I just noticed this feature where the video now connects directly to the ChromeCast. and seemed to be really nice. I did run into a couple problems where it had trouble connecting. To get around the problem, I just stopped the stream then restarted. The first time was with Chrome browser on a PC. The second time was when I was experimenting from my phone.
Even using the ChromeCast icon on the browser will automatically transfer the stream to the TV. There does not seem to be an option to show the browser but I did not look very hard. When the streaming, the video stops on the PC. Before, the video will continue to play but without the sound. This was ok for me since I have the TV nearby. I actually preferred this because I could watch the video on my pc if I happen to be there browsing stuff or checking emails (with the sound lagging about a second or two).
Streaming from my phone seems nice. The new twitch interface seems nicer than before although I cannot recall what the old interface was like. It would be nice if there was a refresh button for the list of streams instead of just going back and selecting the channels again.
Overall, the stream does seem smoother but I do get this occasionally so time will tell whether this will keep up. Since it just came out, there will probably be other updates in the near future.
Showing posts with label Google Chromecast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google Chromecast. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
Review: ChromeCast (2 month impression)
I still enjoy Google's ChromeCast. I use it primarily to stream to my TV from a PC browser. The ChromeCast device is very simple to move it from one TV to another within the same network. I am not sure if there is more setup if the network is changed. A friend was even able to broadcast from his Samsung tablet.
I have figured out one of the problems with the lag with ChromeCast (as noted in a previous post). After a few hours of use, the stick becomes really hot. I think this has an impact on its performance. To test this hypothesis, I turned off the streaming for a few minutes. This resolves all lag issues for a while. If I streamed immediately after turning the stream off, the lag still persists. Over a few days, I have also tried with cooler and warmer environments (primarily me having the A/C on or off). Performance seems to degrade faster when it is off where the room is noticeably warmer (probably around low 80s). Performance seems to last longer when in low 70s. My guess is that the temperature has an impact on the rendering of the video. The device becomes pretty hot to the touch but not burning (at least for an adult).
I have figured out one of the problems with the lag with ChromeCast (as noted in a previous post). After a few hours of use, the stick becomes really hot. I think this has an impact on its performance. To test this hypothesis, I turned off the streaming for a few minutes. This resolves all lag issues for a while. If I streamed immediately after turning the stream off, the lag still persists. Over a few days, I have also tried with cooler and warmer environments (primarily me having the A/C on or off). Performance seems to degrade faster when it is off where the room is noticeably warmer (probably around low 80s). Performance seems to last longer when in low 70s. My guess is that the temperature has an impact on the rendering of the video. The device becomes pretty hot to the touch but not burning (at least for an adult).
Reference
http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-chromecast-first-impression.htmlTuesday, July 8, 2014
Review: ChromeCast (First Impression)
I have been using Google's ChromeCast for a few weeks now. I bought it to display my desktop to my TV. It does not exactly do that but has a function sufficient for me. Overall, I really enjoy it and was pretty simple to set up. It connects to the TV via an HDMI port. Now there is even less reason to have a Smart TV feature. There are limited apps that display videos on my phone (Motorola Droid RAZR) to the TV and seem to work much better than the desktop version.
One odd thing is that you need a mobile phone (maybe tablet too) to do the initial setup. I could not set it up through my desktop. The initial setup is to connect the ChromeCast device to your wireless router. Once set, I installed the ChromeCast addin to Google Chrome. Once installed, an icon will appear near the configuration button.
The desktop limitation is that it can only share the browser (Chrome to be specific) not my desktop but I just wanted it to watch streams so good enough. Another problem was that the video did not transpose to my TV properly. It displayed larger than the TV. The problem was actually a setting on the TV where I had to set the video to exact dimensions instead of stretch.
Another con is that the TV is not as sharp as my monitor. I have been testing ChromeCast by watching Twitch stream, StarCraft II WCS America Season 2. The scores and metrics do not appear on the TV clearly even when I stand right next to the TV. It is somewhat blurry. It is readable but not as sharp which may be that Twitch does not stream HD (or at least the channel). The reason is that when watching Cosmos on Youtube through my phone, it does seem much clearer and crisper although the text is much larger so not exactly a perfect comparison.
The most annoying con is that the video lags at random points of time for the browser. When there are lag spikes, portions of the video is smudged and at times pauses completely. I am not sure exactly what causes the lag. There are no new apps running on the PC when streaming, and there is nothing taking up the wireless bandwidth. This problem does not seem to exist when playing videos from my Droid RAZR. The desktop Chrome addin is in beta so I have high hopes this will be corrected at some point.
CONS
There are a few minor cons to ChromeCast. The lag is kind of annoying. Besides that, the others are rather minor. I have not played with Apple TV or Roku.One odd thing is that you need a mobile phone (maybe tablet too) to do the initial setup. I could not set it up through my desktop. The initial setup is to connect the ChromeCast device to your wireless router. Once set, I installed the ChromeCast addin to Google Chrome. Once installed, an icon will appear near the configuration button.
