Chrome gadgets

[richardfinegold]

Yes, our Public Broadcasting comes largely from the U.K. It is rather shameful .
The ATV offers a mix of 'free' and a la carte apps. The Internet Radio offerings are largely free although some stations solicit for contributions. Hulu is a free app, and it offers a lot of shows, but there is advertising.
We just bought a new MacBook Pro today. My wife wanted the 15 inch screen but the price differential between that and the 13 inch was $700.00--incredible. I convinced my wife that when she really wants a bigger screen we can use Air Play to project to our 50 inch 10 year old Plasma screen. I will need the ATV for Air Play since the TV is a 'dumb' TV (in more ways than one). So I guess that terminates experimentation with ATV competitors

[Dave2002]

I will need the ATV for Air Play since the TV is a 'dumb' TV (in more ways than one). So I guess that terminates experimentation with ATV competitors

Sounds as though your TV has HDMI - not bad for a 10 year old set. I can use ATV with our large screen if I want to do computer work - which I hardly ever do on that screen, but for watching video I find that via the computers there are too many sync and similar problems. Those issues don't really affect just general computer working though, or presentations - providing they don't contain fast frame video.

Often I just use a long HDMI cable plugged directly into my MBP. I sometimes have the Roku and/or the Chromecast linked in as well, via an HDMI (auto) swtich box, and the Chromecast can work with the MBP and also with Android phones. Do they sell that in the USA? Probably not a great need for it if the ATV works, though the Chromecast here is very cheap in comparison with the ATV.

Good luck with it all, anyway.

[Dave2002]

I am receiving reports that the STV app for watching some TV offerings in Scotland does not work with Chromecast and iPads. A similar observation has been made about STV and Now TV though I have not verified the behaviour. The fix, mentioned elsewhere, to put in an English postcode, or even a Scottish code, but for regions closer to the Borders, does not work.

It may be possible to get STV to work with a regular computer and Chromecast devices, using a window in the Chrome browser.

[richardfinegold]

Now that I ave a video monitor attached to my Oppo and the Oppo has USB inputs perhaps I will pick up a chrome and experiment with it.

[Dave2002]

Now that I have a video monitor attached to my Oppo and the Oppo has USB inputs perhaps I will pick up a chrome and experiment with it.

I hope they are cheap where you are. I don't quite see how the USB will help. Experimentation is fine, but don't feel you have to waste your money unless you are sure that there should be a way of getting this working.

Over here, one issue, apart from whether the various gadgets (e.g. ATV. Chromecast, Now TV, Fire Eric.) work technically is what TV channels they may be bundled with, or what channels they block, or don't support. It seems that the devices may not be universal throughout the UK.

Slightly different tack - I have wondered whether it's worth checking out the Chromecast Audio device, which as far as I can see provides a way of getting digital output for feeding to a DAC, though it may not support the highest res audio formats, and the issue of putting a wifi link anywhere in the chain, even if it is a digital link, may prove to be present problems - I just don't know. OTOH if it can get good quality audio from a device such as an iPad or an Android phone, it may turn out to be useful. In years gone by there used to be iPod/iPad docks which could give a good audio quality digital output via a wired connection, but these seem mostly to have now "died the death", perhaps because of a very small market, and also because many devices are now wireless, and finally because of changes e.g. from Apple - in the connections to various tablets. Unfortunately I still have a hunch that in some situations a direct wired connection all the way from source (tablet?) to amp is the best option for audio, but majority convenience .......???!!!!!!!!

[Cockney Sparrow]

We have a latest model Chromecast for TV. We nearly always watch BBC channels (I record other channels onto a DVD recorder when necessary). The iPlayer replay is pretty good. The TV unit was recently redesigned (last year or 2?) and the audio launched in I think the last year. Google seem to be backing it heavily - there's been promotions at surely no profit levels. I'd bet it will be supported for a decent period.

