Is there anything better than chromecast?

OG Chromecast still treating me well, not sure if I want to upgrade to the new one yet
 
AZwildcats said:
OG Chromecast still treating me well, not sure if I want to upgrade to the new one yet
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I think it's worth it. The added stability of the WiFi (they added two additional antenna) really helps. The new one is just so much faster when loading items and doing things like hi-speed scrubbing and skipping ads.

The new Chromecasts support 5ghz networks now. I run both a 2.4ghz and 5ghz network in my place so I was able to offload the new Chromecasts to the 5ghz network reducing the streaming load to my main network.
 
So do sticks automatically have a worse connection compared to the wired boxes for streaming a movie from a computer? The box would be connected but isn't it using the wireless signal to receive the movie? Or is it still faster since internet connection is coming from a hard line?
 
Mr Fongstarr said:
So do sticks automatically have a worse connection compared to the wired boxes for streaming a movie from a computer? The box would be connected but isn't it using the wireless signal to receive the movie? Or is it still faster since internet connection is coming from a hard line?
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So, wired connections are always going to give you better latency and bandwidth back to your cable modem. However, technology has got to the point where WiFi is able to handle the heavy load of streaming HQ HD media.

If you're going to use Plex there's two main factors involved. The first is if your computer/server is beefy enough to encode the movies you're playing and spit them back out to your media stick/console. The higher you set your bitrate the harder the load is on your computer/server so it increases the chances of dropped frames (visually this would appear as skips or lag). The other factor involved in your upload/download bandwidth. If you have budget internet and your upload is 2-8MBPS you're not going to be able to stream in full hd 1080p 5.1 audio quality just because your network won't be able to have enough overhead to process the data.

Thankfully, Plex has the ability to let you set the broadcasting bitrate on the fly. So even if you have budget internet you will be able to stream your data and tailor it to fit your computer/network needs.

View media item 1741664

Basically what you want to do is go to speedtest.net and find out your upload and download rate. Take 75% of your upload rate and set that to be your broadcasting bitrate on Plex.

It's also always smart to check your media to see what their bitrate is by default. You can do this by right clicking your videos and just going into properties -> Details. This will show you the bitrate of your media. There's no sense it trying to push Plex to pump at your media at a higher bitrate when the bitrate of your media may be much lower. The point I'm trying to make is that the quality of your streaming is still bottle necked by the bitrate of your source file.
 
Yeah I have the old chromecast debating if I should get the new one. I'm for sure getting the new Apple TV (currently have the 3rd gen one). As I mention, I have the Roku stick aswell. Not sure if I want to get the new chromecast.
 
^^^Are those all for different TVs or you just like having all different interfaces? I actually was just thinking about that. Get Apple TV and then a Chromecast or Roku for just Plex use.
 
Got the Roku, og Chromecast and Xbox (with Hulu, HBO and Netflix) going in different rooms. I actually prefer the Xbox over the other two. Roku second. Chromecast last.
 
Mr Fongstarr said:
^^^Are those all for different TVs or you just like having all different interfaces? I actually was just thinking about that. Get Apple TV and then a Chromecast or Roku for just Plex use.
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Mr Fongstarr said:
I just read this article. Something about the Chromecast not having a remote and an interface bugs me. Might end up getting the Roku now.

http://lifehacker.com/sunday-showdown-chromecast-vs-roku-streaming-stick-vs-1734556383
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Yeah you use chromecast from your device, no interface or remote. To be honest, you could just get the Roku stick (you can now cast things like the chromecast) and it has a remote and interface.

I have fire stick (with Kodi). They are all on different tvs. Also have my Wii U.
 
I only use Chromecast for youtube.

I tried beaming my ESPN app via chrome cast but there was SOOO much lag.

The Roku stick is much better for ESPN.
 
Krazyrodzilla said:
Btw what's the deal with Plex? Don't use It. Pros and Cons?
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Plex is a media server. Really what I want to use it for is the interface. So I think what you can do is use Plex on your desktop, configure all your movies with proper poster images, bios, etc, download the app on a Roku and pretty much have the below image as your library from your computer. They do have a paid service but I think that is for features I don't really need.

Plex-Browse-Content-700x350.jpg


Here is a link to their features: https://plex.tv/features
 
All I want to be really is be able to watch youtube on tv, go wireless if possible, and have the nBATV channel. I forget which one it was, but I know one has channes a la carte where you can just purchase the channel you want.
 
I bought one of the Android box with Kodi. Should've looked into getting one sooner. Probably get the Fire Stick for the living room when I'm ready to cut the cord completely.
 
So after my research, I just got the Roku 3 and love it. Plex took a little time to organize all my videos properly but their interface is exactly what I was looking for with it even suggesting movies to watch, grouping them my movie type, poster images, etc. I love it and everything seems to run smooth. I am even going to get my sister to get a Roku or something similar and then download the Plex app to use my movie library.

One question though. So I added a bunch of channels and had to register all of them like FX Channel, NBC, etc. Can you access these channels with only having internet or do you need a cable plan from your provider in order to use them? I am thinking about cutting the cord too. Roku does everything I want and I might as well pay for NBA League pass rather than pay to have ESPN to watch basketball. If I get straight internet, I'd pay off League pass in 4 months.
 
Fozzy Badfeet said:
@Fongstarr
 Did you pay for Plex?
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On the trial now but it is only $4.99 for the app on Roku I believe. Seems worth it to me. I don't need the premium account I don't think. If my sister uses my Plex library, I think all she has to do is install the app as well and sign into my Plex account on her desk.
 
Mr Fongstarr said:
On the trial now but it is only $4.99 for the app on Roku I believe. Seems worth it to me. I don't need the premium account I don't think. If my sister uses my Plex library, I think all she has to do is install the app as well and sign into my Plex account on her desk.
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Oh, wow. That's not bad at all. I may consider this route too.
 
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