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Chromecast, and things like it
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9999
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Author:  lasermink [ Fri Mar 14, 2014 18:44 ]
Post subject:  Chromecast, and things like it

What is this? (Eurogamer article)

This is the first time I hear of any of this.

Image

Author:  Dr Zoidberg [ Fri Mar 14, 2014 19:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Well Amazon are one of the few companies I'd credit with the ability to make a success of a "lite" console and media system, so it will be interesting to see what comes of it.

Author:  Derek The Halls [ Fri Mar 14, 2014 22:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Looks like the pad will be perfectly designed to be impossible to use effectively without severe pain.

Author:  Mr Dave [ Fri Mar 14, 2014 22:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

I agree with The man with the christmas name Nijel Henge

It looks mighty uncomfortably.

Author:  Derek The Halls [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Hmm. My name really ought to be changed back now shouldn't it? Where's the mods when you need them?

Though actually I still have my christmas tree up in my living room...

Author:  lasermink [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

I, er, what?
Eurogamer wrote:
What if Amazon isn't making a set-top box but a USB dongle-stick-thing instead?

That's what TechCrunch has heard from "multiple sources familiar with the device".

One source said the dongle-stick-thing will support streaming of full PC game titles. Amazon already sells PC and Mac games for download.

Author:  TheVision [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Derek The Halls wrote:
Hmm. My name really ought to be changed back now shouldn't it? Where's the mods when you need them?

Though actually I still have my christmas tree up in my living room...


What would you like to change it to?

Author:  lasermink [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Oh, it seems Eurogamer got it a bit wrong, it would be a HDMI dongle, not a USB one, which makes a lot more sense.

Author:  Cras [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Why's that weird? The Google ChromeCast is a dongle.

Author:  Cras [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Ah, yes. I see your confusion now.

Author:  lasermink [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

This is actually also the first time my attention has been brought to Chromecast. I think I'm getting old or something.

But yes, it makes perfect sense that Amazon would want to compete with that, especially with all their new Amazon Prime stuff going on.

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Chromecast is rather lovely.

Author:  DavPaz [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Grim... wrote:
Chromecast is rather lovely.

Want one

Author:  KovacsC [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

that does look funky

Author:  DavPaz [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

If someone would buy me one... that would be lovely.

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

DavPaz wrote:
If someone would buy me one... that would be lovely.

They come out tomorrow, say the papers. They're ever so cheap, so just buy one yourself.

Author:  DavPaz [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Well... if you insist.

Author:  Bamba [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

For some reason* I keep struggling to understand Chromecast. Does it do anything on it's own at all, or do you always need another device to stream stuff from? Obviously if you're 'casting' the view of a Chrome tab from your PC or whatever you're doing so from a separate device but do things like Netflix run on the dongle itself or are you always streaming from a separate device?

*Because I'm quite stupid, obviously.

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Using Plex or YouTube (and Netflix, I believe) you need a phone (or something) to control it and choose what you want to watch, but once this is done you can then use the phone for something else, as the ChromeCast App connects directly to the source.

Author:  Trooper [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

I want to want one, but as much as I try and find a use, I just can't think of why I would need one! :D

Author:  Trooper [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 13:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
I want to want one, but as much as I try and find a use, I just can't think of why I would need one! :D


Oh... wait. Plex casting is now free? That might make a difference. I could bin the Boxee Box connected to the bedroom tv in that case.

Hmmm...

What I really want is the ability to send stuff from my sky box to the bedroom tv really, is there a better way to do that these days than my old slingbox?

Author:  Curiosity [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 13:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
I want to want one, but as much as I try and find a use, I just can't think of why I would need one! :D


Like that ever stops you.

Author:  Trooper [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 13:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Curiosity wrote:
Trooper wrote:
I want to want one, but as much as I try and find a use, I just can't think of why I would need one! :D


Like that ever stops you.


I only buy this sort of shit as a service to the forum, you think I want to buy random useless tech?

Author:  myp [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 13:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
Curiosity wrote:
Trooper wrote:
I want to want one, but as much as I try and find a use, I just can't think of why I would need one! :D


Like that ever stops you.


I only buy this sort of shit as a service to the forum, you think I want to buy random useless tech?

All seven of us thank you!

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 14:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
What I really want is the ability to send stuff from my sky box to the bedroom tv really, is there a better way to do that these days than my old slingbox?

A long cable?

Author:  Trooper [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 14:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Grim... wrote:
Trooper wrote:
What I really want is the ability to send stuff from my sky box to the bedroom tv really, is there a better way to do that these days than my old slingbox?

