Vbukit, Powerpoint, and Chromecast - Google Chromecast

Has anybody got this to work? I have tried, but I sure can't get it to work. I've got videos, audio, pictures, but not a powerpoint. Thanks.

I'm unsure what you are asking, but if you want to view a PowerPoint from your computer just use the CC extension and cast the entire screen. Walla, PowerPoint on CC.
MOLON LABE

Vbukit for Chromecast is like this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ByLPXHnP8
I'll give PowerPoint a try later today and post back.

primetime34 said:
Has anybody got this to work? I have tried, but I sure can't get it to work. I've got videos, audio, pictures, but not a powerpoint. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chromecast only scenario PPT file:
Requirements:
Android device and chromecast on the same Wireless LAN
Vbukit for Chromecast (Android app)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.creatingrevolutions.vbukitchromecast&hl=en
AND
Vbukit User (Android app)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.creatingrevolutions.virtualbucket&hl=en
Procedure:
1. Run Vbukit for Chromecast, connect it to your chromecast device.
2. Press Send To TV - it will automatically open Vbukit User.
3. Choose Send file>send Business>Send File>Pick desired PPT file from phone
4. Scan bacrode from screen
5. Wait as it takes ages to upload file
6. Vbukit User app crashes all the time(and it shouldn't), but i can see first slide on the screen
If this crapp crashes. Connect, disconnect and connect again Vbukit for Chromecast, otherwise Vbukit User will not work.
Vbukit.com makes me wonder if it's not smart and efficient data mining project.
You upload file and they can do whatever they want with it.
Privacy policy means nothing in evil NSA age and connection to the site is just in http.
Intelligence, corporate espionage, sensitive personal info...

I did exactly what the above post recommends, but it always fails on uploading the pptx file. I can upload other file types, but not a powerpoint.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk

PowerPoint Question
primetime34 said:
Has anybody got this to work? I have tried, but I sure can't get it to work. I've got videos, audio, pictures, but not a powerpoint. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Primetime34, I can help you concerning this issues.
But first please answer these questions.
1. Are you using the Vbukit User Android or iPhone version of the app with Chromecast?
2. Are you accessing the PowerPoint file from Phone Storage, Google Drive, or Dropbox from within the Vbukit User app?
3. Is the file a ppt or a pptx?
If you can answer these questions, i will be able to address your issue. As well, we did notice a recently introduced bug when accessing PowerPoint in the Android version of the app using Dropbox. We are on that bug and will have it resolved in the next update due out in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Thank you and I look forward to your answers so I can address this issue.
I will let you know that we have tested PowerPoint using over two dozen Android phone models from Samsung, HTC, LG, Asus, and many more, as well as testing with iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.
So far all those phones are able to do all the file types great and cast them to not only Chromecast but also to other Smart Phones, Computers, Tablets, and Smart TV's via Vbukit.com.
I await your reply.

primetime34 said:
I did exactly what the above post recommends, but it always fails on uploading the pptx file. I can upload other file types, but not a powerpoint.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Application is buggy and it's programmers fault. PERIOD
If you want to see it with your own eyes just look at the comments:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.creatingrevolutions.virtualbucket&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.creatingrevolutions.vbukitchromecast&hl=en

Privacy Question
mathorv said:
Chromecast only scenario PPT file:
Requirements:
Android device and chromecast on the same Wireless LAN
Vbukit for Chromecast (Android app)
AND
Vbukit User (Android app)
Procedure:
1. Run Vbukit for Chromecast, connect it to your chromecast device.
2. Press Send To TV - it will automatically open Vbukit User.
3. Choose Send file>send Business>Send File>Pick desired PPT file from phone
4. Scan bacrode from screen
5. Wait as it takes ages to upload file
6. Vbukit User app crashes all the time(and it shouldn't), but i can see first slide on the screen
If this crapp crashes. Connect, disconnect and connect again Vbukit for Chromecast, otherwise Vbukit User will not work.
Vbukit makes me wonder if it's not smart and efficient data mining project.
You upload file and they can do whatever they want with it.
Privacy policy means nothing in evil NSA age and connection to the site is just in http.
Intelligence, corporate espionage, sensitive personal info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to answer your last question.
Vbukit is based on a technology we created called Virtual Bucket which is designed from the ground up to give you not only dramatic increase in security, but also total privacy and complete anonymity.
The system is completely blind to who or where the sender is, who or where the receiver is, and what you are sending.
I know its a new concept but we make sure you actually have real privacy.
So there is ZERO TRACKING, ZERO DATA COLLECTION, ZERO ADVERTISING!!!!
And we also don't charge you for using the system either.
That being said, to make a platform that allows this much privacy, security, and work with nearly every type of device and on nearly every OS is not an easy task.
we hope that clears up any concerns you might have and appreciate what we've built and that we are constantly improving the system which only recently fully came out for public use.
thank you from the Vbukit Team.
---------- Post added at 10:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------
We do not currently have pptx file type integrated.
We do offer ppt and you can also convert your powerpoint to pdf.
Both those should work perfect, but pptx we do not support right now.

