Database Develop

Google blocks Chromecast apps that let you stream your own videos

Google blocks Chromecast app that let you stream your own videos...
"Google hasn't provided a clear answer on whether Chromecast will eventually let users stream their own local videos and music to the TV screen. But if early updates for the $35 dongle are any indication, the company doesn't want third-party developers trying to deliver that functionality. The most recent Chromecast update has broken support for AllCast, an Android application that previously allowed users to stream their personal media to a TV. AllCast (also known as AirCast thanks to a trademark dispute) could play back files stored in a phone's gallery, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Developer Koushik Dutta accomplished the feat by reverse engineering the Chromecast's code. He'd released several betas of the app, even planning a release on Google Play, before Google's latest software update broke things — "intentionally" in Dutta's opinion."
Read more...
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/25/4...chromecast-app-that-let-you-stream-own-videos
They blocked these two apps so far:
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/G3jF2JynLc2
https://plus.google.com/117916055521642810655/posts/23BrB267QHJ
Let Google know exactly how you feel about this issue. If you're not happy downgrade and comment on their official Chromecast app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.chromecast.app&hl=en

xuser said:
They blocked these two apps so far:
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/G3jF2JynLc2
https://plus.google.com/117916055521642810655/posts/23BrB267QHJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those apps were never approved and on the app whitelist. ALL apps are blocked by default. Only approved apps will run on the Chromecast. What those apps were doing was reverse engineering the Chromecast and using a hack to get around it. Google fixed that hack.

New names for Chromecast:
iCast
Castrate
ClosedCast
CastOff
OutCast

Sucks that now only YouTube and Netflix are the only things that'll play. Enjoyed the ability to play local media.

xuser said:
New names for Chromecast:
iCast
Castrate
ClosedCast
CastOff
OutCast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm calling mine Ebaycast.
I've got a Roku3 that does everything I need..

Very disappointing! I was at a friend's home and he was showing off mirroring his iclone through Apple tv. Was hoping Chromecast would top that.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

After getting Aircast and fling to work, I ordered 2 more Chromecast dongles. Just cancelled them.
Hopefully Google is just temp blocking until ready to officially supporti 3rd party apps. If not, back to Roku.

I don't know if anyone else noticed but casting a local video file from a chrome browser tab actually plays smoother now. But aircast provided the easiest way to cast a video file from an Android phone.

After getting Aircast and fling to work, I ordered 2 more Chromecast dongles. Just cancelled them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no interest in buying another Chromecast until this gets sorted out either.

So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app

So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly because it was more useful when AllCast and Fling worked. Kind of back in the ballpark with Google TV now in that it doesn't do a lot (for me anyway). Nothing more, nothing less.

Disappointed
akellar said:
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.

akellar said:
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may never have been announced to be able to do it, but to most it was obvious that the device was capable of doing it and that with dev support a lot was possible. It is disappointing to see how restrictive Google is being in taking away support for a function that the chromecast can handle. That being said, there will always be a way to accomplish this, it is just a matter of how inconvenient Google is going to make it.

While Google is within their own rights to change parts of the software that was never intended to be used for 3rd party, it's a massive mistake for Google to do this just to kill off those 3rd party apps. There must be a good reason for it and Google should make a public announcement as to why. There's probably a good % of sales of Chromecast specifically because of the functionality AirCast gave. I was going to buy a ChromeCast only because of the functionality AirCast gave but without this, a ChromeCast is useless for me.
I won't be buying until this functionality is officially supported or Google provides an official API/support for 3rd party applications that do provide this functionality.
Such a shame as Google had some much promise behind this product but that seems to have disappeared.

Hey
Just discovered an app that streams local content to any dnla player - wiTV. It offers mostly russian online contant but.. It also offers streaming local content from all of your devices including apple pc and Android. It creates a dnla local server on mobile devices and you can launch local media playback and scroll through it on the mobile device plays well on my old asus oplay r3 and samsung tv
Have fun and screw u Google! I can't believe i paid $100 to buy junk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

jamosjamos said:
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SDK isn't final. And in this case the developer hacked around one of the most essential parts (the app whitelist). No offense, but I don't want Netflix, HBO, etc to pull their content off the Chromecast so Google can let hackers design apps to stream content from my phone in a non-standard way that was never intented. How about we all wait until the SDK is final before judging Google. All they did was fix a security hole in the device.