A long cable?


Can a HDMI signal stretch that far? I expect I would need 30m+ if I wanted to chase the cable around the walls rather than across the middle of the floor.
Not an awful idea though, I have a HDMI splitter already, and you can control your sky box from the sky app these days!

Author:  Trooper [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 14:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet%C2%AE-Exte ... B002ECYEYA

Ooooh! I already have Cat5 run to the room.

Author:  KovacsC [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 14:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Those are neat....

Author:  Mr Russell [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 14:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Make sure you get the gold-plated version.

Mrs Grim... can advise further.

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 17:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Sky boxes provide for an additional TV, don't they? Our old one did - it had an IO socket and we just had a little box in the bedroom connected to it.

Author:  Trooper [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 17:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

No RF out on the HD boxes anymore.

Author:  Bobbyaro [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

would http://www.skifta.com/ work for your set up?

Author:  Sir Taxalot [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
No RF out on the HD boxes anymore.


Really? What a swiz. A long RF cable and the in-line 'sky-eye' remote sensor was a quick and easy way to get sky up to the bedroom telly.

Author:  KovacsC [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Cant you use sky go, and plug that device into a tv?

Author:  Cras [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Sky Go blocks Airplay, irritatingly.

Author:  myp [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Cras wrote:
Sky Go blocks Airplay, irritatingly.

Really? What a cunt.

Author:  Cras [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

To be fair, I'm willing to bet 80% of Sky Go usage is by people who are just using it because the account holder doesn't. It makes sense to restrict it in that way.

Author:  KovacsC [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Cras wrote:
To be fair, I'm willing to bet 80% of Sky Go usage is by people who are just using it because the account holder doesn't. It makes sense to restrict it in that way.


*looks sheepish*

Author:  Trooper [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 14:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Sky go doesn't let you play the content that is saved on your sky box though, that's what we really want.

Author:  Grim... [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 14:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

No help to you, but you can to that with Virgin.

Anyway, surely "big cable" is the best bet (although I have no idea if you are allowed to drill holes or anything).

Author:  Trooper [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 14:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Bobbyaro wrote:
would http://www.skifta.com/ work for your set up?


Nope, I can already do all that. It doesn't solve my problem ;)

Author:  Trooper [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 14:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Grim... wrote:
No help to you, but you can to that with Virgin.

Anyway, surely "big cable" is the best bet (although I have no idea if you are allowed to drill holes or anything).


Heh, no Virgin in my block of flats :hat:

Big cable is the best bet, I agree.
I'm pretty certain I'm allowed to drill holes, i'll ask the owner though... Apparently I said it is fine :D

Author:  DavPaz [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 15:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Bed in the living room.

Author:  Trooper [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 15:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

DavPaz wrote:
Bed in the living room.


We have had the living room for a while now, it's pretty well understood and settled.

Author:  DavPaz [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 15:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
DavPaz wrote:
Bed in the living room.


We have had the living room for a while now, it's pretty well understood and settled.

:applauds:

Grim... wrote:
DavPaz wrote:
If someone would buy me one... that would be lovely.

They come out tomorrow, say the papers. They're ever so cheap, so just buy one yourself.


Done.

Author:  KovacsC [ Wed Mar 19, 2014 15:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
DavPaz wrote:
Bed in the living room.


We have had the living room for a while now, it's pretty well understood and settled.


:DD

Author:  DavPaz [ Fri Mar 21, 2014 13:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Got my Chromecast this morning. I've had a quick play in the office and it's pretty nifty. It should be perfect for the second tv.

Author:  Trooper [ Fri Mar 21, 2014 13:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

"In practice, the video quality is low and the display can lag and skip frames."

These sort of comments in online press reviews i've read worry me. I'd be interested in a proper review if you get the time :)

Author:  DavPaz [ Fri Mar 21, 2014 13:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

I didn't see any lag in the few youtube vids and netflix stuff I've tried, but i've literally only tried it for 10 minutes. The boss told me to turn it off. Fair do's, I was watching Avengers on work time :D

Author:  Grim... [ Fri Mar 21, 2014 14:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Amazon set-top box?

Trooper wrote:
"In practice, the video quality is low and the display can lag and skip frames."

These sort of comments in online press reviews i've read worry me. I'd be interested in a proper review if you get the time :)

I've not seen any difference between streaming to Chromecast and my (wired) TV's built in app at all, except Chromecast is faster.

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