Google Chromecast?

[Clint]

Just wondering if anyone is using Google's new widget to stream Netflix (et al) on their TV's?

Seems easy to use, and the price point is reasonable...plus most of what Google touches turns to gold, so....

 

[Hoshneer]

Yeah, my buddy picked one up and loves it. I am thinking for $35 can't go wrong.

 

[StogieNinja]

So, let me get this right.... anything I can stream using a Chrome browser can be cast to the TV?

 

[irie]

I got one for my sister for her birthday and she loves it. Shes a "starving student" that is already exploiting my netflix account for free entertainment and still cant afford cable for her tv... So I got her chromecast and now she just streams everything directly to her tv from her lap top instead of always watching from her computer and I havent heard one complaint from her since.

I agree with everyone else for $35 bucks you really cant go wrong.

 

[irie]

So, let me get this right.... anything I can stream using a Chrome browser can be cast to the TV?

Pretty much and this applies to both your phone and computer

 

[MoJo]

If you are only getting it to stream netflix to your tv I would make sure none of your current devices can't do that already. I have the chromecast and it isn't anything special, but it is handy at times (it's also kinda redundant for me since I have other stuff that can do similar things, like stream netflix). When I got it they were running a promo which gave you three free months of netflix (worked for current subscribers as well) so when you subtract that cost it really is cheap, but not sure if they are still running that promo. I do not use it to stream netflix, so I can't comment on how well it does or if it struggles with hi-def, etc. The only thing I use it for is to stream something from my browser to my tv. It's the easiest way for me to get around some of the web only restrictions some places have.

So, let me get this right.... anything I can stream using a Chrome browser can be cast to the TV?

so far it seems that way for me, when a site is playing a video in chrome just cast the browser tab to the tv and then (on the laptop still) set the video to full screen.

 

[H3rrington]

But couldn't a hdmi cord do the same thing?

 

[StogieNinja]

But couldn't a hdmi cord do the same thing?

Not if you don't have an HDMI output on your computer. Plus to run a cable long enough you're probably talking $35 anyway,

 

[Dave]

Not sure I understand the attraction either.
HDMI is a cinch for me. Except I suppose from an IPAD

What's the PC output? Does this connect via USB and then 'broadcast' over the air?

 

[H3rrington]

But couldn't a hdmi cord do the same thing?

Not if you don't have an HDMI output on your computer. Plus to run a cable long enough you're probably talking $35 anyway,

That's a valid point. My setup is a wireless keyboard and mouse with an hdmi for my tv and my hard drive full of movies and tv shows. And then XBMC as my OS. For netflix and Hulu I just use the Xbox.

But I might grab chrome cast for the wife's laptop. Since even though I have 3tb of movies and tv shows she magically doesn't like a single show or movie. Lol

 

[StogieNinja]

That's a valid point. My setup is a wireless keyboard and mouse with an hdmi for my tv and my hard drive full of movies and tv shows. And then XBMC as my OS. For netflix and Hulu I just use the Xbox.

But I might grab chrome cast for the wife's laptop. Since even though I have 3tb of movies and tv shows she magically doesn't like a single show or movie. Lol

Yeah, I have a reaaaally old PC connected to my TV, but honestly, the things ancient and can't keep up. Another computer to replace it is gonna be spendy, so I'm thinking of grabbing a Chromecast and a Chromebook. Chromebook will be great for v-herfing and surfing the internet in bed, and being able to stream anything from Chrome will be a bonus. my BluRay player already has Amazon and Netflix, so this will just be used to stream stuff like Agents of Shield on ABC.com or Parks and Rec on NBC.com.