Google Chromecast, $35

[AntiChrist]

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/#netflix

[AntiChrist]

WmpOis2UEJg

[leemajors]

Dunno if it's worth $35 to just stream netflix, youtube, pandora, and chrome tabs. Extremely confusing why you can't play local files on network either, makes it seem fairly worthless. Pretty sure it will never have Amazon Instant either.

[ElNono]

Still looking for a wifi-free solution.

[Drachen]

I got one... can't beat it for 11 bucks, and they have already released the api and sdk to developers. there is already talk about plex and xbmc on it.... once again, for 11 bucks, it is a good risk for me (plus my current netflix solution, my blue ray player, fucking sucks).

[leemajors]

I got one... can't beat it for 11 bucks, and they have already released the api and sdk to developers. there is already talk about plex and xbmc on it.... once again, for 11 bucks, it is a good risk for me (plus my current netflix solution, my blue ray player, fucking sucks).

I thought you had a roku or wd live?

[Drachen]

I bought a roku a long time ago and returned it a few days later because it wouldn't pay local files. I ended up getting a wdtv live plus and it does do Netflix, but the ui sucks (can't search for movies, for example, they already have to be in your queue). So that has been relegated to bedroom duty.

[leemajors]

Ahh ok

[lefty]

Meh...

[IronMaxipad]

Dunno if it's worth $35 to just stream netflix, youtube, pandora, and chrome tabs. Extremely confusing why you can't play local files on network either, makes it seem fairly worthless. Pretty sure it will never have Amazon Instant either.
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/25/tip-you-can-play-local-video-files-through-chromecast/

[Drachen]

Ok, as of about an hour ago, this thing no longer costs 11 bucks. 35 it is.

[leemajors]

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/25/tip-you-can-play-local-video-files-through-chromecast/

says in comments mkv doesn't work atm

[Drachen]

I haven't been reading much in the way of issues with this. Can't wait to get mine

[IronMexican]

So your TV has to have Wifi for this to work? Mine doesn't.

[Drachen]

No, the chromecast has wifi. The only thing that your TV needs is an open hdmi port

[ElNono]

No, the chromecast has wifi. The only thing that your TV needs is an open hdmi port

and a USB port to get power from. Notice you normally can't use the "service" USB port on most TVs since they're not fully powered.

[ElNono]

Google TV Hackers Open a Shell on the Chromecast; More Hacks To Follow

Via Engadget comes the news that Google's latest (and quickly sold-out) toy, the Chromecast, may soon be hacked out of one-trick-pony status (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/26/inside_googles_chromecast_media_streamer/); just a few days after it came out, the folks at GTV Hacker have successfully turned their attention to the Chromecast, and managed to exploit the device's bootloader and spawn a root shell (http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/28/chromecast-bootloader-exploit-video-hack/). Some interesting findings, as explained in their blog post (http://blog.gtvhacker.com/2013/chromecast-exploiting-the-newest-device-by-google/): "[I]t’s actually a modified Google TV release, but with all of the Bionic / Dalvik stripped out and replaced with a single binary for Chromecast. Since the Marvell DE3005 SOC running this is a single core variant of the 88DE3100, most of the Google TV code was reused. So, although it’s not going to let you install an APK or anything, its origins: the bootloader, kernel, init scripts, binaries, are all from the Google TV. We are not ruling out the ability for this to become a Google TV 'stick.'"

[IronMexican]

Hmm, this sounds cool. I have shit tier wifi from my room, though, since I stay in the guest house. Interested, and not a big risk at $35.

[IronMaxipad]

I kind of want one so i dont have to get up and connect my laptop to my tv every time i want to stream something..

[Drachen]

and a USB port to get power from. Notice you normally can't use the "service" USB port on most TVs since they're not fully powered.

But the TV doesn't NEED that, it's just convenient

[Drachen]

Google TV Hackers Open a Shell on the Chromecast; More Hacks To Follow

Via Engadget comes the news that Google's latest (and quickly sold-out) toy, the Chromecast, may soon be hacked out of one-trick-pony status (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/26/inside_googles_chromecast_media_streamer/); just a few days after it came out, the folks at GTV Hacker have successfully turned their attention to the Chromecast, and managed to exploit the device's bootloader and spawn a root shell (http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/28/chromecast-bootloader-exploit-video-hack/). Some interesting findings, as explained in their blog post (http://blog.gtvhacker.com/2013/chromecast-exploiting-the-newest-device-by-google/): "[I]t’s actually a modified Google TV release, but with all of the Bionic / Dalvik stripped out and replaced with a single binary for Chromecast. Since the Marvell DE3005 SOC running this is a single core variant of the 88DE3100, most of the Google TV code was reused. So, although it’s not going to let you install an APK or anything, its origins: the bootloader, kernel, init scripts, binaries, are all from the Google TV. We are not ruling out the ability for this to become a Google TV 'stick.'"

