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I saw my friends iPhone and it had a new program with video feeds featuring certain top stories.
I'd like to find a program like that for my kaiser. i've been using yahoo news mobile, but i really want video. and when i look for video rss feeds providers like ABC never really release decent content, in regard to length and substence.
if anyone knows of any decent free software that can solve my problem please post thanks.
Beyond Pod is capable of this, it's a very decent videocast/podcast/RSS application. It is completely free.
Whats your BIG Chromecast idea? More potential than a "traditional" A/V streamer?
So I've seen many people, developers and users alike, swarming the ideas of the expected basic usages of this wonderful device.
Examples: Out-of-Box expected usage (streaming from qualified providers), mirrored A/V from PC/Phone/Tablet, other connectivity proof of concepts (IE: emulators), ect…
So my question is: What's your big idea to extend the usage of this device beyond "traditional" implementation?
I’ll start by sharing mine (actually 2 product idea’s, that could become 1 at some point in time).
1. All-in-one media station. Taking the concept of a HTPC/XBMC build, and extending it to have the Chromcast as the “presenter”, and the PC/Phone/Tablet as the “remote”. The software package would include a “media server” run on a compatible PC on the same network, accompanied by the “remote” app on the Phone/Tablet (web-based control for PC remote).
I intend to also include the ability to queue/control presentation files such as PPT, PDF, ect… I’d like to have the package useful to both home and business clients/users.
One of my favorite parts of this idea resides in the remote app. Upon selection of the media you intend to cast, use a 2-finger up gesture to begin casting (makes me think of the scene in IronMan2 when he takes over the monitors in the courtroom by using a similar gesture on his “phone”, lol) It’s the little things that get me excited haha.
2. A home automation/security media point. On demand or automated view of automation/security enabled objects in your environment. Example: You have a security system with camera’s in your home, specifically, one is mounted at your front door. Someone appears at your door (motion-trigger), and/or rings the doorbell (another available trigger). HDMI-CEC enabled TV’s would switch the input to the Chromcast and display the camera at your front door.
My brain begins to hurt as all the possibilities for automation and security integration pile up. But hopefully, you get the point.
I’d love to hear from some of the other inventive people on this forum, and interested in the Chromcast. Again, what’s your idea?
Android stick with a BT android remote with cheapcast
Low power consumption httpd, ircd, VPN, or ssh.
Sent from my One true love.
The one thing I'd love to see the chromecast do is be able to connect directly to my phone and use it's 4g for streaming. I would figure something like this should be possible since it's basically what it does during initial setup.
Due to the layout of where I work (big concrete building), I get great signal with my phone in the window, but no signal anywhere else. i'd love to be able to plug the chromecast into the tv during breaks and stream from the phone.
evelbug said:
The one thing I'd love to see the chromecast do is be able to connect directly to my phone and use it's 4g for streaming. I would figure something like this should be possible since it's basically what it does during initial setup.
Due to the layout of where I work (big concrete building), I get great signal with my phone in the window, but no signal anywhere else. i'd love to be able to plug the chromecast into the tv during breaks and stream from the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No during initial setup the chromecast generates its own wifi hostpost. Ofcourse this hotspot has no internet access and so would be useless for anything but setting up.
But why not make a hotspot with your phone? That would do the same thing.
I just want miracast support
Chromecast ideas
Chromecast supports multiple connections so could do things like a card game where player cards need to be private. The screen shows the playing field and each player sees just their cards on phone/tablet/computer. Is a simple example but there may be other uses to have multiple game play or interaction to same screen.
Chromecast and DIAL protocol are free to license so could be put into any consumer electronics device - SmartTV, refrigerators, home thermostat, etc.
xenokc said:
Chromecast supports multiple connections so could do things like a card game where player cards need to be private. The screen shows the playing field and each player sees just their cards on phone/tablet/computer. Is a simple example but there may be other uses to have multiple game play or interaction to same screen.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is quite an awesome idea! Granted, I see it as a similar setup that the WiiU has tried to do with some of their games. And MS also with the "second screen" for xbox and such.
But why shouln't google get in on this tech as well? I'm very interested to start investigating this idea myself. Mind if I borrow your idea xenokc? lol
Unholyfire said:
That is quite an awesome idea! Granted, I see it as a similar setup that the WiiU has tried to do with some of their games. And MS also with the "second screen" for xbox and such.