Techno79 said:
While Google is within their own rights to change parts of the software that was never intended to be used for 3rd party, it's a massive mistake for Google to do this just to kill off those 3rd party apps. There must be a good reason for it and Google should make a public announcement as to why. There's probably a good % of sales of Chromecast specifically because of the functionality AirCast gave. I was going to buy a ChromeCast only because of the functionality AirCast gave but without this, a ChromeCast is useless for me.
I won't be buying until this functionality is officially supported or Google provides an official API/support for 3rd party applications that do provide this functionality.
Such a shame as Google had some much promise behind this product but that seems to have disappeared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree.
I purchased the ChromeCast only for the purpose of wireless playing movies from my laptop to my HDTV. I currently use a HDMI cable, but thought wireless would be ideal.
I never use Netflix.
I never use Utube.
I wasted $35 plus shipping, because google refuses to allow me to use the hardware I purchased the way I want to.
It just arrived a few days ago, and I can root it.
But I don't think rooting it will help.
It's just a paperweight now.
Maybe I can return it to Google for a full refund?

ddiehl said:
I'm calling mine Ebaycast.
I've got a Roku3 that does everything I need..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I just love DLNA support on my Roku3.

jamosjamos said:
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you sent this as feedback, very well put. The corporate device manufacture, including Google has benefited from free private development. A lot of the features that come on devices today started with the devs witch in turn busted sales from their innovation and put android where it is today.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

I don't under stand what the problem was. I mean, I was just using AllCast to watch videos of my kids on the TV. I'm not willing to spend time to upload videos to YouTube just to do that (nevermind privacy concerns and the fact the world doesn't care about my kid doing backflips off the couch).
I already have an HTPC for media playback, there's only personal content on my phone.
This was probably disabled because it wasn't using the actual SDK and was more of a hack. Was neat while it lasted.

Time of Death 14:45 CST 1/11/2013

I'm calling it. Google is not ever going to open Chromecast to development and it will never be more than a limited dongle to stream a few (mostly) paid services. They may finish an SDK but they will never remove the white list. Google has moved on to luxury barges and product tie ins with candy bars. Chromecast is an even bigger failure than Nexus Q. Google may have sold lots of Chromecasts but they have gone out of their way to make the device of only very limited utility and the 3rd party apps they have added have been so few and so limited.
I don't think I'm going to be buying any more Google multimedia devices. I feel like a real sucker for buying this one.

Dude it's $35. Want some cheese with that?

I think you are wrong on this, browse on phone play on TV is great.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

I think you are very wrong here. I would rather google whitelist quality apps than have a ton of half-assed ones for it.
Granted yes I would like to see more apps available for it. But while it's still young we don't need 100 apps that all do the exact same thing. The one app I am waiting for is plex. If that ever becomes chromecast enabled. That would be awesome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

Woah, calm down. It's not even half a year old yet.
Google is slowly but surely allowing apps to have Chromecast support.
Hulu now has Chromecast support and just recently Pandora.
While I don't really see the whole logic behind them approving apps it's really not that big of a deal.
I can see Chromecast having a good life in the future. It's definitely not a Nexus Q failure.

inthepit said:
I think you are very wrong here. I would rather google whitelist quality apps than have a ton of half-assed ones for it.
Granted yes I would like to see more apps available for it. But while it's still young we don't need 100 apps that all do the exact same thing. The one app I am waiting for is plex. If that ever becomes chromecast enabled. That would be awesome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want your mfg to control what apps you can use and who gets to develop for them, then go swap to apple.
It would be one thing if there was even an approval process, but there isn't, just backroom deals between big companies.
When I buy google it's because I want the freedom to do what I want with my device.
That said I'm giving them til the end of the year before I declare their "SDK" dead, but I am starting to agree with the OP.

gottahavit said:
If you want your mfg to control what apps you can use and who gets to develop for them, then go swap to apple.
It would be one thing if there was even an approval process, but there isn't, just backroom deals between big companies.
When I buy google it's because I want the freedom to do what I want with my device.
That said I'm giving them til the end of the year before I declare their "SDK" dead, but I am starting to agree with the OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google never promised you any thing with the Chromecast. You just let your imagination get the better if you. Like others said. What did you expect for $35.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Cuzz1369 said:
Google never promised you any thing with the Chromecast. You just let your imagination get the better if you. Like others said. What did you expect for $35.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I expect that when they publish a "Beta" SDK, that states "You're CC needs to be Whitelisted while in Beta", that within a reasonable period of time, the whitelist requirement will be lifted and the SDK will come out of Beta and they will publish a "here's the process to publish your app"
When Google(or really anyone) releases a Beta SDK Developers are going begin spending their valuable time coding solutions for that platform, expecting someday they will be able to release their product.
So far they're just wasting developers time.
This has nothing to do with how much my chromecast cost, it's about misleading developers.

