[Review] Google Chromecast - A Tiny, Affordable HDMI Media Streaming Dongle

[Sherra]

Chromecast is able to stream local files through chrome browser but limited to 720p and it depends on your PC hardware to transcode so it might lag if you have an old PC.

The intended usage currently is mainly for Netflix(Requires VPN router)/Youtube streaming which you launch on your tablet to play on the TV without remote. In future, most likely apps like Plex will be supported so you can play local content stored from your tablet/phone.

If you have Apple devices at home, can also consider Apple Tv as it can do everything that the Chromecast is able to do and with more apps available. But if you prefer the lower cost and don't mind waiting for more features to be added, then get the Chromecast.

hmm from the first paragraph, do you mean that, i'm able to stream local content on my pc like .mkv/.avi files that is pre-downloaded to my TV via chrome browser onto my tv using chromecast?

Never knew the browser could do such things, playing files..?

 

[Kikstyo]

hmm from the first paragraph, do you mean that, i'm able to stream local content on my pc like .mkv/.avi files that is pre-downloaded to my TV via chrome browser onto my tv using chromecast?

Never knew the browser could do such things, playing files..?

Just drag the file to the chrome browser and cast the tab to chromecast. It does not support subtitles for mkv and I read the playback might not be totally smooth.

Ideally, you want to be able to cast local content from your tablet/phones and not your PC but this feature has not been added yet.

 

[jchoong]

For running Netflix on ChromeCast outside of US, you need to configure the iptables in your router due to ChromeCast hard coding Goggle DNS servers. Read the following guide regarding the configuration of DD-WRT router (using your own VPN DNS IP):

[HOWTO] Chromecast/Netflix outside USA without VPN - xda-developers

I am getting mine soon but if you can figure this out, please share.

Thanks. I have been using the xda guideline but got stuck in changing the DNS of my Starhub D-LinkN5402SP modem router. I have to admit that I don't really know anything about router, and get nervous in making settings. Hopefully someone has been successful in changing his router's DNS can share the procedure here. Thanks in advance.

Edit: I managed to make the DNS chages (primary and secondary), but chromecast still does not work with NetFlix.

 

[jchoong]

Anyone can help with Netflix setup?

 

[jayz_sg]

I managed to get the Chromecast to work with Netflix.

You need to set a static IP for the chromecast in the router and redirect the dns traffic to your dns service. Those using MR teleport, have to look for other means as when i tried it, it does not work. When i tried another dns service it works flawlessly.

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -s xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -d 8.8.8.8 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -s xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -d 8.8.4.4 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy

change xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx to your static IP of your chromecast and change yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy to your DNS service IP address. This should work for Asus routers, for other routers the iptables commands may be different. And for Asus routers with original firmware, the iptables will be cleared once you reboot the router. As far as I know you need a custom firmware for the iptables to stick, I am using merlin firmware.

I am currently using unblock-us trial which is working great. If you are using a VPN service like StrongVPN via another router then I guess the chromecast should work without any issues.

 

[pustefix]

I managed to get the Chromecast to work with Netflix.

You need to set a static IP for the chromecast in the router and redirect the dns traffic to your dns service. Those using MR teleport, have to look for other means as when i tried it, it does not work. When i tried another dns service it works flawlessly.

Thanks for the detailed information. I am on MR teleport and was wondering why it is not working. I am using Asus RT-N56U router using stock firmware. I enabled telnet on the router and enter the iptables command but am getting the endless spinning on the Netflix screen. I will try another DNS service.

 

[jayz_sg]

Thanks for the detailed information. I am on MR teleport and was wondering why it is not working. I am using Asus RT-N56U router using stock firmware. I enabled telnet on the router and enter the iptables command but am getting the endless spinning on the Netflix screen. I will try another DNS service.

No worries, I was confused as well till I figured out that the MR DNS was the issue. I have logged a case with MR to see what they can do at their end. If you can log a case as well, I believe they will get it fixed soon.

I have to say that I was amazed at the quality that the Chromecast is able to stream.

 

[jchoong]

I am currently using unblock-us trial which is working great. If you are using a VPN service like StrongVPN via another router then I guess the chromecast should work without any issues.

I have a VPN account and can access NetFlix on my PC but cannot ChromeCast to my Samsung TV. Is it correct that with a VPN, I don't need to set the ip tables?

 

[jayz_sg]

I have a VPN account and can access NetFlix on my PC but cannot ChromeCast to my Samsung TV. Is it correct that with a VPN, I don't need to set the ip tables?

How are you connecting to your VPN provider? Via a windows native dialer? Or some software dialer? Or do you have another router that connects to the VPN service? Maybe you can share your VPN provider and those who are using the same provider can help you out.

Btw if you are just using a VPN dialer to watch Netflix, then the chromecast will not work for Netflix.

 

[pustefix]

I have a VPN account and can access NetFlix on my PC but cannot ChromeCast to my Samsung TV. Is it correct that with a VPN, I don't need to set the ip tables?

