FrozenSlime wrote:TheKing -- am I right in thinking that to use a Chromecast you have to use another device (phone, tablet, PC) to start the video and then 'push' it to the Chromcast?
When you do that, does the other device become free, or do you need to keep playing the content you're watching on the Chromecast device?
Yes, that's what makes Chromecast a viable solution, IMO. Unlike with AppleTV, on Chromecast HBOGo (or Netflix, or Youtube) is not streaming FROM YOUR DEVICE. You use your device to go *find* whatever video you want to play (just like you would if your plan was to watch it on your phone/tablet/ect), get the stream going through your router, and then you push the *chromecast* button on the top right corner of the mobile screen to send it to your chromecast.
Once you do that, the video moves from your phone/tablet to your bigscreen, and your phone/tablet goes into "remote control" mode. And yes, you can hit the home button, go check your email, send a text, take a phone call... you can even shut your phone/tablet off (I tested... it worked).
I picture it like there being a thousand different ropes laying on the ground. You use your phone/tablet to select which rope you want to start "pulling" (IE: streaming), and then when you hit chromecast, you basically just tell your chromecast "hey, see this rope that I'm pulling on... now you just keep pulling it".
As others have said, your phone/tablet IS the remote. So if you shut your phone/tablet off, you can't pause or rewind the video until you turn your device back on and get back into the app. BUT, unlike appletv, chromecast isn't sucking your battery dry while you sit there streaming video to your mobile. Just flip the screen off, and your phone/battery just sits there like it always does... open your phone back up, and you can pause/remind/etc.
At $30-$35, it's a pretty cheap, reasonably convenient solution... I personally don't think Comcast has any intention of ever giving us Roku support. On the other hand, I think google is VERY interested in giving the Chromecast a LOT of support, as it's selling like hotcakes right now. My guess is you'll see a lot more apps come out for Chromecast over the next 12 months (ShowtimeAnytime? Slingplayer? Watch ESPN?).