You buy a product for what it does. Not what you think it could/should/will do. Its called "Chromecast" and that's exactly what it does, casts chrome to my TV, beautify.
I understand your frustration, but I knew when I bought it what it was and did, and even though I wanted more, didn't expect it for the price
Sent from my One using xda app-developers app

inthepit said:
I think you are very wrong here. I would rather google whitelist quality apps than have a ton of half-assed ones for it.
Granted yes I would like to see more apps available for it. But while it's still young we don't need 100 apps that all do the exact same thing. The one app I am waiting for is plex. If that ever becomes chromecast enabled. That would be awesome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you that it would be nice to have apps that Google has tested for quality, but that does not require a white list. The could offer a tested & certified classification. But locking out everyone else is just rude. The market is pretty good at self regulating. And I'd be glad to see 100 apps that do the same thing. Chances are better I can find one I like. The more competition, the better the quality of the standouts in the long run. Locking the device down is both lazy and greedy.
Galaxy S4, Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7

I would have to agree. This thing is DOA! Had potential but by the time Google gets off their butts something else better will be out to take its place. Too bad. Thank goodness it was only $35.
Sent from my HTCONE using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I'm disappointed too, and I agree that we will probably NEVER see any 3rd party independent apps for the chromecast. We'll just get the few services that Google throws to us. I imagine they'll still add things in the future from time to time though.
For $35 I am still happy with the device. I was tired of using my Blu-Ray player's clunky UI to watch Netflix or Youtube videos. Being able to initiate and perform everything via smartphone is amazing. I do think the Play Music could be better implemented...I don't expect most people to understand that you have to upload your music to Play and then download it onto your phone through the app, rather than sideloading. But I guess that's just a product of the DIAL standard.

We all expected 'freedom' but Google never actually said this thing would be open source.
They are a business, not a charity. They probably have their reasons for being so restrictive.
Still it's early to tell what will happen. Allowing plex would solve most of my problems, personally.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

For me Chromecast has been awesome. With Pandora it just got tons better. Because I use Amazon prime as my tv source, if they release prime app I'll buy another one for my bedroom asap. If Netflix or hulu was what I use I would have already bought another.
You can use splashtop to cast browser tabs on your computer from your phone and use hulu for free.
Best $35 I've spent I'm a long time.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

jcissell said:
Best $35 I've spent I'm a long time.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes 2 of us lol Matter of fact I spent more last night on margaritas and all I got out of that was a little hangover this morning.
I've found that my CC streams Hulu better than either my blu-ray player or my LG 'smart' TV. I also use Netflix, Pandora and Google Music and am happy with them all on the CC; Plex would be icing on the cake. Plus the kids like being able to select their shows from the tablet vs the remote.
I can understand the devs not being happy though.

Furik said:
Woah, calm down. It's not even half a year old yet.
Google is slowly but surely allowing apps to have Chromecast support.
Hulu now has Chromecast support and just recently Pandora.
While I don't really see the whole logic behind them approving apps it's really not that big of a deal.
I can see Chromecast having a good life in the future. It's definitely not a Nexus Q failure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was told about Google TV. I'm still waiting.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

rbeavers said:
That's what I was told about Google TV. I'm still waiting.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah me too, but at least as a developer I can write and distribute code for GTV, as pathetic as it is.

I use my Chromecast every day, most times about 3-4hrs a day on multiple TV's
I have 4 Apple loving friends who own one and prefer it for Hulu, Netflix and YouTube over their Apple TV boxes.
People who won't touch Google or Android or are still using IE use it. Google has become a name in the living room by selling a "foot in the door" device at a bargain/loss.... and they are succeeding
Some failure........
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

gottahavit said:
Yeah me too, but at least as a developer I can write and distribute code for GTV, as pathetic as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I can't do a thing with out root on the GTV.
It's nice we can at least cast a chrome tab.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

It's only been a little over 4 months, so it's not quite dead yet, but it's beginning to look like Google's second failure in the TV market. So far the biggest news has been Google crushing attempts to make it more useful.
I think Google's problem is that they have no clue what they want to do in the TV market. They're dabbling because they think they should, but they don't want to commit to anything.
Personally I already replaced mine with a Roku, which cost only a few dollars more and is way better. I think the Chromecast will be going to somebody else for Christmas.

