In theory, you can get around this by using the Chromecast Chrome extension or a variety of Chromecast apps, which lets you cast the contents of any browser tab to the TV. Chromecast: streaming from ChromeĪs yet, there’s no support at all from other major UK catch-up services such as ITV Player or 4oD. Not all streaming services take advantage of the Chromecast’s full capabilities: although Google Play, Netflix and YouTube stream content at the device’s maximum resolution of 1080p, BBC iPlayer currently only works at up to 720p (at a bit rate of 2,800Kbits/sec). And being able to browse such services on a touchscreen or a laptop is a real boon: it’s far easier to browse and discover content this way than with an infrared remote control. You will need a fast enough broadband connection, but if you can currently watch this type of content smoothly on a laptop, chances are it will work on the Chromecast.

BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Google Play movies streamed flawlessly, from standard definition all the way up to 1080p. In more than a week of watching all manner of movies and TV episodes, we found the Chromecast barely skipped a beat.

The only thing you’ll still need it for is pausing playback, or skipping forwards and backwards. You can surf the web, play games, browse other on-demand services or even answer phone calls. This means that, once playback has started, you can carry on using the casting device for other things. Once the Chromecast receives its instructions, it pulls the video down from the internet itself and displays it independently. Although the Chromecast appears to stream video directly from the device you’re sending from, in reality the device merely serves as a glorified remote control. The clever stuff goes on behind the scenes. And that’s all there is to it: the Chromecast has no user interface of its own to bother with. With this done, content from supported apps and web-based players can be “cast” from your device to the TV with a simple tap or a click on the Chromecast icon. Next, you simply need to install the Chromecast app on your iOS, Android or Windows device, and run the setup routine to add the Chromecast to your 802.11n Wi-Fi network (note that only 2.4GHz networks are supported). If your TV has a free USB port, then you can plug the supplied cable into this for everyone else, there’s a USB mains adapter in the box. The first step is to plug it into a free HDMI socket on your TV and supply it with power via the micro-USB socket. It’s an incredibly simple device to set up. For those who haven’t been following, the Chromecast is a low-cost, key-shaped dongle that plugs into an HDMI input on your TV and lets you beam internet content from your smartphone, tablet or laptop onto the big screen. You can click that link to go to the product page.Īfter launching in the US last July, Google’s Chromecast has finally come to the UK (and a handful of other countries). DEAL UPDATE: Currys has cut the cost of the Google Chromecast, chopping its price tag down from £30 to £25.

Google chromecast review