Talking about the Google Chromecast media player and how it works is quite simple. This name belongs to a compact device that can be confused at first glance with a flash drive or Mp3 Player, because it looks like them. Its purpose is to play both audio files and videos, for which it is included in a local or worldwide network.

The popularity of this device is explained by the fact that it, at a low cost, has good functionality. This makes it possible to use a regular TV to get some of the Smart-TV features on it.

Features built into the Chromecast gadget

When deciding to purchase this device, the cost of which can be compared with the price of a not very expensive router or Wi-Fi adapter, it would be useful for the user to know what features it has. First of all, it differs from the bulk of set-top boxes by the presence of the Chrome OS platform. To install it, the built-in flash memory is used.

The OS is updated periodically. To do this, new files are automatically downloaded after each connection to the Internet if new versions are found in it.

In principle, there is nothing complicated:

• The media player is connected via the HDMI input to the TV and via the USB port to the power source.
• The gadget is configured in such a way that it can be connected to a home local network, and through it to the Internet using a Wi-Fi wireless connection.
• The role of the fundamental device is assigned to a smartphone or PC. Through one of them, the inclusion of a media file sent to Chromecast and broadcast to a television device is carried out.
• After starting the file, it is controlled by the TV remote control.
• To perform an account change, you will again have to resort to using a PC or mobile device.

We should not forget that connecting your phone to a media player is possible only if you have a special application called Google Home on your mobile device. If computers with OS X or Windows installed on them are used to start, no additional software needs to be installed to start.

The media player has practically no effect on the operation of a mobile device or computer in the process of receiving information from them. The user, in parallel with viewing content, can work on the network, launch other applications and make calls. The quality of the picture played on TV, in addition to being directly dependent on both the resolution of the start file and the power of the PC.

If you are using a weak computer or a smartphone manufactured in the early 2000s, you need to set the definition to a level not exceeding 480. For modern models, both HD and 4K formats are available.

Overview of Google Chromecast devices 1, 2, 3rd generation

Google Chromecast 1 (2013)

The release date of the first generation of gadgets on the world market is 07/24/2013. At that time, thirty-five dollars were asked for it in the USA. This device, which immediately attracted the attention of users, had the following parameters:

• Processor - Armada 1500 Mini Plus de Marvell.
• The amount of RAM was 512.0 MB, and the built-in - 2.0 GB. Moreover, the latter was almost one hundred percent filled with firmware.
• Wi-Fi 802.11 module.

The gadget worked in tandem with a computer running one of the modern operating systems. To view video from the network, which had FullHD resolution, it was necessary to have a speed of at least 10 Mbps.

This model did not provide for the possibility of using the 4K format. And the manufacturer's recommendations explicitly state that it is not recommended to use the device to view content with this resolution. True, if you believe the reviews of some users, then if a good graphics card is installed in the computer, then you can run a movie that has any clarity. However, for 4K, you should opt for a channel with significant bandwidth (5 GHz).

Chromecast 2013: negative and positive aspects

Positive aspects of the first generation:

• Ease of setup, available even for users with no experience.
• High speed response to each press of the button, which activates the playback stop and start modes.
• The miniaturization of the device.
• Files were played even after the computer went to sleep or the screen of the mobile device was locked.
• Several devices could be used simultaneously to receive data from a single computer.

The negative side of the device is the nuance that it is impossible to play the video of the main number of browsers, as well as from some resources in Google Chrome. For the bulk of the services, an additional check is required for their compatibility with the player.

Google Chromecast Review

Video review of the Google Chromecast device

Google Chromecast 2 (2015)

In 2013, the next development had to appear. The number of changes in it was not so great that a deuce was added to the previous name. Therefore, the manufacturer did not do this. The media player went on sale under the name Chromecast 2015.

The differences are:

• The choice of the channel, which is optimal for channel playback, occurred in automatic mode.
• Wi-Fi has become more reliable.
• The presence of a background that turned on when the device is already connected to the TV, but the transfer of information has not yet begun.

At this time, information about the weather, time, as well as photographs could be displayed. The user had access to pictures from the network and personal photos posted on social networks.

The advantages of the second generation models were affordability (which was still $35) and ease of use. The disadvantages include a small number of applications, from those that are supported in Russia.

Due to the fact that the purpose of the device is to serve operators Hulu and Netflix, Russian users will not be able to take full advantage of using Chromecast.

Review of Google Chromecast 2

The second version of the TV-dongle from Google, which has become much more interesting in almost all respects. The rest of the details are waiting for you in our video review.

Google Chromecast Ultra (2016)

The 3rd generation gadget uses a new processor model that has two cores. The amount of RAM remained unchanged, that is, like the first two models. But the amount of built-in memory has decreased to 256.0 MB against the previous 2.0 GB. However, according to Ultra users, this difference does not affect the speed of playback, even when watching a movie with increased clarity.

Chromecast Ultra uses a passive cooling option, which ensures quiet operation, as well as negligibility of overheating. To make it different from its predecessors, the new player was given the shape of a disc, leaving a small size.