Chromecast gets Plex, Vevo, RealPlayer, Viki and more with massive app update

Here it is folks, the first wave of new apps and boy oh boy it's a big list!
*unlocks garden gate*
http://gigaom.com/2013/12/10/chrome...player-viki-and-more-with-massive-app-update/
Plex is a great little app but this feature will be rolled out FIRST to premium subscibers.
RealPlayer cloud opens the door to streaming video from their online storage (2GB free - more than that = paid) and is limited to 15 minutes to discourage piracy.
aVia indexes photos on Picasa, Dropbox and Facebook, allowing users to show any of their photos on any of these services on their TV but alas you need to be a paid subscriber for this service also.
Now play podcasts via BeyondPod and enjoy the Washington Post’s PostTV, online music service Songza, RedbullTV, Revision3, VEVO and Viki on your little dongle of delight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the full list of available apps:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrom...utm_source=chromecast.com&utm_medium=referral

Support for plex is awesome!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Drizwaldo1 said:
Here it is folks, the first wave of new apps and boy oh boy it's a big list!
*unlocks garden gate*
http://gigaom.com/2013/12/10/chrome...player-viki-and-more-with-massive-app-update/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aVia hopefully will replace both Fling and AllCast, and doesn't require root.
Looks like I know where some of my Google Play store credit is going!

Great stuff!!
My question is what are the implications for the rooted user on a custom ROM?
I am sure Team Eureka are watching :cyclops:

smrsxn said:
Support for plex is awesome!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crap.. requires premium plex pass.
Waiting foe koush to add cheomecast support then
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Drizwaldo1 said:
Great stuff!!
My question is what are the implications for the rooted user on a custom ROM?
I am sure Team Eureka are watching :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh we are watching Hopefully kyonz can get this added to his whitelist server soon so rooted users can get these apps ASAP.

smrsxn said:
Crap.. requires premium plex pass.
Waiting foe koush to add cheomecast support then
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wider support for the average PLEX user will come... but in time. Confirmed in their Chromecast statement today.

ddggttff3 said:
Oh we are watching Hopefully kyonz can get this added to his whitelist server soon so rooted users can get these apps ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's what I am talking about.

LOL aVia's site is getting bombarded. Their database can't keep up (search is giving me database connection error). That gives us a little bit of insight as to how many Chromecast users and followers there are out there!

This is pretty important.. Is there a possibility that someone can release an "emergency" pwncast to get these new streaming abilities? Or does it just have to do with the Whitelist?

abuttino said:
This is pretty important.. Is there a possibility that someone can release an "emergency" pwncast to get these new streaming abilities? Or does it just have to do with the Whitelist?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the whitelist.
It's a good point to make that one of the downsides of using a custom ROM/firmware is that updates and such will encounter some delay. After all, people like the folks on Team Eureka are donating their own free time. It's not their job, nor do they work at/for Google (at least not as far as I know), so with the power of root comes a requirement of patience.

Viki

Not sure why but all the new apps don't stream to my chromecast. Not even an icon to do it. HTC One. Not sure why,

bhiga said:
Only the whitelist.
It's a good point to make that one of the downsides of using a custom ROM/firmware is that updates and such will encounter some delay. After all, people like the folks on Team Eureka are donating their own free time. It's not their job, nor do they work at/for Google (at least not as far as I know), so with the power of root comes a requirement of patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In good news tho, once we release this new OTA we have been cooking up, there should be NO delay between when rooted users get google served applications.

djdanska said:
Not sure why but all the new apps don't stream to my chromecast. Not even an icon to do it. HTC One. Not sure why,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock or rooted?
If you're rooted, you'll have to wait for the custom whitelist to get updated.
If you're stock, just make sure all your apps are up-to-date.
Chromecast support in Plex is currently limited to PlexPass members.
Chromecast support in aVia is part of the paid extras (at least that's what the article in the original post says, and from what I can tell so far - free has no Cast icon or option)
EDIT: Hmm... just bought aVia and still can't find the Cast option... might be because I don't have a Chromecast visible at the moment...

2 of the apps i installed had an update. vevo and the PostTv. I switched to another account on the play store and it showed up. So it appears the apps are being updated now.
t-mobile HTC One on the 4.3 rom

Which app would be used to achieve local media streaming?
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium

Leraeniesh said:
Which app would be used to achieve local media streaming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plex and aVia.
The link from the original post is worth a read, lots of other stuff too.

