It will never get as good as a hard wired network connection, but many times we don’t have that luxury. As they improve on the software, I think it will only improve. I also think this is due to the fact that the Chromecast is brand new. If your wifi and Internet is lousy (…ahem AT&T U-verse…), then performance with the Chromecast will be severely affected. One key element of the Chromecast is the quality of the wifi you’re working with. I equate the “lagginess” and poor quality & buffering on YouTube clips to the wifi in my house. I received tons of warnings about how the connection wasn’t great and possible reasons why. As I tried to scroll up and down on the screen on my Chromebook, playback was delayed on the Chromecast. There was one little element that stuck out, it was super laggy. Basically think of it as mirroring one tab from Chrome through Chromecast. It connected easily and I was able to mirror my Chrome browser up on the TV. I installed the Google Cast app in the Chrome store. I couldn’t figure out how to test other content on the iPad…but I’m sure that’s coming.įinally, the big test for me was my Samsung Chromebook. After the video got started, there was some buffering of the clip while playing. Playback was instant…and once again quality was lousy (at least in comparison to the Raspberry Pi). YouTube instantly recognized the Chromecast on the same wifi network. I then tested the iPad with Chromecast to see how well it would push content…and what could I send to the Chromecast. I did notice that the YouTube clips that look great in HD on an iPad, projector, or phone…look lousy on a big HD TV. I tested out YouTube from my phone and it streamed the video clips. The Chromecast quickly connected to my wifi and immediately pointed out that I needed to use specific apps (YouTube, Netflix, and Chrome) to send content to the Chromecast. I used the Android app on my phone to connect to the Chromecast and connect it to the wifi in my house. I have USB outputs on the back of the TV and I just plugged it in there. Plug it into the HDMI port, and then plug the micro USB power cord in the other end. Initial setup of the Chromecast was simple. I’ll put together a post later on how to set up your own Raspberry Pi HTPC. Below you can see a photo of the Raspberry Pi and the wood housing I bought for it. I also have the ability to search and play most online video channels, including YouTube on the Pi. The reason I’m going into this much detail is because it serves as a decent base comparison for my review and thinking about the Chromecast. I can also use Airplay on the Raspberry Pi. Most notably is the use of wifi as opposed to hard wiring the network connection. A couple things are different in running the Raspberry Pi than are found in the Chromecast. It did take some time to set up, and it is a bit “techie” but it works…and it works well. These units all “talk” to the media server I have running in the basement. I have a Raspberry Pi running RASPBMC hooked up to every TV. Using RASPMBC on Raspberry Pi as a comparison pointĪt home I already have a sweet media system set-up. I spent a little time testing it out with various devices here at home and I have a couple of thoughts about how I’ll possibly use it in the classroom…and on the road. I stopped by Best Buy and was stoked to find out that they just received 7 units in their shipment. I have one on order from Amazon that should be here tomorrow. I just received my Google Chromecast and quickly hooked it up to the TV in our living room. I anticipate brisk innovations and development that will nullify these challenges. There are several hurdles that will interfere with initial use of the Chromecast. As a natural extension of Google Apps for Educators environment using Chromebooks with students, it allows for easy projection. TL DR version: The Google Chromecast offers tremendous potential for use as a presentation device in the classroom.
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