There is an engraving of the letter G on the case. A connector is mounted in the power supply unit through which a network cable can be connected. Thanks to this solution, it becomes possible to connect to the Internet via a wire if there is no wireless connection for some reason. This matters when playing 4K, which looks better with a cable connection, as there are no interruptions or freezes in this case.

The acquisition of Ultra will entail the following advantages for the user:

• They will be able to play videos of various formats on a relatively inexpensive player.
• It is possible to save on the purchase of a TV receiver with Smart-TV. When a Chromecast is connected to a TV via an HDMI port, it has some of the features of this technology.
• Guarantee of almost one hundred percent absence of failures in the form of delays in the data transfer process, which was often observed during the operation of models belonging to previous generations.

Again, the performance of a computer or mobile device is of great importance for the quality of playback. And if there is a desire to watch programs in 4K format, then replacing a computer with a higher power rating is a condition that has no alternative. An exception can be made for both computers and tablets with powerful video cards used for serious games. And in the case when the smartphone's RAM does not exceed 4 GB, the possibility of launching this technology is illusory.

Google Chromecast Ultra review

Chromecast Ultra is an improved version of the Chromecast set-top box. The player has become almost twice as powerful and even now supports Ethernet connection, albeit with the help of an additional adapter that is not included in the package.
A feature of the new Chromecast was support for 4K video, Dolby Vision and HDR mode, which is reflected in the name of the device.

Conclusion

Considering the Chromecast Ultra, we can say about its pretty good functionality that can fully justify its cost. And although you should not expect from Chromecast models, all three generations, the benefits provided by Smart TV, but they can help many users.

With their help, it is possible to broadcast, transfer images from a PC to a TV, the screen of which has a large diagonal. Even a picture from a smartphone display can be enlarged to the dimensions of a television screen.

Chromecast - How it works

How to turn an old HDMI TV into a smart TV without spending a lot of money on it? It's simple - buy a Google Chromecast. What can this little media player do?

Recently, set-top boxes and HDMI dongles are gaining more and more popularity. In this article I will talk about the most famous device in this series - Google Chromecast, which has a huge number of all kinds of compatible applications, an open SDK and easily allows you to send video, photos and audio from your phone, PC or network sources to your TV.

INTRODUCTION

So, the device has a compact form factor a little more than a flash drive. Requires Wi-Fi and a TV with an HDMI port to work. Chromecast works with Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as laptops (including Chromebooks) and Mac and Windows personal computers. Officially supported formats:

• video codecs: H.264 High Profile Level 4.1,4.2 and 5, VP8;
• audio codecs: HE-AAC, LC-AAC, CELT/Opus, MP3, Vorbis;
• video containers: MP4/CENC, WebM, MPEG-DASH and Smoothstreaming up to 720p/1080p.

There is also support for Widevine and PlayReady first-level DRM, TTML and WebVTT subtitles. Based on my personal experience of daily use of several devices during the year, I can say that it is also possible to run some of the MKV, AVI, MOV files, but not in all players.
The Chromecast is priced at $35 on the official Google Play Store and Amazon. On the latter, the device is often on sale for $29.99 or $23, but only to students with an .edu email account. Since December last year, Chromecast entered the Russian market and is now officially sold in Eldorado, Euroset, Beeline and M-Video at a price of 2290 rubles. When buying before June 1, 2015, three months of subscription to amediateka.ru are included in the load.
The initial setup takes a few minutes. The process itself is described on the box and on the official website. In the mobile application, you need to connect the device to a Wi-Fi network, and it will update itself to the latest firmware. If there is no mobile device for initial setup, then you can use a PC. The process is simple, so let's move on to the use of this device.

PRINCIPLE AND FEATURES OF WORK

Chromecast works in conjunction with an appropriately supported app installed on your smartphone. At the same time, there are two options for the operation of such a bundle: broadcasting audio / video / photos from a phone / tablet and output from network sources. In the first case, the phone or tablet must be constantly connected to the Wi-Fi network and, if possible, connected to the charger. In the second case, only the link is sent to the Chromecast, and the audio / video control panel is displayed on the device in the blind and on the lock screen. After sending the link, the Chromecast acts independently, so the device does not run out of battery and can even be turned off.
In idle mode, Chromecast plays a slideshow of beautiful photos and art that you can replace with photos from Google+. Also, for some compatible devices with firmware 4.4.2+, the Mirror function is available - mirroring the image of a mobile phone / tablet. In this case, the entire screen, including the desktop, will be displayed on the TV. You can’t watch movies because of lags, but you can drive pigs in Angry Birds quite comfortably.
After a recent update, Chromecast added a so-called guest mode for devices with firmware 4.3+. This option allows you to turn on the broadcast on Chromecast, even without knowing the password from the local Wi-Fi. It works like this: through the speakers of the TV / acoustics, Chromecast sends an ultrasonic signal inaudible to the human ear, available only within the room (the signal does not pass through fabric or glass). The smartphone catches it and receives the connection code. In case of failure, an alternative connection mode is activated and a pin code will appear on the screen, which is enough to drive into the smartphone. Naturally, the function is only available for Android devices.

