Google Chromecast
 

Hi techy expats.

Any idea whether the Google Chromecast is worth the $40? It's sounds interesting and as my 22 year old said... "if you don't like it you can always take it back!" lol ;)

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Haven't tried it but it does seem very good if you want to view things big screen.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

But do you think it will work with a VPN? Presumably it will show anything that we have on chrome on our computer?

Re: Google Chromecast
 

It works just fine for me with a VPN from a laptop.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Great thanks. I have had enough of faffing around with wires to be able to watch BBC iPlayer so was hoping this would do the trick!! :)

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Worth bearing in mind that they'll take up a USB port for power and a HDMI port for input so it's useful if you have both of those free on your TV.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Power can also be sorted with a normal wall plug.

I have three. Love them.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

What does it do for you?

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Does the same as AppleTV or Roku. Projects laptop or iPad/phone to TV.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

We watch tv either using the laptop to the old CRT tv, or Asus Cube to the flat screen. So the Chromecast doesn't do anything more than the set up we already have? If we moved the Asus to the old TV and got a Chromecast dingle thingy for the newer we would still need the laptop or iPad?

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Basically the Chromecast gives your tv the ability to stream content from pretty much any other device. IPlayer, Netflix, photos, videos, YouTube, etc. Whatever device you're steaming from becomes the remote, so to speak. It means we don't have to buy smart tvs, which are more expensive, and then we aren't limited to what the smart tv can do since pretty much anything can be streamed to Chromecast.

My husband and I often watch an episode of something before bed, we used to watch on the laptop but it's much nicer, and much better sound, to watch on Chromecast a tv. :)

Re: Google Chromecast
 

;):tape:

Re: Google Chromecast
 

HAR HAR HAR

:)

Last week it was dragon's den... because, you know, that Duncan Bannatyne... Just so irresistible...

Re: Google Chromecast
 

At $40 you cannot go wrong with it, but it really depends on what you want it to do. I find it works great with streaming from youtube/netflix, etc, but it doesnt stream local content very well (e.g. if you've downloaded a movie to your laptop, you can "cast" it to your TV, but the performance isnt as good).

Also, it does not work with a VPN unless you have techy skills far superior to mine. It does seem to work OK (not great) with Hola though.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

You do need some tech skills to get it to work with vpn, but it's possible, as I've done it at home and for two friends. You need a router that's compatible with dd-wrt, but the instructions both for installing it and seeing it up are actually really good and easy to follow. I didn't know how to do it but followed the instructions verbatim and got it all working no problem.

I also have no issues streaming local content.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Got our smart TV for less money then a normal TV of the same size, and now seems every TV at Wal-Mart (our primary electronics store in town) and London Drugs (2nd primary electronics store) is pretty much a smart TV, even down to the 20" 198 special Wally mart always has.

So I suppose if the TV already streams, this doo dad thinger from google is useless?

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Depends. Some smart tv's are pretty bad. (Same as phones, sure there are tons of smart phones but some are just shite.) Basically you need to look at how much your smart tv does that chromecast can't, and vice versa. For example, I'll bet that both have Netflix and Amazon video. Unlikely though that your north American purchased tv has iPlayer or itv. Question mark on whether you can stream pictures from your phone. Definitely can't do screen sharing on the tv, just the Chromecast. So it depends.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

I'll also say some of the software in smart tvs is questionable. A friend got a smart tv and the Netflix app is pretty much useless. He uses Chromecast instead, he finds it much easier to cast from his phone than burger with the tv's smart function.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Re: Google Chromecast
 

HAHA!!!!

Re: Google Chromecast
 

OK, so I loaded it all and it works great with youtube, netflix and so on. When I tried iplayer (which is predominantly why I bought it) it comes up with the BBC logo on the screen and then says "ready to cast" any ideas what might be going wrong? :(

Re: Google Chromecast
 

^^You need a VPN service. Schnooks has done it before for chromecast/iplayer so i'll let her explain.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

I do have a VPN, it's actually on the router rather than the laptop...so hubby tells me... but it doesn't seem to like it!!! Shall try again!!

