Customer Reviews

Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player

Update: "Tasker" android app has integrated CC compatibility via "Autocast" on April 5th.

After searching for this product on Amazon.uk for months, I eventually bought the Chromecast from the US, paying considerably more than the current price on Amazon due to shipping and import duties. I am glad the Chromecast has finally made it to Europe, as since then many software developers started to integrate CC compatibility into their apps and add new functionality to this device.

My experience with this little gadget is a very positive one. Certain aspects, discussed later, are being addressed and improved as we speak! The aggressive pricing combined with functionality of this unassuming tiny device is fast becoming a must have for many!

The bottom line is that basically the Chromecast will convert your Smart or conventional HD TV into the Smartest of TVs. And if that is not enough, it is controlled via your smartphone rather than a dedicated wireless keyboard which would probably cost as much as this device itself.

The package comes bundled with everything you could possibly need to get you up and running, that is, as long as you have a existing Wi-Fi/internet connection.

The fact that the unit connects directly to an HDMI port means less wires and a stealthy device.

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SO WHAT IS THE CHROMECAST? : (In short)

The CC is a 3inch dongle which plugs into the TV, amplifier or even Playstaion HDMI port and is powered via the provided USB cable (a mains adapter is also included just in case). Once set up it automatically connects to the internet providing seamless streaming of many "popular" web media services. The list is increasing thanks to its ever growing appeal and cross platform compatibility. The Chromecast can be controlled via smartphones, Android & iOS devices and desktop computers. This avoids the need for some clunky remote controller!

What it does best is the streaming of media stored on the web, yet there really is no limit to the capabilities of this little device thanks to technological advancements and the many app developers jumping aboard the Chromecast's wagon.

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INSTALLATION & SETUP:

To start off, you need a free HDMI port on your TV (or a/v equippment). Yet you might find that there is not enough room to plug the device due to its relatively bulky design. Thankfully the unit comes with an extension interface which addresses the issue. This interface is narrow enough to fit next to existing occupied HDMI ports, and the Chromecast will snugly fit over it. The next step powering the device. If you do not have a USB port on your TV, or are using it for a keyboard (you won't need it any longer most probably), than a mains adapter is included in the package. The micro USB power supply needs to be connected to the device itself. The unit will come to life, indicated by a flashing LED light on the unit itself.
That's it! You can now forget about the unit and proceed to the next step.

Setting up the CC is performed via an app named "Chromecast", available for iOS and Android. This will aid you in configuring the Wi-Fi settings for your home Wi-Fi. The Chromecast will then automatically log on to the internet and remain connected.

The TV screen will spring to life with an endless slide show of stunning photos. I find the very professional looking Chromecast homescreen so relaxing to view thanks to the lovely landscape scenes.

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FUNCTIONALITY:

Up until today seamless streaming is limited to web media such as Youtube, Netflix, BBC iPlayer (for UK only), Google Play movies, and others services being updated nearly every other day!

So let's say you want to view a youtube video:
On Android and iOS devices, just open the youtube app and select the video you wish to watch. An icon in the form of a small window will appear within youtube. Clicking the icon and selecting Chromecast TV will play the selected video on the TV in HD.

If using a desktop or laptop computer:
1 Open the youtube video using the Google Chrome browser.
2 Click the icon displayed within the youtube window. Do not click icon on the top right hand side of the browser itself. If you do so the "Cast this tab to ...Beta" is displayed, and you will not get the desired result.

Videos are automatically streamed in HD and a point worth noting is that the Chromecast will use your broadband connection directly, and not route the signal via the device you chose to "stream" from. This means that if you are using a tablet or phone, there will no battery drain and you can use your device for other applications. Streaming speed is only limited by the broadband to Chromecast connection, thus leaving your computer, phone or tablet to work like a remote control. (This is particularly useful when using a smartphone as it will replace the need for a dedicated keyboard or remote whilst still being able to function as a phone!)

Thanks to periodic "silent" firmware updates, I am now exploring other options like mirroring of the chrome web page to the TV, using the "Cast this tab to ...Beta" mentioned earlier. The firmware updates also improve compatibility with the ever growing number of Apps, which is great.

I noticed that "Regza-Link" is displayed (on the HDMI option) on my 3 year old 47" Toshiba TV when connecting the Chromecast. This means that the TV automatically switches on (if on standby) and goes to the Chromecast channel when it detects a streaming request.

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EXISTING LIMITATIONS:

Amazon LOVEFiLM subscribers will find that they cannot stream these movies. This is not a limitation of the Chromecast itself ........ Amazon has launched its own Amazon Fire TV in the US (2nd April), so it is highly unlikely to ever see CC compatibility.

Streaming media stored on a device is not so straight forward, yet to be fair this 30� Chromecast was not originally designed to do so. However apps like Plex and BubbleUPNP have come aboard to address this issue and enhance the CC's capabilities. This was made possible thanks to Google re releasing the software development kit. Once again this should set an example to other manufacturers!

