What are the benefits of getting Zune pass. Also would i be able to download music from market place for free if im paying for a zune pass?
Try the free trial. I did and now I subscribe. I really like it.
Note that as well as streaming you can download stuff to the phone (without using Zune on the PC). Very handy. I tend to do that while connected to a charger or while at work when connected by USB.
So once you buy the pass. Is there a limit on how many songs you can download from market place
I've had the Zune pass for a couple years now and I really like it.
About 90% of the music on the Zune network is included in the pass. There is no limit on how many songs you can download a month and you are allowed to select 10 songs a month to keep and remove the DRM from the song.
So you're saying not all of the songs in market place are included with the Zune pass?
No, not all of them are. Though, it's a very small amount. Your personal tastes in music will affect how much of the music you will actually have to buy and not be able to rent via zune pass.
The rental licenses are negotiated at a distributor level. If you prefer a genre that distributes widely through small, independant house or you like artists who a distributed predominantly through a single distributor (For example, Zune pass didn't have the rights to SubPOP at first) you may have some trouble.
As a previous poster stated: give the trial a spin, that will answer your questions best.
Since I can't keep all my downloaded songs I am not buying it sorry. Big music enthusiast over here and I spent quite some money on music every year. It's basically renting your music as long you pay for the pass (which is indeed the price of a single CD for a month).
I would have paid let's say 25 bucks per month just to physically have my music on my HDD, even if it was compatible with only a Zune device.
Overall I am not a fan of renting.
yly3 said:
Since I can't keep all my downloaded songs I am not buying it sorry. Big music enthusiast over here and I spent quite some money on music every year. It's basically renting your music as long you pay for the pass (which is indeed the price of a single CD for a month).
I would have paid let's say 25 bucks per month just to physically have my music on my HDD, even if it was compatible with only a Zune device.
Overall I am not a fan of renting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've doubled my collection at a fraction of the cost to buy it all, I can pick and mix and renting means you can download that album you heard that one song from but weren't willing to lay down cash for in-case it sucked, the way i see it we rent our tv shows, the future appears to be renting games with services like onlive why not rent music? people are paying for their spotify service to listen to music on the move on mobiles this is no different.
I see you point though.
^ I agree Zune is full of advantages but I am a collectioner as I said above. I listen to my music offline and use my phone as a Zune device (which actually is). The only reason I'd go online while listening music would be to scrobble (I heard it's coming pretty soon) to Last.fm or ocasional browsing. Some offline scrobbling would be awesome, just like the Mobbler app for Symbian.
you know you can listen to the music you download offline right (joke I know you do)?, to me it's been a god send my hd7 is full, my zuneHD is full as well but not with the same music. As long as the pass is valid the musics valid across multiple devices it's workable and you kind of get used to dl'ing a new album every couple of nights lol
Yes I knew and I was thinking of editing my initial post but got lazy . I wish Microsoft provided more Zune plans or sub-plans or offers or whatever .. I agree if we were able to download practically unlimited it would have become LimeWire 15 bucks edition but some sort of 5GB limit per 3 months with Zune-device only storage would have been great. Endless possibilities
I've downloaded 48gigs since launch, that's more than you can eat really, not sure what you meant by the sub-plan 5gig / 3mnths? you can only d/l 5 gigs over 3 months? but at a cheaper price? or a higher price but no license ie you keep it?
Talking about keeping them, not getting deleted after my subscription expires.
5-6 GB limit in 3 months AND keep them, just like you would buy from Amazon or Beatport. It would also help against piracy I guess
working on an average of 70mb per album, that 5 gigs would be 71 albums, so what would you charge for that service?
And how would you feel as a user if the cost was say $30 and in the 3 months you only dl'd 1 album?
