Technology Chromecast

[Pittsey]

Android TV has Amazon Instant by the looks of it so that's not unique to the Kindle box.

I find it hard to believe that will happen. But will be glad if it does.

 

[Casey]

I find it hard to believe that will happen. But will be glad if it does.

It already happened.

In terms of apps, Android TV is a rebranding of Google TV.

And the app exists - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.avod

 

[Casey]

I just used the Plex Unsupported App Store - https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/25523-unsupported-as-in-totally-unofficial-appstore/

to add shitloads of channels to my Plex Server, including ITV, Channel 4, MTV, VH1, Yify, BringThePopcorn (a Popcorn Time fork) and Full Movies on Reddit (a reddit community where people post links to full movies that are on YouTube).

This just increased the amount of things I can watch using Chromecast a hundred-fold. Between this, Netflix and BBC iPlayer, I don't need a fucking cable subscription. Just loaded up The Hobbit Part 2 in 1080p from the Reddit channel and it started streaming instantly with no buffering. fuck yeah.

 

[Pittsey]

Just loaded up The Hobbit Part 2 in 1080p from the Reddit channel and it started streaming instantly with no buffering. fuck yeah.

Bit rate is shit though. Much like Netflix and any of the streaming solutions. It's not the same as having a blu ray rip or a 1080 encoded rip locally. In terms of streaming solutions, plex is one of the best, if not the best. But you can't beat locally stored media for quality. My friend shares his media server with several friends using Plex. But it transcodes all the media. So... It looks okay, but it looks a hell of a lot better locally. That reduction in bitrate makes a big difference (to me).

Which is why I have netflix (for a reduced price) and I have amazon prime (it came free)... but for good films, I always watch a locally stored file.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

I just used the Plex Unsupported App Store - https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/25523-unsupported-as-in-totally-unofficial-appstore/

to add shitloads of channels to my Plex Server, including ITV, Channel 4, MTV, VH1, Yify, BringThePopcorn (a Popcorn Time fork) and Full Movies on Reddit (a reddit community where people post links to full movies that are on YouTube).

This just increased the amount of things I can watch using Chromecast a hundred-fold. Between this, Netflix and BBC iPlayer, I don't need a fucking cable subscription. Just loaded up The Hobbit Part 2 in 1080p from the Reddit channel and it started streaming instantly with no buffering. fuck yeah.

In order make use of this feature do I have to run Plex from my laptop or computer? I don't want to be forced to turn another device on and have it running (especially for long periods).

Do you not think that these links will be taken down or films be taken down from YouTube or unplayable on the Chromecast to prevent people from watching it this way?

 

[Casey]

In order make use of this feature do I have to run Plex from my laptop or computer? I don't want to be forced to turn another device on and have it running (especially for long periods).

Do you not think that these links will be taken down or films be taken down from YouTube or unplayable on the Chromecast to prevent people from watching it this way?

Plex is a media server. So yeah, it has to be running. I always have a system turned on so it makes no difference to me. Sure, some links will get taken down. But much more will get put up. You'll never run out of things to watch.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Plex is a media server. So yeah, it has to be running. I always have a system turned on so it makes no difference to me. Sure, some links will get taken down. But much more will get put up. You'll never run out of things to watch.

Ah, you see... that's a pain for me as I do not want to be managing more devices.

I wonder what will happen if Aereo wins their case, and if it will come to the Chromecast and other services similar to that which might even launch around here. Can't see that happening though.

 

[Casey]

Chromecast now has full Android mirroring. Tested it on my Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013. Works perfectly. Epic win.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

I saw the option from the notification bar a while back when it was in beta phase, but it crashed. Since then I've not really had a look at it so I'm yet to have a play around with it.

It would be good for Google Earth, Google Maps, demonstrations, Android apps that are incompatible with Chromecast - so the Mirroring is a great workaround.

Does the mirroring option allow for sound to be mirrored as well? or is it strictly just for visuals?

 

[Casey]

I saw the option from the notification bar a while back when it was in beta phase, but it crashed. Since then I've not really had a look at it so I'm yet to have a play around with it.

It would be good for Google Earth, Google Maps, demonstrations, Android apps that are incompatible with Chromecast - so the Mirroring is a great workaround.

Does the mirroring option allow for sound to be mirrored as well? or is it strictly just for visuals?

Yep, sound mirrors perfectly.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Tried this a few days ago and it works really well.

I just wish my Nexus 7 could mirror to the Chromecast so then I could try playing Sonic 4 on the big screen with my PS3 controller, plus all other emulated games and even GTA 3 and GTA Vice City since I'm probably going to get rid of all my PS2 games.

I tried playing 100 Balls and a Basketball shooting game from my Nexus 4 using the mirror facility, but there seemed to be some lag, so I don't know how well gaming would be on the Chromecast since there is a delay between the main device and the Chromecast. It would be a different story with Android TV I think though.