TURN ON ONLINE VIDEO FROM THE PHONE

Due to the fact that the device was originally focused on the US market, most of the programs that support streaming on Chromecast are in English and some require a paid subscription or have paid content. These include Netflix, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu Plus and HBO GO. These applications were among the first ten available when the device was launched to the masses. They will work with us, but some will report that they are not available in Russia. Today, the list of applications has expanded significantly and includes hundreds of titles. You can get acquainted with it on the official Thromecast page or simply by driving Chromecast into Google Play.

Video

The first app to learn how to work with the Chromecast is, of course, YouTube. If the device is on the same network as the phone or tablet, when watching a video, the corresponding cast icon appears in the upper right corner, when you click on it, the video continues to play on the TV from the same place. You can also run playlists, collections.
Chromecast support is available in a huge number of other applications. Currently, you can stream videos from Dailymotion, TED, Disney Apps, PlayOn, and more. Sports events from WatchESPN and Red Bull TV are also available to stream.

Music

There are also many applications for streaming music. The same Google Play Music allows you to download 20,000 of your tracks, as well as choose from a millionth music library if you have full All Access access, which you can get for 90 days for free if you go to the bonus selection page from an American IP after purchase.
Favorite songs will help you launch Pandora, Songza, Vevo. A few months ago, the popular BeyondPod Podcast Manager received support. Now you can listen to thousands of audio and video recordings at any convenient time, including those previously saved for offline use. A similar function is performed by Pocket Casts. Tuneln Radio is great for listening to internet radio stations.

Universal programs

There are also specially designed for Chromecast combiners that can play almost any online video on the big screen. The best of them, in my opinion, is VEGA Cast, formerly known as vCast, from a Ukrainian developer. I have been using this program since the release, and for me it still remains ideal. The program is adapted to send videos from vk.com, fs.to/cxz.to, youtube.com, vimeo.com, ustream.tv, megogo.net, rutube.ru.
To send a video, just open it in the browser, then click the "I share" button (usually located in the menu) and select VtGA Cast. Or just copy the address of the page containing the video, and when you open the program, the link will be inserted automatically. As a bonus, with this program you can watch most of the online broadcasts of TV channels in his format (* .m3u8).
Using the FSVideoBox application from the same author, you can broadcast video from the largest video hosting fs.to/cxz.to. For a known reason, this application will never be on Google Play, but the latest version can always be downloaded from the developer's website.
There are other applications for working with pirated and not so video hosting and IPTV. As an example, you can give:

• Movies online. Premieres! - a bunch of films from the VKontakte group.
• LazvMediaPlus - movies, music, shows, cartoons and anime from 44 sites.
• Show Box - a large number of series.
• vGet - allows you to download and send videos to Chromecast from different sites.
• SPB TU - 67 free Russian-language channels.
• Torrent Stream Controller - more than 400 channels and the ability to open torrent files.

TURN ON VIDEO FROM PC

The ability to broadcast is also available from PC. To do this, there is an official extension for Google Chrome called Goode Cast, which allows you to broadcast both online and local video. Just drag the supported file into the window and press the Cast button on the panel. This extension also has an experimental option to show the entire screen (no mouse) but no sound. Ideal for showing presentations and slides. If you right-click on the extension settings page and select "View element code", and then delete ng-hide in all lines or uncheck display:none, additional settings will be displayed.
The Videostream chrome extension not only makes it easier to display video files, but also transcodes unsupported formats on the fly. One of the few working ways to view files with the .avi extension. As they say, must have. Requires the Google Cast extension to work. Additional functionality, but without transcoding, have Cast player extensions. VideoCast and vGet. Another way is to click on the VidCast tab on the opened video page.

TURN ON VIDEO FROM PC VIA SMARTPHONE

For greater convenience, video files stored on a PC can be played directly through the phone. There are several ways to do this, but keep in mind that in some cases the video will transit through the phone, so you can catch playback lags, and the phone itself will eat the battery with gusto. Here are five main ways:

• We share the video folder using standard Windows methods, and then open it from the phone, for example, through ES File Explorer (on the LAN tab). Further, the desired video can be launched through the ES File Explorer Chromecast plugin or another program, but there is a limitation on officially supported formats.
• We use a bundle of the mobile version of the KMP player and the server part on the computer - KMP Connect.
• Install BubbleUPnP and any DLNA/UPnP server on your computer (eg BubbleUPnP server or Serviio DLNA Media Server). BubbleUPnP has a nice interface, playback control in a curtain (the so-called persistent notification) and the ability to transcode unsupported formats on the phone / tablet side, albeit with noticeable lags. This allows you to watch IPTV with Torrent Stream Controller. The free version has a broadcast limit of twenty minutes. When BubbleUPnP server is installed on a computer, transcoding will take place on the computer side, which will significantly improve speed performance.
• We install Plex Media Server on the computer and its client on the smartphone. Flexible settings, perfect file transcoding, movie search plugin for displaying posters and information, functional application for phone/tablet, folder scanning settings. The best way.
• Serviio can be configured to direct TV channels from a computer

Media berver with a plugin for M3U playlists and run them via BubbleUPnP from your phone. This will bypass the his limitation, since the server will transcode the UDP stream.