Zune pass is a great idea, but my only hangup is that it is MP3 and not AAC. If it was AAC I would be all over it. Until than, buying CDs and ripping in iTunes is for me.
guys, keep in mind that you get free 10 song credit every month which you can use to download MP3 version. You should use zune pass to download whatever you like, how many ever you like. If you find a song you really like and would like to keep it without DRM, you can do so 10 songs free every month with zune pass. Of course, you can buy songs like iTune or Amazon over 10 free ones. Pricing is about the same as when they are in iTune store. Given you get 10 free credit every month, zune pass really is a good option.
Actually the 10 tracks a month is a US only thing which kind of sucks...
Depends on the encoder for mp3, technically speaking at the advertised 192Kbps if it was a LAME VBR encoded file it'd be on par with AAC which performs better at lower bitrates over mp3, but as I'm guessing it'd be the encoded with the encoder in Zune I'd expect an AAC version to sound better depending again on the encoder used.
I thought Zune was WMA.
Anyway, it's far better, easier to use and has a much bigger library than the only serious competitor in the UK... Spotify... also It's cheaper, by about £2.
frontieruk said:
Actually the 10 tracks a month is a US only thing which kind of sucks...
Depends on the encoder for mp3, technically speaking at the advertised 192Kbps if it was a LAME VBR encoded file it'd be on par with AAC which performs better at lower bitrates over mp3, but as I'm guessing it'd be the encoded with the encoder in Zune I'd expect an AAC version to sound better depending again on the encoder used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MP3 i downloaded from Zune marketplace are 320kbps @ 44.1k. DRM'ed WMA are 192kbps.
I love my zune and zune pass with my HD7
got rid of my ipod touch i brought a month ago
and zune is so much better than itunes
Related
Seriously, if Google came out with a MP3 player that ran on Android, would you buy it? Think about it, it has worked for Apple with the iPod touch running iOS (same OS that runs off the iPhone). Post your comments...
I wouldn´t buy any OS MP3 Player as I have a device that does that and much more!
My phones, work just as well. So I would have to say no. That, and my Sansa FUZE with rockbox was on the CHEAP I've got 20GB player for cheaper than a shuffle.
I'm sure there are other people, like me, that purchase certain phones for their cababilities of not neccesitasting to have to use other item if you dont have to. Just like my phone is basically my "point and shoot" camera as well.
They already have them:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9254204/Trail/searchtext>PHILLIPS+MP3.htm
http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5it/index.html?country=us&lang=en (it's a tablet but still).
An mp3 player? No, probably not (it's just not needed, I prefer a dedicated portable audio player, which the iPad Touch is not either). An Android tablet? Now that I would have to consider...
I had an MP3 player once. A Diamond Rio PMP300 to be exact.
Came with 32mb of memory. Enough for 8 songs, 10 if I got the bitrate lower. It also cost me $249. When I got it (1998), no one knew what it was, or what an MP3 was. I loved it.
But yeah, I wouldn't buy one now. I have a phone for that.
I wouldn't buy an mp3 player just for Android. Now a tablet with good hardware and made by a respectable manufacturer would definitely get me excited.
like anything i think it would depend on how it looks. although considering that nothing about android today suggests that it would be anything less than beautiful to look at i think i would have to say that ide give it a shot! also it would need the little extras like radio and wifi and all that stuff the itouch does.
Nope. I've got my Evo for videos, plus AT&T Uverse, and my iphone for netflix.
My Desire is my MP3 player, so I wouldn't go out and buy a seperate MP3 player.
Well, at the moment i have a Sansa Clip+ running RockBox. Fantastic little player. I was thinking of getting an archos 43 vision.
I would have an android mp3 player if the battery lasted as long as my Clip+.
Take a look at this though: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/4-3-lc...er-with-fm-radio-black-4gb-tf-card-slot-37241
flyboyovyick said:
Well, at the moment i have a Sansa Clip+ running RockBox. Fantastic little player. I was thinking of getting an archos 43 vision.
I would have an android mp3 player if the battery lasted as long as my Clip+.
Take a look at this though: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/4-3-lc...er-with-fm-radio-black-4gb-tf-card-slot-37241
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That actually doesn't look bad and its cheap I wouldn't mind owning one of those!