Vbukit said:
We do not currently have pptx file type integrated.
We do offer ppt and you can also convert your powerpoint to pdf.
Both those should work perfect, but pptx we do not support right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't get me wrong man but
#1 just inform about formats supported on play store site and if app is not stable yet rebrand it to Vbukit BETA because user rating will reach rock bottom level and comments will stone app/brand to death.
#2 In app add filetype not supported prompt if someone select popular, but not supported format.
#3 It's also worth to mention other apps limitations like filesize limits
Edit:
Using HTTPS instead of HTTP would also be dramatic increase in security and anonymity you mentioned.
Also adding straight Privacy Policy would be nice. What you do to protect data, info about data retention.

Office 2010 formats (.docx, .pptx, .xlsx etc) are generally not well-supported by third party applications. I have trouble with them even in Salesforce.
The older Office 2007-compatible formats (.doc, .ppt, .xls, etc) work much better.

@Vbukit thanks for taking the time to reach out and clarify the issues here.
Pretty cool that you're not data mining, I admit that I wondered about that myself.

Answer
Chromecast's actual SDK libraries were released literally less than a week ago.
1. This is a public beta
2. This is a very complex platform that does many many things, and works on dozens of devices on multiple OS's
3. Unlike basically all others, we don't track you, advertise to you, or charge you.
So how about some positive support
---------- Post added at 12:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:56 AM ----------
Thanks for the suggestion.
actually on chromecast it is running on HTTPS. Google mandates that.
the core system runs on HTTPS, but the front end hides that so that it can work on more devices.
we've found a good number of devices such as many smart tv's still don't like https, so we found a way to overcome that issue while still keeping the security.
but thank you for the suggestion, it is a good one and we're always open to other suggestions.

1. I am using the android version
2. From phone storage (I can't get anything to show up in the google drive on vbukit)
3. It is a pptx
Thanks!
Vbukit said:
Primetime34, I can help you concerning this issues.
But first please answer these questions.
1. Are you using the Vbukit User Android or iPhone version of the app with Chromecast?
2. Are you accessing the PowerPoint file from Phone Storage, Google Drive, or Dropbox from within the Vbukit User app?
3. Is the file a ppt or a pptx?
If you can answer these questions, i will be able to address your issue. As well, we did notice a recently introduced bug when accessing PowerPoint in the Android version of the app using Dropbox. We are on that bug and will have it resolved in the next update due out in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Thank you and I look forward to your answers so I can address this issue.
I will let you know that we have tested PowerPoint using over two dozen Android phone models from Samsung, HTC, LG, Asus, and many more, as well as testing with iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.
So far all those phones are able to do all the file types great and cast them to not only Chromecast but also to other Smart Phones, Computers, Tablets, and Smart TV's via Vbukit.com.
I await your reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Solution
Great, this is very helpful.
Unfortunately, pptx is not handled well, so we do not support it.
What we do support currently support is ppt.
Additionally, you can save your pptx file as a pdf and we support that as well.
But unfortunately pptx right now we don't support.
As for Google Drive. If you don't see the file, Its because as stated, we don't support pptx.
I suggest you do a save as of your pptx and save it as either a ppt or pdf file format.
Then you should be good not only in seeing it in your Google Drive, but also in being able to cast it to the screen.
I hope this helps and i'll mark a note to inform you if in the future we offer pptx, which is on our road map.
Let me know if you need anything else and don't forget to comment and rate us positively.

Apps name before my suggestion:
Vbukit for Chromecast - Android Apps on Google Play and after Vbukit Chromecast Public Beta - Android Apps on Google Play
Vbukit User - Android Apps on Google Play and after Vbukit User (Public Beta)
@ https you're right, things are loaded from amazons cloud.
What meant and didn't say - in web browsers www.vbukit.com starts HTTP session not HTTPS so MITM is theoretically possible. Partial encryption will always be partial.

Good Idea
Oh, I get what you are saying now.
Thank you, that's helpful. I'll speak with my team and look to implement it.
Please let us know if you come up with other good ideas and have a great rest of the week.

Vbukit said:
Great, this is very helpful.
Unfortunately, pptx is not handled well, so we do not support it.
What we do support currently support is ppt.
Additionally, you can save your pptx file as a pdf and we support that as well.
But unfortunately pptx right now we don't support.
As for Google Drive. If you don't see the file, Its because as stated, we don't support pptx.
I suggest you do a save as of your pptx and save it as either a ppt or pdf file format.
Then you should be good not only in seeing it in your Google Drive, but also in being able to cast it to the screen.
I hope this helps and i'll mark a note to inform you if in the future we offer pptx, which is on our road map.
Let me know if you need anything else and don't forget to comment and rate us positively.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried it with a ppt file and it still won't upload. It just says (after about 60 seconds of "Preparing Upload") "Can't upload file". I can upload other file types, but a ppt file just won't upload. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

We see the bug now, and are attacking it as we speak
Ok, we now see what you mean.
In the past week, we had a massive increase in the number of users and it has now revealed an instability specific to only android, in dealing with office files.
We are putting the whole team on this and will have a solution very soon, I promise. Its good you pointed this out, because oddly enough, you were the only one who said something.
having community members like you make things possible, so thank you for informing us.
So at this point i have two positive pieces of news for you.
1. If you convert your pptx to a pdf, you will be absolutely fine. That will work, i tested it myself. Its only the microsoft office files this bug causes problems with. So convert your pptx to pdf and you'll be set.
2. Because you've been so helpful and nice about this issue, unlike some internet trolls, i've stepped up work on not just solving the ppt problem, but also because of you, i've accelerated work to get pptx.
So for now, use PDF, and hopefully in a few days, you'll be able to use PPT and a very good chance we'll have PPTX.
Thanks again, and expect the fix in the next update.
have a great weekend.