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Anyway, why are you not at school? :mad:

Re: Google Chromecast
 

I'm on my phone so I'll give you a more full response later when I get to the laptop but Chromecast won't respect your vpn settings. You need to install dd-wrt on your router, if your router is compatible, then set up a dns redirect so Chromecast will respect your vpn settings. It's way easier than it sounds. If you're interested I'll dig out my email with the instructions and post it all.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

I am. :cool:

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Maybe, but I have no idea what iPlayer or iTV is.....so I suppose its not an issue for me...:rofl:

I guess I am just not techie enough to know what all this stuff is. I don't use my phone for photos, don't know what screen sharing is either.

I am just getting too old to keep up with all this new fangled tech stuff.

For the record had the smart TV not been on sale (it was a 2013 model year but brand new) I would never have gotten it, it was bought because it was cheapest TV they had.

Up until that point, I had no idea smart TV's existed...:rofl:


If only I could go back in time and be born in 1999, and grow up with all this new technology...lol Maybe I'd be more proficient in understanding it. I do have the cheapest smart phone but I only use it as a phone, nothing else.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Its alright, I didn't know iTV/iPlayer existed till I came on BE :D

Its a form of watching British TV direct from the networks online, and is geographically restricted to internet users in the UK by IP address, so the VPNs are a way to get around it so people outside UK can watch their favourite telly programs from back home.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Gotcha. I do have a VPN but I am interested in US shows.

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Alrighty, I dug out the laptop JUST FOR YOU!! FEEL THE GUILT!! FEEL IT!!! Nah, I kid, I am a huge nerd who lives for this stuff.

Okee dokee, so basically the way all this works... so at home, you have a DNS and/or VPN service that allows you to watch stuff on US Netflix, watch iPlayer, and so on and so forth. You have this set up either device-by-device, or on your router, so everything behind the device automatically redirects (this is my setup). All works a treat.

The issue with Chromecast is when you send content to the Chromecast, whether it be iPlayer, Netflix, or whatever, the Chromecast doesn't stream it directly from your phone. Instead the Chromecast goes out to the internet and requests the content directly. Your phone or laptop just then acts as a remote. In the process of doing this, though, Chromecast does its own country check, and this is where the problem lies. So you can watch US Netflix or iPlayer on your phone just fine, but when you try to cast it, Chromecast is going "Google says I'm in Canada, no dice!!"

The workaround for this is to use your router to redirect the Chromecast's location request to something else, so that Chromecast thinks you're in the 'correct' country, and then it plays just fine. Most routers by default don't give you this functionality for obvious reasons. However, you can install custom software on the router, if your router is compatible, and then set up the redirect from there.

Here is my setup. I'll include links to everything I've purchased, setup links, and so on and so forth. If you have questions, feel free to post or drop me a PM.

If you are not fussed about having Chromecast work and you just want international content, then skip the bits about DD-WRT -- that is, skip Step 2 and Step 5. The instructions assume you DO do these so if you choose not to then the steps may be slightly different.

Here we go.

Step 1: Set up UnoTelly.
UnoTelly is a SmartDNS service that is set up on a site-by-site basis. So for me, when I go to Netflix, it sends me to US Netflix. When I go to BBC, it acts like I'm in the UK. When I go to TV New Zealand, it acts like I'm in New Zealand. When I go to CBC, it leaves me untouched in Canada. And so on. A lot of VPN services like ExpatShield and such you have to specify one country. A SmartDNS sends you to the selected country without having to change settings in between. I pay $48USD per year for the service. The DNS is set up in my router's firmware, so that any device (except Chromecast) that's behind the router automatically respects the DNS setup - phones, laptops, smartTVs, etc. (This greatly confused my cousin when he came over, loaded up Netflix, and went "OMG Schnooks, why is your Netflix so much different to mine!?!?!")
Site: https://www2.unotelly.com/home
There's a 7-day trial, so you can set it up on just a laptop or phone and see if you like it before paying for it.