The cross platform free App named "Plex" gives the Chromecast a much welcome upgrade in streaming such media. This application is launched within Google Chrome and offers a more streamlined operation. It is fairly easy to install, and the homepage will guide you through the setup process. This requires the creation of a free account. The installation webpage might lead you to think that you need to buy a subscription in order to use Chromecast, yet you don't have to.

BubbleUPNP is free, very easy to setup, and works a treat on android devices. It even searches for media on other network computers!

Thanks to very helpful user comments and research, I will continue to update this review to reflect my experience with the Chromecast.

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In mid-February 2014, Google finally released the Chromecast SDK (Software Developer Kit) !! Great news, as this means that software developers can integrate CC compatibility into their apps, thus making this little device even more appealing!
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CONCLUSION:

This Chromecast has great potential which is being exploited via firmware updates and better app integration. Given the ever growing popularity, I am positive that this little gem will get widespread support in a very short time.

Needless to say, I rate the Chromecast 5 stars! It does what it was designed to do extremely well, and the ease of use, cross-platform compatibility and price make it a clear winner!!

Highly recommended to anyone seeking the easiest, cheapest and effective web media viewing device!!

Happy viewing :)

Update: BT Sport app added from April 7th.

This Chromecast review is a summary of:

*what it is,
*what it does well,
*what it doesn't do well,
*what it doesn't do at all.

so that folks can decide whether it's for them, and have realistic and accurate expectations.

So - what it is:

Chromecast (CC) is a small wireless dongle, designed to be inserted into a spare HDMI socket on a TV, AV amp, console etc. No other connections are available, in or out. A short HDMI cable extender is included, in case access is tight. The dongle is about 7.0cms long tip to tip, and about 3.5cms across at its widest point. Our main chromecast didn't need the extender on the lounge TV, but the kitchen chromecast did.

It needs power, either from a spare USB socket on the TV, or via a supplied 3 pin UK mains plug. It wirelessly connects to your router. Set-up is straightforward. It doesn't come with a remote. Instead, it uses what you already have in your pocket, or readily to hand. A mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, or laptop. They become a remote-with-a-display, unlike a dumb "buttons only" remote.

Mobile devices need to be android (running Android 2.3 and higher), or iPhone/iPad/iPod (iOS� 6 and higher), computers need to be chromebooks, or running the chrome browser on W7 and later, or chrome for Mac on 10.7 and higher.

What it does well:

Its main purpose is to stream (directly from the internet) services from supported apps (what Google call "optimized" apps). On launch day in the UK, these comprised BBC iPlayer (free in the UK), Netflix (subscription), Google Play Movies/Music (buy or rent), and YouTube (free). BT Sport has been subsequently added (free for BT Broadband customers).

In the US, users don't have BBC iPlayer, but do have HBO Go and Hulu services, plus others. These US services are not available in the UK, on any legal platform. Territorial restrictions are a decision for the service providers, not a deficiency with Chromecast.

The development kit has been released and apparently thousands of developers have signed up. So it can be expected that more services will be supported in time. Roku boxes and Apple TV have been going longer so have more services, but let's be realistic - if a box has a 1000 apps, 995 will likely be dross you'd look at once, and never again. Apple TV has been going 7 years, and it still doesn't have BBC iPlayer.

But if you like a box with wires and yet another remote and like paying 3 times the price, or prefer a server set-up rivalled only by the BBC operation, have multiple connection requirements, or prefer subscription services from VM or Sky, knock yourself out with one of those solutions.

With CC, you browse the service you want on a mobile device, choose your title, press the cast icon on the app, and that tells CC to grab the stream directly from the internet. It's then doing the heavy lifting, so your device is free to take calls, browse, do whatever - even be switched off - although in practice you'd probably leave it on, so you can pause the stream when you go and put the kettle on.

On my Nexus phone and tablet, I can pause/stop the CC even with the phone locked, a neat touch.

This feature cannot be over-stressed. With an optimized app, CC handles the streaming, NOT your device.

On our set up it handles this main function very well. In fact, we have iPlayer on the TV and PVR, and the equivalent on CC is better. It loads quicker, and buffers less. We have Amazon Video with the old Lovefilm app on the TV, and frankly, I prefer Netflix (more on Amazon Video later).

Hidden away, no wires, no box, not another clunky remote you use by looking up and down from the TV. What's not to like?

We got CC #1 last year from Amazon US, to add Netflix and Google Play Movies to our existing line up, and it does this brilliantly and discretely. So much so we got CC #2 when it launched in the UK, to get some smart services on the kitchen telly.

That's its main purpose, and it does it simply and well. For �30.

