Michal Ždanský This week Google introduced a brand new Chromecast device, which is very reminiscent of Apple TV, specifically the AirPlay feature. This TV accessory is a small dongle with an HDMI connector that plugs into your TV and costs $35, nearly a third of the price of an Apple TV. But how does it stack up against Apple's solution, and what's the difference between the two?
Chromecast is certainly not Google's first attempt to penetrate the TV market. The company from Mountain View already tried to do this with its Google TV, a platform that, according to Google, was supposed to dominate the market already in the summer of 2012. That did not happen, and the initiative went down in flames. The second attempt approaches the problem in a completely different way. Instead of being dependent on partners, Google has developed an inexpensive device that can be connected to any television and thus expand its functions.
Apple TV with AirPlay has been on the market for several years and Apple users are very familiar with it. AirPlay allows you to stream any audio or video (if the application supports it), or even mirror the image of an iOS device or Mac. Streaming takes place directly between devices via Wi-Fi, and the only possible limitation is the speed of the wireless network, the support of applications, which, however, can at least be compensated by mirroring. In addition, Apple TV allows access to content from iTunes and includes a range of TV services including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go etc.
Chromecast, on the other hand, uses cloud streaming, where the source content, whether video or audio, is located on the Internet. The device runs a modified (meaning cut down) version of Chrome OS that connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi and then acts as a limited gateway to streaming services. The mobile device then acts as a remote control. In order for the service to work, it needs two things to run on a Chromecast TV – first, it needs to integrate an API in the app, and second, it needs to have a web companion.
For example, YouTube or Netflix can work in this way, where you send the image from a mobile phone or tablet to the TV (Playstation 3 can also do it, for example), but only as a command with parameters according to which the Chromecast will search for the given content and start streaming it from the Internet. In addition to the aforementioned services, Google said that support for Pandora music service will be added soon. Outside of third-party services, Chromecast can make content from Google Play available, as well as partially mirror Chrome browser bookmarks. Again, this is not directly about mirroring, but content synchronization between two browsers, which is currently in beta. However, this function currently has problems with the smooth playback of videos, in particular, the image often disconnects from the sound.
The biggest advantage of Chromecast is its multi-platform. It can work with iOS devices as well as Android, while for Apple TV you need to own an Apple device if you want to use AirPlay (Windows has partial AirPlay support thanks to iTunes). Cloud streaming is a rather smart solution to bypass the pitfalls of real streaming between two devices, but on the other hand, it also has its limits. For example, using a TV as a second display is not possible.
Chromecast is definitely a lot better than anything Google TV has offered so far, but Google still has a lot of work to do to convince developers and consumers that their device is exactly what they need. Although at a higher price, Apple TV still seems like a better choice due to the greater range of features and services, and customers are unlikely to use both devices, especially since the number of HDMI ports on TVs tends to be limited (my TV only has two, for example). The Verge by the way, created a useful table comparing the two devices:
so go through that google, it's powered via usb and don't have it in the photo, that's disgusting :)
so clear that they kept it a secret...:-) HDMI can't supply power... so it was clear...
Pin18 on HDMI has +5V, but max. 50mA, so the CC must be powered either from a free USB or with the included adapter.
Scoundrels. Google should rename this device to BeckCast
For example, it should be emphasized that Apple TV mirroring does not work with all generations of iDevices. For example on my iPhone 4
it works great with my 4s, 4 shouldn't have a problem as far as I know...but it's true that 3Gs really shouldn't be able to handle it anymore
Either way, transmitting the image in fullhd wirelessly is the most stupid thing to do. Even the Czechs with lowcast players understood it!
only the price of chrome is 35 US = 700 CZK :-)
I grabbed one of the first - with 3 months of NetFlix for free (3 * $7.99) - so it went to $10 - there was nothing to deal with.
But ma'am...MK mini PC is the same as what google offers but with full android functions and I've been slowly putting it on the market for two years... It costs less than chromecast :( or once again uncle google just copied something and hooray to search on go sheepishly :)
You can stream from Android to Apple TV, so there is a mistake in the article :-)