Samsung are releasing the 'Wi-fi 4' which is a Galaxy S varient PMP. No phone functions but improved codec support.
Not sure there is any need for devices like this though. As others have said we have everything we need, including call capability, in our regular devices.
I would consider giving up my Zune 80gb
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I don't know how people use their phones as an MP3 player. Battery life is too precious for me to be using it as an MP3 player.
would be in my opinion something for heavy users.
for me my android phone is enough
I've git my iPod touch for that. Also, Apple and Google are different. Theres low-end android phones that play MP3 etc. while Apple only have the one iPhone which not everybody can afford, but people can feel like they have something like an iPhone and iPod at the same time if you get me. Was actually quite smart of Apple if I'm honest.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Had Mp3 players for years, but now I'm only use my sgs. Tired of taking two devices with me every day.
1. Add music to phone
2. Buy bluetooth headphones
3. ????
4 Profit?
absolutely yes!
i am checking out music subscription services that let you search for and play a particular song. so far i have tried grooveshark and MOG. grooveshark has better quality streams but MOG has a much larger music library. both are ~$10/mo. does anyone use these (or similar) services? which is better?
sent from my nexus one using xda app
You can get grooveshark for a year for $30. Plus a t-shirt.
Just go into the merchandise store and order one of the specially marked items.
thanks for the tip. however, i am starting to lean toward MOG. i am not sure how long grooveshark will be around, considering its grey market status
interestingly, the day after i posted this topic, gizmodo posted this summary of the top streaming services
Is groove shark not free??
streaming to your desktop is free (ad-sponsored)
streaming to your phone is $9 USD (£5.50) per month
Ahhh okay didn't realise that
So wondering what you all think of your chromcasts, I like mine but I can't say its the best thing ever. It feels almost useless. Now don't get me wrong, what it does do, it does extremely well and ts my favorite way of watching youtube but it doesn't do much.
I mean there are just so many devices that can stream youtube and netflix. And both youtube and netflix could already be controlled remotely way before the chromecast. The only thing its super useful for is for those who invested a lot of money in google play music and movies and I personally havn't due to their prices usually being more.
Then again it was only $43 after shipping and taxes and it should have plenty more features on the way I hope. Hopefully google will finish the sdk soon and we can get some real use out of it. Though its hard to justify buying something on what it might do in the future.
I guess I don't regret buying it, but its hard to recommend it to someone right now.
How do you all feel about it?
I love mine, but I only paid $35 (amazon free shipping, and no tax where I live), and I got the three months free Netflix (already a member).
I have a Vizio smart TV, and the Netflix app is bad. It hasn't been updated in three years. Cannot enable closed captions. Cannot view all episodes for a TV series with more than 100 episodes. Plus, it's slow. So the Chromecast was an easy way to upgrade my Netflix experience.
I was going to use it to stream local stuff to my TV, but instead I just hooked up my computer directly to the TV and set up plex for other TVs.
I would like to see being able to cast the browser from a phone. Plus support for plex or other DLNA streaming would be nice.
At $43, it's too close to $55 for a Roku XS, personally. I don't see it as a Roku or Apple TV competitor. Nor, in its current state, a replacement for either or them. But, I think it's a much better play at getting to TV service than the Q was. I'm interested to see what Google does with it in the next year.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
firesoul453 said:
So wondering what you all think of your chromcasts, I like mine but I can't say its the best thing ever. It feels almost useless. Now don't get me wrong, what it does do, it does extremely well and ts my favorite way of watching youtube but it doesn't do much.
I mean there are just so many devices that can stream youtube and netflix. And both youtube and netflix could already be controlled remotely way before the chromecast. The only thing its super useful for is for those who invested a lot of money in google play music and movies and I personally havn't due to their prices usually being more.
Then again it was only $43 after shipping and taxes and it should have plenty more features on the way I hope. Hopefully google will finish the sdk soon and we can get some real use out of it. Though its hard to justify buying something on what it might do in the future.
