Which tech for streaming VLC to a TV Stick from Chrombook
Discussion
Gone are the days of USB to HDMI on Andoid it seems. I have a Chrombook now. When we are away I'd like to use hotel TVs to watch tablet content. Usually MKVs so VLC will be the player. It dawned on my I should just carry a Firestick with me. Then I thought, "Chromecast stick".
Which would be better? I'm thinking Chromecast as I'm Chrome OS based. I also have a Roku stick spare.
I just need it to work with no DRM nonsense and the likes.
Which would be better? I'm thinking Chromecast as I'm Chrome OS based. I also have a Roku stick spare.
I just need it to work with no DRM nonsense and the likes.
Griffith4ever said:
eughhh .I just want to hit the cast button and it appear on the TV.
Then any boggo Chromecast would be enough - I recommended the one with GoogleTV coz it basically also has a full-blown interface on board (so you can use apps) in addition to receiving casts.The big drawback of FireTV is lack of Cast. Amazon offer a similar protocol called Fling but not a whole lot supports it, at least not compared to Cast. I remember someone came out with a 'cast receiver' app for FireTV which actually worked - I paid for it and used it - but then Google forced them to take it down because of the security keys it used or something ...
The one issue you may not have considered is that any screen mirroring, cast, fling,, etc etc etc device is often discoverable by anyone on the same public network.
So you might be there in your hotel room watching a show or movie only to suddenly have something else pop up on the device because someone else close by is simply mindlessly tapping stuff on their phone screen, or someone (even a kid somewhere) is just up to mischief.
There are options in the Google Home app to restrict sharing access on Cast devices, and also in the settings menu of some Cast devices themselves, but once you venture onto public Wi-Fi networks and there are other people around using god knows what re. other devices and apps there's no guarantee you won't encounter hiccups.
So you might be there in your hotel room watching a show or movie only to suddenly have something else pop up on the device because someone else close by is simply mindlessly tapping stuff on their phone screen, or someone (even a kid somewhere) is just up to mischief.
There are options in the Google Home app to restrict sharing access on Cast devices, and also in the settings menu of some Cast devices themselves, but once you venture onto public Wi-Fi networks and there are other people around using god knows what re. other devices and apps there's no guarantee you won't encounter hiccups.
Edited by Corso Marche on Thursday 28th September 07:08
Cheers. We tend to be in bungalows on the beach and I use Thai mobile data for my internet. But mostly, it's just for watching pre downloaded series on my Chromebook while we are away. It's nice to sit back and watch an episode of House, or The Dark in the evening here and there when you are away for more than a month (and not be huddled round the Chromebook tablet. Even if it is oled !
With that type of usage I'd be inclined to install something like Nova Video Player on Google TV with Chromecast and have your MKV's on external storage or a harddrive which creates it's own WiFi which the Chromecast can connect to. Nova catalogues the video collection, plays everything you throw at it, and has resume points etc
If you decide to stick with local Casting then https://getvideostream.com/ is one of the better options out there. It just works. Easier and more reliable than VLC.
If you decide to stick with local Casting then https://getvideostream.com/ is one of the better options out there. It just works. Easier and more reliable than VLC.
The complication is that Chromecast and device need to both be on the same network and lots of hotel networks heavily restrict traffic types they allow. You don't want to be taking your own router with you.
But what's the issue exactly? Android definitely does support USB-C to HDMI, it's the only way I can convince Channel 4 to play the F1 on my TV, so I use it all the time.
But what's the issue exactly? Android definitely does support USB-C to HDMI, it's the only way I can convince Channel 4 to play the F1 on my TV, so I use it all the time.
Griffith4ever said:
Cheers. We tend to be in bungalows on the beach and I use Thai mobile data for my internet. But mostly, it's just for watching pre downloaded series on my Chromebook while we are away. It's nice to sit back and watch an episode of House, or The Dark in the evening here and there when you are away for more than a month (and not be huddled round the Chromebook tablet. Even if it is oled !
For pre-recorded stuff already downloaded to a device, I use this double sided USB-C & A flash drive.SanDisk 128GB Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C Flash Drive with reversible USB Type-C and USB Type-A connectors, for smartphones, tablets, Macs and computers https://amzn.eu/d/4gRloc6
Save stuff from my devices using the C port onto the drive then switch it to the A port and plug in the TV and watch away.
No fannying about with networks/WiFi/casting etc and great for using in hotels while away.
Or get one of these with an HDMI cable?
FIOUSY USB C to HDMI Adapter, USB... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BHVCPLP7?ref=ppx_pop...