We also have chromecast audios. They were being sold at £15 with free delivery from Currys, and it is said to contain a pretty good DAC** but I am no expert. It can output from a 3.5mm socket via a splitter lead to 2 RCA phono connectors - or taking the Cr audio DAC out of the equation, send the raw data (via a Toslink cable with the 3.5mm moulded ending or adaptor) and use whatever DAC you have. I use the latter. Seems to me for wireless streaming my other alternative, as I'm non-Apple, is Sonos with their connects going for about £200 per unit. (**Albeit I don't have golden ears, but as I'm post 50 years old I'm also lucky my hearing isn't much impaired).

Chromecasts sound good to me - but they only usually output at 320kbs mp3. They are designed to interface with music streamed from Spotify, Google Play music and radio iPlayer etc, it seems. All three of those have a Chromecast button on the windows to start casting to the Chromecast from a mobile or table (or I understand a Chrome window on a laptop etc). You can also cast from the mobile/tablet screen but then your mobile has to stay within the room (like bluetooth). (The button in the iPlayer window invokes a connection of the Cr audio to the home wi-fi which means you can leave the room (the house) and it carries on).

One issue I've found is that after a break of - probably days or weeks, my Android mobile doesn't "see" the Chr audio (even when sitting on top of it) and I need to power off an on the Cr audio to invoke that. But as I use it infrequently in any one place (life is too busy - my office speakers are connected by leads to my PC and I often just play a CD elsewhere) I've taken to using an infra red plug switch to power them (and the speakers) down to save power.

I understand the Cr audio is capable of handling FLAC, but it depends on the replay software used and it all seems rather "under the bonnet to me". I still need to reserve a few weeks to get to grips with computer audio (probably J River definitely not iTunes) so that is an agenda item for me.

If you'd like something to get your teeth into, here is a description of how to use Chromecasts to replay audio - "Streaming Around The Globe Or Around The Home With JRiver Media Center"

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/685-streaming-around-globe-or-around-home-jriver-media-center/

Found on this thread

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f3-article-comments/article-streaming-around-globe-or-around-home-jriver-media-center-27922/

It does seem to be clearly written, so suitable for me as I will be going well beyond the boundaries of my present knowledge. So I'll either shell out for Sonos or give this a go, when I have some time.

[richardfinegold]

We have a latest model Chromecast for TV. We nearly always watch BBC channels (I record other channels onto a DVD recorder when necessary). The iPlayer replay is pretty good. The TV unit was recently redesigned (last year or 2?) and the audio launched in I think the last year. Google seem to be backing it heavily - there's been promotions at surely no profit levels. I'd bet it will be supported for a decent period.

We also have chromecast audios. They were being sold at £15 with free delivery from Currys, and it is said to contain a pretty good DAC** but I am no expert. It can output from a 3.5mm socket via a splitter lead to 2 RCA phono connectors - or taking the Cr audio DAC out of the equation, send the raw data (via a Toslink cable with the 3.5mm moulded ending or adaptor) and use whatever DAC you have. I use the latter. Seems to me for wireless streaming my other alternative, as I'm non-Apple, is Sonos with their connects going for about £200 per unit. (**Albeit I don't have golden ears, but as I'm post 50 years old I'm also lucky my hearing isn't much impaired).

Chromecasts sound good to me - but they only usually output at 320kbs mp3. They are designed to interface with music streamed from Spotify, Google Play music and radio iPlayer etc, it seems. All three of those have a Chromecast button on the windows to start casting to the Chromecast from a mobile or table (or I understand a Chrome window on a laptop etc). You can also cast from the mobile/tablet screen but then your mobile has to stay within the room (like bluetooth). (The button in the iPlayer window invokes a connection of the Cr audio to the home wi-fi which means you can leave the room (the house) and it carries on).

One issue I've found is that after a break of - probably days or weeks, my Android mobile doesn't "see" the Chr audio (even when sitting on top of it) and I need to power off an on the Cr audio to invoke that. But as I use it infrequently in any one place (life is too busy - my office speakers are connected by leads to my PC and I often just play a CD elsewhere) I've taken to using an infra red plug switch to power them (and the speakers) down to save power.