The Plex support announced so far for early release to paid PlexPass members is currently limited to video, with mention of music and photos to come later. No mention of Plex Channels.

PlayOn Too
Leraeniesh said:
Which app would be used to achieve local media streaming?
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seen on the Playon.tv site, they will be adding Chromecast support "soon" as well. I've been a lifetime subscriber to playon and it's flippin sweet. Sorry to say but on my i7, 16GB monster of a pc plex still has trouble transcoding (audio/video sync) while playon has always been perfect.
http://www.playon.tv/supported-devices
Streaming Devices
Chromecast - Coming Soon!
Google TV HD capable - view setup instructions
OmniBox - view setup instructions
Roku HD capable - view setup instructions

Vget, Streaming Video, and Amazon Prime Video

Well, will this work? I can get prime videos to play through mobile firefox, but that is as far as I've gotten. I've tried but I don't know that I am using it right. Is there some way, with the new apps, to get Amazon Prime video streaming from my phone/tablet to my chromecast?

primetime34 said:
Well, will this work? I can get prime videos to play through mobile firefox, but that is as far as I've gotten. I've tried but I don't know that I am using it right. Is there some way, with the new apps, to get Amazon Prime video streaming from my phone/tablet to my chromecast?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm betting for now that the answer is NO...But there may be ways with a Hacked Rooted CCast.
I would be guessing but I expect there to be DRM in those that requires a player that can decode the DRM stream.
Netflix has one for the CCast and until Amazon supports CCast natively I wouldn't expect it to work without direct streaming whatever is on the Tablet screen directly to the CCast via Allcast or some other app that requires a Rooted CCast..

You can use vget with the full version of Avia
Sent from my EndeavorU using Tapatalk 2

drivenby said:
You can use vget with the full version of Avia
Sent from my EndeavorU using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the full version of Avia. How can I use it with Amazon prime videos?
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 4

primetime34 said:
I have the full version of Avia. How can I use it with Amazon prime videos?
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably can't, I'm guessing it has some kind of drm.
I meant using vget for sites like putlocker or other storage sites.
What I do is use vget as a dlna server and read it through avia.
Works as a charm MOST times.
For some reason some files won't play through dlna or streaming, and I have to download them with vget
Sent from my EndeavorU using Tapatalk 2

As far as I know...Anything that can only be played through a proprietary portal and their proprietary software (This includes NetFlix, GPlay, and Amazon) are most likely protected with DRM so that they can only be played on their proprietary player.
Which means it is pretty much up to them to incorporate Casting to CCast before you can cast those content items.
No way around it that I can think of.
Netflix activates an app on the CCast that knows how to decode their DRM encryption to play.it's streams.
It's a safe bet GPlay does this too and Amazon will need to create the same system they use.
While we all want Screen Mirroring and Local casting...The truth is the DIAL technology was always meant to be used in the way NetFlix uses it.
Thankfully it is flexible enough that we can get those other things as well.

Asphyx said:
As far as I know...Anything that can only be played through a proprietary portal and their proprietary software (This includes NetFlix, GPlay, and Amazon) are most likely protected with DRM so that they can only be played on their proprietary player.
Which means it is pretty much up to them to incorporate Casting to CCast before you can cast those content items.
No way around it that I can think of.
Netflix activates an app on the CCast that knows how to decode their DRM encryption to play.it's streams.
It's a safe bet GPlay does this too and Amazon will need to create the same system they use.
While we all want Screen Mirroring and Local casting...The truth is the DIAL technology was always meant to be used in the way NetFlix uses it.
Thankfully it is flexible enough that we can get those other things as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense. I just hope that sooner, rather than later, Amazon decides to open up their videos to all the android users...I mean for crying out loud, there is an app for the Wii and nothing for Android yet. Ridiculous.

primetime34 said:
That makes sense. I just hope that sooner, rather than later, Amazon decides to open up their videos to all the android users...I mean for crying out loud, there is an app for the Wii and nothing for Android yet. Ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm waiting for Amazon too... can already do it on my TV, but my TV's interface is klunky.

I think they will get there but it's a huge company whose software divisions are pretty much focused on their Kindle and Internal stuff.
Unfortunately I don't see them listed under the Dial Registry Database at all right now...
http://www.dial-multiscreen.org/dial-registry/namespace-database
Now that posting could be out of date and it may not mean they aren't working on it just that they haven't registered their Name yet.
They may be waiting for the public release of the SDK. Not sure how close they are with Google as far as development goes to be right on top of it.
I tend to avoid buying any music or content with DRM. I would rather buy the disc and rip it into a DRM free format so I can keep it on the Media Server or NAS.