But why shouln't google get in on this tech as well? I'm very interested to start investigating this idea myself. Mind if I borrow your idea xenokc? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go for it!
Unholyfire said:
So I've seen many people, developers and users alike, swarming the ideas of the expected basic usages of this wonderful device.
Examples: Out-of-Box expected usage (streaming from qualified providers), mirrored A/V from PC/Phone/Tablet, other connectivity proof of concepts (IE: emulators), ect…
So my question is: What's your big idea to extend the usage of this device beyond "traditional" implementation?
I’ll start by sharing mine (actually 2 product idea’s, that could become 1 at some point in time).
1. All-in-one media station. Taking the concept of a HTPC/XBMC build, and extending it to have the Chromcast as the “presenter”, and the PC/Phone/Tablet as the “remote”. The software package would include a “media server” run on a compatible PC on the same network, accompanied by the “remote” app on the Phone/Tablet (web-based control for PC remote).
I intend to also include the ability to queue/control presentation files such as PPT, PDF, ect… I’d like to have the package useful to both home and business clients/users.
One of my favorite parts of this idea resides in the remote app. Upon selection of the media you intend to cast, use a 2-finger up gesture to begin casting (makes me think of the scene in IronMan2 when he takes over the monitors in the courtroom by using a similar gesture on his “phone”, lol) It’s the little things that get me excited haha.
2. A home automation/security media point. On demand or automated view of automation/security enabled objects in your environment. Example: You have a security system with camera’s in your home, specifically, one is mounted at your front door. Someone appears at your door (motion-trigger), and/or rings the doorbell (another available trigger). HDMI-CEC enabled TV’s would switch the input to the Chromcast and display the camera at your front door.
My brain begins to hurt as all the possibilities for automation and security integration pile up. But hopefully, you get the point.
I’d love to hear from some of the other inventive people on this forum, and interested in the Chromcast. Again, what’s your idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#1 will be done when Plex enables Chromecast functionality.
Can this be achieved rather simply? Trying to make 4 TV's view as one with some chromecasts..(I have hardly a clue about how that would work,)
Is there a way to broadcast a certain sector to a respective monitor to view 4 hdmi TV's as 1 with chromecast's in them?
I don't think we currently have that flexibility. Maybe some more options will show up after the SDK is released...
I'd look into something like the raspberry pi or some other small solution...
vizionforever said:
Can this be achieved rather simply? Trying to make 4 TV's view as one with some chromecasts..(I have hardly a clue about how that would work,)
Is there a way to broadcast a certain sector to a respective monitor to view 4 hdmi TV's as 1 with chromecast's in them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While it's possible to split a larger image into 4 quadrants and have 4 separate Chromecasts pull those quadrants, I don't think Chromecast would be a good solution for this.
The problem isn't much tiling the video, but rather keeping the tiles in sync. Because Chromecasts work autonomously (once given a request, they go off and pull the video on their own), it would take significant development effort to keep them in sync.
In professional video situations, there is usually a reference sync generator involved, or it's a single device with multiple outputs (that keeps its own internal sync).
Raspberry Pi or a more-accessible less-appliance-y solution as @Apk07 suggested would be much easier to accomplish, IMO.
Apk07 said:
I don't think we currently have that flexibility. Maybe some more options will show up after the SDK is released...
I'd look into something like the raspberry pi or some other small solution...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bhiga said:
While it's possible to split a larger image into 4 quadrants and have 4 separate Chromecasts pull those quadrants, I don't think Chromecast would be a good solution for this.
The problem isn't much tiling the video, but rather keeping the tiles in sync. Because Chromecasts work autonomously (once given a request, they go off and pull the video on their own), it would take significant development effort to keep them in sync.
In professional video situations, there is usually a reference sync generator involved, or it's a single device with multiple outputs (that keeps its own internal sync).
Raspberry Pi or a more-accessible less-appliance-y solution as @Apk07 suggested would be much easier to accomplish, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No wonder I usually see static images on video billboards, I notice synch is often awful on them too, has kind of a scrolling effect...But since I want to have static images anyway, Would a software like cam studio running in 4 instances dividing up the screen streaming to 4 hacked chromecasts take a significant development effort? Thanks!