TIPS TRICKS

Chromecast is an indispensable device on long business trips or travels. It can be plugged into a hotel room TV and connected to local Wi-Fi. However, there is a small problem here: the need to click a button in the browser to enter the network, which Chromecast does not allow.
To get out of this situation, you need to install a program on your phone to change the MAC address. We back up our current MAC, look at the official Chromecast program for its MAC, substitute it for ours. Now, if you go to the browser and click the "Connect" button, Chromecast's MAC will get into the base of the open point. After that, we restore our own, and you can work.
This will work provided that the point does not have isolation mode enabled, which does not allow devices to interact within the network (often in hotels they do this to prevent devices from being hacked). But in this case, there is a way out: a wireless router with WISP mode - Wireless Internet Service Provider. I am using the TP-LINK TL-MR3040 which has a USB input with support for 4G LTE USB, WAN and allows you to create a new password-protected Wi-Fi network based on the hotel network. This will also protect strangers from connecting to the Chromecast, because it is visible to everyone within the network and the Cast button also appears on the devices of other users. In a large hotel, pranksters sent me videos every few minutes.

TURN ON VIDEO FROM SMARTPHONE MEMORY

There are four popular apps that allow you to play videos stored in your smartphone's memory on your Chromecast:

Videos shot on the phone, if they were synchronized with Google+, can be sent from the standard Photos application for the latest firmware from Google, but there may be problems with a bitrate of more than 10 Mbps (4 Mbps recommended). Video shot on the Nexus 5 in 1080p often lags and is constantly cached. Playback may depend on the brand of the device, video quality, router model, phone firmware, channel load.
There are many programs for different uses of Chromecast. For example, tinyCam Monitor PRO for IP Cam allows you to display the image from 25 IP cameras on the TV screen. Dashboard Cast turns your TV into a dashboard with clock, weather, calendar, to-do list and RSS feeds while playing audio from your device or network source. It is planned to add slideshows of photos, traffic jams and weather maps, notifications from the phone as widgets.
The market has a section dedicated to games for one or more people. From simple drawing games for kids, snakes and quizzes to card games, chess, checkers, tic-tac-toe and 4 in a row, tetris and arkanoid, as well as a Game Boy emulator for enthusiasts with a developer account and direct hands. Chromecast is supported by the popular Twitch, a service for watching game videos and game-related events such as trade shows, championships, and presentations.
Polaris Office is ideal for organizing presentations with support for doc / docx, xls / xlsx, ppt / pptx, pdf, txt, hwp, downloads from network drives OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, WebDAV and the like, as well as a convenient image control panel.
Documents, photos, videos, music and web pages will help to send _ZCast. If you have the time and desire to upload videos to the cloud, then the RealPlayer Cloud program will become indispensable, which has a client for PC and allows you to cast video while away from home. In addition, this is one of the few programs that allows you to transcode FLV, WMV, MKV, DIVX, XVID, MOV, AVI to Chromecast compatible format. The only disadvantage of the program is a small amount of free account.

COMPATIBLE WITH IOS

For Apple devices, there are analogues of the described Android programs:

Well, according to tradition, a little tasker. The AutoCast plugin by Joao Dias allows you to take complete control of your Chromecast. The plugin can not only broadcast video, pictures and sound, but also launch videos and playlists from YouTube, while showing pop-up notifications from the phone, give information by voice, show web pages and control video playback, even if it was started by another application .
You can display photos in four windows accompanied by your favorite song, screw on pushbullet notifications, or make your own alternative home screen. You can see the features of the plugin on the developer channel. And if you know HTML, CSS and JavaScript, then you can make your own information center, as Ryoen Deprouw did with voice control via Google Now. I run music and cartoon playlists for my son from a Pebble watch. You can also control playback using the clock.
In an article about Pebble watches (December 2014), I mentioned launching a YouTube playlist by pressing a couple of buttons on the watch. Here's how it's done:
Event (Event):
State -> Plugin -> AutoPebble -> AutoPebble ->- pencil -> Command Filter -> enter the command,- which is transmitted from the clock
Task (Task):
Plugin -> AutoCast -> Other App -> pencil ->- YouTube Url -> URL of video or playlist. Check the box for Control Other App Service
In the absence of a clock, you can put the tasker task on the desktop, having previously assigned the picture. Now you can launch your favorite music and movie by clicking on the widget from the desktop.
You can control playback by creating the following task:
Plugin -> AutoCast -> Control Media -> pencil- -> in the Command field select Toggle Play/Pause.
The following task will help you open the video available at the previously copied link:
In the Variable field, you must enter the name of the variable. For example, it would be %castit. When the task is started, a variable request dialog will appear on the screen. With a long tap in the dialog box, paste the copied link to the video. Select the second action in the taskSelect the second action in the task
Plugin -> AutoCast -> AutoCast
In the Screen field, select Full Screen Media. On the Full Screen Media Elements tab, enter the %castit variable in the VideoVideo field.