I guess I don't regret buying it, but its hard to recommend it to someone right now.
How do you all feel about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pretty much agree with you on all points. For about 6 years i have had a HTPC hooked up to our main home TV screen. With a wireless keyboard attached, it does pretty much everything that chromecast/roku/internet tv's/xbox 360/etc will do and more. I have been a XBMC user since back in the softmodded xbox 1 days. I switched to my HTPC when high def video releases became more common and I needed more horsepower.
Using my tablet to browse and cast youtube videos has been pretty fun. Chromecast caused me to take the time to get my tablet (iconia a500) on a updated and stable ROM. I had been ignoring it for some time and the previous rom I had was crashy and frustrating.
Mostly, i bought Chromecast because i believe the dev community will eventually do some fun stuff with it.
Chromecast was next to free when i bought it since I got the netflix deal. I wish I would have bought at least 10 more. they seem to be going for double on Seattle Craigslist.
firesoul453 said:
So wondering what you all think of your chromcasts, I like mine but I can't say its the best thing ever. It feels almost useless. Now don't get me wrong, what it does do, it does extremely well and ts my favorite way of watching youtube but it doesn't do much.
I mean there are just so many devices that can stream youtube and netflix. And both youtube and netflix could already be controlled remotely way before the chromecast. The only thing its super useful for is for those who invested a lot of money in google play music and movies and I personally havn't due to their prices usually being more.
Then again it was only $43 after shipping and taxes and it should have plenty more features on the way I hope. Hopefully google will finish the sdk soon and we can get some real use out of it. Though its hard to justify buying something on what it might do in the future.
I guess I don't regret buying it, but its hard to recommend it to someone right now.
How do you all feel about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like mine a lot. But, then, i like my Toast-r-Oven a lot also. Is my Toast-r-Oven the same as a full sized oven? No. Is it the same as a microwave oven? No. But that doesn't mean that I won't have all three and use them differently.
The best feature about the Chromecast is that it's literally plug and play. Type in a wifi password and you're done. About as easy a technology product to use that I've ever seen. This will make it a big hit. I would have no problem giving this to any friend that knows absolutely nothing about technology.
I've used an HTPC as my primary mode of content delivery for years and I've been always searching for a better way to completely eliminate the need for a mouse/kb. My remote and tablet both fully XBMC for all the things I download. But my other big source of content has been Netflix, for which there has been no good way to access without using a mouse at the very least. That's been a big annoyance to me for some time, so being able to fully control Netflix, while getting the highest HD and 5.1 stream possible, has been huge.
I'm hoping that HBO Go will be implemented soon. Hopefully the Xfinity will get support, as well. I'm not going to hold my breath, but maybe someday Amazon will finally release a true Android app and they'll put in Chromecast support. I'm looking forward to the expansion of content, but for me, just putting the control of Netflix onto my tablet has made the product a winner.
a better way to completely eliminate the need for a mouse/kb. My remote and tablet both fully XBMC for all the things I download. But my other big source of content has been Netflix, for which there has been no good way to access without using a mouse at the very least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Off the main subject, but...
Have you tried the gmote app? it sort of accomplishes the same thing as turning your tablet or android phone into a touchpad. You have to run a little server app on the HTPC though.
Another workaround I came up with is to used a wireless keyboard with a mouse (roller ball or touchpad) built in. These are no good for gaming, bit they are a little handier than a separate mouse and keyboard. I have tried both of these and they have been decent.
lenovo multimedia remote/keyboard
Iogear multimedia remote/keyboard
mudsloth said:
I've used an HTPC as my primary mode of content delivery for years and I've been always searching for a better way to completely eliminate the need for a mouse/kb. My remote and tablet both fully XBMC for all the things I download. But my other big source of content has been Netflix, for which there has been no good way to access without using a mouse at the very least. That's been a big annoyance to me for some time, so being able to fully control Netflix, while getting the highest HD and 5.1 stream possible, has been huge.