Thanks for the quick response. I'll use the pdf alternative for now and hope to see the ppt/pptx support working on android soon. This is such a great app that I can think of so many different uses! Thanks again!
Vbukit said:
Ok, we now see what you mean.
In the past week, we had a massive increase in the number of users and it has now revealed an instability specific to only android, in dealing with office files.
We are putting the whole team on this and will have a solution very soon, I promise. Its good you pointed this out, because oddly enough, you were the only one who said something.
having community members like you make things possible, so thank you for informing us.
So at this point i have two positive pieces of news for you.
1. If you convert your pptx to a pdf, you will be absolutely fine. That will work, i tested it myself. Its only the microsoft office files this bug causes problems with. So convert your pptx to pdf and you'll be set.
2. Because you've been so helpful and nice about this issue, unlike some internet trolls, i've stepped up work on not just solving the ppt problem, but also because of you, i've accelerated work to get pptx.
So for now, use PDF, and hopefully in a few days, you'll be able to use PPT and a very good chance we'll have PPTX.
Thanks again, and expect the fix in the next update.
have a great weekend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

PPTX
Well, we've worked hard to get a fast, stable, smart system to implement pptx and and its now released in todays latest update in the android market
so you can now use your PPTX files.
and i'll tell you, it was not easy to do.
enjoy

Related

print wirelessly?

it is possible for the g1 to print wirelessly right?
is there a program out there that i dont know about that lets you do this? , because i've been looking but found nothing.
I guess it hasn't been created yet.......?
I would love this functionality as well since my printer is wireless. Would be great but I dont know if it will happen.
It is most definitely possible, but has not been implemented.
What you need in order to print;
install CUPS,
add application support.
If you have debian installed, you most certainly will already have the ability to print.
Note that even if CUPS was installed, you would not be able to print from ANY existing android application since they lack this functionality.
CUPS is the common unix printing system (developed by Apple). In Windows, when you buy a printer, you trust that, either the manufacturer has given you a working driver to install from a CD, or that Windows' endless array of popups will find it for you.
On unix-alikes, you toss the CD and trust that CUPS and its dependencies will have a serviceable driver already.
So no, you shouldn't have to make specific devices for each printer. They should already exist if CUPS supports them.
reviving old thread
with the ability to view PDFs and office docs as well as view and edit google docs via the browser it would be great to be able to discover networked printers and spool print jobs to them, any chance of this functionality coming around sometime soon?
innerspace said:
with the ability to view PDFs and office docs as well as view and edit google docs via the browser it would be great to be able to discover networked printers and spool print jobs to them, any chance of this functionality coming around sometime soon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found an app awhile back that will let you print wirelessly the only thing you have to do is download a file onto the pc.
thats printershare
which is an ok solution i suppose, but does require a print server app to be installed on the host pc. I'd rather have the ability to browse the network from android and choose an existing printer as a target then use cups or try to install the driver via the web. Big issue with android apps not supporting this though, probably not going to happen. bummer really.
yeah i tried out the app and installed it on my g1 and file server. after i launched the app it showed its major flaw. If security permissions are not set on the host pc your printer shows online for everyone who is running the app. i saw printers from all over the country. i thought about sending a print job but didnt
^^lol^^
I thought the same thing. Plus it just didn't work. too funny.
Until there is a solution that uses IPP and not somebody's proprietary crud, there is no network printing solution for 'droid.

Means of automatically posting images/videos?

I was wondering if there are any apps that would automatically post (via any blogging script, I'm willing to install and setup anything free) a picture or video using the 'share' feature in android. Alternatively, an app that will upload it via FTP would work as well, and I'd just use a script that generates a blog-like posting sequence from a directory of media. Does such an app exist? If not, and if this is something people would be interested in, I may try to develop it myself, seems like a simple first project.
'Qik' is supposed to allow you to post videos onto youtube, twitter or facebook. (I haven't tried it.)
http://qik.com/blog/332/qik-on-android-early-alpha-now-available
After further research, there seems to be a service called pixelpipe that sort of does what I'd like. The problem is that it has very limited support for self-hosted solutions. All the APIs it supports for self-hosting support pictures only, and remain stored on the pixelpipe server.
HOWEVER, there is an option to upload straight to an FTP server, so I'm going to pursue that for now.
Pixelpipe has a twitvid app that works for twitter.. but the volume is very low on the vid.. i need to find a way 2 turn up my mic

