Review: google chromecast

For its configuration it is necessary to have a simple application that is downloaded to our Smartphone, tablet or laptop and that will allow us to send all kinds of files to our television, such as music, online programs, movies and much more. It works with many devices that we already know, being compatible with Mac, iPhone, Windows, iPad, Android tablets and Smartphones.

Technical characteristics

GOOGLE CHROMECAST FEATURES
Processor	Marvell 88DE3005 1.2 Ghz mononucleo and integrated GC1000 GPU.
RAM	512 MB DDR3L
Internal memory and connectivity.	2 GB of storage disk and Wifi 802.11 b / g / n connection.
Dimensions and weight	72 x 35 x 12 mm and 34 grams.
Video and sound.	HDMI 1.4 output Maximum allowed resolution: 1080p. Compatible with CEC remote controls.

In sound it is compatible with Dolby, DTS and AEC to support stereo and multichannel sounds.

Compatible operating systems.

Android 2.3 / iOS6, Windows 7, Windows 8 and linux.

Streaming possibility

Yes, through the AirCast application. Price € 35 in the official Google and Amazon Spain store.

Chromecast unboxing (in front of the camera)

The Chromecast is packed in a small box and sealed on both sides. Once unsealed, it has a cover and the box that houses the device and its accessories.

The Chromecast is protected by a plastic blister.

The bundle is made up of:

Google Chromecast. USB power and light connector. HDMI extender.

The Google Chromecast has a minimalist and simple design. Constructed with matte black plastic, it includes a small led to see its status. It has measures of 72 x 35 x 12 mm and a weight of 34 grams. Among its technical characteristics we find a Marvell 88DE3005 single core processor at 1.2 Ghz speed. The graphics card is integrated into the processor: GC1000. 512 MB DDR3L of RAM and 2GB of internal memory. Its Wifi connectivity is very good and with a good 802.11 b / g / n range. It also has DLNA support.

Finally, highlight the two connections present in the gagdet. The first is a MiniUSB connection that allows power and the second an HDMI 1.4 connection that is in charge of offering the audio and video to our television or monitor.

Google ChromeCast overview

Mini-USB connection

HDMI 1.4 connection

Rear

Installation and configuration

What do we need to install Chromecast?

A television or a monitor (with speakers) HDMI connection USB connector or failing a power outlet Wifi access point.

We need to have at hand a computer, our smartphone or a tablet. We start the Play Store and look for chromecast (see link) and install the application. And this screen will appear on our screen:

During the installation it will ask us: a name for our Chromecast, for example TV-Salon and a Wifi access point (the one in our house) to connect to the network. During installation it will check for the latest updates in the Google repositories.

This process can take about 5 to 15 minutes (depends on the speed of our internet line) and a screen like this should appear.

I have tried many applications, and the truth is that everything is going very fast and fine. I thought it would be very green, but I was pleasantly surprised. Here you can see images working with the YouTube and Google Cast applications.

Programs and Applications

I have been testing Chromecast for a couple of weeks and from the official Google website it does not detail which applications have streaming support for Chromecast. Although soon I will write an article with the best apps, I leave you the most used by end users.

- Google Play Music: thanks to this application we can transmit music from our device (whether it is inside the Smartphone itself or in the cloud) to the chromecast directly, using our television as a speaker. Just touch the Chromecast button in the Play Music application and it will start playing without any problem.

- Google Play Movies: from now on and thanks to Chromecast we will no longer have to continue watching these contents on our computer or Android system, but we will be able to transmit them directly to our television by pressing a single button again.

- Youtube: through the YouTube application on Android or IOS we can transmit videos to our Chromecast. In addition, thanks to our Google account we can very easily create a playlist, either from the same application or from the website, so we can transmit it to Chromecast.

- Content from our device: unfortunately, it is currently not possible to play absolutely all the content from our terminal through Chromecast, although there are beta versions of applications that allow the transmission of local content to the Chromecast device. To be aware of all the news in this regard, we can contact the Android developer Koushik Dutta through the Google + social network.

- Netflix: It is the only service that does not belong to Google and can be used by Chromecast, so a subscription for streaming with Netflix and its installation on our Android / IOS device will be necessary. Once configured, we can transmit any type of Netflix content to our Chromecast in a few simple steps. Subscription to the application has a fairly low cost, about 8 dollars a month (5.80 euros).

- Rdio: we could consider it as our personal jukebox where we find more than 20 million songs that can be played instantly or through stations.

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- Chrome (Google Cast): transfers from our computer are possible thanks to a Google Chrome extension called Google Cast, so the Chrome browser will be mandatory to establish contact with Chromecast.

- Local content of our computer: although it is not possible to transmit the complete information from our Smartphone to the Chromecast, it is possible to do it from our PC. Through the Chrome browser and its Google Cast extension we proceed to do it in the following way: we open a new tab, we go to "File> Open file" and select the file or files that we are interested in playing on our television. Once this is done, we use the extension to send the tab to our Chromecast. Although this is a workaround, it works quite well.

Final words and conclusion

Chromecast is a device that functions as a Smart TV (Streaming). That little will improve and will win the ground to his rivals, since he is stomping.

What can we use it for? For example, to increase and decrease the volume, find what you want to see and also control it, so we can say that it also acts as a remote control. It is so simple with connecting our Chromecast to a high definition television (through the HDMI cable) and establishing an internet connection to be able to send music, video or any other content that we want from our laptop, tablet or smartphone by pressing a single button.

Thanks to the services offered by Google and Netflix we will be able to take advantage of the device enough from the first day to put it to good use. For now, there is not a lot of variety of applications, but every day new ones appear. Which is encouraging developers to take advantage of the chromecast. Now available XBMC, Youtube, Rdix,, etc… From my humble opinion, I think that in a very short time, we will see a much more refined system, with many useful (and free) applications and that will allow us to rejuvenate our television for many years.

It is currently available on its official website for only 35 euros + shipping costs (VAT included) and in Amazon Spain for € 35 (Shipping costs included 5-7 days). Today it is compatible with Android 2.3 or later and IOS 6 or later, as well as Chrome for Mac, Windows and Chromebook with Wi-Fi.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ LOW CONSUMPTION COMPONENTS.	- 2GB OF INTERNAL MEMORY MAY BE LOW IN A FUTURE.
+ GOOD CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS.
+ GOOGLE SUPPORT.
+ IDEAL FOR REUSE ON A TV WITHOUT SMARTV / ETC..
+ EVERY DAY THERE ARE MORE APPS.
+ PRICE