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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:35:53 PM EDT
We currently pay for Netflix and hulu and have an HD antenna.
Wife wants to be able to stream on the big screen in the living room. Thoughts? Rulez: 
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:39:44 PM EDT
[#1]
Just for the fact your wife will be ableto cast vid's and pics if the kiddo for friends and family it will be. It's a mixed bag of cool and wanting more. With that said, I have purchased 6 and own 3 of them.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:40:52 PM EDT
[#2]
Isn't it like $35... I got mine as a stocking stuffer for Christmas.
It's pretty awesome, I don't use it nearly as much as I should. To be honest I forget I have it 
It makes Netflix much more enjoyable and allows me to surf my laptop while casting to the TV. Win. Win. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:41:54 PM EDT
[#3]
I have one and I like it. Works well and the HD looks very nice.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:43:53 PM EDT
[#4]
if your home theater includes an amp, I don't believe the audio will work.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:44:59 PM EDT
[#5]
Works good, price is right.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:49:09 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
if your home theater includes an amp, I don't believe the audio will work. No worries in the living room |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:53:43 PM EDT
[#7]
Love it. Can't beat it for the price. Use it all the time surfing Youtube and watching Netflix.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:54:43 PM EDT
[#8]
I haven't gotten to play with it yet, but my mom just got a Fire TV and loves it for Netflicks. It has voice recognition for easy navigation that she said was pretty responsive/accurate. It is about 3x the price tho...
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:55:27 PM EDT
[#9]
Cheap as hell, convenient for me to use my phone to stream Netflix, etc to the tv.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:57:57 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No worries in the living room Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
if your home theater includes an amp, I don't believe the audio will work. No worries in the living room I've got my Chromecast plugged directly into one of the HDMI ports on the receiver, so I get audio and video. -We always use the amp/tv, and Chromecast auto-switches the input on the receiver when we start to cast. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 6:59:38 PM EDT
[#11]
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:04:19 PM EDT
[#12]
I prefer the Apple TV to run netflix and amazon prime.
Roku would work as well. Both are better than chromecast. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:06:40 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. So chrome cast is controlled via a computer and what you have on the screen is what appears on the TV? |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:08:18 PM EDT
[#14]
i have one,.. its not bad,, but limited ..
bought 25ft hdmi cable now i am happy http://www.amazon.com/Link-Depot-HDMI-Cable-feet/dp/B000IJY8DS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412550325&sr=8-2&keywords=hdmi+25ft |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:11:50 PM EDT
[#15]
We use it almost daily with my 4 year old daughter. I have a YouTube playlist that we cast to the TV so she can dance around the house. I use it with showbox too.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:13:58 PM EDT
[#16]
For 35 bucks go for it
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:14:41 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So chrome cast is controlled via a computer and what you have on the screen is what appears on the TV? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. So chrome cast is controlled via a computer and what you have on the screen is what appears on the TV? I use mine with my S4. Very easy. YouTube is literally one button and it changes your TV input and plays what you tell it to. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:16:23 PM EDT
[#18]
Roku HDMI stick user here.
I like that it can stream video from my NAS with it's media player app
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:17:48 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:21:49 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So chrome cast is controlled via a computer and what you have on the screen is what appears on the TV? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. So chrome cast is controlled via a computer and what you have on the screen is what appears on the TV? Yes. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:26:10 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. So chrome cast is controlled via a computer and what you have on the screen is what appears on the TV? Yes. and just to confirm, all I need from my TV is a spare HDMI port? |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:27:21 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) The Roku HDMI stick retails for like $49.99 |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:35:46 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Roku HDMI stick retails for like $49.99 Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) The Roku HDMI stick retails for like $49.99 well hmmm, so gimme the rundown on on the Roku. Plug it in and the little remote does it all? |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:43:23 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: if your home theater includes an amp, I don't believe the audio will work. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:44:36 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
well hmmm, so gimme the rundown on on the Roku. Plug it in and the little remote does it all? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) The Roku HDMI stick retails for like $49.99 well hmmm, so gimme the rundown on on the Roku. Plug it in and the little remote does it all? Yep. There is a micro-usb power adapter that you can plug into the supplied wall wart. I have mine plugged into the USB port on the back of my tele. I have 30 channels or "apps". Some tie into your cable tv subscription, others do not. I subscribe to Netflix and it works well. The other thing I use a lot is the YouTube app, as I follow several vlogs. There is a bunch of free content on there too. Just gotta figure out what you want to watch. 
Oh, and yes, everything is run by the remote. No computer required, although I do use my wifi to access content. eta: I was having issues with my POS consumer grade router last week and ran Roku off my smart phone wifi hotspot. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:52:04 PM EDT
[#26]
One really nice thing with the Chromecast is screen mirroring of an Android device. This lets you full-screen and stream any mobile video that might not support a dedicated stream program.
This is also great for quickly swiping through pics and videos that are on your phone\tablet vs using a cloud service to get them on the big screen. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:54:40 PM EDT
[#27]
I use it every day. Insanely strong. Works with smart phone apps as well. Pandora, Netflix, etc.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:31:06 PM EDT
[#28]
Roku stick is better for my use. Casting with the Chromecast was very laggy on my network.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:33:26 PM EDT
[#29]
I use mine when we stay in motels. i think it was worth the $35
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:35:08 PM EDT
[#30]
It does everything any TV made in the past 5 years already does.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:46:08 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I haven't gotten to play with it yet, but my mom just got a Fire TV and loves it for Netflicks. It has voice recognition for easy navigation that she said was pretty responsive/accurate. It is about 3x the price tho... No thanks.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:50:24 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It does everything any TV made in the past 5 years already does. 
No. 