FIOUSY USB C to HDMI Adapter, USB... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BHVCPLP7?ref=ppx_pop...
paulrockliffe said:
The complication is that Chromecast and device need to both be on the same network and lots of hotel networks heavily restrict traffic types they allow. You don't want to be taking your own router with you.
But what's the issue exactly? Android definitely does support USB-C to HDMI, it's the only way I can convince Channel 4 to play the F1 on my TV, so I use it all the time.
Ahh I didn't realise that - I assumed it talked to it over BT.But what's the issue exactly? Android definitely does support USB-C to HDMI, it's the only way I can convince Channel 4 to play the F1 on my TV, so I use it all the time.
As for the cable, it's a good question. I convinced myself that Android had dropped the support for HDMI streaming after it stopped working on both my Lenovo tabs ages ago and read some article about a key part of the technology being dropped - "MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link)" - but re reading articles it seems that was a micro USB limitation. I just assumed it was dropped altogether.
I'm going to return the Google chromecast, I've ordered an HDMI to us bC cable, and I also like the idea of having the media on a USB key too as a backup so I have both options in case the TVs play up.
paulrockliffe said:
The complication is that Chromecast and device need to both be on the same network and lots of hotel networks heavily restrict traffic types they allow. You don't want to be taking your own router with you.
But what's the issue exactly? Android definitely does support USB-C to HDMI, it's the only way I can convince Channel 4 to play the F1 on my TV, so I use it all the time.
Thanks for raising this issue . I've seen the light. Got a USB-C to HDMI cable and just tested it on a tv and it works a charm. Totally thought cable options were dead, but was mistaken. Cheers!But what's the issue exactly? Android definitely does support USB-C to HDMI, it's the only way I can convince Channel 4 to play the F1 on my TV, so I use it all the time.
I travel a lot and have tried almost every approach to putting stuff on TVs in hotels and B&Bs. As mentioned above, the hotel wifi often does not support casting for one reason or another. There's also the challenge of using a VPN with a chromecast if you're getting region locked material. It is sometimes possible to use a phone as the hotspot, instead of the hotel wifi, but then you need a second phone to cast from. It's also possible to use a laptop to do things, but this quickly becomes more hassle than it's worth. And then of course there's the hotels without physical access to the back of the TV! There's always a way to make it work, but unless you know the situation you're going to, there's not one answer.
Nowadays I travel with the ability to do one of three things:
1. USB stick with content plugged in to the TV USB port. This works well as I can also lug it in to my phone, laptop or whatever and only carry one copy of content around.
2. Long HDMI cable from my laptop. (I have a Pixel phone which does not support HDMI... not all Androids do).
3. Just watch stuff on my laptop/tablet/phone.
Nowadays I travel with the ability to do one of three things:
1. USB stick with content plugged in to the TV USB port. This works well as I can also lug it in to my phone, laptop or whatever and only carry one copy of content around.
2. Long HDMI cable from my laptop. (I have a Pixel phone which does not support HDMI... not all Androids do).
3. Just watch stuff on my laptop/tablet/phone.
Yeuch , yeuch, yeuch! f
king thing.
I'm in Thailand . Fired up the HDMI cable and if you do a mirror display then the video goes jerky / low frame rate every 30 secs or so, then if you set the second display as a second display, rather than mirror, then you absolutley can't get rid of the taskbar on the TV. It auto hides on the tablet screen. This means you can't even click on the VLC controls as the are behind the task bar. I've tried everything.
Getting a slim Windows laptop when I get back! :-) the ChromeOS has been nothing but a pain, and there is very little to search on out there. Too niche.
king thing.I'm in Thailand . Fired up the HDMI cable and if you do a mirror display then the video goes jerky / low frame rate every 30 secs or so, then if you set the second display as a second display, rather than mirror, then you absolutley can't get rid of the taskbar on the TV. It auto hides on the tablet screen. This means you can't even click on the VLC controls as the are behind the task bar. I've tried everything.
Getting a slim Windows laptop when I get back! :-) the ChromeOS has been nothing but a pain, and there is very little to search on out there. Too niche.
I feel your pain! As noted above I have tried so many 'niche' things that people claim are the best thing ever only to find they work some places and situations and not others. The old skool basics I list above are the most likely to work most places.
... I write this sitting in a hotel not a million miles south of you watching stuff on my phone because I didn't take my own advice and forgot to heed my own advice!
... I write this sitting in a hotel not a million miles south of you watching stuff on my phone because I didn't take my own advice and forgot to heed my own advice!
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff