new chromecast

[Vegeta]

Shouldn't the local content search still work (I'm assuming the content discovery does actually read metadata from plex \ xbmc)? I can understand region issues for online content but the Chromecast should be able to search through local DLNA offerings?

And it doesn't

 

[Nerfherder]

Personally I don't want to go Amazon Fire or Apple or Roku simply because the Chromecast has no limits to what you can stream and from where. If you're determined enough you can stream anything from any device.

I was thinking maybe a Nexus player or Shield would afford me the same borderless environment since you can still cast to them like a chromecast. I do want a remote and interface badly though.

Chromecast is very limited... also has the most amount of hoops to jump.

Its biggest failing is that it always needs an internet connection to run.

 

[cerebus]

Chromecast is very limited... also has the most amount of hoops to jump.

Its biggest failing is that it always needs an internet connection to run.

When do you ever not have an internet connection in the house? That's not something I would ever have considered to be a disadvantage. You also couldn't get much use out of any of the other set-top boxes without internet, and it's far more limiting to have to use something like a WDTV Live at home because it can only do local storage.

As for hoops.. what hoops are you talking about? Setting it up was very painless.

 

[Nerfherder]

When do you ever not have an internet connection in the house? That's not something I would ever have considered to be a disadvantage. You also couldn't get much use out of any of the other set-top boxes without internet, and it's far more limiting to have to use something like a WDTV Live at home because it can only do local storage.

When you go on holiday, when your line is down and when you want to restrict access, like for kids.

It's irritating because it's required and not nessiary

 

[Vegeta]

Chromecast is very limited... also has the most amount of hoops to jump.
Its biggest failing is that it always needs an internet connection to run.

I want to disagree with you there. You can create a local hotspot for it(one of its features) no Internet required. (just create a hotspot without internet it just requires wifi)
Any and all local content can be streamed that way.

Limited as in can stream from Android+iOS+Linux+Windows and browsers or even mirror the screen? You can steam absolutely anything from anywhere if you want, don't even needs apps to be written for it.

 

[Nerfherder]

I want to disagree with you there. You can create a local hotspot for it(one of its features) no Internet required.
Any and all local content can be streamed that way.

Limited as in can stream from Android+iOS+Linux+Windows and browsers or even mirror the screen? You can steam absolutely anything from anywhere if you want to don't even needs apps to be written for it.

Nope. Last time I checked it needed a connection to the net before it did anything. The day I got mine my line was down and it was unusable

 

[Vegeta]

like for kids.

That's where I want a remote, kids and old folk

 

[Vegeta]

Nope. Last time I checked it needed a connection to the net before it did anything. The day I got mine my line was down and it was unusable

Yes for first setup it does need the internet, so does all the other boxes.

 

[Neoprod]

I want to disagree with you there. You can create a local hotspot for it(one of its features) no Internet required. (just create a hotspot without internet it just requires wifi)
Any and all local content can be streamed that way.

That initial handshake thing the Chromecast does when you click the cast icon inside Plex requires an internet connection. I think the Chromecast goes off to the internet to get a version of the Plex app that it uses to play the content you're casting.

 

[Vegeta]

That initial handshake thing the Chromecast does when you click the cast icon inside Plex requires an internet connection. I think the Chromecast goes off to the internet to get a version of the Plex app that it uses to play the content you're casting.

Localcast(the app) works fine
But I can very much agree that Chromecast is the polar opposite of something like a Hdd Media Player. But then again you wouldn't buy a chromcast if offline is what you want, wouldn't make sense

 

[cerebus]

Nope. Last time I checked it needed a connection to the net before it did anything. The day I got mine my line was down and it was unusable

It needs a connection to initiate. After that you can use local hotspot even if your line is down for local content. Going away on holiday, I mean... how are you going to use a Roku when you're on holiday with no internet? As for locking down content, I'd suggest you do that on Plex. Chromecast is just a streamer.

It is the most limited device out there though, I realise that. That's why I'm waiting for the Apple TV. But the no-internet argument seems quite feeble to me.

 

[Neoprod]

The focus of the devices is different as are their price-points. I can reasonably expect the Roku 3 to do more and be more than the Chromecast cos' I paid 3x the price of a Chromecast for it.

For what it is, the Chromecast is pretty amazing and Plex makes both devices shine. If you get the Roku 3 app on your smart device, the user experience between the 2 devices gets even closer. Ultimately, for me anyway, the underlying hardware should melt away into the background so anyone can just use stuff without having to know much.

 

[Soul Assassin]

Plex app will hopefully be coming pretty soon, the app has been submitted twice already for approval from Apple but been rejected for various reasons. It's back in review now so let's hope 3rd time lucky.

This is from a changelog of the latest PMS.

Improved audio codec handling for an unreleased app for an unreleased fruit-themed device.

 

[cerebus]

The focus of the devices is different as are their price-points. I can reasonably expect the Roku 3 to do more and be more than the Chromecast cos' I paid 3x the price of a Chromecast for it.

For what it is, the Chromecast is pretty amazing and Plex makes both devices shine. If you get the Roku 3 app on your smart device, the user experience between the 2 devices gets even closer. Ultimately, for me anyway, the underlying hardware should melt away into the background so anyone can just use stuff without having to know much.

Yep, this. I previously had an AC Ryan PlayonHD, and it was an absolute dog compared to the CC.

 

[Wasp_21]

Apologies, but a question not on the new chromecast, but on the current one. Casting from your phone to the CC, say on Netflix. Does this mean that the show you are watching is also playing on your phone at the same time? Can you use your phone for other stuff while casting, and if your phone dies, does the view on the TV stop? Thanks

 

[Neoprod]

Apologies, but a question not on the new chromecast, but on the current one. Casting from your phone to the CC, say on Netflix. Does this mean that the show you are watching is also playing on your phone at the same time? Can you use your phone for other stuff while casting, and if your phone dies, does the view on the TV stop? Thanks

It's not playing on the phone...the phone just tells the Chromecast which resource you want to play. Once that's done, the Chromecast sets up it's own connection to that resource. Once playback has started (a little before actually), the phone is all yours again.

 

[Wasp_21]

It's not playing on the phone...the phone just tells the Chromecast which resource you want to play. Once that's done, the Chromecast sets up it's own connection to that resource. Once playback has started (a little before actually), the phone is all yours again.

Thanks. Lastly, the special on Takealot for the CC at R399, is that a good deal? is it worth getting the CC for Netflix?

 

[Vegeta]

Think of your phone as a remote only. It tells the CC what to play and changes the volume. You can do your banking while the CC plays if you like or switch off your phone or change the volume using another phone or tablet. It's just a remote.

 

[Neoprod]

Thanks. Lastly, the special on Takealot for the CC at R399, is that a good deal? is it worth getting the CC for Netflix?

It's a good price. I don't Netflix so can't tell you what the "Netflix on Chromecast" user experience is like.

 

[Vegeta]

Thanks. Lastly, the special on Takealot for the CC at R399, is that a good deal? is it worth getting the CC for Netflix?

YES, YES and WHY DON'T YOU HAVE ONE YET!