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:51:58 PM EDT
[#33]
i just got one free with a tv.
so far to be honest i am not very impressed. streaming perfomance isn't that great. picture quality is good but you are VERY limited to what you can stream. net flix works but sevrel other popular service don't. i have had zero luck getting my iphone to work at all and none of my tablets work as it requires 4.1.4 android. i have had better luck just connecting my tv to my display port on my laptop. i also found out it's not recommended to power it via USB from the tv due to it needing a higher amperage so you will need to use the ac USB adapter |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:56:58 PM EDT
[#34]
I bought one and hate it, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Get the roku hdmi stick instead, it's a much more useful device.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:02:49 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I use mine when we stay in motels. i think it was worth the $35 That's why I bought mine, but it doesn't actually work in hotels unless you pack a router with you. Most hotels block the protocols it uses to communicate via wifi with your streaming device and the hotels router. Pretty useless, and since I had my roku anyway I just set up my router and used it instead. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:05:53 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's why I bought mine, but it doesn't actually work in hotels unless you pack a router with you. Most hotels block the protocols it uses to communicate via wifi with your streqming device and the hotels router. Pretty useless, and since I had my roku anyway I just set up my router and used it instead. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I use mine when we stay in motels. i think it was worth the $35 That's why I bought mine, but it doesn't actually work in hotels unless you pack a router with you. Most hotels block the protocols it uses to communicate via wifi with your streqming device and the hotels router. Pretty useless, and since I had my roku anyway I just set up my router and used it instead. My phone is rooted so I use it for the internet and cast from my wife's phone |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:30:15 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
well hmmm, so gimme the rundown on on the Roku. Plug it in and the little remote does it all? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) The Roku HDMI stick retails for like $49.99 well hmmm, so gimme the rundown on on the Roku. Plug it in and the little remote does it all? Get the Roku. More versatile. IF you have Amazon prime, hulu, Netflix. Chromecast just doesn't have any benefit over Roku. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:36:57 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So, a box in your house that is plugged into the internet and can understand what is being said? No thanks. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I haven't gotten to play with it yet, but my mom just got a Fire TV and loves it for Netflicks. It has voice recognition for easy navigation that she said was pretty responsive/accurate. It is about 3x the price tho... No thanks. What could possibly go wrong? 
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:38:06 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Get the Roku. More versatile. IF you have Amazon prime, hulu, Netflix. Chromecast just doesn't have any benefit over Roku. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I bought one. Used it only a few times. A Roku is more convenient as you can control it with a hand held remote. Chromecast needs a computer/tablet etc. to use as a controller. I think that is the tipping point. If you are cool with using your computer to screencast to the television, you can get by for $35. Next step up is the dedicated Roku 3, $99. (You can still get the 1 and 2, but the 3 is so much faster, it is very fluid.) I own one and have no regrets about the convenience. Great interface for Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. (ETA: And Pandora. Can't forget Pandora.) The Roku HDMI stick retails for like $49.99 well hmmm, so gimme the rundown on on the Roku. Plug it in and the little remote does it all? Get the Roku. More versatile. IF you have Amazon prime, hulu, Netflix. Chromecast just doesn't have any benefit over Roku. Roku will "cast" youtube feeds from your tablet/phone just like chromecast does, with Plex you can stream media to it from nearly any device. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:38:38 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: if your home theater includes an amp, I don't believe the audio will work. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 9:42:53 PM EDT
[#41]
In addition to YouTube and other online videos I download to my NAS, I am able to watch the movies I convert to .mp4 for my Galaxy S5, through Roku media player, as well as my 4+ GB of music.
It really is a versatile device. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:04:26 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have one and I like it. Works well and the HD looks very nice. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:12:38 PM EDT
[#43]
Get a Roku Stick instead. Access to more stuff, plus "hidden channels" that you can read about online. I looked at both, read the reviews, and have never looked back.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:30:39 PM EDT
[#44]
Mk808b
Android mini TV box is far superior to Google Chromecast or Roku. The newest RK3288 chips wipe the floor with any TV box out there for under $130. With the mk808 you can also use it as a console emulator. (psx, n64, snes, dreamcast, sega genesis) |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:32:32 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: i just got one free with a tv. so far to be honest i am not very impressed. streaming perfomance isn't that great. picture quality is good but you are VERY limited to what you can stream. net flix works but sevrel other popular service don't. i have had zero luck getting my iphone to work at all and none of my tablets work as it requires 4.1.4 android. i have had better luck just connecting my tv to my display port on my laptop. i also found out it's not recommended to power it via USB from the tv due to it needing a higher amperage so you will need to use the ac USB adapter You would enjoy Apple TV. Airplay from tablet or iPhone. I love mine. Much better than my roku. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:35:32 PM EDT
[#46]
I'm using mine to watch youtube right now. For what it is, it is great.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:42:01 PM EDT
[#47]
I stream all the time from plex, youtube, and netflix on my Chromecasts. Very happy with that.
This Roku stick, is that the same plus amazon prime? That would be worth the upgrade.
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:55:44 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I stream all the time from plex, youtube, and netflix on my Chromecasts. Very happy with that. This Roku stick, is that the same plus amazon prime? That would be worth the upgrade. Yes, plus it has a remote and a shitload of channels exclusive to roku. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 10:59:57 PM EDT
[#49]
I use it with Plex and it works great for what I'm wanting
I also find myself streaming YouTube vids to the TV more now |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 11:21:16 PM EDT
[#50]
I've looked at it, but it doesn't seem to do a whole lot that my PS3 doesn't already do, one way or another. And I've also got my laptop already hooked up via HDMI to the TV most of the time.
But it is only $35; that's way cheaper than most of the competitors. I've never thought that any of them have any real advantages UNLESS you're entirely bought into a specific Brand. |
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