After getting my first
smartphone I became familiar with the Google Play Store. Soon after
that, I begin to hear about a device called Google Chromecast. In the
beginning, I only had basic information. I knew that it could be used
to get video from a smartphone or tablet to a TV, with an HDMI port.
That information, motivated me to find out more. So, I begin
researching this device. After finding out more information, I
discovered that this could be a device that I could use. I decided to
purchase the Google Chromecast.
Inside the box
The box containing the
chromecast has a length and width of 4 ¾ inches. Printed inside the
box is a three-step setup guide. To the right of the setup guide is
the Google Chromecast. Under the chromecast is a USB power cable,
standard power cable, and an HDMI extender for televisions with HDMI
ports that are hard to reach. The Google Chromecast itself is 3 ¼
inches long.
What is Google
Chromecast?
The Google Chromecast is
a device that allows the content of an app to be sent to a television
with an HDMI port. An app that can be stored on a smartphone are a tablet.
Wifi is used to send the contents of an app to a television. The app
you choose must be designated for the chromecast.
Google Chromecast apps
When I got my chromecast
they didn't have many apps. But, I had one goal in mind and I didn't
need many apps to accomplish this. At the time, my goal was to get
youtube on my TV.
Now, they're adding more
apps and they are becoming more appealing. But, they still don't
offer as many apps as Roku or any of the other devices.
Despite not having as
many apps as the competition I still find this device to be very
useful. Currently, the apps available for the chromecast are
Youtube, Google Play Movies and TV, HBO Go, Watch ESPN, MLB.com at
bat, Qello Concerts, Haystack TV News, Google Play Music, Pandora
Radio, NPR One, Netflix, Showtime Anytime, iHeart Radio, Rdio Music,
Songza, Avia Media Player, TuneIn Radio, Real Player Cloud, Starz
Play, Hulu, Crackle, UFC TV & UFC Fight Night, Polaris Office,
Redbull TV, Encore Play, Music Match Music, PBS Kids Video, Daily
Burn, Viki: Free TV Drama & Movies, Crunchyroll-Anime, and Drama,
Post TV: Video News, Yupp TV- Indian Live TV & Movies, Twitch,
NFL Now, Revision3, TED, ESPN Cricket 2015, CBS, Fox Now, FX Now,
HGTV Watch, and Google +.
Requirements for owning
the Google Chromecast
To own the Google
Chromecast you have to have a 1.5mbps or higher broadband internet
connection, wifi, HDMI port on your TV, and the chromcast app
installed on your smartphone are a tablet. I installed the app on my
android smartphone. I downloaded it from the Google Play Store.
My experience using the
chromecast
After having the Google
Chromecast for about a year I can say that I am enjoying it. I will
always prefer to have a wired connection instead of wifi. But, I took
a chance because I like the capabilities of the chromecast and the
low price. Plus, I am finding that with the latest gadgets it's not
always possible to have a wired connection.
The setup was simple. I had
to enter the eight-digit key from my router to complete the setup
process. I am using the Buffalo N300 router. It's working really well
and has a good range. I would definitely recommend this router to
use with the chromcast.
As I mentioned earlier, I
just wanted to use the chromecast to get youtube on my TV. I have
accomplished this task and I am watching youtube on my TV on a
regular basis. I am also using it to cast movies on my TV. Recently,
I went to the Google Play Store and rented Interstellar. It was a
smooth process and the chromecast performed well. Besides youtube and
google play apps I have also added Crackle, Redbull TV, and Post TV:
Video News to my list of apps to cast.
Overall, my experience
with the chromecast has been positive and I am looking forward to more apps. I am also planning on getting another chromecast.
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| One of the many chromecast home screens. |
Overall
Even though the chromecast
doesn't have as many apps as the competition, it's still worth
getting. It has a growing list of apps, appealing price, and a
compact size making it easily portable.
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| Square indicating that it is ready to cast. |
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| Youtube on my TV. |
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| Photo of a youtube video on my TV. |
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| Crackle on my TV. |
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| One of a few RedBull TV home screens on my TV. |
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| Photo of a video on Post TV on my TV. |