I'm hoping that HBO Go will be implemented soon. Hopefully the Xfinity will get support, as well. I'm not going to hold my breath, but maybe someday Amazon will finally release a true Android app and they'll put in Chromecast support. I'm looking forward to the expansion of content, but for me, just putting the control of Netflix onto my tablet has made the product a winner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apple TV (version 3) and Roku 3 are both 1080p and have on-screen browsing, which is obviously better than dinking around with a tablet. And they are only $100, so there is no barrier to just getting one.
I have a htpc, too, and it sits now. It's just too much easier and better to browse with a remote.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
To those using XBMC get yatse. Its a remote for XBMC and you can "share" youtube vids with your XBMC from your phone or tablet
It's very hit or miss.... Having an HDMI to your PC is way better. And cheaper. Maybe once hackers fix all the ludicrous functionality gaffs..... My advice: wait to buy till it's useful.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
It's by far the best netflix streaming experience I've had.
It looks great in 1080p, and I don't have to use yet another remote control to navigate a clunky interface from 10 feet away.
I'm very pleased with it and it will only get better as more developers add support to their applications.
Right now... Not worth $35, however long term once we get Pandora, HBO go, etc support. Then I believe it will be a perfect media device. Am I disappointed with mine? No. Do I use it often? Yes. My only gripe is the lack of app support and some bugginess when streaming from chrome.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4
The way they showed it work on Google's press conference. It was almost instant mine doesn't work like that. It sometimes takes a little while to load. And it seems to slow down the netflix app on my phone. Anyone else experience this?
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2!
I'm with you guys. I have a Mac Mini running XBMC and after that kind of an experience, this is a pretty big let down. I have been eyeing an Ouya running XBMC for a while now, and I was hoping to have that modded onto this, but I don't think that's going to happen now.
Furthermore, format support is really not there for such a single purpose device, it no doubt has the horsepower to decode more. I was hopeful when I found I could stream stuff directly to it without some sort of transcoding, but instantly disappointed with no AC3 audio, which is a bit of a deal breaker.
Yatse on my Android phone with some sort of XBMC remote is a lot more up my alley. I suppose this is nice for Netflix, which I can't get on there, but I have an XBox currently capable of doing it.
One last thing, my Chromecast interferes with my over the air signal. I don't know why or how, but if that sucker is plugged in anywhere close to my TV, no over the air channels receive at all. Mind you, I already have plenty of wifi, bluetooth, and other wireless gadgets over there.
Waiting for more dev support
I have Logitech Revue (which is just awesome since I got it for 99bucks). I love that it has physical keyboard, and plays everything that Chromecast does and more and has better controls (thanks to the keyboard). Also,Chromecast currently does not support live streaming on youtube, which sucks. The main reason I purchased it was I got 3 months free Netflix (which I am a member anyway) and the possible dev support in future. I pretty much knew what I was buying, so did not have any more expectations.
Am ok with it
its not the jesus streamer but it covers 97% of what i would like it to do. Changing to mp4 isn't deal breaker. streams well enough from youtube and excellently from netflix. hopfully more to come
I have mine connected to our office TV (second of 2 TVs in our house). That TV does not have a cable box connected to it because we could not justify the cost of the cable box for the limited amount that we would use it. I did get a Roku 3 for that TV but returned it the day before Chromecast was announced because it was having trouble staying connected to our network. Chromecast does exactly what I want it do do. I can start streams from any of our devices and and I have had no issues (other than a minor installation hiccup). I would like other services to work with it like HBO Go and MLB.TV, but those should be coming and I am content for now. There are a lot of little things that could be improved to make this an exceptional product, but it is still a very god product as it presently stands.