I understand the Cr audio is capable of handling FLAC, but it depends on the replay software used and it all seems rather "under the bonnet to me". I still need to reserve a few weeks to get to grips with computer audio (probably J River definitely not iTunes) so that is an agenda item for me.

If you'd like something to get your teeth into, here is a description of how to use Chromecasts to replay audio - "Streaming Around The Globe Or Around The Home With JRiver Media Center"

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/685-streaming-around-globe-or-around-home-jriver-media-center/

Found on this thread

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f3-article-comments/article-streaming-around-globe-or-around-home-jriver-media-center-27922/

It does seem to be clearly written, so suitable for me as I will be going well beyond the boundaries of my present knowledge. So I'll either shell out for Sonos or give this a go, when I have some time.

Thanks CS that was helpful.
It sounds like the Chromecast connects with streaming source via a technology similar to Bluetooth or AirPlay. It also sounds as if Chromecast is a little buggy. I think that I will hold off; I am mentally exhausted after fighting a battle playing FLAC files on a Mac

[Cockney Sparrow]

I understand. It all seems a bit complicated... I'm not responding to you directly RF - I'm sure there is an all apple solution once you have those files in a compatible format. I hope you re-engage with the struggle and find the software to enable you to succeed (I'm afraid as a non Apple user I haven't really noted the ins and out of the discussion of converting from FLAC to AIFF).

However with regard to Chromcast audio itself, and just to say - as I understand it, I'm using my mobile or tablet to be a remote control - it sets up the streaming of the music from the wi-fi router to the Chr Audio itself. The phone/tablet doesn't then need to be in the house. (I find the device on the Chromecast app and disconnect it if necessary). Bluetooth is a lossy system, whereas the Chr audio can pass on all the file data (so lossless streaming and if output via the optical lead lossless to the next device - a DAC, etc. ).

If I'm playing from my tablet and there is no button to invoke Chromecast (there isn't in Naxos Music Library for instance) I can still use the Chr audio (by casting the screen audio to it) but then yes, it resembles Bluetooth because my tablet or phone is streaming the data to the Chr audio, its not coming from the wifi router but from the phone/tablet.

I glance through the Hi Fi mags in the newsagents and note the units selling at £2,000 (or more, name your price) - branded, tying your music files to their unit/ecosystem, and streaming it losslessly. Sonos offers this for £200 per end audio unit, and Chromecast for a lot less. We're all free to exercise our choice.
.

[Dave2002]

CS

Thanks for telling us your experiences. I may try to pick up an audio chrome device - but the best price I've seen so far is £20. You were lucky to get yours for £15 I think.

Richard

IF you shy away from the Chromecast gadget(s) wouldn't your ATV at least solve the problem of having too small a display on the new MBP for looking at bills etc.? I think for that application there's a reasonable chance of getting an acceptable result if you don't want to try for an HDMI cable as mentioned around msgs 17 and 20.

[richardfinegold]

I understand. It all seems a bit complicated... I'm not responding to you directly to you RF - I'm sure there is an all apple solution once you have those files in a compatible format. I hope you re-engage with the struggle and find the software to enable you to succeed (I'm afraid as a non Apple user I haven't really noted the ins and out of the discussion of converting from FLAC to AIFF).

However with regard to Chromcast audio itself, and just to say - as I understand it, I'm using my mobile or tablet to be a remote control - it sets up the streaming of the music from the wi-fi router to the Chr Audio itself. The phone/tablet doesn't then need to be in the house. (I find the device on the Chromecast app and disconnect it if necessary). Bluetooth is a lossy system, whereas the Chr audio can pass on all the file data (so lossless streaming and if output via the optical lead lossless to the next device - a DAC, etc. ).

If I'm playing from my tablet and there is no button to invoke Chromecast (there isn't in Naxos Music Library for instance) I can still use the Chr audio (by casting the screen audio to it) but then yes, it resembles Bluetooth because my tablet or phone is streaming the data to the Chr audio, its not coming from the wifi router but from the phone/tablet.