[APP] myMedia WP7

Hi all,
myMedia WP7 has recently been released on the marketplace. myMedia WP7 is a TVersity client that allows you to stream music and video (and view pictures) from your TVersity server to your WP7 device.
The server handles all the transcoding (if required), so all videos formats are playable on your phone. For Tversity to properly identify your WP7 device you need to update the included profiles file. Instructions and the profile is available from here http://www.gordonhome.info/?p=198
myMedia WP7 has a fully functional trial mode (ad-supported) or is $1.99 US for the non-ad version.
You can get is here (Zune link) http://social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=27cacd23-1e94-e011-986b-78e7d1fa76f8
A video of it in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2OB_Om4BWc
Please post app recommendations in WP7 General.
~~Tito~~
Sounds cool. When I have a bit of time to setup Tversity, I think I will give this a go!
I already had TVersity and DynDNS installed (for separate reasons) so I set up myMedia and it works flawlessly both over my home network and from the external address.
Very nice, I can confirm the trial is fully functional & works flawlessly once you have TVersity & DynDNS (Needed if you don't have a static External IP, which most ISP's don't use) setup.
Could you explain setup using dns a little more? Also, should you not need to use a dns ip if you're just trying to use tversity with mymedia wp7 on your home network (connected through wifi)? Thanks.
Ok, got it working on home network. Now just trying to get it set up with port forwarding and using dns server.
kwill said:
Could you explain setup using dns a little more? Also, should you not need to use a dns ip if you're just trying to use tversity with mymedia wp7 on your home network (connected through wifi)? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you don't need to use a DNS service on your home network (or if your ISP provides a static IP address). You just put in the IP address of your tversity server.
kwill said:
Ok, got it working on home network. Now just trying to get it set up with port forwarding and using dns server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, let me know if you need any assistance setting up the DNS/external access portion.
Hi,
I have everything set up including the profiles file but am unable to find windows phone 7 in the dropdown list in settings - media playback device within tversity. this seems to result in every video file being unsupported when trying to stream them from my device. ány idea what i can try to resolve this please?
pencilcase said:
Hi,
I have everything set up including the profiles file but am unable to find windows phone 7 in the dropdown list in settings - media playback device within tversity. this seems to result in every video file being unsupported when trying to stream them from my device. ány idea what i can try to resolve this please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't appear in the drop down settings (that's not what the profile does), it's automatically detected based on browser strings. The Mango Beta has thrown a spanner in the works by changing the browser string so WP7 is no longer automatically detected.
I've submitted an updated version to the marketplace that lets you force tversity to use a specific profile. By choosing this option and putting in the profile GUID (it defaults to the GUID of the WP7 profile I provide), you can force tversity to use whatever profile you want regardless of the auto detection.
Hi,
unfortunately this update did not resolve the issue.
It seems to recognize it as a Windows Phone 7 now, but Tversity is telling me: Error - Could not strart transcoding for file://.................avi
nevermind that, fixed, all working ! thanks !!!!!!!!!!
I got everything running but when I try to play a movie it gives an error... ''Sorry, can't play this file''... Or something like that...
Any ideas...?
I'd like a new icon for this app.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
BellPego said:
I got everything running but when I try to play a movie it gives an error... ''Sorry, can't play this file''... Or something like that...
Any ideas...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not transcoding the file
1. Did you install the profile?
2. If so, is the device being identified as a WP7 device?
3. If you're using Mango, turn the force profile detection on in the settings page.
Peew971 said:
I'd like a new icon for this app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like a billion dollars. I take it you're a designer and are offering to design one...
I'm not, I'm a consumer offering feedback. Isn't it why you post here, for feedback? I send feedback to plenty of devs and never had an answer like yours, I'm really unimpressed.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
dgaust said:
It's not transcoding the file
1. Did you install the profile?
2. If so, is the device being identified as a WP7 device?
3. If you're using Mango, turn the force profile detection on in the settings page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that and it was a bit laggy...
Then and played aroun and found the best settings in my case...
Media Playback Device: WMV9 Video Device.
Leave the IP address blank
I have turned off HTTP Proxy.
On the Transcoder Tab
When To Transcode: Always (Important)
Mine is set to Decrease Bitrate if its too high for my network
And ticked Use DirectShow for Windows Media Encoding and choose Windows Media Video 9 in the drop down menu...
Now everything works fine in Mango...
Peew971 said:
I'm not, I'm a consumer offering feedback. Isn't it why you post here, for feedback? I send feedback to plenty of devs and never had an answer like yours, I'm really unimpressed.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the type of 'constructive' feedback you offer to developers, then I'm sure your feedback is ignored.
'I'd like a new icon for this app' is not constructive and provides no insight into what you feel is wrong with the current icon, or what could be done to improve it. Not only that, the tone of the post is arrogant and rude.
Most developers would ignore comments like those. Fortunately I don't make my living off this type of stuff so I can say what I want, how I want. In general, I'm courteous and will do everything to help out a user and work through any issues they have. On occasion, I'll talk to people in the same manner they chose to address me.
For anyone who wants to suggest genuine features or has requests for changes, I'm happy to listen. In fact, I've made a number of additions and changes based on user feedback.
I've also spent significant time assisting users setup tversity so they get the best experience using the app.
Peew971, in order to avoid feeling disappointed in future, I'd reconsider how you leave 'feedback'.
BellPego said:
I did that and it was a bit laggy...
Then and played aroun and found the best settings in my case...
Media Playback Device: WMV9 Video Device.
Leave the IP address blank
I have turned off HTTP Proxy.
On the Transcoder Tab
When To Transcode: Always (Important)
Mine is set to Decrease Bitrate if its too high for my network
And ticked Use DirectShow for Windows Media Encoding and choose Windows Media Video 9 in the drop down menu...
Now everything works fine in Mango...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BellPego,
Glad you got it streaming for you. Just a note though, that if you use those settings and have other devices it'll also affect playback on those devices.
Personally, my settings are
Mediaplayback Device
Automatic
Transcoder
Only when needed
decrease bitrate
Windows Media Encoder
Tick use directshow
Windows Media Video 9
Optimization
Quality
Compression
Average
When you insert the WP7 profile into the TVersity profiles.xml file (this will automatically be included in the next build of TVersity), and in Mango turn on the force profile detection, it will detect that the device is a Windows Phone 7 and transcode accordingly.
dgaust said:
Peew971, in order to avoid feeling disappointed in future, I'd reconsider how you leave 'feedback'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I said "I'd like a new icon for this app", not one more word. What is it I should reconsider, was I disrespectful to you or your work? Alright I just typed a quick sentence from my phone and didn't elaborate but I didn't deserve that sarcastic answer of yours.
I've been praising your app to friends and users here and elsewhere and that's how you address me because I said "I'd like a new icon for this app"?! This takes me back to those bad times with Dinik on the HD2 forums, talented guy but I couldn't force myself to support his work anymore after some odd posts of his.
Just... wow.
dgaust said:
I'd like a billion dollars. I take it you're a designer and are offering to design one...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Icons attached;

