Photo Caster is a free app that enables iOS users to put their photos on-screen similarly. Which is useful since Google somehow neglected to add this feature to Android.īoth major media center apps, VLC and the Plex app will happily stream to Chromecast, which is perhaps the best way to get your library of downloaded videos up on the big screen. So Chromecast is only really suited to those with Android and iOS devices.ĭespite these limitations from the big names, Chromecast has extra potential to it thanks to developers getting creative with the Google Cast SDK.Īpps like AllCast enable Android and Apple iOS users to display video and photos through the Chromecast. Chromecast rivalsĪll streams originate from a special “Cast” button that’s built into each compatible mobile app – your device is the remote.Ĭurrently, Windows Phone 8 users, who don’t have many options among app-filled streaming technology, are totally out in the cold for Chromecast support, with only third party YouTube app TubeCast being compatible. Recent firmware updates have soothed this problem giving users the ability to use their TV remote to control some functionality, but at the end of the day you’ll still need to keep a device running the app within arm’s reach. You won’t find a Chromecast remote in the box or a main menu tying all of the apps together like on an Apple TV or Roku 3. Using Chromecast, though, it’s clear that it’s designed for use with portable devices in mind. Browser streaming options are Extreme (720 high bitrate), High (720p) and Standard (480p). We tested on a variety of networks and found results were variable but a clear network (around 8-10Mbps down) should be able to handle it. If your network is flaky, this will result in choppy performance. If you stream video via the compatible apps, the content is streamed directly from the internet to Chromecast without traveling via your phone or tablet.īut if you mirror a browser tab, you’re effectively streaming video to your computer from the internet via your router, then streaming it back to your router and then streaming it out once more to your TV, resulting in heavy network traffic. Google’s Chrome browser on Mac or PC lets you mirror a browser tab to your TV, meaning that you can theoretically send any of these services to your TV that way, but there are issues with this. We’re sure that this will change (Google can be very persuasive…), but there are major limitations on built-in support at the moment. The truth is that the ‘casting’ method of getting video onto your TV is simply not very compatible with music. The key addition here would be Spotify, but there’s a wide range of services that could become available. Music is really restricted for UK users, with even the lone Pandora app support no good for us due to licensing restrictions. You can find a complete list of Chromecast-compatible apps on the Google Chrome Store. Most of the big hitting services are now compatible, with Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, Hulu Plus, Pandora, HBO Go, Starz and Showtime Anytime etc… all ready and waiting in the US, and BT Sport, BBC iPlayer and more in the UK. But 15 months on, the list of compatible apps is impressive. On launch, the services that tied in with Chromecast were limited and very much a work in progress.
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