I glance through the Hi Fi mags in the newsagents and note the units selling at £2,000 (or more, name your price) - branded, tying your music files to their unit/ecosystem, and streaming it losslessly. Sonos offers this for £200 per end audio unit, and Chromecast for a lot less. We're all free to exercise our choice.
.

OK, thanks for that clarification. Yes, blutooth is lossy and while I use it for popular music (streamed from my phone) I prefer not to use it for Classical, although with the latest iteration of BT the quality has definitely improved. I haven't tried Airplay in a while, I remember not being to impressed with it.
Yes, one can certainly spend big bucks in Audio unnecessarily. I opted against Sonos and went for Blusound for whole house streaming. I have units in 3 rooms for a total outlay of about $1800 before tax but I'm happy with it. I like streaming the High Res Files around the House (I'm recuperating from Surgery now and have the House to myself
so I can just blast away). The new Sonos however is a big improvement sonically--before you were stuck using their all in one amp/speaker units and couldn't mate it with your own system and since most of my music isn't actually High Res and since the Sonos is definitely cheaper it probably would have been the more economically sensible choice.
The upshot of my flac/mac battle is that I resolved it by adding a monitor to the system that contains my Oppo 105. That enables me to use the usb ports of the Oppo which plays flac files without conversion. Another $100 for the monitor but what the hey. Iwill next be watching a Blu Ray of Haitink conducting Mahler 3 so it's all good.

[richardfinegold]

CS

Thanks for telling us your experiences. I may try to pick up an audio chrome device - but the best price I've seen so far is £20. You were lucky to get yours for £15 I think.

Richard

IF you shy away from the Chromecast gadget(s) wouldn't your ATV at least solve the problem of having too small a display on the new MBP for looking at bills etc.? I think for that application there's a reasonable chance of getting an acceptable result if you don't want to try for an HDMI cable as mentioned around msgs 17 and 20.

Yes Dave the ATV would solve that problem but that would involve using Air Play, and as you and I discussed earlier, AirPlay tends to be unreliable and unstable (since I don't have cable, I've tried using it for internet content and it's buggy, lots of dropouts, etc). My wife now says she is fine with the 13inch Monitor on her new MBP but as I related in the above post I am glad that I added the monitor to my two channel system.

[Dave2002]

Yes Dave the ATV would solve that problem but that would involve using Air Play, and as you and I discussed earlier, AirPlay tends to be unreliable and unstable (since I don't have cable, I've tried using it for internet content and it's buggy, lots of dropouts, etc). My wife now says she is fine with the 13inch Monitor on her new MBP but as I related in the above post I am glad that I added the monitor to my two channel system.

I must say I don't understand the ATV business at all. Some people here have said what a great device it is - and those seemed to be a 2nd or even 3rd gen devices. Mine is a 3rd gen device, and mostly when I've tried to use it I have had problems. I don't know whether the reason is because of my LAN configuration, or something else, but it isn't always good, so tends not to get used.

However, I just watched a trailer for the Florence Foster Jenkins film, which I suspect we missed at the cinema, and the quality of that was really rather good. On the other hand, for UK viewers it's madness that Apple don't provide access to the BBC iPlayer streams, but there is a lot of TV content available from the iTunes store - including several which are current and free to watch - even in HD - from broadcast channels, or via UK catchup services. Examples - Poldark (£9.99 the series), Victoria (£16.99 the series). The only reason I can think of why anyone would now use those in the UK is because presumably paying for the content via the iTunes store would not require payment of the UK licence fee - but I don't think many people are going to worry too much about that. Most will have a licence already, while the ones who don't ......

I have written before that I think Apple lost the plot re the UK market - not on the ball at all.

Watch out for another thread on streaming versus downloads - coming up.

[Dave2002]

For the next few days Tesco have the Chromecast Audio device for £20. I might give this a test run.