Cord-Cutters: Google has a pretty awesome device on the way!

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

http://9to5google.com/2013/07/24/google-announces-chromecast-a-small-hdmi-stick-that-shifts-video-from-mobile-to-tv/

The jist: a HDMI "stick" that allows you to push video from your mobile (iOS included) or computer to your TV - for $35

churchy · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 11:39 am Post subject:

I need something like this that will allow me to push my Directv signal.

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 11:48 am Post subject:

Oh stuff! This seems way too good to be true! If it works well I'll definitely be picking one up.

Hope they add additional services like Hulu. That'd be killer.

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 11:48 am Post subject:

I just preordered one a few minutes ago.
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromecast

Anyone want to buy a Nexus 7? I'm contemplating upgrading to the new version.

Bowen · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 12:04 pm Post subject:

Been waiting for something like that. Just bought it.

In reality I'll probably buy a few more after I test it out.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Pretty sweet. What I don't understand though, is why they don't just broadcast the entire desktop? It seems to only broadcast certain apps. This is what I am looking for: uninhibited wireless HDMI. I wonder if someone will crack it.

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 12:06 pm Post subject:

jgriffith · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 12:17 pm Post subject:

Seems like most or all new TV's have or will soon have Wi-Fi built in, seems strange for google to invest in something like this. I guess it will take a while for the "non-smart" TV's to phase out though.

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 12:39 pm Post subject:

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

jgriffith, they will or do, but they still have to have a supported technology baked in to receive a signal from your phone, tab or laptop. This is akin to Apple's Airplay via AppleTV, but with cross-platform support out of the box and is even more portable.

The only thing "missing" is mirroring, but I have a feeling that will be coming soon.

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 24, 2013 12:45 pm Post subject:

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

I meant missing from the Chromecast device.

senorbueno · Addict Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 775

Wakebrad, you can already mirror an entire desktop if you have Apple TV. There's an app that costs 10 or 15$ called airparrot. I've used it with OSX and Windows, it works more smoothly on OSX, but now you can mirror OSX straight through the latest version of OSX. It's the sole reason I bought an Apple TV a year and a half ago

Tbonez · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 4:27 am Post subject:

I will never buy anything from Google again after the Prism scandal....

I will not finance your efforts to infringe upon my rights.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Tbonez, you should stop buying and using pretty much everyone then. PRISM and similar programs are in much deeper than Google, Apple, etc. Basically every telecom, every ISP, every internet portal....

Bowen · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 7:03 am Post subject:

Tbonez, Additionally you should stop posting and using the internet and your cell phone. If you must use the internet I'd recommend you do it through a VPN that you pay via bitcoin or the onion router.

Wakebrad, while it doesn't broadcast the entire desktop (yet), it will broadcast anything you can do in Chrome. SO if you have a Chrome Pixel i believe it will broadcast the entire desktop.

I ordered one yesterday, but my local best buy has them in stock today, so I may just cancel my order and go pick it up today.

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 7:48 am Post subject:

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

I'm interested in how well this works. My Miracast dongle has been working pretty well, but I like that this can work with iOS as well. Since the dongle comes with 3 free months of Netflix the cost of the dongle (for people like me) is only 10 or 15 bucks. I don't have Netflix but have been meaning to get it. Seems like a pretty easy decision, but I'd like to see how well this device works in the real world.

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 10:13 am Post subject:

Dang, Best Buy's in my area don't have 'em (at least not listed on the web). I was thinking about picking one up after work.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

^this is the same around here. I wouldn't cancel any online orders thinking you can just waltz in to a BestBuy and get one. Everyone is sold out!

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

It was amazon prime eligible until they sold out. I should have jumped. This could be good for my gf's house.

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 11:02 am Post subject:

From what I can tell, looks like a very limited amount of Best Buy's got them in today and they're selling quick. There's one in my area that has it now but with traffic it'd be about an hour and a half drive each way in the opposite direction of my house.

Would have definitely been an impulse purchase for me but I'll wait for reviews to roll-in.

If anyone here picks one up let us know what you think!

Bowen · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 12:43 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I'm planning on swinging by after work.

I have a feeling this is going to be like the Nexus 4 when it first came out. It's gonna fly off shelves and not be easily available for months.

pyrocasto · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 1:04 pm Post subject:

Cant wait til this wireless hdmi is out. All others are in the $200+ range and not quite worth it. I will buy 2 as soon as they're released. Smile

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Netflix "limited time" deal is already over.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Tbonez · Posted: Jul 25, 2013 2:48 pm Post subject:

Brit Rider · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 8:02 am Post subject:

Just tried to buy but can't get them in the UK yet... Anyone want to go buy 2, I'll pay for yours if you ship mine USPS to me? PM if interested Smile

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 9:05 am Post subject:

Sounds like you can share you're whole desktop as well.
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/26/tip-chromecast-can-cast-your-entire-desktop-screen-too-not-just-tabs/

churchy · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 9:30 am Post subject:

Awesome.. this may be just what I need. Found out I can watch ALL my directv channels if I am on my home network. I could then use this as a solution to get the signal to my outside TV.

Chad H · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 10:05 am Post subject:

I use apple tv from time to time to mirror my laptop, but it can't keep up, laptop is a year old macbook pro and so I don't think it's that. Maybe this will work more smoothly?

jgriffith · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 10:16 am Post subject:

Chad H, its probably your internet connection, there is no lag with mirroring from my iphone to apple tv.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Not internet connection - the wireless connection. If you have poor wireless connectivity, mirroring will suck.

Also, you should be using wireless-N at minimum, and a non-shitty router too.

TnR6Rida · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 12:39 pm Post subject:

Well I ordered one. Thank you for making me spend my money.

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Jul 26, 2013 1:26 pm Post subject:

Distance of the computer from the device also probably matters. IIRC you have to be within 20 feet of the chromecast.