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Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

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Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#101

Post by KozmoNau7 »

avian wrote: post #71
chubot wrote: post #28

ChromeCast is such a frustrating product. It does exactly what I want in theory. In practice I have to wait 10 to 60 seconds to get it to connect, or reboot my phone. I've started giving up and just using the computer attached to my TV. I don't think I've been having the particular Wi-Fi issue described in the article, but ChromeCast has been just slow and flaky in my experience. I've had both v1 and v2. It seems to…

I've had a similarly bad experience. I bought the original Chromecast years ago. Since then I've tried using it with two Wi-fi routers, at least three Android phones and an iPad and it never worked for me. The most common problem is that after a while the phone would fall out of sync with the Chromecast. For instance, video would keep playing in the Chromecast, but was paused in the YouTube app on the phone.

Yeah, that keeps happening to me as well. Playback continues, but my phone seems to just lose the connection. When I force it to reconnect, either playback jumps to whatever my phone decides to play, or the Chromecast and my phone will need to restart a new piece of media to sync up again.

When it does work, it's pretty cool with multi-room playback, but I've decided I don't really need that anyway.

I'm working on phasing out the Chromecasts now, because of limitations in which apps support casting, and the inability to block ads and properly cast local content (very format-dependent). The kitchen speakers and CCA have been replaced by a rather good Bluetooth speaker, which is also handy when I go to hang laundry. The CCv2 and second CCA in the bedroom/office is being replaced by a ultra-small form factor PC with a wireless keyboard. For the main stereo in the living room, there's always at least one other device turned on anyway, and all of them can play from Spotify or my file server, so the CCA goes unused.

On the flipside, I plugged my old CCv1 to the TV in my girlfriend's apartment, and that thing has been working absolutely flawlessly, so maybe I'm just unlucky.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#102

Post by KozmoNau7 »

jordanthoms wrote: post #40
chubot wrote: post #28

ChromeCast is such a frustrating product. It does exactly what I want in theory. In practice I have to wait 10 to 60 seconds to get it to connect, or reboot my phone. I've started giving up and just using the computer attached to my TV. I don't think I've been having the particular Wi-Fi issue described in the article, but ChromeCast has been just slow and flaky in my experience. I've had both v1 and v2. It seems to…

I have a similar experience, though I think a lot of the issues are actually with the apps - e.g. Netflix and Spotify will consistently not show my cast devices unless I quit the app and relaunch it, while other apps work ok. Google needs to get far more vigilant about ensuring the third parties are implementing it properly though - even if the bug is actually with a third party, it reflects badly on their product.

Spotify will show the devices eventually, but it does seem to be rather slow, unless you've been on the wifi for a little while before starting the app.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#103

Post by KozmoNau7 »

david90 wrote: post #82
chubot wrote: post #28

ChromeCast is such a frustrating product. It does exactly what I want in theory. In practice I have to wait 10 to 60 seconds to get it to connect, or reboot my phone. I've started giving up and just using the computer attached to my TV. I don't think I've been having the particular Wi-Fi issue described in the article, but ChromeCast has been just slow and flaky in my experience. I've had both v1 and v2. It seems to…

My Chromecast works quite well, at least the connection is quite stable casting from my mobile. 10s wait is kinda acceptable for me. It'd be nice that resolution could improve.

The Chromecast Ultra does 4K now.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#104

Post by retSava »

27182818284 wrote: post #57

Lots of anecdotal experience in this thread about how bad Chromecast is so I'd like to offer my opposite: Chromecast has been one of the nicest additions per dollar for my home. It has been working well for me for a year or so. I even used it today (for the first time in a week or more) while cooking and it worked like a charm first try. The only real problems I've had with it, I switched hardware, but used the same…

Indeed; bought first-gen LG webos, top of the line, TV. scratch record bad choice. Severally underpowered hw, like a really old tablet. Thus, it cannot update to later versions of WebOS and apps are constantly crashing (did I mention that the regular TV tuner is considered an app in webos?).

To work around this, I simply bought a chromecast as a target to stream youtube on.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#105

Post by rkangel »

neeleshs wrote: post #49
jordanthoms wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a similar experience, though I think a lot of the issues are actually with the apps - e.g. Netflix and Spotify will consistently not show my cast devices unless I quit the app and relaunch it, while other apps work ok. Google needs to get far more vigilant about ensuring the third parties are implementing it properly though - even if the bug is actually with a third party, it reflects badly on their product.