One up on ras pi
Sent from my LT30a using xda premium
vizionforever said:
No wonder I usually see static images on video billboards, I notice synch is often awful on them too, has kind of a scrolling effect...But since I want to have static images anyway, Would a software like cam studio running in 4 instances dividing up the screen streaming to 4 hacked chromecasts take a significant development effort? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm usually not the discouraging type, but I've seen this type of setup tried - and failed. In fact, I once tried it myself - not with Chromecast specifically, but with multiple un-synced players.
Unless this is something just to play around with at home and you don't mind rebooting it every hour or two to get things back into sync, you really need to look at getting something that can sync to other units.
If you're already putting a PC into the mix, why not just get a quad-head video card and run DVI or HDMI directly to the monitors? Worst case you could get wireless HDMI adapters. You'd get much better reliability there because it's a single source providing the 4 outputs, so the source syncs to itself.
The problem with the Chromecast method is the recompression and network-based wireless streaming. Packets get lost and delayed on the network, and can cause pauses or skips. Compound those pauses or skips over a number of loops and things quickly fall out of sync.
All of the above said, it's not impossible that some kind of Chromecast-based solution could be possible but I think it's not probable someone would put a lot of development effort into it, especially since the potential market is very limited (there are only a fixed number of rootable Chromecasts out there).
Not to mention, it would be much easier to implement with something less closed and more readily available - like Raspberry Pi again...
In the end, for anything that isn't just a hobby project, it comes down to how much your time is worth. You pay either way - time or money. Hobby projects, well, time is a given, hobbies will expand to eat all available time.
Thanks for your help, I already own the chromecasts and four old Samsung epic 4g, hmm.. Maybe I can sell chromecast's since they are out of stock? My not so elegant solution was to use youtube for this scenario after uploading the separate video quadrands to youtube and play them on the separate devices(d700's) broadcasting to the chromecasts. Prolly be way out of synch but led to some interesting transitions Thanks again!
vizionforever said:
Thanks for your help, I already own the chromecasts and four old Samsung epic 4g, hmm.. Maybe I can sell chromecast's since they are out of stock? My not so elegant solution was to use youtube for this scenario after uploading the separate video quadrands to youtube and play them on the separate devices(d700's) broadcasting to the chromecasts. Prolly be way out of synch but led to some interesting transitions Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At home I'm all for fun experimentation (well, back before parenthood), but when I'm at work the thought "Hey, this is something I'd try at home" always raises a flag.
If they're already rooted I'm sure you could probably sell them (not here, as it's against forum rules) fairly easily - there are folks here that have purchased rooted and rootable units on Craigslist and eBay.
If all else fails, they make great gifts.
Hello folks,
I got my Chromecast, it works, I like it.
But I find it unnerving that the system is so closed.
Some guy has, months ago, released something he called "PiCast" as an open alternative on the Raspberry Pi.
I wonder: Why aren't there more devs bringing an open, extensible alternative, installable on a Raspberry Pi or other small computer, to life? I really don't understand it, since. like I see it, it doesn't seem particularly complicated! The following features would at least have to be implemented:
***********************************************
- media player software which can play a broad palette of formats and stream from different sources (VLC, Mplayer etc. come to mind an can surely be used as a part of the project)
- web interface which accepts URLs (web or LAN) of files that are to be played and passes them to the media player; and which accepts control commands for the now playing file like pause, forward etc.
Most convenient would be if these URLs could not only be http ones, but also SMB, streaming protocols etc.
Don't we all want a device where we NOT are confined to certain formats?
- apps for computers and mobile devices which let the user choose files he wants to watch / listen to and pass the URL to the web interface and which pass control commands like pause, forward to the web interface
- a customized, lean OS with a Chromecast-like, very simple UI
*************************************************
Any thoughts?
Best wishes,
Hasenbein
The entire reason for the CCast (which essentially replaced the GoogleTV fiasco) was to keep the system closed enough to get Content providers to support it due to the ability to use DRM and control the players being used.
Why do you think other projects like XBMC still to this day do NOT (and will NEVER) have access to Netflix for any sustainable time because Netflix will change their encryption and break any player app they do not have complete control over.
GoogleTV was actually blacklisted by the network websites to prevent it from playing content. All because it was just a little too open for their liking.
What @Asphyx said, plus Android TV sticks have been around for quite some time and already do similar. The key difference is market share. History is littered with proposed "standards" that never won. In the end it's not what is better, sometimes not even what's cheaper, but what picks up.