CUSTOM FIRMWARE

There is only one custom firmware from Team Eureka. Flashing was the only way to expand the capabilities of the device a year ago, when there were only ten official programs, but now this is no longer a problem.
However, custom firmware provides some new features. For example, it opens access via SSH, ADB, allows you to use an alternative DNS server to bypass regional restrictions of applications, edit the whitelist of applications to bypass registration with Google, opens access to a web control panel that allows you to track device status, manage updates, set DNS -servers, overwork and reset the device.

At the moment, you can install custom firmware only on a new device that has never been connected to the network. Devices currently being shipped for sale have bootloader version 15084, for which the craftsmen found an exploit. As soon as the device gains access to the Internet, it will be updated to the latest version (22062 at the time of writing) and the vulnerability will be closed. The method will work if the device was updated to version 17977 and has not been used or updated since then.

For flashing, you will need a powered OTG cable, a 1 GB flash drive and a Teensy 2 or Teensy 2 ++ device for $20-30 (bought in China). The process is described in detail in the corresponding XDA thread.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION Chromecast is not suitable for those who like to watch heavy 40 gig BD-Rips. They should think about buying "more solid" devices (in fact, even a Chinese HDMI whistle with Kodi / XBMC installed and a hardcore acceleration plugin will fit. - Approx. Ed.). For ordinary users with average Internet speed, Chromecast is ideal. Show guests photos and videos taken on the phone, watch a movie, play cartoons for your child, take it with you on a trip to watch a movie in a hotel ... Personally, I stopped using Torrent a long time ago and keep my computer constantly on. Now everything can be found online and run on this device without any problems. I have already given four pieces to my parents and friends, and I always have one in my jacket pocket if they invite me to visit.

The world famous company google has long been developing a media player with optimal user parameters. The result is an inexpensive Google Chromecast wireless media player that is a worthy set-top box that is in no way inferior to competitors' products. And the price tag is lower than other similar modern analogues of competitors. This review focuses on what else is good about chromecast, and why buying this set-top box would be the right decision.

History of Chromecast predecessors

Google managed to create a good modern and inexpensive media player for watching high-definition video only the third time. The first attempt to conquer the market was the Google TV project. But the company's package of services included only software applications, and the chromecast predecessor devices had to be produced by partners involved in the development of hardware. Naturally, Google was not going to ignore the hard drive market at all, and the company's second attempt to conquer it was the development of the Nexus Q device. But, a market review showed that the prefix at a price of $ 299 is beyond the reach of most users. The third attempt to successfully enter the set-top box market was the google chromecast, compact and inexpensive.

Overview of the design of new items from Google

Minimalism and asceticism in every stroke - that's how briefly you can describe the novelty of google. A comprehensive external review of google chromecast does not allow you to see anything superfluous in the device. However, the reason for this may be the small overall dimensions of the chromecast model.

Outwardly, the novelty from google looks like a usb flash drive or a 3G modem. But, despite such a modest size, chromecast supports wifi connection, allows you to connect your TV to a network for broadcasting hdmi content, and contains all the applications necessary for broadcasting a high-quality hdmi signal.

The upper and lower parts of the body of the console are made of matte plastic, slightly rough to the touch. The sides are glossy. The connection of this smart TV player is carried out using an hdmi connector, which is structurally the same as a standard USB device.

Quick overview of Chromecast settings

The media player turns on immediately after it is connected to the hdmi connector of the TV and power is supplied to the device. But, the operating system does not load immediately, but in about fifteen seconds. After the first launch, chromecast offers to download the necessary applications from the official google website. This will require a wifi connection to a personal computer or a direct connection to it. An alternative to downloading is to use the Chromecast Android set-top box app.

Then you need to configure the user settings of the set-top box and set passwords for the wireless home network in order to avoid unnecessary accidental connections of foreign devices. By the way, if you are a little confused in the parameters and changed one of them, but do not know how to return everything back, it is not a problem. On the side of the google chromecast case there is a special button that allows you to reset the settings of each application to the factory settings with one click.

Google is actively developing the model software

The basis of the chromecast TV set-top box model is the Marvell DE3005-A1 single-chip system. Its hardware capabilities are H.264 and VP8 video decoding. Additionally, the media player is equipped with 512 megabytes of RAM and 16 gigabytes of flash memory. In addition to the standard HDMI connection for chromecast, the device supports the above-mentioned wireless connection using the AzureWave 802.11n module.

All applications work stably, regardless of the length of time the chromecast is used. The standard firmware of the device makes it possible to use it on a modern TV with an HDMI connector, though in a maximum resolution of 720p. In order to connect the media player to a personal computer and use it in conjunction with it, you will need to download the google cast add-on. However, it should be remembered that the ability to review videos in FullHD quality will become available only after the google team creates the appropriate firmware. Prior to its implementation, the device is not able to process high-definition video and sees it as a standard 720p image.