From your previous post, you are using private internet access for VPN. I have a friend that is using the same VPN and he is able to use ChromeCast with Netflix. However, he is using DD-WRT firmware for his router and follow the instruction for DD-WRT PPTP setup, no need for iptables. If you are using the app on Windows or Android, you will not be able to get ChromeCast to work with Netflix.

 

[jayz_sg]

Chromecast is now supported for Hulu Plus!
Can't wait to go home to try it.

 

[jchoong]

From your previous post, you are using private internet access for VPN. I have a friend that is using the same VPN and he is able to use ChromeCast with Netflix. However, he is using DD-WRT firmware for his router and follow the instruction for DD-WRT PPTP setup, no need for iptables. If you are using the app on Windows or Android, you will not be able to get ChromeCast to work with Netflix.

Thanks guys for the help; I am presently travelling and will work on my ChromeCast using your suggestions when I get home. Thanks in advance.

 

[rak3nn]

any updates to play local media instead the chrome approach...

this keeps me from playing movies with DTS and AC3 audio...

 

[jchoong]

jayz_sg and pustefix: thanks for your comments and suggestions. I am now back and got some time to take another look on setting up Netflix for Chromecast. I have read again the 3 pages of this thread but still lost as I am not conversant with routers. Below is my setup:

1) D-Link DVG-N5402SP modem router supplied by Starhub
2) Acer PC running Windows 8
3) Private Internet Access VPN
4) Netflix account is working (can play movies on my PC but cannot Chromecast)
5) Samsung smart TV with Chromecast

I noticed my D-Link router is not supported by DD-WRT firmware.

I have managed to go into my D-Link router and manually select the DHCP to set the DNS settings to:
50.112.186.233 and 50.112.143.40

My D-Link router menu does not have DNSMasq setting option; thus don't know how to input iptables.

So, I am stuck, and still unable to cast Netflix from my PC to the TV. Please help - with as much details as possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[amberlove]

I have a VPN account too

 

[jayz_sg]

jayz_sg and pustefix: thanks for your comments and suggestions. I am now back and got some time to take another look on setting up Netflix for Chromecast. I have read again the 3 pages of this thread but still lost as I am not conversant with routers. Below is my setup:

1) D-Link DVG-N5402SP modem router supplied by Starhub
2) Acer PC running Windows 8
3) Private Internet Access VPN
4) Netflix account is working (can play movies on my PC but cannot Chromecast)
5) Samsung smart TV with Chromecast

I noticed my D-Link router is not supported by DD-WRT firmware.

I have managed to go into my D-Link router and manually select the DHCP to set the DNS settings to:
50.112.186.233 and 50.112.143.40

My D-Link router menu does not have DNSMasq setting option; thus don't know how to input iptables.

So, I am stuck, and still unable to cast Netflix from my PC to the TV. Please help - with as much details as possible. Thanks in advance.

Hi, first of all I am not sure why you are entering those IP in your DNS as I am pretty sure that PIA is VPN based and not DNS based. Correct me if i'm wrong.

For your case, since you have already subscribed to PIA, I guess you can get another router and setup the PIA VPN on that router, so you will have two routers one for your regular internet and another for your VPN access, so any device that connects to the router that is setup for VPN gets connected to the VPN automatically, I am not sure if PIA has any limit for the number of device that is connected, if there is no limit then you are good to go, no need to setup any DNS.

If you do not want to setup a permanent connection and want to save money on getting another router, you can share your VPN connection from your Computer and get the chromecast to connect to that Wifi, it should work as well. Not sure if there will be any bandwidth issues though.

 

[absolut777]

Can cast Youtube, but not Netflix from my android phone.

hmmm..

 

[lordlad0]

Can cast Youtube, but not Netflix from my android phone.

hmmm..

netflix needs to be updated i think?

hulu is also updated to support chromecast...

i think you need to be on US google account in order to update those apps.

 

[pustefix]

The setup is different for different VPN services. As mentioned by jayz_sg, we are usually dealing with DNS based or VPN based. If you need to stream Netflix or Hulu Plus with Chromecast, you will need to configure the router.

1. DNS based (e.g. unblockus, MR teleport, unlocator, etc)
You need to configure the DNS server address in your router. For Chromecast to stream Netflix/Hulu, you will also need to input the iptables command. You can telnet to your router and key in the commands on the command line. This however will not stick, so you need to key in the commands every time you reboot your router.

2. VPN based (e.g. Private Internet Access, StrongVPN, etc)
For Chromecast to stream Netflix/Hulu, you will need to setup your router for PPTP/OpenVPN/L2TP. You need to follow the instruction for each VPN service on how to configure your router. Having DD-WRT firmware on your router will help in this configuration as I do not know if stock firmware will support this. There is no need for iptables command. The PIA setup in here: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/#ddwrt_pptp

jchoong: as recommended by jayz_sg, you should get another router that is DDWRT compatible and set it up following the instruction in the above website. Please also remove the DNS server entries in your router as those are for unlocator.

 

[jchoong]

Thanks guys; its getting a bit clearer for me now. As I am on PIA, I will delete the DNS changes that I made earlier. Will give it another shot!

Edit: Too tough for me; I will give Netflix a pass. Thanks guys for all the help anyway.