Chromecast

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Chrome Cast is a produced by Google streaming media adapter in the form of an HDMI sticks.

Operation

The device is connected via the HDMI port to the TV and streaming audio and video over Wi -Fi ( WLAN). Chrome cast is connected to a HDMI port and the power supply with a USB port.

The user can contents of supported Android or iOS apps, as well as from the Chrome browser, transferred on Windows, OS X, and Chrome OS, on a TV. The Chrome Cast- stick works in two different ways: mobile devices control the selection, playback characteristics and volume, the content itself is streaming the stick directly from the Internet. During playback, other tasks can be completed, such as phone calls are accepted. In contrast, the transfer of local media content, such as the mirrors of a Tabs from Google Chrome, the contents are transferred to the Chrome Cast- stick directly from your computer, or view media files on mobile devices with relevant third - Apps.

If nothing is played straight, the home screen that displays next time and name of Chrome Casts also fills the screen different screen saver images that alternate in minute rhythm appears. However, it is not possible to use your own pictures.

Streaming architecture

The streaming architecture Google cast controlled at the mobile devices to communicate from the transmitter to the receiver. From the control device, such as tablet or smartphone, only URLs and control information (eg, dehydration, volume change ), so-called Commands, transmitted to the stick (except for offline content ). This brings the source directly via the wireless connection from the Internet or the local network, the transmission of any screen content or different applications is not possible simultaneously. In the stricter sense, it is therefore not a streaming protocol and is not directly competing with streaming protocols like Miracast, or Apple AirPlay. Technically, the protocol is best compared with DLNA. Google Quantcast internally based on the protocols DIAL (Discover And Launch Protocol) and UPnP.

Benefits

• The power consumption on the mobile device is compared with Miracast or Apple AirPlay lower since only control information and not the entire screen content is transferred. This applies only to media content in the cloud.
• The control is performed by the mobile device, there is no additional remote control required. It can be done by different devices in sequence or simultaneously. For example, different family members can add songs or videos to your playlist.
• The play is independent of the control device to which the playback has been initiated. Playback continues even if, for example, the battery of the mobile device is discharged or it is out of wireless range.
• Compared to a transmission according to the Wi -Fi Direct standard, the Internet connection of the mobile device is not disconnected.

Disadvantages or criticism

• Compared to Apple AirPlay Miracast or not any content, only the supported media of services (apps) can be streamed with Chrome Cast- Support for television.
• It was not immediately possible (eg, photos) to transfer content directly from the mobile device to the TV. Content had to always be loaded first into the cloud, eg via Google . Since December 2013, there are third-party applications with which this is possible, for example, Avia or Plex, and since the release of the Chrome Cast SDKs numerous other applications.
• A direct transfer of games from a mobile device, such as a tablet is not possible, except perhaps in the future about cloud gaming. Some simple applications such as a multiplayer quiz or TicTacToe can stream to your TV, the questions and answers and the current pitch.

Transmission of tabs from the browser Google Chrome

In addition to streaming architecture supports Chrome Stick a transfer of tabs to another device (Tab Cast ). The content is directly transferred from the computer to Chrome Stick (similar Miracast or Apple AirPlay ) with the resulting associated restriction as higher energy consumption and device - dependence playback. About Tab casting the transmission of local content is possible. The functionality is currently still in development stage. limitations:

• So far, only the desktop version of Chrome is supported, a transfer from mobile devices is not possible.
• Certain browser plug-ins are not supported, especially Silverlight. The use of certain streaming services like Amazon Instant Video is thus not possible.
• The transmission has a lower quality than directly supported by the streaming architecture and applications depends on the computer used. The maximum supported resolution is 720p.

Apps

Supported apps were first YouTube, Netflix, Google Play, and, since December 10, 2013 Songza, Vevo, Plex, Red Bull.TV, Revision 3, PostTV, Viki, BeyondPod, RealPlayer cloud, Avia. With the introduction in Germany on 19 March 2014, the Video -On-Demand Portal Watch Ever is available as an app. Other apps such as the cloud storage Bitcasa or Pandora to be offered in the future. Chrome cast is supported by various operating systems including Android, iOS, Chrome OS, Windows (and contrary to the directions on the packaging not only from Windows 7, but also Windows XP) and Mac OS X.

On February 4, 2014 Google released the Chrome development interface Cast SDK, which Chrome Cast -compatible apps can be developed. This requires the Google Quantcast SDK Developer Console, which costs 5 euros. Since then, there are also free applications for the transfer of offline content. The first and most famous is the AllCast App of Koushik Dutta, who is primarily known for the alternative CustomROM CyanogenMod.

Availability and Price

The device was announced on 24 July 2013, initially for 35 U.S. dollar since March 19, 2014 and then in 11 other countries (excluding taxes) in the United States ( including Germany ) for 35 € (incl. VAT ) sold.

Due to the ease of use and the relatively low price, the Chrome Cast initially sold quickly. Within two days after Germany start the streaming stick reached the bestselling No. 1 in online merchandise shipping Amazon.de in the " Computers and Accessories". In England it was in the first days to delivery problems, the online magazine " Curved " compares the hype with that of Apple's iPad.