Iomega's Zip drive was inferior to SyQuest EZ drive, but Iomega won by marketing and hence adoption. Developers had more incentive to support Zip drives (not that much was specifically required but still) because there was a wider audience and market for them.
Adobe's changing the design market the same way. I still have CS6, but more and more I'm getting files from people on CC. And it's annoying. Essentially I'm being forced into CC if I want to work with anybody outside of my four walls.
Even though it's only available in select retail channels, Google is pushing Chromecast with TV ads. The fact that they've sold (or at least shipped) millions is a strong testament to its adoption rate. Even at my local stores, I can say just by the serial numbers they've cycled through, at least 500 have left the shelf since August 2013.
The market share attracts content providers, and the closed nature gives their lawyers ease regarding theft. Sure, there will always be people supporting TV sticks with clever solutions that are free or near-free, though they sometimes require jumping through numerous hoops (even moreso than Chromecast of today), and if something doesn't work as required, it involved researching. It's not like you can put in a support ticket or call support. Granted, Chromecast support isn't outstanding... but many of my non-techy friends have adopted Chromecast, even without hearing from me, and these are not people who visit XDA, nor are they people who would ever have run across or even considered an Android TV stick, nor are they people who have any idea of what an Arduino or Raspberry Pi is.
The draw is the consumer, and the consumer needs content to consume. Which means longevity of the product/concept/standard depends on support from the content providers.
At the price point of Chromecast it seems to be designed to draw in not just first timers, but also customers who may already have a media to TV solution but it's lacking in simplicity or quality. E.g. maybe you have a powerful HTPC that suits all your needs but Netflix is in low-def for DRM reasons. And YouTube stutters on 1080p because Windows keeps trying to do other things in the background while you play it. OK then you put $35 down on a Chromecast and now your Netflix & YouTube videos look better.
And similarly, it's cheap enough that if Chromecast alone does not suit your needs, you can say, well hey, all I spent on the Chromecast was $35, so I don't see why that should stop me from also buying that other media box that does more things.
cmstlist said:
At the price point of Chromecast it seems to be designed to draw in not just first timers, but also customers who may already have a media to TV solution but it's lacking in simplicity or quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm definitely in this boat.
I have a semi-Smart TV that supports YouTube, Amazon, and a about 12 other "channels" - but its interface is slow and clunky. It also doesn't support DLNA video (sadly, one model year too early).
I have a HTPC that I use to play DVDs and Blu-rays from my media server, and even though I have a BT keyboard remote for it, navigating between Windows Media Center and browser-sourced video is fiddly.
Chromecast didn't replace my HTPC, it's just giving me a much easier way to view those browser-sourced videos.
However, if/when Chromecast gets DVD and BD playback, it very well might replace my HTPC...
http://blog.vudu.com/?p=10711
https://forum.vudu.com/showthread.php?112941-UltraViolet-FAQ-s
Vudu ultraviolet on Chromecast will displace the need for a disc player or home video server for a number of people. Not sure yet but I'll probably be one of them.
cmstlist said:
At the price point of Chromecast it seems to be designed to draw in not just first timers, but also customers who may already have a media to TV solution but it's lacking in simplicity or quality. E.g. maybe you have a powerful HTPC that suits all your needs but Netflix is in low-def for DRM reasons. And YouTube stutters on 1080p because Windows keeps trying to do other things in the background while you play it. OK then you put $35 down on a Chromecast and now your Netflix & YouTube videos look better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. I really care about picture quality, so Chromecast offers the cheapest way to get SuperHD Netflix on my TV. If I wasn't bothered about the quality, I'd just connect my tablet with a cable whenever I wanted to watch something.
EarlyMon said:
http://blog.vudu.com/?p=10711
https://forum.vudu.com/showthread.php?112941-UltraViolet-FAQ-s
Vudu ultraviolet on Chromecast will displace the need for a disc player or home video server for a number of people. Not sure yet but I'll probably be one of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting service and a good idea....
Unfortunately $2 per SD conversion of DVD or $5 to HD is a bit too pricey considering how I have the equipment to rip my own DVD (I have more than 3000 titles in my collection), do the Upconvert and even rip the subtitles to put into an MKV.
But this service will do well because of the sheer number of people who do not have the capability to do that and the ease of use.
