Google Chromecast Review: Analogue of Apple TV?

Hello, residents of Habra. Since the announcement of the Chromecast, I could not understand why the device is compared with Apple TV? What is the functionality of a set-top box like a Chromecast? In fact, these are completely different things and each is good in its own way, but in this review I wanted to share my personal impressions of the “whistle” at the Apple TV level and tell about its main functions.


')
Chromecast at first glance - MiniPC with HDMI-input for the TV, but in fact, this thing does not reach the full-fledged Android-computer, yes, besides, it is unnecessarily.



Chromecast allows you to broadcast web-pages from your computer and play YouTube videos in high resolution. And, it would seem, nothing special ... but how it is done!

Google Chromecast Kit: Box, Chromecast, MicroUSB wire, American plug, instructions.



Chromecast connects to the TV using HDMI, but for this it needs power, so on the back it has an input for a microUSB cable. To get started, you need to connect the wire to the "caste" and the TV, if it has power. If not, then take the plug and stick it into the outlet.



After the first power up, you will need to configure Chromecast. This can be done both from a computer and from a phone (iOS, Android). I did with my laptop. Google.com/chromecast/setup needs to download a special application for Mac or PC. When you first start the program, it will immediately see Chromecast via Wi-FI and ask you to confirm the code, then you can give the device a name and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network that your computer (or phone) is connected to. Remarkably, Chromecast only supports networks at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz is not perceived by Google as new.

Once the program is installed, and Chromecast is set up - you can broadcast. The computer has a special button in the form of an extension.



On the phone, this button appears automatically if there is a Chromecast on your Wi-Fi network. (I, of course, am talking about the YouTube app on iOS)



In Android, the situation is similar.

The most interesting thing is that you can turn on the video and minimize the application or turn it off altogether.

No less interesting is the situation with web pages. With the help of the extension, you can broadcast any site, any window on the TV. In my case, this is useful when a new series of Interns came out on RuTube, and I want to watch it on TV. This is where Chromecast helps.

Moreover, the sound that is inside the page remains on the TV, and you can listen to music on a laptop from Vkontakte in the next window. It is competent.



The streaming button also appears in the YouTube player, and in the case of a page, you can also close the page, and the TV will continue to show the video. Great and the fact that you can put the video in the queue.

Chromecast is worth buying if you have fast internet, as with a stable speed - even at 5 Mb / s the device will take everything away, even in idle mode.



There is a Chromecast in the US - $ 35, and the first customers also received 4 months of free subscription to Netflix. In Russia, the price at the moment is not less than 4500 rubles, which is too much.

I forgot to tell you about the ergonomics of the device: it really is top notch and the Chrome logo gives confidence, but in fact this thing will stick up behind your TV, so I don’t see any reason to discuss it. The box is also cool.

Returning to the issue of Apple TV, I think it’s not competent to compare these consoles. Apple TV has more functionality than Chromecast. For example, AirPlay broadcasts not only video, but in general everything that happens on a Mac, iPhone or iPad. She has her own movie store and other benefits. But there are no drawbacks either: firstly, the price is $ 100, secondly, the irrelevance for Russia, and thirdly, Apple TV cannot be controlled using Android or Chrome.

But, as usual, once Western journalists called it a rival of Apple TV - people will choose ... between a stove and a refrigerator. In addition, in Russia now prices are about the same.

PS Chromecast was given to me for a test, but I liked it so much that I would buy it for myself. For $ 35, naturally.