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Yet Chromecast solves those issues too. Searching for content is done on website or on existing app, so its only difficult or slow as website or app is.
by paulyg 13y ago
Yet Chromecast solves those issues too. Searching for content is done on website or on existing app, so its only difficult or slow as website or app is.
- untog 13y agoYes and no. Chromecast requires you having another device to use with it. Grabbing my phone, opening the Netflix app, choosing to Chromecast, searching for a show, hitting play then waiting ~30 seconds for the Chromecast to actually play is not a good user experience. I use my Roku almost exclusively now.
- ben1040 13y agoI actually find it much easier to search or browse for content using my tablet or phone, then choose to throw it up on the TV via Chromecast, as opposed to searching for content using a remote like on a Roku or my Xbox. It just seems easier for me to do this in my hand than ten feet away, especially when I have to try to enter text into a TV interface.
- untog 13y agoI found Chromecast OK when I was using it by myself, but sharing it is a problem. It's difficult to have two or more people crowded around a smartphone screen deciding what to watch. The big screen interface works much, much better. Even that aside, my girlfriend doesn't want to use my phone to navigate, so she has to install Netflix on her phone too. And set up the user account there. Multiply that by every service we have (and Amazon Instant isn't on Android)... it's just clunky. Fine, but clunky. Having it all centralised on one box works better, as far as I'm concerned.
- chetanahuja 13y agoThis thread is perfect. I'm compiling a first-world-problems encyclopedia and needed material.
- untog 13y agoIt's a thread discussing an on-demand video streaming box that costs a hundred dollars and is designed to solve a first world problem. What exactly were you expecting to read in here?
- chetanahuja 13y agoheh.. humorlessness is a treatable condition. Chill pills are often effective against it ;)
- jsight 13y agoI agree... I really like the Chromecast most of the time. Browsing for content on the phone or tablet is much easier than via a remote sometimes. But there are other times when I wish there were another option available as well.
- moskie 13y ago> Chromecast requires you having another device to use with it. So does the Fire TV. The remote control is still a device you have to have in hand. And, personally, I'd take using my phone or tablet instead anyday. It's gotten to the point that I think any device that uses its own proprietary remote control with physical buttons is a failure in UI design.
- untog 13y agoThe remote is shared, though. It sits on the table. If my smartphone is the remote then no-one can use it when I'm not at home. So instead you have to set up every smartphone as a remote. And what about children? Do you want them to use your smartphone? A cheap, disposable remote is no bad thing.
- spinchange 13y agoIf my smartphone is the remote then no-one can use it when I'm not at home. So instead you have to set up every smartphone as a remote That's not how it works. Anyone connected to your Wifi, is "set up" to use the Chromecast and can stream from any number of apps like YouTube, Netflix, Google Play Music and Movies, Pandora, and now even Rdio and Vudu.
- untog 13y agoI know, I have a Chromecast. They still need to set up those apps on their phone. They need to log in to Netflix, Amazon Instant, etc. etc. even if they never watch content on their phone.
- spinchange 13y agoYou log into those apps once when you install them on your device. How difficult is it to install an app one time? Amazon Instant doesn't have an app that works with Chromecast that I'm aware of.
- 13y ago
- spinchange 13y agoYour Chromecast takes 30 seconds to load content? In our house someone pretty much always has either their phone, tablet, or laptop nearby and with the HDMI-CEC, you don't even have to find the TV remote to switch inputs, you just queue up want you to want to watch and it plays. And then people can take turns with their respective devices (if you're watching YouTube videos or playing music, etc.) We also have a Roku and used that before the Chromecast, but the Chromecast is more popular with everyone (kids) in the house for the aforementioned reason of communal use. It's like the Nexus Q was supposed to be, but for video.
- mrkd 13y agoHas anyone confirmed if Fire TV has HDMI-CEC?
- bjeanes 13y agoThis is the thing I want to know the most. So I bought one and will probably return it if it doesn't.
- bjeanes 13y agoSo I got my Fire TV. It has some CEC support because it shows up as a source to my TV and the TV and receiver correctly switch to it. My TV remote, however, does not control the Fire TV. Given that the HDMI hardware supports CEC, I think this was their choice and one that they hopefully will change with a software update.
- paulyg 13y agoBut I already have a smartphone in my pocket. Its not like I'm gonna run out and buy one just so I can use with Chromecast. I don't find the delay to play any worse than my "smart" blu-ray player. And the navigating is so much quicker. Netflix saves my position in show or series so resume watching Sesame Street or House of Cards is a click away. As to your other point, I see lack of shared remote as a good thing. I get to control what they kids watch. And when they are old enough to stay at home they will most likely have their own device.