Chromecast "emulator"

Since chromecast simply get an url or data to play content already "on the cloud", it will be possibile to emulate its behaviour with a chrome extension or something like that?
I'd love to use a chromecast-like interface on my desktop pc...
p.nightmare said:
Since chromecast simply get an url or data to play content already "on the cloud", it will be possibile to emulate its behaviour with a chrome extension or something like that?
I'd love to use a chromecast-like interface on my desktop pc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd second that. I'd love to see the ability to chrome cast TO a (widows) chrome browser.
I have a number of MCE PC's connected to HD TV's and computer with monitors throughout the house that would be great as the recipients of "casting".
At work I'd like to be able to look something up on my phone and then sent it to my nearest PC browser...
htcsens2 said:
I'd second that. I'd love to see the ability to chrome cast TO a (widows) chrome browser.
I have a number of MCE PC's connected to HD TV's and computer with monitors throughout the house that would be great as the recipients of "casting".
At work I'd like to be able to look something up on my phone and then sent it to my nearest PC browser...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean like this? - http://goo.gl/NOoel
You won't be able to push Netflix to the browser the same way, but you can certainly do so with web content.
Jason_V said:
You mean like this? - http://goo.gl/NOoel
You won't be able to push Netflix to the browser the same way, but you can certainly do so with web content.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah kind of like that but completely integrated into he chrome cast infrastructure and APIs so that it is compatible across all apps and is just one click on the new "cast" buttons that are cropping up at the top of all my Android apps now .... (Netflix, Youtube, Google music etc.)
There has been talk of 3rd party hardware makers being encouraged to support the standard so shouldn't be too hard to do proper chrome browser integration as a target.
I can't believe no one has thought of it yet :fingers-crossed:
here
p.nightmare said:
I can't believe no one has thought of it yet :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go github.com/dz0ny/leapcast
dz0ny said:
Here you go github.com/dz0ny/leapcast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome! I will definitely keep an eye on that :good: :good:
Nodecast is also an option
p.nightmare said:
awesome! I will definitely keep an eye on that :good: :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beside Leapcast (which is implemented in python), there is a JavaScript-/Node.js-Port in Git-Hub available. The port was made by Sebastian Mauer, the guy who wrote Cheapcast.
I spend the last weekend exeperimenting with both Nodecast and Cheapcast. Now Nodecast runs here in a Windows 8.1 virtual machine - and I'm able to stream from other Windows and Android-devices.
I wrote a few tutorials, how to setup Nodecast on Windows (it also possible to use similar steps in Mac OS X or Linux). The tutorial is currently only in German - but Google translate shall do the job.
Nodecast setup for Windows-tutorial: http://goo.gl/2ZU5Mm
Maybe it helps
Leapcast 2.0?
Anyone still working on Leapcast now that the 2.0 SDK came out? Lots of changes like going from DIAL to mDNS for one. Leapcast was very handy for running on a PC that was already connected to the TV. Sadly, all the apps compiled against the newer SDK won't work with it. They won't even discover it as a Chromecast now.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...oakcolegkcddbk?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher
This was an attempt to do this but I never got it to work on my side.
Unfortunately, SDK 2.0 requires the Chromecast to calculate key using certificate issued by Google. We will probably wait a long time to see leapcast, CheapCast and NodeCast working again. It might not be even possible at all.
Johny_G said:
Unfortunately, SDK 2.0 requires the Chromecast to calcate key using certificate issued by Google. We will probably wait a long time to see leapcast, CheapCast and NodeCast working again. It might not be even possible at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the best news, but thanks Johny for the insight.
If all the rooted ROMs can handle SDK 2.0 and Google's new authentication, there's probably a way to get the emulators up and running with it. Just a matter of time and determination I hope. I wish Google was a bit more open on the software side for the Chromecast. Having the new SDK for sender/receiver apps is great, but allowing companie/people to recreate the piece in the middle would also benefit them I would think. It would be tough for people to beat the Chromecast's price tag, but having other options would be good.
Averix said:
Not the best news, but thanks Johny for the insight.
If all the rooted ROMs can handle SDK 2.0 and Google's new authentication, there's probably a way to get the emulators up and running with it. Just a matter of time and determination I hope. I wish Google was a bit more open on the software side for the Chromecast. Having the new SDK for sender/receiver apps is great, but allowing companie/people to recreate the piece in the middle would also benefit them I would think. It would be tough for people to beat the Chromecast's price tag, but having other options would be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't hold my breath. The ROMs get the upgrade essentially "for free" as it's part of the stock ROM code. Maybe the desktop players can take advantage of that, probably not, especially if it's a binary or relying on some kind of TPM or other function in the Chromecast hardware itself.
Having options is good for the consumer, but for a manufacturer, more options = more competition = more mouths to feed = lower margins = more work to keep competitive. One of the reasons Apple is so aggressive about protecting the exclusivity of its platform.
Warning! TL;DR below!
The point is, that every single Chromecast device has its unique ID, its unique MAC Address, and its (unique?) signed certificate. Also, it might have some kind of ID generated when you set the device up (similar to Push ID used in Google Cloud Messaging). Some of those (maybe all of them) have to play together to calculate the key. As soon as you pull the certificate out and put it in different environment, the result of the calculation won't match the SDK's expectations. So there is pretty good chance, that bypassing the key might be completely impossible without modifying the SDK itself (and it would require the developers to actually invest some effort to support these alternatives) and maybe the Chromecast device software as well. But who knows, the guys involved in those "emulators" are way smarter than most of us and might figure something out .
This is the biggest issue. The other one is, that everything has changed in the new SDK/API, and all of the methods used in those emulators are now deprecated and need to be implemented all over again in a different fashion to work with 2.0. This might actually be a good thing, since developers involved in testing of the way-too-rushed 1.0 seemed not to have a lot of kind words to say about it. I have attended one Chromcast block on a local conference, and it was basically 2 hours of swearing.
I've stumbled upon these issues today (and a bit of yesterday), trying to get my app working in the office (I forgot my Chromecast at home - again), and here are some sources if you are more interested in the topic:
https://plus.google.com/+SebastianMauer/posts/83hTniKEDwN
https://github.com/dz0ny/leapcast/issues/29#issuecomment-37288608
https://github.com/dz0ny/leapcast/issues/96
