While it seems that Chromecast is for streaming the likes of Netfilex and Hulu, does it also offer the rather basic ability to to simply replicate what's on one's computer (Mac or PC) screen, on a TV?

I've been using a device called Imation Link for a couple or so years. It works fairly well, but is only 720. I sometimes want to throw my desktop on the big screen, do some work (Excel, Word, etc), pull up some stock charts in various trading platforms...

AppleTV is strictly Apple devices, which is fine (on a Mac now), but it can do this with Mountain Lion's AirPlay Mirroring. It seems that AirPlay is just for IOS devices now? Ok, it seems to be an option on Mavericks too... Maybe this might work for me. Not for my wife's PC though...

If anyone has any experience with Chromecast or even AppleTV, wirelessly transmitting their computer screen to an HDTV, please chime-in. Thanks.

yes, chromecast simply replicates whatever is open on your google chrome web browser on to the television screen. I watch Game of Thrones & watched True Detective via chromecast with the aide of a tablet. Sometimes it takes a while to load the desired show (that could just be HBO's system was overloaded with users on Sunday nights), but it is generally pretty good.

golden sloth;842321793 said:

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yes, chromecast simply replicates whatever is open on your google chrome web browser on to the television screen. I watch Game of Thrones & watched True Detective via chromecast with the aide of a tablet. Sometimes it takes a while to load the desired show (that could just be HBO's system was overloaded with users on Sunday nights), but it is generally pretty good.

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Thanks golden sloth.

I'm googling now this very subject, and I think this might work for me:

http://allaboutchromecast.com/chromecast-how-to-guide/how-to-use-chromecast-to-share-desktop-screen-and-audio-to-tv/

When you say that it replicates whatever is on your Google Chrome browser, will also replicate when you are not in that browser (which I'm using now), like with a different browser (Firefox, IE, etc), or no browser at all, just the desktop, a Word doc, anything that one would see on the computer screen?

From the above link I provided, it seems that it can. For PC's, Macs and IOS devices too? Still reading-up now, but hoping to get info from folks who have actual experience doing so...

With Apple TV when you are showing what is on your ipad, iphone or computer is basically called mirroring. When you use Chromecast for an app, you are not really mirroring, but using your tablet/phone to direct your router to stream to the dongle. That is why you can use your tablet/phone for other things during the playback. You do not have to be playing the actual movie or whatever. If you use your Chrome browser to show something on the TV, that is called casting a tab, and that is more like mirroring. There is a small book on Amazon that is written pretty well explaining Chromecast. On my Galaxy S4, I actually have a setting called screen mirroring. On Apple TV, when you are mirroring, you are more using the airplay feature more than the Apple TV box itself.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1494820609/ref=oh_details_o08_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It'll stream whatever is in your browser, so long as the browser is Chrome and you have the Google Cast extension. If you can load it in the browser, it'll stream it over.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?hl=en

Thanks everyone. daveddts, very clear and confirms what I am reading...

For those with Chromecast, can you confirm that you can cast your desktop, maybe open a Word doc and see it on the TV?

From what I just read, this seems to be in Beta, or was at one time. One would seemingly need to select “Cast entire screen (experimental)”.

Is that still an option, or something comparable to cast the desktop, computer screen?

This video is from about 8 months ago...



If still available, I wonder if it's better, namely:

1. Can one see the mouse / cursor now?
2. Audio?
3. Less lag?

Mirroring with AppleTV & AirPlay doesn't seem to have any of the above...

Cal89;842321814 said:

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This video is from about 8 months ago...



If still available, I wonder if it's better, namely:

1. Can one see the mouse / cursor now?
2. Audio?
3. Less lag?

Mirroring with AppleTV & AirPlay doesn't seem to have any of the above...

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I have not actually cast a tab yet. I only use it for some Korean Dramas and such. Check out that book I sent you the link to from Amazon. For 9 bucks you will be the God of Chromecast. And the casting part was also in Beta when I bought mine also. I have not gotten around to using the full potential, but the book is awesome

davetdds;842321817 said:

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I have not actually cast a tab yet. I only use it for some Korean Dramas and such. Check out that book I sent you the link to from Amazon. For 9 bucks you will be the God of Chromecast. And the casting part was also in Beta when I bought mine also. I have not gotten around to using the full potential, but the book is awesome

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Thanks Dave. I'll most certainly get the book if I decide to get the Chromecast.

If one is not able to see the mouse / cursor (mirror mode), that's a dealbreaker for me as I need such when displaying docs, charting stocks, etc... Audio would be nice too in mirror mode (cast entire screen).

I was hoping Chromecast would be the answer as it would work for the entire family (Mac and PC)...

davetdds;842321817 said:

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I have not actually cast a tab yet. I only use it for some Korean Dramas and such. Check out that book I sent you the link to from Amazon. For 9 bucks you will be the God of Chromecast. And the casting part was also in Beta when I bought mine also. I have not gotten around to using the full potential, but the book is awesome

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Hold on!.. You watch Korean Dramas?

how is the quality of the tab-cast with chrome? i didn't get a chromecast because i read on amazon that at first, you could cast your tab to your tv, but then they removed that feature with a firmware upgrade and you can't anymore. those who hadn't upgraded their firmware said the image quality wasn't that great, and it kept buffering or shutting off entirely, mid-stream. is it all working smoothly now? might have to get one. i use a roku and have a slingbox at a friend's house in the bay area, but to do that, you have to sling it from your phone to the roku, and the image quality is probably 480i at best.