The desktop limitation is that it can only share the browser (Chrome to be specific) not my desktop but I just wanted it to watch streams so good enough. Another problem was that the video did not transpose to my TV properly. It displayed larger than the TV. The problem was actually a setting on the TV where I had to set the video to exact dimensions instead of stretch.
Another con is that the TV is not as sharp as my monitor. I have been testing ChromeCast by watching Twitch stream, StarCraft II WCS America Season 2. The scores and metrics do not appear on the TV clearly even when I stand right next to the TV. It is somewhat blurry. It is readable but not as sharp which may be that Twitch does not stream HD (or at least the channel). The reason is that when watching Cosmos on Youtube through my phone, it does seem much clearer and crisper although the text is much larger so not exactly a perfect comparison.
The most annoying con is that the video lags at random points of time for the browser. When there are lag spikes, portions of the video is smudged and at times pauses completely. I am not sure exactly what causes the lag. There are no new apps running on the PC when streaming, and there is nothing taking up the wireless bandwidth. This problem does not seem to exist when playing videos from my Droid RAZR. The desktop Chrome addin is in beta so I have high hopes this will be corrected at some point.
Reference
ChromeCast site - http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/index.html
Update
Looks interesting, but unfortunately, I am still running ICS. Perhaps this is a sign that I need a new phone.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Life: Should I get a Smart TV or a larger regular TV?
I am needing a TV. I have not owned a TV since 1999. There was a brief time that I had a roommate with a TV but even then I rarely ever used it. During that time, TV has changed quite a bit.
One of the new features is the Smart TV. I am torn between a 60" for about $1000 with a 55" with Smart TV for $1175. Is $175 worth a new feature but a smaller view screen?
At first, I was torn because the concept sounded nice but I could just connect a PC or laptop to the TV. I could probably buy a small micro box or used system. But it would be nice if it was automatically integrated with the TV. Then, what about updating the software? And who maintains the OS, upgrades, etc.?
After reading the reference-1, my thoughts were confirmed. There did not seem to be a good reason for me to get a Smart TV (although the thought of developing a third party application did cross my mind).
Technically, this will be my second TV purchase because I bought a 19" for $100 just so that I had a TV to test out my TV service. I really wish there was an easy way to continue to use the small TV without having to rent another top set box.
I've been reading about Chromecast. That appears like a nice solution for the small TV although I probably would not be able to get regular TV service on it.
Also like to mention that there are also different types of TV: LED, LCD, and Plasma. Today, most TV sold are LEDs (fortunately less thinking for me). There were a couple Plasma which are much, much cheaper than the LED of the same viewable size.
[2] http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-chromecast-first-impression.html
One of the new features is the Smart TV. I am torn between a 60" for about $1000 with a 55" with Smart TV for $1175. Is $175 worth a new feature but a smaller view screen?
At first, I was torn because the concept sounded nice but I could just connect a PC or laptop to the TV. I could probably buy a small micro box or used system. But it would be nice if it was automatically integrated with the TV. Then, what about updating the software? And who maintains the OS, upgrades, etc.?
After reading the reference-1, my thoughts were confirmed. There did not seem to be a good reason for me to get a Smart TV (although the thought of developing a third party application did cross my mind).
Technically, this will be my second TV purchase because I bought a 19" for $100 just so that I had a TV to test out my TV service. I really wish there was an easy way to continue to use the small TV without having to rent another top set box.
I've been reading about Chromecast. That appears like a nice solution for the small TV although I probably would not be able to get regular TV service on it.
Also like to mention that there are also different types of TV: LED, LCD, and Plasma. Today, most TV sold are LEDs (fortunately less thinking for me). There were a couple Plasma which are much, much cheaper than the LED of the same viewable size.
Update
Unfortunately for me, by the time I pulled the trigger there were no more un-smart TVs. >:o
But fortunately, someone happened to return a 60" Sharp Smart TV so it had a 10% open box sale. The person returned it because they ended up wanting a larger TV so it was practically brand new. Sweet! I ended up buying that for around $1200.
I've had it for several weeks and every show I watch is new to me, so marathons are such time wasters! The logical part of me is telling me that life before a TV was much better. I played around with the Smart TV but I do not use it much. I ended up buying a Chromecast and it has been great for me, so I definitely would not recommend get a Smart TV if you have the option and save a couple hundred dollars. Chromecast may not make the Smart TV function obsolete, but AppleTV, Roku, or Amazon Fire will probably come close and have additional features. Chromecast is the cheapest of the options. I have a post on my first impressions (reference-2).
Reference
[1] http://www.rtings.com/info/what-is-smart-tv[2] http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-chromecast-first-impression.html
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