Advantages of chromecast over competitors

The chromecast home set-top box, despite its seeming limited capabilities in the US, is almost instantly scattered from the shelves. This confirms the review of sales of new items in the country. The reasons for this lie in the following:

1. The device can be used not only as a set-top box, but also as a wireless connector of the “TV-laptop” or “PC-projector” line and so on.
2. Chromecast is compatible with a personal computer running any of the popular operating systems - Windows, OS X or Linux.
3. The set-top box supports streaming Flash video from the network.
4. It is possible to connect any mobile gadget running on Android and iOS to chromecast.
5. The media player supports the broadcast of the "Desktop" on the TV screen, but so far without sound.

A detailed review of the TV box in question can, of course, find some of its technical imperfections. But, we should not forget that this novelty from google is one of the most inexpensive hdmi-set-top boxes on the market. Its somewhat modest capabilities are more than offset by an affordable price and ever-expanding functionality.

With the introduction of the Amediateka and a couple of other compatible apps for the Google Chromecast, it's become more of an interesting gadget than before, so it's time to talk more about it.

Introduction

I think that the reader has a logical question: why are we talking about Chromecast only a year and a half after its release? The answer is, in fact, banal. Initially, the model was sold only abroad, and this is only half the trouble. At the time, Chromecast could be used to cast videos from YouTube and the web version of Chrome, so its use cases were very limited.

But since September 2014, it began to be sold and we, plus everything, have several good applications for this platform, so it finally makes sense to talk about it in detail.

Equipment

• Chromecast
• USB to micro USB cable
• Power Supply
• HDMI adapter
• Short instruction

The device comes in a compact beautiful package. When you open it, you see the Chromecast itself on the right, and on the left - instructions for initial setup.

Appearance, control elements, body materials

There is not much to talk about the design of Chromecast, it looks like a typical HDMI stick, only one half is made in the shape of a circle. By the way, this shape reminded me a little of a wrench.

On the front side there is a logo and a light indicator that glows green when the device is in operation.

On the left is a microUSB port, and on the right is an HDMI output for connecting to a TV. For those models in which HDMI is located in an inconvenient place, Google put an adapter.

The front and back of the Chromecast are made of matte, slightly rough plastic. But the ends are glossy.

In terms of assembly, I have nothing to complain about. There are no gaps, backlashes and other defects.

Dimensions

In pictures, the Chromecast looks much larger than its actual size. In fact, the dongle is very compact, its dimensions are only 70 x 31 x 10 mm, and its weight is about 30 grams. The small size and weight allow you to take Chromecast with you on the road and watch videos or movies from it in a hotel room, for example.

TV connection

To connect and set up your Chromecast, you can use several methods:

1. Android tablet or smartphone
2. iOS tablet or smartphone
3. Computer or Mac with Chrome installed

The setup itself is pretty simple:

1. Install the Chromecast app on your smartphone, tablet, or go to the Chromecast setup page from your Chrome browser,
2. Choose a name for the Chromecast and the Wi-Fi network it will connect to,
3. Start broadcast.

The dongle needs a separate power supply, but the USB port of the TV is enough for him.

Functionality and principle of operation

I'll tell you how Chromecast works using YouTube as an example. Once you have successfully synced the dongle with your Wi-Fi network, when you open any Chromecast-compatible app, a TV icon with a Wi-Fi network signal will appear in the top right corner. It is quite visual, you immediately recognize it.

Click on the icon, select our Chromecast and wait just a couple of seconds. After that, the video begins to be broadcast on your TV, and the smartphone acts as a remote control, with which you can increase / decrease the volume, go to the desired segment of the video, or open another video.

An important note - Chromecast pulls the video directly from YouTube, so as soon as you start the video, you can even turn off the smartphone. This is a significant advantage of this device over other HDMI sticks.

The maximum resolution for any content is limited to 720p, although initially the HDMI standard allows you to output a picture in 1080p. Why Google introduced such an artificial restriction is not clear.

Supported Applications

As you can imagine, the usefulness of a Chromecast is measured by the apps it supports. Below I will talk about the most basic of them.

Chrome. The dongle can broadcast the current page of your Chrome browser. At the same time, it shows not only a static picture, but also a video. Only desktop versions of Chrome are currently supported.

YouTube. YouTube is controlled using the same-name applications for iOS/Android. At the beginning of the video, its name and the name of the channel are shown.

Google Play Movies. The control logic here is about the same as in YouTube, with the only difference that you will have to buy the movie you need before watching it.

Google+. Supports streaming photos and videos from Google+.

ES File Explorer. One of the few third-party apps that supports Chromecast. You can broadcast photos as well as video files using ES File Explorer.

InFuse. Another Chromecast-enabled app, this time a video player for iOS. By the way, I like InFuse much more than the same AVPlayerHD, largely due to the correct display of .ass/.ssa subtitles. As for Chromecast support, it is still in beta, but already now it can be noted that the main problem is the impossibility of background playback due to iOS restrictions. When you turn on playback, your iPad/iPhone screen simply appears with a solid black background.

Chromecast support will soon be added to VLC, we can only wait.

You can see the full list of supported applications at this link.

Amediateka

When I took the Chromecast for a test, Google Russia employees asked me not to rush into the review, as very interesting news for Russian users was to appear in the near future. Later it turned out that it was a partnership with Amediateka and the appearance of Chromecast support in their application.