As a developer, I have to say, that Google is making things awfully difficult lately, and the "don't be evil" policy seems to slowly fade away. They put way too much effort into marketing decisions, and have no time to properly test APIs and SDKs before they spit them out . Mostly, when trying some new Android-related technology (to be honest, its mostly Google Play Services technology these days, so AOSP starts to be completely useless), I spend most of the time working around things that nobody thought of (i.e. the Translucency API in KitKat was obviously tailored for Google Now Launcher, and is a huge PITA tu be used elsewhere) and fixing the broken samples that come with them. It might seem weird, but sometimes (say hello to Play Games Services and in-app billing v1+v2!) the sample is inseparable part of the final implementation, so you have to fix their rushed code anyway. I shouldn't be complaining, since things like that raise the value of developers willing to go through all of this in their spare time, but the change of philosophy still bugs me a lot. Google and Android used to be strongly community-oriented, and now the marketing is pulling it all away.
Should the goal really be to emulate a Chromecast or should the effort be geared toward supporting DIAL protocol?
I would think the latter is the better option because you could support whatever the hardware supports without the limitations imposed on us from CCast Hardware.
Maybe I'm wrong but I always looked at DIAL as an extension of UPnP and separate from the CCast itself and the Chromecast SDK as not much more than a kit to add DIAL support to Android (and iOS) not meant to build anything on the CCast side at all.
Other companies like Roku are planning some DIAL support and I doubt highly they will have a CCast ID and Certificate.
In the end I think we will get something similar to this functionality from a player app like VLC on PC and MAC, or perhaps in Chrome itself.
Cause I think (and I may be totally wrong here) that it isn't the Apps we use that checks the Whitelist and IDs it is the CCast itself that when invoked to load a player app to stream it also checks the whitelist and tests security before it plays.
SO if someone created a program for PC that made the PC announce itself as a DIAL capable device that when connected to loads the app into Chrome, I bet most of it would work.
Might not work with any of the DRM sites like Netflix and Hulu but for things like local content and unprotected streams I see no reason why it wouldn't.
In fact I bet the trouble some are having with Channels in Plex and others would go away because a PC Chrome instance would be able to play many more Transport types than a CCast can currently.
Asphyx said:
Should the goal really be to emulate a Chromecast or should the effort be geared toward supporting DIAL protocol?
I would think the latter is the better option because you could support whatever the hardware supports without the limitations imposed on us from CCast Hardware.
Maybe I'm wrong but I always looked at DIAL as an extension of UPnP and separate from the CCast itself and the Chromecast SDK as not much more than a kit to add DIAL support to Android (and iOS) not meant to build anything on the CCast side at all.
.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. I could actually care less about emulating the specifics of what's in the Chromecast hardware. What I do want is the ability for those unrestricted apps (ie not Netflix) to be able to use their Cast button to find, connect to, and use whatever the emulator is. The new CC SDK doesn't use DIAL to do the initial search any longer. It now uses mDNS. All of the previous apps (YouTube, Pandora, etc.) are still using the old API and DIAL discovery which appears to be backward compatible with the new Chromecast stick software. If you look at the debug logs of the stick, both the v1 and v2 APIs are accounted for. As for Roku, my guess (I haven't started digging in on what they're up to yet) is that they have an app that is using DIAL for discovering the Roku and then just acting as a remote control for all the box functions. Chromecast was a bit more unique since it could basically load up anything from the web as a receiver/playback client since the software is just basically a Chrome browser with some wrappers around it. That's what made it much more dynamic without having to load "channels" in the box within a custom framework like Roku does.
And Bhiga, as for economics on Google providing the software to other hardware makers, I think it it would actually be in their best interest. The Chromecast right now has to be either close to at cost for them or a loss leader. If they can get the Cast API to become a default standard on new consumer devices, that would help them take over that space. To me, that is such a better proposition for them than trying to get the complexities of something like GoogleTV into TVs.
Averix said:
And Bhiga, as for economics on Google providing the software to other hardware makers, I think it it would actually be in their best interest. The Chromecast right now has to be either close to at cost for them or a loss leader. If they can get the Cast API to become a default standard on new consumer devices, that would help them take over that space. To me, that is such a better proposition for them than trying to get the complexities of something like GoogleTV into TVs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mDNS actually makes discovery a lot easier - mDNS = Bonjour = what Apple and TiVo use for discovery already.
I agree with you that adoption of the API and protocols is the goal. At this stage an Android emulator probably would help adoption, but my point was that a desktop emulator doesn't necessarily add to the rate. If someone starts looking to using a desktop because they think they don't need a Google Cast device, they'll likely runs across Plex and Miracast and may decide they don't need Google Cast at all.
bhiga said:
I agree with you that adoption of the API and protocols is the goal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish Google agreed with us.
Averix said:
I wish Google agreed with us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bet anything there are some at Google who do agree with us but when your as BIG a company as Google is it takes forever to get everyone on board and thinking along the same lines enough to manifest it into an end product.
In the end what all if this really tells us is how much DLNA Consortium has failed to standardize Media Distribution by not going far enough and thinking of it from the end user ergonomic experience.
If this discovery and launch capability was more fleshed out in the DLNA specs we might not be talking about DIAL and mDNS right now.
At some point all these protocols (DLNA, UPnP, DIAL) should be merged into one standardized protocol that any platform can use.
Probably years away though...
Asphyx said:
If this discovery and launch capability was more fleshed out in the DLNA specs we might not be talking about DIAL and mDNS right now.
At some point all these protocols (DLNA, UPnP, DIAL) should be merged into one standardized protocol that any platform can use.
Probably years away though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My concern is that unless Google is willing to push this as a standard rather than just apps for one dongle, it will only be a matter of time before the giant (un)friendly fruit company swoops in and AirPlay becomes the defacto standard that all TV makers, set top makers, and anyone else are forced to build in. It's not quite the same as how DLNA and UPnP have become sort of irrelevant, but it could pan out that way for the Google Cast API without more hardware devices having the capability built in. Time and market pressure will tell I guess.

