Google Chromecast

#1

Post by Zaheer » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 5:24 PM UTC

Re: Google Chromecast

#2

Post by untog » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 5:54 PM UTC

Worth noting- the $35 Chromecast dongle comes with three months of free Netflix membership (including for existing users), which makes the thing very cheap indeed.

Re: Google Chromecast

#3

Post by pyalot2 » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 5:56 PM UTC

"Sorry! Devices on Google Play is not available in your country yet. We're working to bring devices to more countries as quickly as possible. Please check back again soon."

Re: Google Chromecast

#4

Post by majurg » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:01 PM UTC

Well, just purchased mine. I was a little peeved that my nexus 7 didn't have HDMI-out, but this device looks perfect.

Re: Google Chromecast

#5

Post by tremendo » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:05 PM UTC

Nice, since the Play store says "We are out of inventory. Check back soon." https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromecast&... I'm confused about it being USB-powered. Does it need to be plugged to both HDMI and USB at the same time?

Edit: The Buy button forwards to the Play store, where it's "out of inventory". They could change the wording to "Sold Out!" and then brag about that.

Re: Google Chromecast

#6

Post by Zikes » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:12 PM UTC

tremendo wrote: post #5

Nice, since the Play store says "We are out of inventory. Check back soon." https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromecast&... I'm confused about it being USB-powered. Does it need to be plugged to both HDMI and USB at the same time? Edit: The Buy button forwards to the Play store, where it's "out of inventory". They could change the wording to "Sold Out!" and then brag about that.

I noticed that the end opposite of the HDMI seemed to have a micro USB in port on it. I suspect that it is powered via that, however none of the demonstrations showed it being plugged in, so I believe it may have an internal battery which needs recharging.

Edit: The specs at the bottom of the page don't list a battery but it does list an included power adapter, so I guess you have to have that plugged in at all times.

Edit 2: Certain versions[1] of the HDMI spec provide power. It's possible that the USB is a backup solution for older spec'd TVs.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_High-Definition_Link#Fea...

Re: Google Chromecast

#7

Post by sergiotapia » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:14 PM UTC

Does this work internationally? I mean, it's just a dongle. Can I have a friend purchase it in the US and have it work fine in Bolivia?

Re: Google Chromecast

#8

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:19 PM UTC

Zikes wrote: post #6

tremendo wrote: post #5

Nice, since the Play store says "We are out of inventory. Check back soon." https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromecast&... I'm confused about it being USB-powered. Does it need to be plugged to both HDMI and USB at the same time? Edit: The Buy button forwards to the Play store, where it's "out of inventory". They could change the wording to "Sold Out!" and then brag about that.

I noticed that the end opposite of the HDMI seemed to have a micro USB in port on it. I suspect that it is powered via that, however none of the demonstrations showed it being plugged in, so I believe it may have an internal battery which needs recharging. Edit: The specs at the bottom of the page don't list a battery but it does list an included power adapter, so I guess you have to have that plugged in at all times…

[deleted]

Re: Google Chromecast

#9

Post by mvkel » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:19 PM UTC

Zikes wrote: post #6

tremendo wrote: post #5

Nice, since the Play store says "We are out of inventory. Check back soon." https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromecast&... I'm confused about it being USB-powered. Does it need to be plugged to both HDMI and USB at the same time? Edit: The Buy button forwards to the Play store, where it's "out of inventory". They could change the wording to "Sold Out!" and then brag about that.

I noticed that the end opposite of the HDMI seemed to have a micro USB in port on it. I suspect that it is powered via that, however none of the demonstrations showed it being plugged in, so I believe it may have an internal battery which needs recharging. Edit: The specs at the bottom of the page don't list a battery but it does list an included power adapter, so I guess you have to have that plugged in at all times…

You sure it's not just for firmware updates? The GameStick (http://gamestick.tv) is powered purely via HDMI.

Re: Google Chromecast

#10

Post by mrbill » Wed, Jul 24, 2013, 6:20 PM UTC

Just bought two - one for each TV in my house. I already have tons of media-streamer devices (TLBB XBMC, Pivos DS, Roku, etc) but they should be nifty.