I wonder are they actually converting your DVDs or are they doing the much smarter thing and letting you insert the disk, check it for validity and then just giving you access to the already encoded content they have stored?
Asphyx said:
I wonder are they actually converting your DVDs or are they doing the much smarter thing and letting you insert the disk, check it for validity and then just giving you access to the already encoded content they have stored?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The second one, so far as I know.
And if you just enter your digital copy information that works too.
My son-in-law does that but I haven't asked him about the details - he's very happy with the service though.
It's a great Idea....
I have a similar validation system I use....
If I own it already on disc then I feel I have the right to download it if I choose...I paid them their cut so no Guilt involved.
LOL
Similar but I don't pay the conversion fee!
I have a small collection.
I got tired years ago of format changes, player upkeep and having more plastic in the house, so I've been satisfied with rentals. I keep a few favorites on my shelves just in case.
And I had one of my media servers die of old age a few months ago. I'm tired of maintaining my own cloud. Been there, done that. Still do my music and just a few movies now.
I like the ultraviolet model, it sounds simple to me.
And to the OP -
LocalCast does direct entry of http and smb addresses.
EarlyMon said:
I have a small collection.
I got tired years ago of format changes, player upkeep and having more plastic in the house, so I've been satisfied with rentals. I keep a few favorites on my shelves just in case.
And I had one of my media servers die of old age a few months ago. I'm tired of maintaining my own cloud. Been there, done that. Still do my music and just a few movies now.
I like the ultraviolet model, it sounds simple to me.
And to the OP -
LocalCast does direct entry of http and smb addresses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah unfortunately I live in a very rural area and Cable and Internet outages are common (all the damn trees!)
So when that happens I really have no other recourse than to use whatever is on my Media server to entertain myself...
I went out and invested in a good NAS with Raid that holds 16Tb worth of drives (don't get full16Tbs with Raid though...I may even need to double that soon as I'm running out of space).
My Media Server is my HTPC so I can simply replace that unit if it craps out and just re-install the server software and map the drives.
Been checking out that Chromecast store app...a Lot of stuff in there I didn't know about...
I have a rooted and ROM'ed original Kindle Fire that is definitely starting to show it's age but is still somewhat functional. My thought is to turn it into a "remote" for our Chromecast that is laid out to easily find / cast content. Something we can just leave on the table next to the couch. We are cordcutters so it would be especially helpful when we have family in town staying it our house as they sometimes get confused by live TV through an antenna. We already subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus, etc and I can use a family member's cable authentication for other apps like WatchESPN, etc. Hopefully the community here can help me out with a few things:
1) Is there a replacement launcher for Android that will work well in this scenario? I suppose I could go with something like Apex Launcher and just customize it to my liking but ideally I would want something that places all the apps in a grid scenario. Bonus points for some kind of integration with Chromecast, or an app that has a widget for playback controls.
2) Any other apps that would help me accomplish this? Remotecast doesn't seem to have a lot of functionality and I can't find any similar apps when searching through the Play Store.
Thanks in advance!
iamryfly said:
I have a rooted and ROM'ed original Kindle Fire that is definitely starting to show it's age but is still somewhat functional. My thought is to turn it into a "remote" for our Chromecast that is laid out to easily find / cast content. Something we can just leave on the table next to the couch. We are cordcutters so it would be especially helpful when we have family in town staying it our house as they sometimes get confused by live TV through an antenna. We already subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus, etc and I can use a family member's cable authentication for other apps like WatchESPN, etc. Hopefully the community here can help me out with a few things:
1) Is there a replacement launcher for Android that will work well in this scenario? I suppose I could go with something like Apex Launcher and just customize it to my liking but ideally I would want something that places all the apps in a grid scenario. Bonus points for some kind of integration with Chromecast, or an app that has a widget for playback controls.
2) Any other apps that would help me accomplish this? Remotecast doesn't seem to have a lot of functionality and I can't find any similar apps when searching through the Play Store.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally use Dock Folders to organize my shortcuts..
But since you are only using this as a remote why not just put the shortcuts to all the apps on the home screen?
Just about any custom Launcher will allow you to resize the icons if you want...
If you have a home media server of any kind, BubbleUPnP is great.
Shortcuts to YouTube app, Netflix app, Hulu+ app, etc on your desktop would take care of your issue I would think. Do you really need a custom launcher for that?