Yes, Netflix is pretty bad when it comes to connecting to Chromecast

This is the exact opposite of my experience.

My Netflix app is extremely reliable with Chromecast. I had a period of unreliability when I switched to a new phone (Galaxy S8) that applued to Netflix as well as all other chromecast apps, but after an OS update it appears to be much better.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#106

Post by rkangel »

chubot wrote: post #28

ChromeCast is such a frustrating product. It does exactly what I want in theory. In practice I have to wait 10 to 60 seconds to get it to connect, or reboot my phone. I've started giving up and just using the computer attached to my TV. I don't think I've been having the particular Wi-Fi issue described in the article, but ChromeCast has been just slow and flaky in my experience. I've had both v1 and v2. It seems to…

To counter - I have had an excellent experience with my Chromecasts (I now own 3).

It does everything I need, and while not completely perfect it has been really very reliable and generally 'just works'. As a user experience for playing content on your TV, the 'android as a remote' approach is great.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#107

Post by rkangel »

27182818284 wrote: post #57

Lots of anecdotal experience in this thread about how bad Chromecast is so I'd like to offer my opposite: Chromecast has been one of the nicest additions per dollar for my home. It has been working well for me for a year or so. I even used it today (for the first time in a week or more) while cooking and it worked like a charm first try. The only real problems I've had with it, I switched hardware, but used the same…

I agree. I also regularly say that it's the best value money I have ever spent.

The only unreliability I have is with certain apps that don't appear to have implemented the functionality that well. The "NFL Game Pass Europe" app for instance sometimes forgets that it's attached to the TV and you can no longer pause/stop (there are workarounds). Other apps like Netflix have been extremely solid.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#108

Post by KozmoNau7 »

_puk wrote: post #98
Consultant32452 wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is unrelated but could you explain what the Chromecast Audio offers over just playing audio on a regular Chromecast?

Not explicitly mentioned elsewhere is the digital audio connector (TOSLINK/optical out) on the Audio. This allows it to be connected directly to a half decent amp, rather than relying on the onboard DAC.

The ordinary Chromecast is HDMI only, ie. a 100% digital connection. You have to plug it into a HDMI-capable device obviously, but most people use AV receivers these days.

Besides, the onboard DAC in the CCA is more than good enough. No need to mess around with an external DAC.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#109

Post by KozmoNau7 »

Consultant32452 wrote: post #69
regnerba wrote: post #11

Interesting. I have 2 Google Homes (1 regular and 1 mini), a Chromecast and a Chromecast Audio, and a Pixel 2. I haven't noticed any particular network issues. My network is all Ubiquiti gear. A USG, switch, and AP AC Lite. I have the private WiFi on the same network as my desktop PC and Steam Link. My home lab is on separate VLANs. Other then that its a pretty default configuration. Not home right now but when I get…

This is unrelated but could you explain what the Chromecast Audio offers over just playing audio on a regular Chromecast?

If you have multiple CCAs, you can set them up for multi-room playback. AFAIK you cannot do that with the ordinary Chromecast.

Re: Google Chromecast and Google Home Causes Wi-Fi Drops

#110

Post by eitland »

KozmoNau7 wrote: post #101
avian wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had a similarly bad experience. I bought the original Chromecast years ago. Since then I've tried using it with two Wi-fi routers, at least three Android phones and an iPad and it never worked for me. The most common problem is that after a while the phone would fall out of sync with the Chromecast. For instance, video would keep playing in the Chromecast, but was paused in the YouTube app on the phone.

Yeah, that keeps happening to me as well. Playback continues, but my phone seems to just lose the connection. When I force it to reconnect, either playback jumps to whatever my phone decides to play, or the Chromecast and my phone will need to restart a new piece of media to sync up again. When it does work, it's pretty cool with multi-room playback, but I've decided I don't really need that anyway. I'm working on ph…

> On the flipside, I plugged my old CCv1 to the TV in my girlfriend's apartment, and that thing has been working absolutely flawlessly, so maybe I'm just unlucky.

Sounds like it might be a network problem? Like for instance if you (like a number of other HN-ers I guess) like to restrict firewalls as much as possible?

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