You knew it was going to happen

[ElNono]

But the TV doesn't NEED that, it's just convenient

correct

[leemajors]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/29/4566718/google-chromecast-review

[LarryDavid]

I figured for $35 it's worth a shot. Ordered it from Google Play but the expected delivery time is 3-4 weeks.

[Drachen]

I should be getting mine today. I also should have ordered through amazon or gotten it at best buy.

[leemajors]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/30/4571868/hbo-exploring-chromecast-support

hope hbo does this, they will be on this, appletv and xbox and i bet they offer a streaming plan even sooner if they do and see the numbers they could get.

[Drachen]

Well I got mine, it's super easy to use. Can't wait until Google opens this thing up for app distribution (some apps have already been made but you have to have your device white listed for development to use them until Google allows distribution (or this is the way I understand it)

[Drachen]

Also the service USB provides enough power

[ElNono]

Also the service USB provides enough power

what TV do you have?

[Heath Ledger]

much better off getting one of the cheap android sticks and running xbmc in my opinion.

[Drachen]

what TV do you have?
I have a Samsung lcd that I bought at the beginning of last year and am insignia plasma screen that I bought three years ago. Both work

[ElNono]

I have a Samsung lcd that I bought at the beginning of last year and am insignia plasma screen that I bought three years ago. Both work

thanks

[Drachen]

Sorry, I know it's not that helpful. I don't remember which model number, but the USB on the Samsung says 0.5 amps if that helps.

[ElNono]

Sorry, I know it's not that helpful. I don't remember which model number, but the USB on the Samsung says 0.5 amps if that helps.

I have a Sammy too, and it has two USB ports, besides the service port, one of them is fully powered (for HDs without external supply) and the other is not. They're marked as such.

The comment about the Service Port comes from Google themselves:

Access to an available power outlet or an available (non-service) USB port on your HDMI-enabled display

https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/2998336?hl=en

But it's good to know it works with some brands' service ports.

[Drachen]

Yeah, the insignia tv's port specifically said service on it

[Drachen]

It doesn't really matter, though, as I am going to plug it into my receiver anyway.

Btw My wife loves it too. It's just took easy, wear having fun compiling a YouTube play list on our respective phones. It would go from Celtic women to geto boys to Lorena McDermott to 2 live crew . I hardly use YouTube, but I can see myself using it a lot more now.

[ElNono]

It doesn't really matter, though, as I am going to plug it into my receiver anyway.

Btw My wife loves it too. It's just took easy, wear having fun compiling a YouTube play list on our respective phones. It would go from Celtic women to geto boys to Lorena McDermott to 2 live crew . I hardly use YouTube, but I can see myself using it a lot more now.

I have YouTube as part of SmartTV... but not really a YouTube aficionado...

[Drachen]

I have had other ways of streaming YouTube, but the ui sucks ass on all of them. This is the first time it's easy

[IronMaxipad]

http://techland.time.com/2013/07/30/up-next-for-chromecast-more-apps-and-maybe-games-too/?iid=tl-main-lead

[spurs_2108]

How will this work if I have a S3 rooted with wifi hotspot? Will i be able to use it? I thought the chromecast and your smartphone have to be on the same wifi network. Will the smartphone be considered on the same wifi as the chromecast ?

[Drachen]

Is that your only Internet? Also, is that your only device?

[spurs_2108]

I have an ISP, but the speeds are so slow. I have a Samsung tv, computer, S3.

[Drachen]

Can you watch Netflix / YouTube videos on your computer through your isp? What speed do you get.

[spurs_2108]

Around 2.75 Mbps down and .70 Mbps up.

Not very good. Netflix will stream but it never gets to HD quality.

[Drachen]

Well if you really want to use your mobile data connection, you could use your s3 as a hot spot, connect your computer to it, then use it to control your chromecast, or if you have a tablet or other smartphone you could use those too.

[spurs_2108]

I do have a HP touchpad that has android on it. I could use that as my remote. I didn't think about that. Now to find a chromecast that's for sale.

[Drachen]

Do you have unlimited data?

[spurs_2108]

Yes. Thankfully I have sprint.

[leemajors]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/25/4657202/google-blocks-chromecast-app-that-let-you-stream-own-videos


Google hasn't provided a clear answer on whether Chromecast will eventually let users stream their own local videos and music to the TV screen. But if early updates for the $35 dongle are any indication, the company doesn't want third-party developers trying to deliver that functionality. The most recent Chromecast update has broken support for AllCast, an Android application that previously allowed users to stream their personal media to a TV. Originally known as AirCast (and renamed due to a trademark dispute), AllCast could play back files stored in a phone's gallery, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Developer Koushik Dutta accomplished the feat by reverse engineering the Chromecast's code. He'd released several betas of the app, even planning a release on Google Play, before Google's latest software update broke things — "intentionally" in Dutta's opinion.

[spurs_2108]

Ordered mine on the 5th. Finally shipped this morning.