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Chromecast Rooted

forum.xda-developers.com

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Re: Chromecast Rooted

#11

Post by GuiA »

mixologic wrote: post #7
ftoma wrote: post #2

Sorry for being stupid but what effect does this have on a regular chromecast?

The main benefit appears to be the ability to load your own ROM onto it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578653 And the main benefit of that ROM seems to be that you can set an alternate DNS server to get around (some) forms of region controlling, as well as set your own application whitelist - not sure whats missing from the existing whitelist or what killer app you would root this for, but if I ow…

> if I own the device, I should have total control over the device.

I agree (mostly) with you, but I still want to prod at this because I think it's interesting.

I'm guessing you probably own a (recent) car, a microwave, etc. Do you have total control over these devices? If not, does it bother you as much as not having total control over the Chromecast? How are they different (or not) from a Chromecast? A phone? A computer?

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#12

Post by petercooper »

GuiA wrote: post #11
mixologic wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The main benefit appears to be the ability to load your own ROM onto it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578653 And the main benefit of that ROM seems to be that you can set an alternate DNS server to get around (some) forms of region controlling, as well as set your own application whitelist - not sure whats missing from the existing whitelist or what killer app you would root this for, but if I ow…

> if I own the device, I should have total control over the device. I agree (mostly) with you, but I still want to prod at this because I think it's interesting. I'm guessing you probably own a (recent) car, a microwave, etc. Do you have total control over these devices? If not, does it bother you as much as not having total control over the Chromecast? How are they different (or not) from a Chromecast? A phone? A co…

It's only a part answer, but people who are into cars certainly do screw around in a similar way, whether just to read diagnostics codes out or going full out and remapping the ECU for extra performance/efficiency/whatever they want. There are even hacks to change throttle response now.

My microwave, on the other hand, I'm not sure there's much else I want it to do that I'd consider reprogramming it for ;-)

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#13

Post by yelnatz »

err4nt wrote: post #5

What would the capabilities of a rooted Chromecast be? I finally just got mine, and it's still new in box.

When I try to stream from the US Netflix, chromecast blocks it. (Canada)

This restriction could be unlocked one day.

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#14

Post by JetSpiegel »

GuiA wrote: post #11
mixologic wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The main benefit appears to be the ability to load your own ROM onto it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2578653 And the main benefit of that ROM seems to be that you can set an alternate DNS server to get around (some) forms of region controlling, as well as set your own application whitelist - not sure whats missing from the existing whitelist or what killer app you would root this for, but if I ow…

> if I own the device, I should have total control over the device. I agree (mostly) with you, but I still want to prod at this because I think it's interesting. I'm guessing you probably own a (recent) car, a microwave, etc. Do you have total control over these devices? If not, does it bother you as much as not having total control over the Chromecast? How are they different (or not) from a Chromecast? A phone? A co…

My microwave is not a general purpose computing device. Unless you work on a microwave research institute, probably.

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#15

Post by darklajid »

Anyone having a Chromecast and able to tell me what I'm missing? Currently I've got xbmc running on a Raspberry Pi. Connected via HDMI, online via wifi and I can stream more or less everything (videos, images, music) from my phone to that thing - not sure if there's a decent way to do that from my laptop running Linux.

What are Chromecasts used for? Should I buy one?

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#16

Post by drdaeman »

michaelx386 wrote: post #10
err4nt wrote: post #5

What would the capabilities of a rooted Chromecast be? I finally just got mine, and it's still new in box.

One thing which comes to mind is the DNS settings on the Chromecast can't be modified so being able to change them could help get around regional restrictions.

It could also be fixed at the router by forcibly redirecting the DNS traffic to another DNS server.

Like in `iptables -t nat -I PREROUTING -p udp -s 192.168.1.100 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to 192.168.1.2`

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#17

Post by micro_cam »

darklajid wrote: post #15

Anyone having a Chromecast and able to tell me what I'm missing? Currently I've got xbmc running on a Raspberry Pi. Connected via HDMI, online via wifi and I can stream more or less everything (videos, images, music) from my phone to that thing - not sure if there's a decent way to do that from my laptop running Linux. What are Chromecasts used for? Should I buy one?

For me the main selling point is the low price and not sure it makes sense if you have something setup to do most of it. I do use mine a ton for netflix, hulu (via tab casting) and arbitray media files via the videostream chrome extension/app from the webstore.

It has a simple unintrusive ui which is nice.

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#18

Post by notjustanymike »

darklajid wrote: post #15

Anyone having a Chromecast and able to tell me what I'm missing? Currently I've got xbmc running on a Raspberry Pi. Connected via HDMI, online via wifi and I can stream more or less everything (videos, images, music) from my phone to that thing - not sure if there's a decent way to do that from my laptop running Linux. What are Chromecasts used for? Should I buy one?

$35 and let's me use my phone as my remote for Netflix, HBO Go, and Hulu. Drop dead simple casting. Also it doesn't stream from the phone; it simply takes in commands so it might save your battery some.

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#19

Post by darklajid »

micro_cam wrote: post #17
darklajid wrote: post #15

Anyone having a Chromecast and able to tell me what I'm missing? Currently I've got xbmc running on a Raspberry Pi. Connected via HDMI, online via wifi and I can stream more or less everything (videos, images, music) from my phone to that thing - not sure if there's a decent way to do that from my laptop running Linux. What are Chromecasts used for? Should I buy one?

For me the main selling point is the low price and not sure it makes sense if you have something setup to do most of it. I do use mine a ton for netflix, hulu (via tab casting) and arbitray media files via the videostream chrome extension/app from the webstore. It has a simple unintrusive ui which is nice.

Hey - thanks for answering. The price is about the same (and I have the Pi). So that's mostly an argument for 'why not' and 'you might waste $35, but nothing more'.

Netflix/Hulu - no user myself and I'm not sure if those services are available outside of the US/available in DE. Tab casting, as far as I understand that, is a Chrome feature. I'm a Firefox guy. Would I be able to do something useful with that device?

Right now it seems like it would be equivalent to the Pi w/ xbmc, in an arguably smaller/nicer package. I'm hoping for a killer feature that I haven't considered/noticed :)

Re: Chromecast Rooted

#20

Post by eli »

michaelx386 wrote: post #10
err4nt wrote: post #5

What would the capabilities of a rooted Chromecast be? I finally just got mine, and it's still new in box.

One thing which comes to mind is the DNS settings on the Chromecast can't be modified so being able to change them could help get around regional restrictions.

My understanding is that if you prevent Chromecast form reaching Google's DNS servers it will allow you to provide an alternate address. Haven't had a need to try that myself, though.
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