In addition, Google and Amediateka give users a three-month subscription to the service, which, in my opinion, is very cool, given that a month of subscription now costs 500 rubles. During this time, you will be able to perfectly understand whether such a bundle is convenient for you and whether it is worth the money.

The resolution of films broadcast from Amediateka is also limited to 720p, Russian and English tracks are available, there are Russian subtitles. By the way, it is in the version for Chromecast that they can be made much larger, which, in my opinion, is only a plus. But recently the English track has been broadcast without subtitles, the Amediateka support service knows about this, they promised to fix this problem.

Another inconvenience is associated with switching series. You need to return to the screen with the list of series each time and select the next one manually.

If not for the problem with subtitles and switching episodes, then Amediateka on Chromecast could be called one of the best and most useful applications. I hope this will be the case over time.

Games

In mid-November, news broke that the Chromecast had begun to support games as well. The same link provided examples of games that work with the dongle, but none of the games work for Russian accounts. You can check yourself.

Conclusion

The official retail price of Chromecast is 2,300 rubles. For this money, you get a convenient device for watching YouTube and Amediateka, as well as the ability to stream your photos from Google+.

I think that many readers expected that Chromecast would be a kind of analogue of Miracast, when you can easily broadcast any information from your gadget to a large TV. However, its purpose is in online video broadcasts without loading the smartphone battery. That is, they chose a series on a smartphone, clicked "broadcast to Chromecast" and started watching, and the smartphone's screen was turned off.

I sincerely like this approach, and I am ready to pay Amediateka or other partners for its implementation, however, as our readers often note, the amount of licensed content is significantly lower than the entire range of films, series, anime and other video files. And while the range of licensed services will be much lower, they will be less popular, like the Chromecast itself.

In addition, a significant drawback of this dongle is the restriction on streaming at 720p. We have been living in the era of FullHD and 4k for a long time, these standards are available even on YouTube itself, and there is no logical reason for limiting the resolution of Chromecast.

In the end, who is this accessory intended for? I see two categories of users: the first ones want to watch YouTube on the big screen, and the second ones want to watch Amediateka. For them, this dongle will be a great solution. The rest should wait for something more interesting.

Google Cast devices disable Wi-Fi routers

Users of the Chromecast media player and Google Home smart speaker around the world faced the problem back in October 2017. Users note that the Internet disappears on all devices connected to the router. This happens when an Android smartphone is connected to Google Cast devices. For example, when sending a video using Cast technology from the YouTube application of a smartphone to a TV with a Chromecast connected. Users of ASUS, Linksys, Netgear, TP-Link, and Synology routers have reported issues. One solution to the problem, which users came up with on their own, was to disconnect Google Cast devices from the network.

TP-Link engineers found the cause of the problem. As it turned out, when enabled, programs from the Google Apps package that support the Cast function need to send several mDNS multicast discovery packets over the local network approximately once every 20 seconds. This way they keep in touch with Chromecast or Google Home. On gadgets with the latest versions of the Android OS, more than 100 thousand such packages can be sent in a short time. And the longer the Google Cast device is in sleep mode, the more packets will be sent.

Google has yet to comment on the situation. TP-Link and Synology have officially confirmed that their routers may stop working until the device is rebooted. Despite the fact that the problem still comes from Google, some manufacturers have begun to solve the problem themselves. So, Linksys and TP-Link released updates for two models that have not yet left beta testing. Before the release of stable updates, manufacturers recommend disabling the Cast function in Android applications.

Google dropped the Cast brand

Google has decided to change the name of the Google Cast technology used to cast photos, videos and music from smartphones, tablets or laptops to a TV.

« We've rebranded Google Cast to Chromecast built-in to help users identify the technologies they use," a Google spokesperson said. According to him, the new brand will be officially used in 2017.

However, Google has already changed the name of the Twitter account from Google Cast to @Chromecast. And even the Google Cast website already states that Google Cast technology is also known as Chromecast built-in.

The Google Cast brand came into use by the company earlier this year when the Chromecast app was renamed to Google Cast. It made sense back then, as Google Cast technology began to be used not only in the Chromecast TV keychain, but also in other devices. Google then rebranded the Google Cast app as Google Home because it can control all Chomecast, Google Cast and Google Home products.

Google Cast is now fully integrated into the Chrome browser

Google has fully integrated its Cast streaming technology directly into the Chrome browser. This is a significant improvement over the Cast extension that previously had to be installed to cast browser content to a Chromecast keychain or other compatible devices. Now you don’t need to download any additional software: the Cast icon appears if the site supports the technology, and you can broadcast anything using the browser menu.

Over the past two years, Cast technology has seen significant growth. Now it is available not only through Google Chromecast or Chromecast Audio keyfobs, but is also supported by third-party equipment such as speakers or TVs. You can even broadcast to other apps like Google Hangouts or Cast for Education, which gives you more options for use in classes or conferences. In the previous version of Chrome, only streaming to compatible hardware was integrated.

Google says that streaming directly from the browser has become a popular feature even before the integration of the technology. In the last month alone, more than 38 million sessions were carried out, and the total number of hours exceeded 50 million in the same time. The popularity of the function after its integration will certainly increase, especially given the fact that sites like Google Play Music and Netflix will show the corresponding icon in the address bar.

