Chromecast vs Raspberry Pi

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MyLowBandwidth

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Trying to think of reasons to get use chromecast as opposed to using my RPi / Plex as a media centre, and more importantly, if I should continue recommending RPi or just start punting Chromecast.

These are the reasons I can think of to use Chromecast:

1. No HDMI cable required
2. No memory card or software updates required, although not sure how Chromecast gets updated (I don't have one yet)
3. Integrates with the browser as opposed to requiring running a browser on RPi, although the apps on Rasplex are extremely capable (YouTube, Hulu, Netflix etc)
4. Portable. Easily plug into another HD TV, no power required
5. Its smaller... geez am I scraping the bottom of the barrel here....

I cant think of anything else.

I have Plex Server and Rasplex. I'm very happy with it. Is it worth forking out R550 for a chromecast and why? For less technical folk, maybe this is the way to go?

It hard to justify moving away from a RPi as a full media center solution. I have setup many RPi's for people running RaspBMC to offer a full media center experience. In some cases, I have also included SAB, SB and CP on the same devices - still running perfectly and I can support them remotely. Can't do that with a chromecast.

Maybe I've just answered my own question. Each device has its own application scenario. One does not replace the other.
 
Have you had a look at the MXIII android media player. It's much more capable as a media player than either the RPi or the Chromecast. It runs an Amlogic S802 quad core processor at close to 2GHz. Both the Rpi and the Chromecast only have slower single core processors. The MXIII has an Antutu score of close to 40000 which is comparable to one of the latest top of the range cell phones. The S802 processor is fitted with a large heatsink which allows it to operate for long periods at high speeds.
Pics of the circuit board ...
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread....FOR-MXIII-AMLOGIC-S802-QUAD-CORE-TV-BOX/page2

It can run all the services that you mentioned, Netflix, free Hulu for android, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Mobdro (Live TV and Sport channels), Showbox, VideoMix, Torrent Stream Controller (Live TV and Sport channels), XBMC (1channel, ProjectFreeTV, IceFilms, Navi-X, BBC iPlayer, FTV, IPTV services like vdubt25) etc,. etc. In addition you can run android games and it makes an excellent standalone media player with extensive format support. You can also watch and record video streams from IP cameras or even make Skype calls from the unit.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alexvas.dvr.pro&hl=en

Take a look at these two videos to see what you think (the Probox 2 Ex uses the same motherboard as MXIII but has 16GB flash, 2GB Ram, external antenna and additional game controller) ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg1WScgdRLQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtGrudXE03I
MXIII
http://www.avsupply.co.za/product_i...-1gb-media-player-with-android-and-xbmc-p-437
 
I just setup raspbmc today. Working flawlessly streaming from my server.
 
MyLowBandwidth said:
For less technical folk, maybe this is the way to go?
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head there.

I bought one last year, gave it to my parents. My mom absolutely loves the thing, although it's essentially just a YouTube and Plex player for them and they like looking at pretty pictures when it's not playing something :D
 
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