Posted on 09/14/2013 6:21:29 AM PDT by InterceptPoint
As soon as Google unveiled Chromecast, I was lucky enough to scoop up a couple of the $35 devices to connect the two TVs in our home. After a few weeks, it’s fundamentally changed how my family watches TV. It’s also changed some of my perceptions about the evolution of the “second screen.”
Most of the TV viewing in our house is dominated by our kids. Ages 3 and 5, they immediately grasped how to “cast” their Netflix shows from our phones (iPhone and Nexus 4) and iPads to either TV. After all, they were already watching Netflix on their devices, and simply tapping an icon to play it on TV turned out to be an extremely natural act. For them, devices are the starting point to watch video, not the TV.
For me, the remote control has been my historical starting point, but Chromecast is liberating because it’s invisibly tied to my omnipresent devices. I can leave both TVs on Chromecast (why should we have to turn TVs on and off?), then pick up any phone or tablet in my home, find a show and cast it instantly. I always have my phone in my pocket — but not remote controls — and our tablets are always sitting on the couch or next to the bed. Finding a show on a tablet is much easier than tapping up/down/left/right on a remote, and the multitasking wizardry of Chromecast makes it a snap to play something and do something else at the same time.
I picked one up a few weeks back. Very cool device.
Google is known to be facilitating the NSA and their ever more intrusive spying on us. Why would you bring a Google device into your home?
WiFi requirements not clear in description; does not work with all routers, September 5, 2013
By Eriknorca
I plugged in my Chromecast and was going through the setup. When I got to connecting to my network, Chromecast was able to find the network, but could not connect to it.
I called the helpful 24x7 support number and got a very quick answer to my problem: the device controlling the Chromecast must itself be connected to the wireless network to which you are attaching the Chromecast. This network requirement should be made clear in the technical requirements for the device. Perhaps it might be obvious to others, but it wasn't to me.
After connecting my PC to my wireless network, I attempted the setup again. Although my PC and the Chromecast were both able to see the network, they could not interact. Google has workarounds for some router brands and models, but not all. Apparently, there is not yet a workaround for the Netgear N150.
Ultimately, I returned the product as being unusable with my other hardware.
For starters I just don't worry much about NSA spying on me. They have way bigger fish to fry.
Take a look at some of the Chromecast videos on YouTube and you may change your mind. What I noticed is that once I installed my Chromcast we spend less time on Fox News and more time on YouTube. A big advantage of that is instead of spending 1/3 of your time watching commercials you get to watch whatever you want that 99.5% commercial free.
Another point about YouTube: Much of the newer content is true HDTV - 720P or 1080P so it looks great on your HDTV. And there is plenty of political content.
If you are getting tired of O'Reilly and Hannity you should give it a try.
Kill Your TV. Go outside and play! :)
I have a Netgear router as well. Not sure of the model. And I had a lot of problems getting my Chromecast working due to the complexity of my setup which has a Netgear router and and an Amped Access Point.
My problem was that my Amped unit was set up as a Router instead of a Access Point. Another problem that you may have had is the your router has to have UNpN enabled. Many routers come with UNpN disabled. You have to fix that to get your Chromecast working.
Along the way I found that the 24/7 Google support for Chromecast is very, very good. They know most of the issues and are very patient. Ditto the Amped router folks. They got mine working on my pretty screwed up network.
In the 60's, I turned on the TV, selected a channel (add 9, 11, and a couple of UHF .. or was it VHF .. I forget) and watched
In the 60's I turned off, tuned in and dropped out
In the eighties I turned on the TV, selected a channel and watched
Ditto the 90's and the 2000's
So now, in 2013, you turn on a phone, switch to TV, select a channel and watch
Yeah, so ?
This review was helpful.
Because, I want the NSA to see how truly boring I am. :)
Cable disconnected 2 years ago. Netflix gets less than an hour of my time a week.
TV sucks.
My only addiction is the website you are on right now.
NOT LOOKING BACK !!!
Google? I use my SonyBlu ray player to access Amazon Prime on my TV. No google in my home.
We have a Roku, which does the same thing. But Roku doesn't offer YouTube. I'd love to watch YouTube concert footage on the telly. And for $35, what do you have to lose?
In that vein, I recommend any YouTube video with John Taylor Gatto. A very wise man.
Well I'm certainly with you on that. But think for the moment what the reach of FR would be if Jim Robinson or his designee were to start up a Free Republic on YouTube channel.
Right now we are a non-player on YouTube. Do a search for Free Republic on YT and here what you get:
Not much.
Can Roku do that?
This is the best advice yet on how to deal with Chromecast. It is also therapeutic and prevents zombieism. I have been playing outside for 12 years now and every time I briefly connect to see what I might be missing, I congratulate myself for making the right decision long ago.
I think you should have ditched that Netgear N150 router and get a truly top-flight home networking router like the Asus RT-N66U (I just got one recently and love it for its very long range at both 2.4 and 5 GHz; I can now surf the ‘Net on my iPad 2 even from my late mom’s bedroom a fairly long way from the router).
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