[HTML5 App]Cast local media from Google Chrome to Chromecast with playlist support

Hi,
I have created a small html5 app that allows playing of local media on Google Chrome with playlist support. The Chrome tab can then be cast to Chromecast. This helps me play the huge collection of YouTube videos I have in my computer, on Chromecast. Just thought I'll put it on here for anybody that might find it useful.
Steps to use:
1. Open Google Chrome and go to sidscast . com
2. Browse for folder or files (Audio/Video) to add to playlist.
3. Play
4. Cast tab to Chromecast
Audio/Video Formats suppported: MP4, MP3, Wav, WebM and Ogg
Playlist support: Yes
Thanks!
Sid
Sounds promising! I'll try it when have a chance.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Works fine on Ubuntu....with Chrome
Been looking for something simple to allow playlists for chromecast....this works fine. Thanks
Works perfectly w/ windows 8.1 in chrome. This solved a very irritating limitation of existing casting software.
Thank you
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You sir, deserve more recognition. This is beautiful. Thank you.
thanks given
Thanks so much for this, works really great for streaming my local MP3 files.
Question, would it be possible in a future update to support:
1) displaying embedded album art from the streaming song
-or-
2) specifying a directory of images that can be cast to display while the mp3 is streaming.
Would be great if it can cast photos.
Amazing, the first thing I tried worked. But I'm curious why this can't be run locally, couldn't you make a browser app? They have them, but none work. Not even Videostream (They say it's my network when I have no AV, no firewall, the ports forwarded in my router, and friends who can't get it to work more often than whenever the hell it wants).
You don't mention anywhere, so I'm curious just what info gets passed back and forth between me and your server while I'm using this.
Edit: ****, last active 5 months ago.
ducky69247 said:
Amazing, the first thing I tried worked. But I'm curious why this can't be run locally, couldn't you make a browser app? They have them, but none work. Not even Videostream (They say it's my network when I have no AV, no firewall, the ports forwarded in my router, and friends who can't get it to work more often than whenever the hell it wants).
You don't mention anywhere, so I'm curious just what info gets passed back and forth between me and your server while I'm using this.
Edit: ****, last active 5 months ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, Videostream guy here. Is it just never playing the video?
The difference is how this uses the Cast Extensions tab casting method (WebRTC) instead. All you need to do, to do the same thing without this app, is drag and drop the video in to Chrome.
Our app needs TCP port access to your computer, in order to send the raw video data to your Chromecast.
Now, there's no reason why you should have been left hanging like this. If you like you can forward me your emails and I can look into why our support f'd up so hard. This is an easy fix. I can also do a remote desktop with you whenever you like and we can get this solved, asap.
[email protected] or [email protected]
acidhax said:
Hey man, Videostream guy here. Is it just never playing the video?
The difference is how this uses the Cast Extensions tab casting method (WebRTC) instead. All you need to do, to do the same thing without this app, is drag and drop the video in to Chrome.
Our app needs TCP port access to your computer, in order to send the raw video data to your Chromecast.
Now, there's no reason why you should have been left hanging like this. If you like you can forward me your emails and I can look into why our support f'd up so hard. This is an easy fix. I can also do a remote desktop with you whenever you like and we can get this solved, asap.
[email protected] or [email protected]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for the reply.
I've been getting replies, for sure (The replies come from freshdesk, signed Rahul Kayaith), but pretty much been given the idea that it's my problem, when I can reset literally every device on my network and it still not work (I even went so far as to open the ports in my router since he made it seem like the traffic needs to pass between their servers and my computer). I'm using literally no antivirus or firewall, just Windows Defender, I've added Chrome as an exception to Defender's scans, and my network is private/home. The app hasn't worked for me at all for a couple weeks now, when previously it worked intermittently. The port fix tool has never worked, not once since I got the Chromecast. (Before it quit working altogether, it would work seemingly whenever it felt like it. Nothing that I did on purpose seemed to work)
My friend has 3 Chromecasts, uses antivirus and spyware software, a different router/modem, and a different computer. The only thing we have in common is Windows 8.1, Chrome, the Videostream app. He says it also works only intermittently. I just don't see that the problem is on either his network or mine!