NYCGOBEARS;842321835 said:

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Hold on!.. You watch Korean Dramas?

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Who doesn't?

Alright, I own a chromecast (and was in the initial group that got them) and use it all the time. I'll try to answer all the questions you have on it, but if I miss anything, let me know.


While it seems that Chromecast is for streaming the likes of Netfilex and Hulu, does it also offer the rather basic ability to to simply replicate what's on one's computer (Mac or PC) screen, on a TV?
In the current iteration you can replicate anything that can be shown via the Chrome browser (If you aren't using chrome already I highly recommend it. Way better than IE, I personally prefer it over firefox). You can actually drag video and pictures into the chrome browser and have them play that way as well. Casting videos from Youtube is a simple click, casting individual tabs is also quite simple. You can also cast from other devices (like your phone, tablets, etc) as long as they have the chromecast program.
If I cast something like a stream, I don't need to keep that tab up, chromecast will pull the stream directly from the site itself once you initialize it. If you close the tab you obviously won't be able to control pausing or rewinding, but it is a nice feature.

I have not had experience casting my entire desktop. I can check when I get home, but i see no reason why it would not work.

Can one see the mouse / cursor now? Honestly don't remember. I will need to check when I get home, but I have had no issues.
Audio? Comes in via the TV speakers. haven't had any issues. (Frequently stream Cal sports or esports streams)
Less lag? Not really "lag" per se, but as you are transmitting a lot of data wirelessly you will have a slight delay.

how is the quality of the tab-cast with chrome? I frequently will tab-cast, and have not noticed any issues with quality. I've streamed many a Cal sports game from the Pac-12 network using the tabcast.

Cal Panda Bear;842321844 said:

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Who doesn't?

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I don't. My mom does.

I am in love with my Chromecasts.

At $30 or so bucks a pop when on sale, they're a tremendous bargain. You can get an HDMI adapter and cut out the display need and essentially replicate the function of a Sonos.

These things are spectacular.

First, before I forget, I ordered a Chromecast via Amazon last night. For 30 bucks, and after some research, and your input, it seems that one cannot got all that wrong...

Maxdarkfire, thanks for the detailed response. When you say there is audio on the TV speakers, to be sure we are on the same page, there is audio when mirroring or after selecting "cast entire screen"? In one of the YouTube review links I provided earlier, that was one the drawbacks when casting the entire screen or mirroring - no audio.

Please do check on the ability to see the mouse / cursor on the big screen. I can see why many would not want to see it of course. But there are times and applications where it would help...

Anyone have the Kinivo HDMI switch, along with their Chromecast? I have the 5->1 coming tomorrow (new TV this Friday), and the 3->1 for my pop, a Father's Day gift...

http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-Premium-wireless-adapter/dp/B0049SCB2Y/ref=pd_cp_e_0

Apparently there are issues with AppleTV and the cool auto-switching on this thing as AppleTV is always emitting a signal on the HDMI port. Really curious if Chromecast behaves better with this switch. If not, I'd just go direct to the TV I suppose...

Quote:

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Maxdarkfire, thanks for the detailed response. When you say there is audio on the TV speakers, to be sure we are on the same page, there is audio when mirroring or after selecting "cast entire screen"? In one of the YouTube review links I provided earlier, that was one the drawbacks when casting the entire screen or mirroring - no audio.

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There is definitely audio when casting anything to the TV. Again I have no idea about full screen mirroring as of yet.

Quote:

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Anyone have the Kinivo HDMI switch, along with their Chromecast? I have the 5->1 coming tomorrow (new TV this Friday), and the 3->1 for my pop, a Father's Day gift...

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I actually use a 3 ->1 switch for my Chromecast, Wiiu, XBox. I works really well. At least with my setup, when I cast something to my chromecast, my system automatically switches to that HDMI input without having to swap the input with the remote.
http://www.amazon.com/Port-HDMI-Pigtail-Switch-Cable/dp/B0030AZ44O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1401900972&sr=1-1&keywords=hdmi+splitter+3+to+1

Maxdarkfire;842321892 said:

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There is definitely audio when casting anything to the TV. Again I have no idea about full screen mirroring as of yet.


I actually use a 3 ->1 switch for my Chromecast, Wiiu, XBox. I works really well. At least with my setup, when I cast something to my chromecast, my system automatically switches to that HDMI input without having to swap the input with the remote.
http://www.amazon.com/Port-HDMI-Pigtail-Switch-Cable/dp/B0030AZ44O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1401900972&sr=1-1&keywords=hdmi+splitter+3+to+1

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http://www.amazon.com/Portta-PET0301S-HDMI-Switcher-Support/dp/B00B46XUQU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1401901290&sr=1-1&keywords=hdmi+switch

I've had good results with this cheap 3 to 1. I have a PS3 and Wii U currently connected to it. 3rd space on the splitter is unoccupied for me right now since I'm can use the other HDMI ports on the TV for my Chromecast and Xbox One (which has the cable running through it).