Actually no, onscreen controls are NOT obviously better than dinking around with a tablet.
everyone needs to wake up, a roku is triple the price of this thing, you can't buy a ipod or hell a watch that can do any of what this can do for 35.00. in a simple term this is a Netflix/youtube streamer. routers, modems, download speeds are all going to impact things. I have a Roku 2 XS , Roku is clunky and unpolished. I don't care who you are but Roku is no speed demon, it does a ok job at 50 bucks I got on a accomidation. Chromecast is working for me like the demo. I have a beefed up Asus router, I'm about 4 feet from my router with my tv and I run Cat 6 across all my connections. Chrome cast is fast and snappy. My setup was smooth too. Everyone is going to have a different experience. The only thing close to this is a raspberry PI. at 35.00 I may want the Pi for other things but for playing my content you won't find any streamer with the hardware or Dev support community this little device has. It's one of a kind whether you choose to accept that or not. a plex plugin is in the works also. It's all simple I can buy a 200 dollar nexus 7 or a 330 dollar ipad mini. build quality will be a bit better on the ipad the camera sharper. and more accessories and gadgets. so why to I get the nexus 7? because anyone can buy a ipad if you had the money and 2 the open experience. I can't crack open roku and flash a new OS. with chromecast it's endless since chrome browser can have anything built on it making it your own.
Mine works fine out the box, no issues. I can't see how anyone can complain about the out-the-box features. It IS lacking features, which is why I wasn't gonna buy one. But once I realized the possibilities and the fact that it was only around eleven dollars after the Netflix promo, I snapped one up on faith that Google would open it up to things like what Koush is doing. But even if that never happens, I can't complain. I'm still left with a painless way to use services on my TV that I use everyday.
Long story short, if you have real issues getting to work, your complaints are valid. But if you bought one and you're unsatisfied with the features, you have no one to blame but yourself.
I have an old TV & stereo in my garage / workshop that I wanted to project to from my phone, mainly for the Google Play Music app. I used to use an Airport Express but switched to Android so that was no longer an option. For me, Chromecast is awesome. I had to get an adapter to connect the audio to the stereo, but the Chromecast + Adapter was still cheaper than the Airport Express was. I was looking for something similar to Airplay and for me this was by far the best option. No, it's not an HTPC or even a Roku, but if you realize it's a dumb stick aimed at people who have no idea what anyvody on XDA is talking about, it's a great little device.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
Well for the $35 dollar price tag with its locked down state is it worth it? I already have a PS3 for netflix (the Netflix app is better on there than on android) but I want a device to stream netflix when my PS3 is in use and also to stream Google music, but it doesn't do much else. I do hope it'll go places but I don't really see that happening. Of people who already own it, is it worth it?
Aaron Swartz, Rest in Pixels.
I think so. I have a PS3 also but since I really only use it for blurays I found it annoying to have to update to watch Netflix. I also have a dedicated htpc. Its so convenient to fire up the app on your phone or tablet app and find something to stream then just send it to the TV. Plus I get better quality streaming to the chromecast than my htpc.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
I can't say my quality is better in the Chromecast than my htpc, but it is certainly more convenient. Also, more than one tv, and it's a lot easier to move around.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Yes. It is worth it
For only $35, it's a good buy if you're going to using it. I'll get one when they're officially released in the UK. Ebay prices are crazy.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
$35 can't go wrong. I bought two but might sell the other as I ended up not really using it (only one TV bought the second to move around with) just ease of use. especially for google music which i can simply turn on and start playing from my bed room to get music going.
I watch all my not so legally downloaded movies through chrome and I have good WiFi so it's a great buy for me... Quality is on par with direct hdmi and I can't be happier
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
thesparky007 said:
I watch all my not so legally downloaded movies through chrome and I have good WiFi so it's a great buy for me... Quality is on par with direct hdmi and I can't be happier
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are u watching them with latest firmware?
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2!
Very worth it. I use it daily. A lot of streaming from my computer but also Netflix. I came from an apple TV and I have not looked back. Of course I do use my Xbox for things like HBO to go.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
borijess said:
How are u watching them with latest firmware?
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome can still play local videos.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
borijess said:
How are u watching them with latest firmware?