The direct integration of Cast into Chrome definitely expands the reach of potential users of the technology. In the future, it could be a powerful way to conveniently combine all home screens and integrate with the most user-friendly device, such as a smartphone or laptop. But for now, it's more of an easy way to start a YouTube stream on the big screen.

Google has improved its educational tools

Google has announced the launch of new educational tools, as well as improvements to old ones. The list of these tools included Cast for Education, Forms with built-in quizzes, and the Expeditions virtual reality program.

The first tool, Cast for Education, allows students and teachers to cast any screen in the classroom to a computer connected to a projector. The main computer turns into a Cast receiver, through which you can receive requests from students to display a picture on it. So Google wants to expand the functionality of projectors, which are among the most popular devices in the classroom. Cast for Education is designed to work in complex wireless networks and allows you to share both video and audio. The tool is currently available as a beta Chrome app available for use on Chrome OS, macOS, and Windows.

The Forms platform received support for quizzes. Google says Forms is one of the most popular tools used by teachers to provide student feedback. According to the company, many teachers have been asking for quizzes to be added to Forms for a long time. Forms now allows teachers to quickly grade student responses and instantly comment on their mistakes.

The third major announcement is related to the Expeditions virtual reality program, launched in trial mode last year. Now the program is available to all Android users, and in the near future, owners of iOS devices will also be able to use it. Expeditions is a set of guided VR tours that use Cardboard technology to bring groups of people together on the same tours. According to Google, more than 200 expeditions are now available to users.

Finally, Google has discounted a number of Chromebook creative app suites, including Explain Everything, Soundtrap, and WeVideo. The company said that its goal is to give teachers their best technology, and it is not going to be limited to the above announcements.

Vizio introduced a series of SmartCast soundbars with support for Google Cast

Vizio has introduced a series of SmartCast soundbars with support for Google Cast technology, which allows you to broadcast video and music from your smartphone, tablet or laptop to your TV or speakers. This technology is already supported by released Vizio TVs.

Like Sonos products, SmartCast soundbars support Wi-Fi wireless technology for streaming directly from the Internet and have multi-room options if you have more than one model.

In addition to better sound quality, Wi-Fi connectivity also means calls, texts, and other notifications won't interrupt your music playback through your speakers. If the need arises, there is also the possibility of connecting via a Bluetooth connection.

The SmartCast price range is quite wide - from $180 for the 38-inch 3.0 Sound Bar to $500 for the flagship systems: the 44-inch 5.1 Sound Bar System and the 45-inch 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System.

The 45" Slim Sound Bar includes two speakers for surround sound and a 3" subwoofer that can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Special drivers deliver up to 104 dB SPL and deep bass at 30 Hz. There is also a built-in center channel to ensure speech is crisp and clear. The Vizio SmartCast app allows you to control your speakers using Android and iOS devices. In addition to a smartphone or tablet, Vizio speakers can be controlled using an LCD remote control.

The SmartCast series includes:

• Vizio SmartCast 38" 3.0 Sound Bar: $180;
• Vizio SmartCast 38" 2.1 Sound Bar System: $220;
• Vizio SmartCast 38" 3.1 Sound Bar System: $270;
• Vizio SmartCast 38" 5.1 Sound Bar System: $300;
• Vizio SmartCast 40" 3.1 Slim Sound Bar System: $380;
• Vizio SmartCast 40" 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System: $430;
• Vizio SmartCast 45" 3.1 Sound Bar System: $450;
• Vizio SmartCast 44" 5.1 Sound Bar System: $500;

• Vizio SmartCast 45" 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System: $500

All models are available for order on the company's website.

Smart 4K Polaroid TVs support Google Cast

Polaroid has unveiled its first series of ultra-high-definition smart TVs, slated to go on sale this summer.

Polaroid 4K Ultra HD LED panels will initially be available in 43", 50", 55" and 65" sizes. The resolution in all cases is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the refresh rate is 120 Hz. There is a built-in HEVC decoder. Of the available interfaces, the HDMI 2.0 port is mentioned.

The TVs support Google Cast, a technology for broadcasting photos, videos and music from a smartphone, tablet or personal computer to a TV. The platform offers features such as searching for new content, adding to favorites, the ability to control the broadcast from any room from your smartphone, and much more. Casting with Google Cast is supported from YouTube, Google Play and other services. The system is supported by devices based on Android and iOS, as well as computers with Chrome OS, OS X and Windows.

In the new section, you can find information about the number of devices on which the developer's application was launched, the number of application sessions, and the average duration of content played through the application. At the same time, developers can view statistics by country and operating system, as well as select certain periods of time for tracking.

This update could be very important for those developers who have been working with Google Cast since its inception. The system first became available in 2013, and its SDK was aimed at integrating with iOS, Android, and Chrome.

Google Cast works with Chromecast devices as well as Android TV and Cast-enabled audio systems. Since the advent of Google Cast, developers have been given access to a number of new APIs, as well as a plug-in for the Unity game engine.