WatchESPN was just added. Excellent.

NYCGOBEARS;842321835 said:

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Hold on!.. You watch Korean Dramas?

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Of course. But I only watch the Sageuk's, ( the old historic ones around the Josean Dynasty). Jumong is my all time favorite. 80 episodes, long ass series. LOL

Hey Cal89. The only reason I bought it was because my g.f. wanted to watch her Korean dramas on a website called Viki. Roku, Apple, do not have that app on their boxes, but Chromecast does. I can stream all my other stuff, like Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, Youtube through my Blu-ray player which is wifi. I told her not to buy Apple TV just to mirror through airplay when we could do it through Chromecast.

I am no expert, but in terms of documents, pics, etc. you just have to use "Google Docs" and yes, on your screen.
I have Verizon Fios and there was a fluky thing about going into the Verizon account and trying to watch movies: there was no audio. (This would be the case of a having a second home that has a different provider, and/or you have less movie channels, etc.)...

Just tried Screen cast and it works moderately well. A bit of buffering when I had a bunch of stuff up. I couldn't quickly figure out how to do audio, but that could be part of the experimental factor. The mouse showed up fine in the screen cast.

The mouse does not show up when you tab cast.

davetdds;842321995 said:

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Of course. But I only watch the Sageuk's, ( the old historic ones around the Josean Dynasty). Jumong is my all time favorite. 80 episodes, long ass series. LOL

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Dave, that's awesome.

NYCGOBEARS;842322091 said:

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Dave, that's awesome.

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I'm also learning to speak a lttle also, but don't know the Hangul at all. Cum sa hamnida. !!!

davetdds;842322104 said:

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I'm also learning to speak a lttle also, but don't know the Hangul at all. Cum sa hamnida. !!!

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By the time we meet you will be more korean than me!

HaloBear;842321873 said:

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I am in love with my Chromecasts.

At $30 or so bucks a pop when on sale, they're a tremendous bargain. You can get an HDMI adapter and cut out the display need and essentially replicate the function of a Sonos.

These things are spectacular.

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What do you mean? Use your tv as a wireless speaker?

HaasBear04;842322326 said:

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What do you mean? Use your tv as a wireless speaker?

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No, you can set a Chromecast up on your network, disconnect it from the display and then attach it to an adapter that has an audio output which you'd run directly to a receiver.

Voila! Sonos Jr. using your existing setup for around $40-45.

Maxdarkfire;842322050 said:

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Just tried Screen cast and it works moderately well. A bit of buffering when I had a bunch of stuff up. I couldn't quickly figure out how to do audio, but that could be part of the experimental factor. The mouse showed up fine in the screen cast.

The mouse does not show up when you tab cast.

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Thanks for confirming what I had read / seen on YouTube (no audio and sometimes no visible mouse).

For whoever mentioned Google Docs, thank you. I forgot that I set that up some time ago. Also, Google Drive, I would think, right, as far opening docs and viewing them...

Since I get this tomorrow, I'll see for myself fairly soon. I hope I'll be able to open trading apps like MultiCharts, Tradestation and ThinkorSwim and see detailed charts on the big screen...

As to Korean, what a cool alphabet, very modern and purely phonetic, in a logical way too. I remember being able to read Korean newspapers, yet not knowing what I was saying though. I remember that just by adding one line to several characters, the sound went from "a" to "ya", or from "e" to "ye".... Contrast that to Chinese where a character can mean not just word, but a thought or concept, is a huge difference in the written languages. The Korean phonetic alphabet reminds me of the Chinese "ba" "pa" "ma" fa" or the Japanese Katakana, both pronunciation-based too... I think Hiragana also. These of course are not the main written languages though, unlike Korean, which is....

Ok, back to Chromecast...

This is all Korean to me. I could never quite get my head around exactly how a Chromecast works and what it does for you.

I have a computer in my living room with an HDMI cable to my TV. So the TV is a extension of my desktop. It's not an HTPC, it's for general use so I don't use a remote, I just use the keyboard and mouse to directly play movies or run Netflix.

Does the Chromecast do something that I can't already do?

TouchedTheAxeIn82;842322356 said:

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This is all Korean to me. I could never quite get my head around exactly how a Chromecast works and what it does for you.

I have a computer in my living room with an HDMI cable to my TV. So the TV is a extension of my desktop. It's not an HTPC, it's for general use so I don't use a remote, I just use the keyboard and mouse to directly play movies or run Netflix.

Does the Chromecast do something that I can't already do?

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It'd simplify your setup and give you more options to play your media.

1. No cables running from PC to TV
2. No need to physically drag windows to the other screen and full screen to play from TV and/or duplicate the screen each time (with resolution issues inherent in duplication)
3. Ability to control stuff from your phone (de facto remote) or any other computer in the house
4. Works with apps like Plex that would let you play media off your computer so that you have a HTPC/Media Server type setup