What it doesn't do well:

CC has a beta feature where you can cast content from a chrome browser on a computer, hence the reference to PC and Mac. You're looking on your laptop at, say, the M&S; web-site, with a little video going. With the cast extension from Google Apps, you can cast (mirror) that browser to the TV. In some instances, you can maximise the video so that it fills the TV screen.

Or you can cast your local content from a computer over to the big screen. This can work too from an android or iDevice phone or tablet. With mobile, people mention Plex a lot, sometimes Allcast. I can already show my stuff on the big screen using Samsung's Allshare DLNA style feature, so this is not a major need for me.

The point is, it depends on the content, the kit, and your network. Pushing video across is intensive, and users have reported varying degrees of success.

If this is your main requirement, in all honesty, look elsewhere. A cable connection will be less tidy, but likely more successful.

What is doesn't do at all:

As the listing says, it doesn't support Amazon Instant/Prime Video. That's an Amazon decision, not a deficiency with Chromecast. AIV/APV does not work directly on any UK streaming box, nor on the world's biggest selling mobile OS (other than the forked version of android found on the Kindle Fire). So that rules out standard android phones and tablets. It only works on their mobile kit, or iDevices. An idevice apparently can push it to Apple TV via airplay.

We have it via the original Lovefilm app on the TV, and the switchover has been poor. The result is that now we use Netflix far more.

If Amazon Video is important to you, don't expect it to work, probably ever, on Chromecast. Amazon have announced their own Amazon Fire TV in the US. It's a box solution. There's no UK launch date yet. If you don't already have and want this service, wait to see if it comes out here.

Meanwhile, keep in mind they want you to watch their content, on their kit. Another walled garden supplier.

Chromecast won't cast a browser from a tablet. Again, it's the heavy lifting. If an i3 machine with 4 gig of RAM struggles, don't expect a tablet to do any better. In fact, it won't do it at all. Once more, if that's your main requirement, look elsewhere.

It doesn't include ITV Player, C4OD, and Demand 5. They might come, who knows. The apps are there in Google Play, and presumably iTunes, so if they wanted they could do a re-code and add a cast option, just as BT Sport did. You could spend a �1000 on a new TV, and still not get all the UK's catch-up services. If they can be viewed in a chrome browser, the browser *might* cast over. But as I said earlier, this is not the device's main purpose.

Summary:

That's about it really. What it does well, it does well. What it doesn't do well, it doesn't do well. And what it doesn't do at all, it doesn't do at all.

Read the tin. Visit Google Play Devices and read their listing. Read the reviews on PC Pro, PC Advisor etc. Go to the Chromecast Help Centre and read that.

If you want a box with various connection options, another remote, and more services, pony up the extra cash.

If you want a simple, neat, cheap device to add some smart online services, with more to come, spend pocket money and buy a Chromecast. Some will say it provides a pocket money service. Fine. They will tend to support their own solution. That's human nature. Make up your own mind.

But please, do read the tin. Did I mention that?

Superb device, and so cheap. Works brilliantly. An absolute must buy. But... Pathetic Amazon won't allow the tab browsing function of desktop Chrome to sream Lovefilm videos to Chromecast. Absolutely fed up with Amazon and their petty refusal to work with Google, especially as the whole Kindle operating system is a knocked down version of Google's own Android OS. As well as refusing to allow me to access my Lovefilm account on any Android device, this latest petty stance from Amazon makes me mad. Closing Lovefilm account and getting rid of any Kindle software and devices. Had enough. Sort your politics out!

BT Sport on a second television 'through' a Samsung Galaxy ace 2.

Excellent picture quality and easy to set up.

You'll know what the Chromecast does, I'm sure, as that's why you're looking at the reviews.

The Chromecast is a fantastic little device and for �30 you can stream content from your Android/Apple device to your TV with little effort.

To be honest, I didn't really need this device as my Virgin Tivo box already gives me access to Netflix, YouTube and catch-up services such as iPlayer, etc. However, I'd wanted one for a while and the option to "cast" web content to the television along with music from Google Music was a clincher.

It streams content from Netflix. YouTube and iPlayer easily over my network without stuttering or buffering. I have used a couple of Android phones, an iPad Air, a Windows 8 laptop and a Windows 7 machine without any issue. It was simple enough to download the Chromecast app from the Android Play Store. It then gives you a list of other compatible apps such as iPlayer, Netflix, etc.

Setup was a breeze and it recognised my Wifi connection on my Virgin Superhub 2. I simply had to type in my router security key and I was away. However, it must be noted that the Chromecast won't recognise or be able to connect to a 5GHz Wifi signal, only the standard 2.4GHz.

I tend to use the Windows 8 laptop more than anything else - it's a Toshiba tablet/laptop hybrid kind of thing - and when I want to view something on the television I either use the cast icon on Chrome or when on Netflix I press the cast icon again and it gives me the option to view on "this device" or the Chromecast. A simple press on the Chromecast option and within seconds the Netflix splash screen appears on my TV and the programme starts to stream. It really is a painless procedure.

