The Core

Why We Are Here => Hardware & Technology => Topic started by: rcjordan on January 25, 2014, 06:51:32 PM

Title: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: rcjordan on January 25, 2014, 06:51:32 PM
It makes you waaay too dependent on Chrome. I see it as being just another brick in the walled garden.  Also does not do Wifi Direct.
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: bill on March 18, 2014, 07:36:14 AM
Got one of these for Xmas but just got around to plugging it in. Aside from the need for an occasional reboot, it's not a bad device.

We don't get Netflix or any of those fancy movie deals over here, so I'm limited to YouTube for now. It's better than Japanese talk shows...

I may just have to spring for a VPN and Netflix to use on this.
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: JasonD on March 18, 2014, 11:07:12 AM
I use Unotelly and rate it highly.

It's effectively a DNS server that points your traffic via their proxy for specific hostnames. It also enables you to configure yourself to appear as if you come from different countries for different providers.

EG - Iplayer = UK
Netflix - US and/or UK (depending on what show I want to watch)
Hulu Plus - US
etc etc

I use it with 3 Apple TVs, 1 Roko and 1 Chromecast alongside various laptops and it simply works seamlessly.
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: Rooftop on March 18, 2014, 11:19:02 AM
I've got one. I mostly use it as an easy way to beam stuff from phone to TV.  Works really well for that, although it doesn't auto rotate video which is bloody infurating as I apparently hold my camera funny.
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: Rumbas on March 18, 2014, 01:05:03 PM
I'm running the Hola Unblocker and it works.. not fantastic, but it works.
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: DrCool on March 18, 2014, 01:34:03 PM
We use our Chromecast all the time to watch Netflix and HBO2Go. My wife uses it to watch Youtube videos with our son on the TV as well.

When the NFL contract with DirectTV is up after next season I can see G being big players in the market for that content. Every day I keep hoping we are getting closer to a system where you can pay for the content you actually want instead of hundreds of channels you don't care about mixed in with the 5 you do want. Chromecast and similar devices are a good step in that direction.
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: bill on March 19, 2014, 04:59:14 AM
Quote from: JasonD on March 18, 2014, 11:07:12 AM
I use Unotelly and rate it highly.
Interesting. Where do you switch your DNS? Do you need to switch the DNS to switch regions, or is there an app of some sort?
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: JasonD on March 19, 2014, 02:21:39 PM
>Interesting. Where do you switch your DNS? Do you need to switch the DNS to switch regions, or is there an app of some sort?

There is a web control panel thing where you tell it what country you want to appear to be from for different services. That, alongside authorising your IP, is all that is needed.

IE - Ping them like the old dynamic DNS services used to require and that's it. It's all invisible in day to day use. Exactly how I like it :)
Title: Re: Tried out Chromecast yesterday
Post by: rcjordan on June 27, 2014, 10:51:04 AM
update:

now pair Chromecast with mobile devices that are NOT on the same Wi-Fi network. Pairing is done through inaudible, ultrasonic sounds

http://gigaom.com/2014/06/26/chromecast-will-use-ultrasonic-sounds-to-pair-your-tv-with-your-friends-phones/

So, if I'm reading this correctly, we have a local mesh?  A one-way mesh, output is from many (mobiles) to one (display}, right?