Google Chromecast

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Well, this is interesting:

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

A stick that plugs into an HDMI port and connects to your wifi network.

Only $35.

I can't see it being better than my Roku or AppleTV boxes, but:  The one feature that makes me very interested is the ability to display any tab open in chrome on the thing, so it would be an easy way to get stuff that only streams to browsers with flash onto a big screen...

[Variety of Cells]

So half of me is screaming "WANT!"  but the other half of me is telling that half to hold on and check for annoying little inconveniences that might not make it worth it.  Like how Roku streams HBO GO... but not if you get HBO GO through Direct TV or Comcast... like almost everyone in America does.

Right now I'm checking for supported resolutions and other restrictions.  Like not supporting certain sites on google. Or certain operating systems or what not.  But if it does what it claims to do, that would be great for us.  I really like our Roku, but it doesn't stream HBO GO.  It'd be perfect if it would stream Itunes movies, but I'm guessing that will never happen with apple TV's existence. 

EDIT:  Ah ha. I thought I might find something.

Perhaps most interesting of all, we got to try a new beta feature of Chrome that lets you stream the contents of a web browser tab itself to your TV via the Chromecast. It's not particularly impressive yet: scrolling doesn't come close to keeping up with your finger, and there's visible compression artifacts whenever there's rapid motion: it's a lot like streaming game services like OnLive and Gaikai, but with a lot more delay. Still, video plays with only a bit of chop and stutter, and Google's very clear that this is a beta feature right now. Google says it uses WebRTC, so it's basically online video chat repurposed to display anything you can see in a browser frame. Sundar Pichai told us that it requires some features that will come with Chrome 30, at which point it will move out of beta.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4553368/hands-on-googles-35-chromecast-a-streaming-tv-stick

So the streaming from a browser doesn't work so well.  That kinda kills the appeal for me, since I already have a roku.  Actually, after reading the article below, I'm considering asking for an apple TV at some point.  That combined with the Roku should solve most of my streaming needs.
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-chromecast-apple-tv-roku-comparison-20130724,0,1987616.story?page=1
I

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Well, if you have an iPad or other airplay stuff the AppleTV would be the way to go.  I hardly use mine anymore since I quit buying stuff on iTunes and switched to Amazon, it has a nicer looking Netflix interface, but since I've gotten used to the Roku with all the episodes of a show in one big line I find the AppleTV interface a bit more clunky when you need to go from one season to the next.  Also, I have the older 720p AppleTV, the Roku is a newer 1080p one.

I guess I'll wait until they get the browser streaming bugs worked out, I don't care about scrolling but would want to be able to stream shows like The Daily Show from my PC to my home theater without stuttering, so far the Roku and AppleTV have been nearly useless for that.

[Variety of Cells]

Ah yes, the daily show.  Would be great for streaming that.  Report back if you ever do end up getting it. 

I know I'd spend about, say, $70 on a device that would stream my computer screen onto my TV. 

[MartyS (Gromit)]

I know I'd spend about, say, $70 on a device that would stream my computer screen onto my TV.

Yeah, I'd love to have something like that, not only for streaming shows that don't provide full episodes on their apps but also for stuff like the rifftrax player.

Many times I've thought about building a micro-ATX PC just for that kind of stuff but just never seem to get around to it.

Back to the Chromecast device.  Where does it get it's power?  I didn't think HDMI had a voltage line like a USB port has?

Edit:  Looked up the HDMI specs, pin 18 is +5V, only 50mA though, I would guess the wifi range would be limited with such a low amount of power available.  USB wifi adapters usually need to be on a full power (500mA) USB port.  But I guess they have gotten better, the wifi chips used in phones use very little power and seem to have plenty of range.

[Variety of Cells]

You know, I should really just buy a $20 50' HDMI cable and run it from my TV, along the baseboard, and behind my couch so I can plug the laptop into it, then stick it back under the couch when not in use.

Oh right, I'd have to do an audio cable too.  But that would be cheap. 

[Locuststakethesky]

You know, I should really just buy a $20 50' HDMI cable and run it from my TV, along the baseboard, and behind my couch so I can plug the laptop into it, then stick it back under the couch when not in use.

Oh right, I'd have to do an audio cable too.  But that would be cheap.

HDMI carries audio.  You could also get a cheap HTPC remote on Amazon, then you wouldn't have to have your laptop run all the way back.  I got a cheap SFF dell and added memory and an HDMI video card and that is my permanent HTPC setup, right under my BluRay player.  Also, I found this lovely piece of software:

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

It's a way better alternative for Windows Media Center, and it has an additional plugin you can get called OnlineVideos.  This pulls videos from 70+ sites that you can stream directly in the Media Portal interface.  I absolutely love it.

[Variety of Cells]

HDMI does carry audio, but the dvi out on my laptop does not output audio, so I'd need another cable. 

Having a computer dedicated to media is a neat idea, and it'd give me an excuse to build another computer.  But even though I'm sure I could do it for pretty cheap, I still don't have the money at the moment.  Cheapest and easier solution would be running that HDMI cable.  That is, if I decide to do anything at all.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Anyone here get a Chromecast yet?

I've been reading some reviews, seems the tab casting doesn't work at all with flash video, that was the only reason I was interested in the thing.

[Space version 2.0]

I've got one now so that I could watch the new season of BB from the Google Play store. Haven't really done much with it though. Steams videos/youtube fine from my Nexus 7, but music didn't work.

I didn't see it mentioned here, but it does not get power from the HDMI plug. It comes with a USB cable to can either be plugged into your TV or an outlet.

[Variety of Cells]

Oooooooo... after watching the video I've posted below of a demonstration for the new Steam controller, I'm very tempted to build a computer, us the steam OS, and have it work as a media computer.  Looks like it'd be real slick to control a computer from your couch with that controller. 

[gbeenie]

The Chromecast has two problems:

1. (In my opinion) Streaming HD video over wifi, as the Chromecast does, is a fairly dicey proposition.

2. Plugging the Chromecast directly into your TV means that, unless your TV and A/V receiver support ARC (Audio Return Channel) over HDMI, your only digital audio output is probably optical, which (by design, thanks to pressure from the movie studios) will only output 2.0 stereo from HDMI sources.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

I don't think there's any reason you couldn't plug the thing into your home theater receiver.  Just like a Roku or Blu-Ray player.

Having the thing stuck on the back of the TV or receiver might not be the best for getting good Wi-Fi, but you should be able to put it on the end of an HDMI extension cable and then put the dongle in a more favorable position.  I have one that I leave plugged into my TV with the end on the shelf under the TV, so I can plug a USB drive in without climbing behind the TV.