13
« on: December 18, 2013, 05:59:55 PM »
I just wanted to give a short review on Google's Chromecast. I bought one this morning and have been playing with it for a few hours. So far, no real complaints.
For those of you who do not know what it is, it is a device that you plug into your HDMI port on your TV. It allows you to stream video from your phone, tablet or PC straight to your TV. The way I have it set up, I basically use my phone as a remote control for Netflix, Hulu Plus (which is not working yet), you tube, and other video streaming sources.
The installation went very smoothly and I think that anyone can do it. I plugged everything in, downloaded the Chromecast app, and I was ready to start. I did have to update Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, and youtube on my phone. I also added Songza. Within minutes, I was able to use each of these to put video and music on my entertainment system (with the exception of Hulu Plus).
After installing the Chromecast, I had to do an update which took around 30 minutes. I have DSL, so it did not surprise me that it took around 30 minutes. I did not experience delays like this after the update.
For Netflix, after the update, I was able to hit two on screen buttons to get it to play on the TV. I just had to click on the Chromecast button and select the device.
Pandora worked fine as well. I could stream and control not only the channel, but the volume and skip and fast forward controls as well on my phone.
Hulu Plus did not work for me. It said that my phone's OS was not compatible. I'll keep working on it.
Youtube worked great. I had no issues. The video was much better than I thought it would be.
As of now, the only problems I have really had have been with Chromium apps and Hulu. Hulu will not work, and the Chromium apps that I have downloaded in order for me to watch video on my computer while using my phone as a remote is not really working. For some reason, I can see my computer on the Chromecase but cannot stream to it. I can see anything that is on my computer on my TV, but video does not make the transit.
I have downloaded other things that will allow me to show stuff on the TV that is on my phone, but it does not work right now.
I also installed the Chromecase app on my Ubuntu computer, so I can use my phone to control video on my bedroom computer, but it does not work.
In short, it is great a I am having fun with it. Getting things from my phone to the computer monitor seems like a little bit of a pain, but going to the HDMI port is very smooth.
I give it 7 out of 10.