Any Chromecast users? No workee for me...

[sd_shooter]

Just got a Chromecast, inspired by some thread on calguns no less!

However, it appears to still be in "Beta testing" phase at best:
- Youtube didn't work at all, would see the title of the video and then the unit would freeze. Tried two devices to launch, both the same behavior
- Netflix was ok, but when the movie was done couldn't stop playback. Restarting the Chromecast client didn't help, no controls available.

Thinking of sending it back, although the web seems to be filled with stories like "Chromecast has changed the way I watch!" rather than "This is a POS."

Any pointers on how to make the thing useful?

[the86d]

Are you in a heavily populated area (apartments, condos, etc)?

It COULD be some kiddie script bumping it off the WiFi...

How far is your router?
802.11B, G, or N?
Encryption: WEP (Encryption Key: 0-9 & A-F only?), WPA, or WPA2?
Have you tried changing the WiFi Channel on your router (Change AUTO to 1, 6, then 11 in order to see if it happens on all 3 channels).

Did you set it to a static IP? (I did and it couldn't hit the Internet, even after a reboot.)

(AFAIK they have an OTG port, and could be theoretically plugged into a hub, then wired Ethernet USB adapter for testing the unit possibly after trying the above... I just read.)

[sd_shooter]

Are you in a heavily populated area (apartments, condos, etc)?

Out in the country, neighbors probably don't even see my net and if they did, they're too old to care

How far is your router?
802.11B, G, or N?

Type G

About 15 feet away with a couple walls in between.
But the following boxes have worked well on it: PS3, Roku, Sony TV

Encryption: WEP (Encryption Key: 0-9 & A-F only?), WPA, or WPA2?
Have you tried changing the WiFi Channel on your router (Change AUTO to 1, 6, then 11 in order to see if it happens on all 3 channels).

WEP. I don't think I'll be changing channels and all that. The CC doesn't support enough unique content for it to be a must-have, I have enough to deal with and if it doesn't "just work" I'll put it on ebay. But I'll give it a couple more rounds of FW updates, maybe it will improve.

Did you set it to a static IP? (I did and it couldn't hit the Internet, even after a reboot.)

No, I left it at default (assume DHCP.) Anytime I try something static, it seems to interfere with some other device in the house.

(AFAIK they have an OTG port, and could be theoretically plugged into a hub, then wired Ethernet USB adapter for testing the unit possibly after trying the above... I just read.)

What's that all about? I'm not up to hacking this thing. Thanks for all your comments though.

I went through quite a bit of trouble to build my wife a nice box with OpenElec (a flavor of XBMC) and surprise: Food Channel and and HGTV don't work, the only two things she cares about.

The new age of streaming content is great, but it only works if you pay for it: Netflix, Amazon, Hulu

The rest is a royal PITA unless you enjoy maintaining several devices

[ElvenSoul]

XBMC sometimes you have to search and search the back alleys...but it's there somewhere!

[the86d]

What speed is your Internet pipe? More devices on the network these days? Signal strenght?

I would also change at least to WPA (WPA2 preferred with UPPER+lower&$pclChars_w/8675309(Numbers) as the passphrase)

It IS possible that someone is using the MAC to leach Internet, and that will cause some issues, maybe like the ones you are having, and upgrading WEP encryption to WPA* would help prevent that, as WEP can be cracked in less than 2 minutes these days.

I have seen some devices more sensitive to weaker WiFi signals, even when in the exact same place as a prior device... possible?

[the86d]

...sent it back?

[sholling]

Just got a Chromecast, inspired by some thread on calguns no less!

However, it appears to still be in "Beta testing" phase at best:
- Youtube didn't work at all, would see the title of the video and then the unit would freeze. Tried two devices to launch, both the same behavior
- Netflix was ok, but when the movie was done couldn't stop playback. Restarting the Chromecast client didn't help, no controls available.

Thinking of sending it back, although the web seems to be filled with stories like "Chromecast has changed the way I watch!" rather than "This is a POS."

Any pointers on how to make the thing useful?

I never could get it to connect to my Asus router - and yes I have professional networking experience and know what I'm doing. In my opinion it's still a p-poor beta product being sold to and tested by the paying public and do not recommend it. A Roku is a much better investment.

[dyson]

Need to update firmware? Dunno but mine works great for youtube and netflix with the basic speed comcast net.

[SMR510]

I initially had a hard time getting mine to connect, turned out that my router was just a POS. I upgraded to a new router and it has been rock solid ever since. Got Avia on my Android Phone last night to watch movies from my home server. I have to say for the cost of the thing it is quite impressive.

If you are having trouble getting it to connect try bringing it right next to your router. After it connects you can move it back to where you actually want it but you will probably have to reconnect it every once in a while.

Overall I am very happy with mine. The router upgrade was a hit to my pocket I wasn't expecting but I do get double the speed on my laptop vs the old router so I am really glad I did that also.

[sd_shooter]

It connects ok, but the apps don't all work consistently. Netflix is ok, youtube is not. No apparent reason.

Still have it, just not using it. It's cheap enough to not be worth going through the hassle of putting it on ebay. I'm counting on the FW catching up eventually...

My router is a Linksys 54-G, somewhat of a gold standard. I don't think I'll upgrade the router just to get the google stick working.

[the86d]

It connects ok, but the apps don't all work consistently. Netflix is ok, youtube is not. No apparent reason.

Still have it, just not using it. It's cheap enough to not be worth going through the hassle of putting it on ebay. I'm counting on the FW catching up eventually...

My router is a Linksys 54-G, somewhat of a gold standard. I don't think I'll upgrade the router just to get the google stick working.

If your next post is "If somebody wants it $30-shipped", I am sure one of us would take it off your hands so you don't have to put it up on eBay. I really love both of mine, WAY fewer issues than the Roku I had and faster buffering than the Roku even when wired @ 100mbps, and the Roku rebuffered to SD all the time... boots faster too.

[sl0re10]

Just got a Chromecast, inspired by some thread on calguns no less!

However, it appears to still be in "Beta testing" phase at best:
- Youtube didn't work at all, would see the title of the video and then the unit would freeze. Tried two devices to launch, both the same behavior
- Netflix was ok, but when the movie was done couldn't stop playback. Restarting the Chromecast client didn't help, no controls available.

Thinking of sending it back, although the web seems to be filled with stories like "Chromecast has changed the way I watch!" rather than "This is a POS."

Any pointers on how to make the thing useful?

I use youtube the most and it seems rock solid.

Also not a google fanboy; there is stuff I dislike about the chromecast.

But I bought it so my daughter could put youtube stuff she had been watching on an ipad up on the TV so we could all watch it... and it works for us.

Did you block updates on it to crack it down the line? I let mine update out of the box.

[sd_shooter]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll give it another try.

I didn't crack/hack it (yet.)