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drag and drop into a chrome tab
Netflix definitely is everything else not so much
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Jury is still out
I have 2 Chromecast units. I think the jury is still out on whether they are worth $35. When the SDK is final, there is great potential for a powerful and flexible device that really opens up integration between TV and Android. Based on Google's behavior so far (whitelist and updates to kill work arounds), I'm concerned that the final product will be so locked down as to only be good for streaming a few paid services (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu +, etc.) and some token Chrome browser integration. We have to wait and see what Google does. We have to wait and see if they device allows creative app development, flexibility in streaming (local media from PC, dropbox, etc.). I have no question that the hardware has huge potential, but if Google neuters the device, and keeps tight control on what apps can use it, I don't think it will be worth $35. I also think that if they neuter this device, they will have an awfully hard time convincing consumers to buy Google multimedia devices in the future.
I'd say wait and see if Google is smart enough to realize how important it is to open up access and encourage broad development or if they are dumb enough to cater only to the big money streamers and leave Chromecast to wither on the vine.
I have one and don't use it. Having to go get a phone or tablet to start streaming is a huge turn off. Honestly, these are targeted at single people living in apartments...nothing wrong with that, but that's what it is. No Ethernet, no on-screen ui, etc. just doesn't work as well as it could in a house with kids. I don't carry my phone around with me in the house, and my tablet is often in the study. My kids' tablets are wherever the left them, lol. I just want to pick up my remote and watch the next episode of Top Gear. My kids the same, but maybe the next episode of Ben 10 or something. Just doesn't fit our lifestyle as well as an Apple TV or Roku. Sitting around watching YouTube videos is just not something a 40 something dad does.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Thanks everyone! I will be getting one on Friday, that's the soonest I can get one anywhere!
Aaron Swartz, Rest in Pixels.
jamosjamos said:
I have 2 Chromecast units. I think the jury is still out on whether they are worth $35. When the SDK is final, there is great potential for a powerful and flexible device that really opens up integration between TV and Android. Based on Google's behavior so far (whitelist and updates to kill work arounds), I'm concerned that the final product will be so locked down as to only be good for streaming a few paid services (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu +, etc.) and some token Chrome browser integration. We have to wait and see what Google does. We have to wait and see if they device allows creative app development, flexibility in streaming (local media from PC, dropbox, etc.). I have no question that the hardware has huge potential, but if Google neuters the device, and keeps tight control on what apps can use it, I don't think it will be worth $35. I also think that if they neuter this device, they will have an awfully hard time convincing consumers to buy Google multimedia devices in the future.
I'd say wait and see if Google is smart enough to realize how important it is to open up access and encourage broad development or if they are dumb enough to cater only to the big money streamers and leave Chromecast to wither on the vine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree.
Between the time I ordered it, and the time it arrived, Google disabled the apps which provided the only functionality I desired from the hardware. I would have been better off with a roku.
I usually do not buy a device and then wait to see if it will ever grow into the device I want.
HowardZ said:
I agree.
Between the time I ordered it, and the time it arrived, Google disabled the apps which provided the only functionality I desired from the hardware. I would have been better off with a roku.
I usually do not buy a device and then wait to see if it will ever grow into the device I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Geez. I've paid more for dinners that I didn't like than I paid for the Chromecast. I just can't believe all this whining over $35.
TabGuy said:
Geez. I've paid more for dinners that I didn't like than I paid for the Chromecast. I just can't believe all this whining over $35.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree. I have a smart TV and a smart DVD player and never liked the Netflix & YouTube experience. Using a tablet or phone with ChromeCast is light years easier. I am watching both and I am over 40. YouTube is more then stupid kids doing stupid stuff but it is impossible to find videos with the on screen GUI from the TV or DVD Player.
More and More shows have follow up videos that are not broadcasted. With Cast I can remote into my desktop and play the video on the TV.