Asphyx said:
I tend to avoid buying any music or content with DRM. I would rather buy the disc and rip it into a DRM free format so I can keep it on the Media Server or NAS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally my attitude as well though recent life changes have pushed me to more of a "wherever, however" methodology, heh. Still won't pay for DRMed stuff as I've been burned too many times in the past, but I'll rent/subscribe for streaming now. Scary. I finally subscribed to Netflix... but mainly because I had the code from Chromecast. Nice bonus, the $8.99 1-month DVD+streaming gift card I bought years ago redeemed for two months of streaming service ($15.98 value). :victory:

bhiga said:
Totally my attitude as well though recent life changes have pushed me to more of a "wherever, however" methodology, heh. Still won't pay for DRMed stuff as I've been burned too many times in the past, but I'll rent/subscribe for streaming now. Scary. I finally subscribed to Netflix... but mainly because I had the code from Chromecast. Nice bonus, the $8.99 1-month DVD+streaming gift card I bought years ago redeemed for two months of streaming service ($15.98 value). :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Netflix is a pretty good value when you get right down to it. I just signed up for the first time last month as well. Not sure I'll keep it but at the time Plex didn't support CCast! LOL
Truth is I got it as much for my Mother to use the account as for me! I may only keep as long as the MidSeason Break is on because there is nothing but crap on until January! LOL

Netflix is worth every penny imho.
Well, American Netflix. The other ones ain't so hot but if you have an open mind, there's plenty to watch.
If you are more of a 'up to date' guy, then Hulu might be the better alternative.
Sent from my EndeavorU using Tapatalk 2

Is it me or.....

..... Are there way to many local media casting apps?
It seems another one pops up every few days.
I am all for a free market but, c'mon, let's get some originality!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Nothing wrong with it, in my opinion. One of them might come up as the ultimate Chromecast app. So far for me, top stop is reserved for BubbleUPnP, but I would change in the heartbeat if something better comes out (tough ask).

abuttino said:
..... Are there way to many local media casting apps?
It seems another one pops up every few days.
I am all for a free market but, c'mon, let's get some originality!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to post the same thing. So far it has been very redundant and underwhelming. We need mirroring ASAP. And I'm still waiting for that app that makes me say, "Wow, I never thought of using the chromecast that way!"
Don't get me wrong, I love my chromecast. Best bang for the buck in the history of computers/electronics. I'm just spoiled. LOL!

I've never been opposed to choice. In fact it's why I own Android products and not an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013) using xda-developers app

I stated that in my post. I am all for free market.
I would just hope that someone can think of something better than all these local media streamers.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

abuttino said:
..... Are there way to many local media casting apps?
It seems another one pops up every few days.
I am all for a free market but, c'mon, let's get some originality!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's just a matter of those apps being the most logical early adopters for CCast support cause once one media player supports CCast the rest have to make sure to follow or lose marketshare.
And I wouldn't discount Google and the Whitelisting for reasons why we aren't seeing more innovative Apps for the CCast.
Players are pretty straight forward and other Apps are probably getting a bit more scrutiny from Google before getting approved for Whitelisting since those operations actually require a more complex code on the CCast side than the Local Player apps do.
The only thing that I'm disappointed in is the fact that none of the Local Stream Devs are doing much to expand the capabilities of the player on the CCast side. Bubble has probably done the most with it's subtitle support, and Plex's latest release has added a ton of features including Music Photo and some Eye Candy during navigation.
The Most popular Android player apps were popular due to the extra container and codec support they had but unless they can add that support to the CCast side player (difficult I know) their supporting CCast really isn't going to help them retain Market.
As for Mirroring you probably have two forces at play holding it up.
First the Operating System support has to be there which means only devices with 4.2.x or higher will likely be able to run it,
and Second would be the security issues (@bhiga mentioned early on) that could be triggered by some malware that could trigger your unit to mirror to someone else and violate privacy.
Even if someone finds a way to do Mirroring well I would expect Google to go over it with a fine tooth comb before they whitelisted it and lets be honest they may NEVER allow 3rd party Mirroring Apps and prefer to control that function all on their own. Perhaps as part of future versions of Android which currently the SDK seems to have the code for it but is not being used by anyone at the moment.