Step 2: Install DD-WRT on your router.
DD-WRT is custom firmware for your router. It doesn't work on every router, only on compatible routers. This allows you greater flexibility and customization, and will allow you to put in the command that makes Chromecast work. If you aren't fussed about Chromecast, then DD-WRT is absolutely not required, any old router has DNS settings, which is fine for UnoTelly to work. Only do DD-WRT if you want Chromecast to work as well.
To install DD-WRT, first check to see if your router is compatible. Router Database | www.dd-wrt.com is the database for all routers. Pay special attention to the version number as well as the model number!
Routers I've personally had experience with:
1) Netgear WNDR3700 - WNDR3700 | WiFi Routers | Networking | Home | NETGEAR This is what's set up in my parents' house. Cost me $95 plus tax at TigerDirect.
2) Linksys WRT54G - Article I bought this router back in 2004, and it's still alive and kicking. Great, great router.
3) TP Link N600 TL-WDR3600 - Canada Computers & Electronics | Networking | TP-LINK N600 TL-WDR3600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router, Atheros, 300Mbps at 2.4Ghz + 300Mbps at 5Ghz, 802.11a/b/g/n, 4-port Gigabit Switch, Wireless On/Off and WPS button, 2 USB ports, 2 external anten - I got this for friends and for my aunt, both living in apartments and not wanting to spend a ton of money on a router. $55 regular price at Canada Computers (and it's $10 off right now).

To install DD-WRT, put in your router model number, then select the correct version. That will bring you to a page with a bunch of downloads. For example, when I search for TL-WDR3600, the page has three download links - the flash for the first installation, the back to stock file, and then the standard webflash file.

Then just follow the steps on the DD-WRT wiki page to install it. Installation - DD-WRT Wiki

Step 3: Set up your internet connection

1. On your laptop, go to 192.168.1.1
2. The router should give you some grumpy warning that the router is unprotected. For both username and password enter "admin"... or change it to something more secure, just make sure you remember it.
3. At the top, click the 'Wireless' tab, then under that click ''Basic Settings" (if it's not already selected)
4. In the first section, select the following:
Wireless mode: AP
Wireless Network Mode: Mixed
Channel Width: 20 MHz
Wireless Channel: 11
Extension Channel: upper
Wireless Network Name (SSID): [select a wireless network name you like]
Wireless SSID Broadcast: enable
Advanced settings: [none]

5. In the second section, select the following:
Wireless mode: AP
Wireless Network Mode: Mixed
Channel Width: Turbo (40MHz)
Wireless Channel: Auto
Extension channel: auto
Wireless Network Name (SSID): [I suggest using the same as above but adding '5G' at the end. Do not make it identical!]
Wireless SSID Broadcast: Enable
Advanced settings: [none]

6. Click Save

7. At the top again, under Wireless, click "Wireless Security"

8. In the first section, select the following:
Security mode: WPA2 Personal
WPA Algorithms: AES
WPA Shared Key: [select a password, minimum 8 characters]
Key Renewal Interval: 3600

9. In the second section, select all the same stuff as above.

10. Click Save
11. Click Apply Settings.

The router will now reboot, it takes about 60 seconds to complete. Once the router comes back up, you should see your new network name when you scan for wifi networks on your phone/laptop/whatever.

Step 4: Set Up UnoTelly

The instructions are here: DD-WRT : UnoTelly Customer Service

Log into the router (192.168.1.1, admin/admin) then follow the steps under Option 1.

When you get to Step 2 in those instructions, use the servers specified by UnoTelly.

