Google Chromecast

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June 25th, 2014 at 1:21:39 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: Dalex64
The Supreme Court has ruled against Aereo.


The three judges that dissented said that the Court reached their decision by disregarding widely accepted rules, and will sow confusion for years to come.
September 29th, 2014 at 7:22:04 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Microsoft has come up with its own dongle. It works with Miracast, and can stream any content from any program onto a TV. And it doesn't even use WiFi to do so (if the program doesn't require WiFi, that is).

The plus side is you can "mirror" anything on your PC, or device, to the TV, and you don't use up WiFi to do so. The downside is it costs more than a Chromecast, and requires a PC or device that has Miracast enabled. As far as I know this means Win8.1 devices exclusively, for now, and presumably Win9 devices later on.

The big advantage is the no WiFi. Suppose you have a DVD player on your laptop and want to watch the movie on a hotel's TV. You can do so without either paying for WiFi, suing your own mobile WiFi, or relying on the iffy WiFi available in most hotels. This would work, too, for presentations at meetings, if they have a TV available.

On the other hand, Android L, whenever it comes out, promises universal "mirroring" of content through Chromecast. So get good mobile WiFi.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
September 29th, 2014 at 10:38:30 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: Nareed

The big advantage is the no WiFi. Suppose you have a DVD player on your laptop and want to watch the movie on a hotel's TV. You can do so without either paying for WiFi, suing your own mobile WiFi, or relying on the iffy WiFi available in most hotels. This would work, too, for presentations at meetings, if they have a TV available.

On the other hand, Android L, whenever it comes out, promises universal "mirroring" of content through Chromecast. So get good mobile WiFi.


The TV has to be Miracast capable or accept a dongle. They are predicting a billion such devices to be sold by next year.Peer to peer networking has many advantages, including some you mentioned. But primarily you control the entire show, and aren't brought down by a WAP/router that you have no control over.

Another technology that will be available by next year is WiGig, which will run at 60 Ghz. Wi-Fi works by using radio waves on the 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz frequencies. In theory with WiGig you won't have to have any devices within a room wired (except for power). Not speakers, video, keyboards, etc. The WirelessHD specification is competing with WiGig.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:17:11 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Quote: Pacomartin
The TV has to be Miracast capable or accept a dongle.


I think I failed to mention the MS dongle plugs into the HDMI port on the TV.

The thing is that while the Chromecast, requires more resources, it works for just about everyone with a tablet or smartphone, because the additional resources, ie the WiFI network, is usually already there. Not many PCs or tablets, as far as I know, are able to Miracast. As I said, I understand this function can be found only in Win8(.1) PCs and tablets, and those haven't sold well.

All signs are that I will upgrade to Win9 (if it's called that) when it gets released next year. If I were looking for a streaming stick, I'd still pick the Chromecast.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
November 20th, 2014 at 5:16:46 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
WALMART's VUDU video rental service works with

PlayStation®3
Xbox 360®
Roku®
Chromecast®
iPad®
Android™
Blu-ray™ / TV

They may come out with a priority player that works only with VUDU. Why would you buy such a thing? What if it came free with your first ten video rentals?

Would anyone be interested then?

BTW, is Chromecast available in Mexico yet?
November 20th, 2014 at 9:31:58 PM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Quote: Pacomartin
BTW, is Chromecast available in Mexico yet?


Yes. I saw it advertised on a Best Buy flier. It sells for 700 pesos, which is way too expensive.

I paid, I think, $35 US. Let's take an inflated exchange rate of 14 pesos to a dollar, that would have made it 490 pesos (the rate has never been 14 to 1). The rate right now is closer to 13.25 to one dollar. so the Chromecast here sells for $52.80. Ouch!

I don't know for sure, but alternatives like Apple TV ought to have a similar surcharge. If so, then the Chromecast may still be worth it.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
November 21st, 2014 at 7:17:26 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Electronics are a lot more in Mexico. Insignia™ products are the house brand for Best Buy , but they are made in China. There are only 4 televisions using Insignia brand on the Mexican Best Buy site.

TV LED INSIGNIA
19" 60HZ HD $2,299 reduced to $1,999 NS-19E310A13 (US$220 reduced to US$147)
32" 60HZ HD $3,499 reduced to $2,399 NS-32D311MX15
40" 60HZ F-HD $5,499 reduced to $4,799 NS-40D510MX15
50" 120HZ F-HD $8,499 reduced to $7,999 NS-50D550MX15

The models in Mexico are slightly older (maybe a year or two older). The advertisement for the newer 19" model in USA is

Insignia™ - 19" 60Hz 720p $119.99 reduced to $99.99 NS-19E310NA15

US$99.99 = MXN$1,363
US$119.99 =MXN$1,636

The Insignia™ NS-19E310A13 (on the Mexico website) is listed as a DISCONTINUED PRODUCT in the USA is sold for $79.99 if you can find one in a store. So US$79.99t is close to half the MXN$1,999 price.

Walmart's doorbuster price for thanksgiving is $200 for a 40" television.
January 10th, 2015 at 9:25:40 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569


Do they have these dongles in Mexico? While at $150 they are more expensive than a Chromecast, you can turn your PC into a Windows computer where you have the option of watching Netflix on Chrome browser. A $90 Linux version should be out in a few months.

Of course you need a wireless keyboard and mouse as well.
January 12th, 2015 at 1:00:29 PM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Quote: Pacomartin
Do they have these dongles in Mexico? While at $150 they are more expensive than a Chromecast, you can turn your PC into a Windows computer where you have the option of watching Netflix on Chrome browser.


I think you meant TV rather than PC.

Is it out in the States yet? I'm not sure I understand the idea. You'd need a powered UB hub to use it with a mouse and keyboard. And at that price it cannot possibly run well.

BTW the other day I had to change the wireless settings at home (long story). Getting the Chromecast to connect with the new setting took a while. I think because the Kit Kat on the tablet kept shutting off its Wi fi connection, as it does when it detects no activity for a few minutes (or seconds?) In the end I got it working.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
September 30th, 2015 at 2:52:57 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569


The new Chromecasts (and Chromecast audio) have just been announced. They are still $35. Presumably the old ones will be sold for less.

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