The main reason I got the ChromeCast is because Google is behind it. They are not going to stop at Netflix and YouTube
TabGuy said:
Geez. I've paid more for dinners that I didn't like than I paid for the Chromecast. I just can't believe all this whining over $35.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
greencat2 said:
I have to agree. I have a smart TV and a smart DVD player and never liked the Netflix & YouTube experience. Using a tablet or phone with ChromeCast is light years easier. I am watching both and I am over 40. YouTube is more then stupid kids doing stupid stuff but it is impossible to find videos with the on screen GUI from the TV or DVD Player.
More and More shows have follow up videos that are not broadcasted. With Cast I can remote into my desktop and play the video on the TV.
The main reason I got the ChromeCast is because Google is behind it. They are not going to stop at Netflix and YouTube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I was thinking, even if it never becomes the device I want it to be, it is a $35 device that I can take and use on most TVs with super ease! $35 is almost nothing, I've spent more on other forms of entertainment that wasn't very good! I do, however, really really hope to see Pandora support on it, maybe Spotify too, then I might actually use that service.
Aaron Swartz, Rest in Pixels.
HowardZ said:
I agree.
Between the time I ordered it, and the time it arrived, Google disabled the apps which provided the only functionality I desired from the hardware. I would have been better off with a roku.
I usually do not buy a device and then wait to see if it will ever grow into the device I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here I ordered mine prior to the whitelist thing, and it just arrived today and noticed that all the 3rd party apps is locked out... totally blows
Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy a Chromecast off of ebay but I'm not sure if this is ok to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Chrome...HDMI-Media-Video-Streamer-Player/392876990895
There's no Google branding anywhere so it's obviously a knockoff but would it still allow me to mirror my phone screen via Smart View, PC desktop and browser tabs, YouTube, Spotify and Poweramp from their apps just like a legit Google Chromecast would? Would be nice if someone who's bought a similar thing shares some info. I'd like to save as much money as possible as all Google branded ones have delivery fees bigger than the device itself and in the local shops here it's around 40 euro which is still pricey.
koragg97 said:
Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy a Chromecast off of ebay but I'm not sure if this is ok to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Chrome...HDMI-Media-Video-Streamer-Player/392876990895
There's no Google branding anywhere so it's obviously a knockoff but would it still allow me to mirror my phone screen via Smart View, PC desktop and browser tabs, YouTube, Spotify and Poweramp from their apps just like a legit Google Chromecast would? Would be nice if someone who's bought a similar thing shares some info. I'd like to save as much money as possible as all Google branded ones have delivery fees bigger than the device itself and in the local shops here it's around 40 euro which is still pricey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy once cry once. Don't cheap out on something you really want to use and enjoy. I personally gave up on casting since dex seems to have a cleaner image quality to me with movies.
macgyver40 said:
Buy once cry once. Don't cheap out on something you really want to use and enjoy. I personally gave up on casting since dex seems to have a cleaner image quality to me with movies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but I'd like a way to use my TV wirelessly. DeX needs an HDMI cable. Also if I buy a Chromecast I can use wireless DeX if it comes to my Note9. Guess I'll get the real Google Chromecast as a present for my birthday in 6 months.
I just hope I can cast H265 HEVC mkv video files via VLC. I know the Chromecast 3 doesn't support it but I've read VLC converts it to H264 in real time and plays it via the Chromecast.
koragg97 said:
Yeah but I'd like a way to use my TV wirelessly. DeX needs an HDMI cable. Also if I buy a Chromecast I can use wireless DeX if it comes to my Note9. Guess I'll get the real Google Chromecast as a present for my birthday in 6 months.
I just hope I can cast H265 HEVC mkv video files via VLC. I know the Chromecast 3 doesn't support it but I've read VLC converts it to H264 in real time and plays it via the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use VLC and it does work with the fjrst gen chromecast but even I notice a quality different and beyond 720p I normally don't. It also could lag etc. I recently unplug my chromecast since it kept freezing playing the same movie it played the night before flawlessly. Just my experience. I have been looking at the nvidia device and wondering if it could handle casting better.