's or gaming devices near the TV's we want to stream to.

 

[Jaysus]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

 

[VA703]

this thing is great. started watching orange is the new black. pretty good show so far. the youtube works easy as well not sure why everyone is complaining​

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

Define "slow".

We're using it on a standard Verizon FIOS network and we don't have issues. By standard, I mean that we have whatever downstream/upstream that you get with the bundle (I think its 15/5). We don't pay an upcharge for additional speed.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

I am currently using 3 of these all over my house without issue. My bedroom is on the opposite side of the house and two floors above my router (my phone/tablet show 2-3 bars out of 5) and I had zero issue streaming from the Youtube, Netflix and Plex apps. However if I stream from the browser on a pc it lags.

 

[Abraham]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

I have the slowest internet connection available (1.5MB) and it works fine.

 

[Jaysus]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

Define "slow".

We're using it on a standard Verizon FIOS network and we don't have issues. By standard, I mean that we have whatever downstream/upstream that you get with the bundle (I think its 15/5). We don't pay an upcharge for additional speed.

Way slower than that, I think I am capped at 1.5 down... (I can not get Verizon or Comcast where I live :( )

 

[Jaysus]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

I have the slowest internet connection available (1.5MB) and it works fine.

Perfect!

ETA: Thank you!!

 

[jamny]

Is anyone using a chromecast on a slow Wifi network? How well does is work for you if so?

I have the slowest internet connection available (1.5MB) and it works fine.

Perfect!

ETA: Thank you!!

I'm around 2.5 and have no problems. Works great on youtube, netflix and hbo2go