Price
Chromecast, Google’s small digital media player is an inexpensive, small, very easy to set up, reliable and useful device. It’s been available in Australian stores since the last week of May for just $50.
Easy to install
You just have to plug it into an HDMI port on the back of a television or an amplifier. It can be powered from a USB port and run using a free smartphone app. Once it has access to your Wi-Fi network, then it’s ready to go.
Applications
There will be lots of Chromecast apps streaming services available soon, but here are just of those that are in the market already. First, is a $4 app called AirMusic which lets an iPhone stream its music collection through the player. Then there’s the YouTube support which lets a YouTube video run on any smartphone. Through this app, you can view the videos on the big screen if you want.
The future
However, the feature we really like the most is support for the Plex media server. An entire CD library, movies that are legally available on the web, family videos and photos can be loaded into this slick server and, for just a $80 lifetime subscription and access them remotely over the internet anywhere you are using the plex.tv service.
No Remote
Chromecast doesn’t need a remote control. You can control it through a smartphone or Chrome web browser. The smartphone will just initiate the streaming so it isn’t necessary for the smartphone to be in the vicinity, or even switched on, for the stream to continue.
An Apple TV media player also has the same features with many more applications already available for the Australian market. However, this device is more expensive, bigger, needs more time to setup and needs a separate HDMI cable. Google’s Chromecast beats this device easily in many aspects.
Stream Your Favourites with Google Chromecast
Stream your favourite shows and movies from any device with Google Chromecast. Watch the best of Netflix, Stan, Kayo Sports, and more on a bigger screen in HD with this small yet powerful device.