Step 5: Set Up Chromecast inside the router

The instructions are here: DD-WRT : UnoTelly Customer Service

DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT START AFTER THE "TO REMOVE" SECTION. Once you reboot the router, you are finished


Step 6: Automatic IP updates for UnoTelly (optional)

This step is OPTIONAL. It makes life a bit easier but if it confuses you then don't worry about it.

If you want to try to follow the steps, the instructions are here: DD-WRT - Using Cronjob to Update your IP address : UnoTelly Customer Service

If you don't do it, then it just means once every few weeks you may need to update your IP manually. To do this, go to www.unotelly.com, sign in (if you aren't already), click "Quickstart" at the top so you get the dashboard with the multicoloured tiles on it, then click "Update IP". You only need to do this if you notice that your Netflix etc isn't in the right country. (Your internet provider sometimes gives you a new IP address (unless you pay for a static IP), and unotelly needs your current IP address to work properly. So the steps above automatically keep your IP address updated with unotelly, but if you want to do it manually that's also fine.)

Re: Google Chromecast
 

I am so not technologically minded!!

So I went to the dd-wrt site and it doesn't know my router...it's a sagemcom supplied by bell... does that mean there is no hope? :unsure:

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Also meant to say a huge thank you for the trouble you went to... now here's hoping I can make you proud! :thumb:

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Ah. No, you can't alter those ones. What you can do, though, is buy yourself a compatible router (that TP-Link one is great) and then use the wireless from that router instead of Bell's, then just use Bell's box as a modem.

I am going to be facing this setup when I go to my aunt's place later this month to set all this up for her, so I will report back on what I had to do to her Bell box to get it all to cooperate. From reading online, it SHOULD be possible, but I'll have a better idea of the steps etc once I've done it. I do know that you need to buy an additional router, though! But I will report back with specifics. :)

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Right. The bell boxes suck. Bell Fibe internet is wonderful wonderful and I wish it was available where I was, but the sagemcom modems suck. So do all ISP provided boxes. I digress.

DandNHill, is your internet Fibre-to-the-node or fibre-to-the-house?

You would be able to tell by checking if your Sagemcom unit has either a) what looks like a telephone cable plugged into it, or b) an Ethernet cable.

If the latter, you will be able to eliminate entirely the sagemcom POS and switch that Ethernet cable into the WAN port on a DDWRT compatible router. Then you would have to set the VLANs to 35. Then you can put the sagemcom in a drawer to rot like it should :D Anyway I'll do some tech research on the forum I found this workaround on and get back.

BUT if its the former, IE telephone line cable, you will have to keep the sagemcom going and have it in either a) Bridge mode or b) dual NAT configuration. The former has reported issues with speeds above 25/10, whilst the latter has issues port forwarding.

Also good info for you Schnooks when you head to your aunts. Find out if she has FTTN or FTTH.

DandNHill, its less complicated than it looks!!

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Thanks for the heads up Gozit, I'll keep it in mind!

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Aww, thank you again. It doesn't mean much to me all this... If it doesn't start working as soon as I set things up I am lost! lol

Re: Google Chromecast
 

See Gozit, if I wasn't confused already I am totally confused now!! There really isn't any hope! :confused:

Re: Google Chromecast
 

:lol:Its quite alright. That's what us techies are here for;) If you want it done i'm sure there is someone in your area who might be able to do it for you, friend of a friend of a friend?

Re: Google Chromecast
 

Just jumping in here with a question if I may? I thought the Chromecast just transmits whatever's on your pc or tablet and in that respect it doesn't seem to do anything more than just connect into the TV with an HDMI cable. Is there more to it than that then; is it doing something with the router directly? I would have thought that if the vpn was working on the laptop it would just beam straight to the TV.?

Re: Google Chromecast
 

I thought that too. On some sites like netflix you get a new icon for chromecast and you click on it and hey presto you have it on your tv. But with BBC iPlayer the icon is there but when I click on it all I get it a white screen with the bbc icon and a message saying iplayer is ready to cast...but doesn't! :(