I've only had a couple of issues when streaming content - a black screen with a message "this programme is not available, etc" - but turning the Chromecast on and off has solved that and as it only takes seconds to reboot, it's not really an issue. Normally this kind of thing would annoy me, but it must be remembered that the Chromecast is still in it's infancy so these kind of glitches are to be expected.

There's only one disappointment for me and that is the performance of Plex which is needed to stream content from your PC, i.e. locally stored video, etc. However, this is not really the end of the world as I can stream through the PS3. Again, it's probably just a glitch and I'm sure that future software updates will address that.

EDIT: I've downloaded an app from the Google Play Store called AllCast which cost me �3. That streams stuff directly from my phone to the television through the Chromecast. It also allows me to bypass Plex and stream media on my network without any stuttering. Great stuff. THere is also an option to play media files directly from DropBox. Although audio streams fine, video streams with sound only. Not a big problem.

The Chromecast is a cheap and efficient way to turn your TV (as long as it has a HDMI socket) into a all-singing, all-dancing Smart TV. My Samsung TV is pretty old now and the only thing I had to do was buy one of these:3D Ready / Full HD 1080p HDMI Switch - flexible 3 port switch | 3 x IN / 1 x OUT | Dolby True HD / intelligent switch- automatic and manual switch as I only had two HDMI sockets and with the Chromecast three devices. The Chromecast is plugged in and is "on" all the time. When I switch inputs it is ready and waiting to be used. When the PS3 is turned on it kicks in and the switch changes automatically to this new device. Once the PS3 is turned off it goes back to the Chromecast again. Very simple.

One of those rare devices that is cheap, easy to use and has great impact. Can't recommend the Chromecast enough.

EDIT No 2: Anyone know how to install the Chromecast app on my Kindle Fire HD (previous gen)?

Just got my hands on one. Really easy to set up & works on the whole family's IOS and Android devices. Was surprised at the high quality performance as we only get 1mb download internet on a good day. BBC iplayer, YouTube and Netflix working fine with more apps coming. I'm recommending it to my mates :)

I live in an ultra-rural area where even basic "FreeView" reception is non-existent. Due to the trees around the property, satellite TV cannot be installed either... which for me personally has never been a problem (I don't like TV anyway, and what I do want to watch I watch online using streaming services like Netflix and YouTube). My kids, on the other hand, are too young to be handed the reigns of an internet-going device, yet - when we aren't out enjoying the world - have the need to be entertained from time to time.

That's where the Chromecast really comes into its own!

Simply plug it into the HDMI socket on your TV (or monitor, if that's what you've got). Connect the USB to power (some TVs and monitors provide USB sockets, but it comes with the required 3-pin UK mains adapter anyway so no worries there).

Turn the TV on, switch to the HDMI input (most TVs do this automatically) and fire up your mobile device (I use Android, and did the setup from one of my tablets).

Somehow (I'm thinking "witchcraft" despite being in the computer industry for over 2 decades) once you install the Chromecast app on your mobile device, you'll be able to see your lovely new Chromecast dongle register on your mobile device's screen.
Keep in mind that you haven't connected the Chromecast to your WiFi yet, and it doesn't use Bluetooth... so how the two devices communicate at this point is entirely beyond me!

Anyway, you'll go through the very straight-forward setup process for the Chromecast on your mobile device.

Once that's all done, fire up YouTube, Netflix or any of the other compatible apps on any compliant device on your network and you'll be able to instruct the service to play (and queue) videos up on your Chromecast.... remotely!

It basically turns something incredibly boring (a television) into something infinitely enjoyable (Internet entertainment).

Best �30 I've ever spent!

Having been frustrated for many months while trying to watch Netflix and Iplayer without constant stop-start with buffering we thought we would give this a go. We have a Google nexus 10 wich had previously been connected to the tv with wires. It took a little while to get it set up so it would recognise the router, and a little longer to get the hang of the app itself (buttons for pause and stopping the programme once selected did not work initially, nor did accessing it from more than one user account), but once these glitches were fixed it works brilliantly from the nexus and also from a smartphone. The whole film loads at the start, so that buffering no longer seems to be a problem, and the picture quality was markedly improved. Very happy.

I really like this from google , easy set up and anybody wanting to watch you tube on their tv this will certainly do the job.

This little device makes tv brilliant. As more apps come out for it then it will keep getting better. We use it for our toddler to watch nursery rhymes on youtube. I also use it for netflix and plex server. First rate! The best use of this device is for google music. If you subscribe to google music all access this device gives brilliant sound quality (best to use an amp and speakers) and very easy to use.
The only negative is that it uses a bit more battery on your phone, but not much as it does most of the work itself once the phone sends a command.
GET IT!!