I did figure out that I could "save" the SidsCast page locally and run it and it works, so I don't need to worry about what's being sent to his server, and it's working with most types of video, but not all, so I have to be careful what I "acquire," but still more reliable than Videostream has been!
ducky69247 said:
Hey, thanks for the reply.
I've been getting replies, for sure (The replies come from freshdesk, signed Rahul Kayaith), but pretty much been given the idea that it's my problem, when I can reset literally every device on my network and it still not work (I even went so far as to open the ports in my router since he made it seem like the traffic needs to pass between their servers and my computer). I'm using literally no antivirus or firewall, just Windows Defender, I've added Chrome as an exception to Defender's scans, and my network is private/home. The app hasn't worked for me at all for a couple weeks now, when previously it worked intermittently. The port fix tool has never worked, not once since I got the Chromecast. (Before it quit working altogether, it would work seemingly whenever it felt like it. Nothing that I did on purpose seemed to work)
My friend has 3 Chromecasts, uses antivirus and spyware software, a different router/modem, and a different computer. The only thing we have in common is Windows 8.1, Chrome, the Videostream app. He says it also works only intermittently. I just don't see that the problem is on either his network or mine!
I did figure out that I could "save" the SidsCast page locally and run it and it works, so I don't need to worry about what's being sent to his server, and it's working with most types of video, but not all, so I have to be careful what I "acquire," but still more reliable than Videostream has been!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(I run Windows 8.1 too)
Yeah those are the generic fixes we give to people, Rahul is our local support guy we have working with us as an intern . Your router really shouldn't have anything to do with this.
What you could do is check (Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Firewall\Customize Settings) , or in your "Windows Firewall" settings go to "Turn Windows Firewall on or off" on the left, and make sure "block all incoming connections" is NOT checked on Public or Private.
acidhax said:
(I run Windows 8.1 too)
Yeah those are the generic fixes we give to people, Rahul is our local support guy we have working with us as an intern . Your router really shouldn't have anything to do with this.
What you could do is check (Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Firewall\Customize Settings) , or in your "Windows Firewall" settings go to "Turn Windows Firewall on or off" on the left, and make sure "block all incoming connections" is NOT checked on Public or Private.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My firewall is set to "off." I never use it, nor any third party firewall or AV. I've run through all of this with Rahul, at least since some time in March. And opening the ports in my router was just, let's say, a last-ditch effort to figure out the problem, since nothing else has worked.
ducky69247 said:
My firewall is set to "off." I never use it, nor any third party firewall or AV. I've run through all of this with Rahul, at least since some time in March. And opening the ports in my router was just, let's say, a last-ditch effort to figure out the problem, since nothing else has worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you happen to have multiple Chrome profiles with videostream installed on all of them?
acidhax said:
Do you happen to have multiple Chrome profiles with videostream installed on all of them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
ducky69247 said:
Nope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you like we can try to do an ole Remote Desktop with TeamViewer if you like? If you're into it I can do it whenever. It's normally easy to diagnose as the developer. My email is up there ^--
ducky69247 said:
Amazing, the first thing I tried worked. But I'm curious why this can't be run locally, couldn't you make a browser app? They have them, but none work. Not even Videostream (They say it's my network when I have no AV, no firewall, the ports forwarded in my router, and friends who can't get it to work more often than whenever the hell it wants).
You don't mention anywhere, so I'm curious just what info gets passed back and forth between me and your server while I'm using this.
Edit: ****, last active 5 months ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh joy! I didn't think people were using it and finding it useful! Well, although I know this is a very late reply, but I'll answer anyway. There is no server. It's all client side. The only thing that it needs a connection to the internet for, is the ads at the side. So you can very well just have it work without an internet connection after the initial load. There's no data collection or anything of that sort.

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