The launch of the Google ChromeCast yesterday was a surprise to everyone. A device that is used to view internet content on your living room television, connected to HDMI and with a size so small that it will be hidden in the back of the television, that in the most modern models of televisions it will not need a power cable and that also It only costs $ 35. And to top it off, it's compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and PC… just perfect. Obviously everyone's reactions to seeing this device (and I include myself) were very favorable and we saw a very tough competitor (almost a sure winner) against Apple's Apple TV. But after seeing all the information published in depth, and reading several reviews of the device, things change. Google's ChromeCast is not an Apple TV, it doesn't even come close. Want to see exactly what both devices do? Well come in and I'll explain it.
Both devices can play content from the internet, directly. While the Apple TV can do it by itself, thanks to the remote control that it includes (and any conventional control that you can easily configure), you can access videos from services such as YouTube without the need for anything else. The ChromeCast will always need a device to give it instructions. This is not too important a point either, but what can I see? To this day, in the ChromeCast you can only watch YouTube and Netflix videos, it has been announced that Pandora will also be compatible soon. On Apple TV you will be able to see those three services from this moment, but In addition, we must add Hulu Plus, HBO Go and other radio services such as Spotify and Rdio. Not to mention the content store that you have available from your Apple TV itself.
But can I see the content of my devices? In the ChromeCast no. If you have multimedia content stored on your device, you will not be able to send it to your TV using this device. On Apple TV yes, thanks to the AirPlay function. Videos (even HD) and music that you have stored on your iPhone, iPad or Mac can be sent to Apple TV, using native applications or other third-party applications that also have this option. Your iTunes media library will be available to view on Apple TV on both Windows and Mac, another option not present on the Google device. With Apple TV you can also do «Mirroring», take the screen of your device (iPhone, iPad and Mac) to your TV, something not possible in the ChromeCast, except in the case of the Chrome browser windows.
Does this mean that ChromeCast is not worth it? Not much less. Not everyone has Apple devices at home, in that case, both devices could perform the same functions (YouTube, Netflix) and although Apple TV does have more options, such as renting iTunes movies, its higher price may that does not compensate your purchase with respect to the ChromeCast. But today, Apple TV is a device with many more options and more established in the market.. The ChromeCast is at the moment a newbie that promises, but the support of third-party applications and the possible software modifications that are carried out will be essential for it to be successful or just be an anecdote of this year 2013.
More information - Google announces ChromeCast, its alternative to AppleTV, compatible with iOS
At no time was it said that local content could not be played, in fact since there is a sdk it is very likely that in a very short time an app will appear that allows it, but it is obvious that the izombies are going to look for the 5th leg to criticize it
The ChromeCast does NOT play local content, you can look at it wherever you look, pages about Apple, Android, or Mediterranean cuisine. Another thing is that later software is modified or whatever they are, but out of the box it does NOT do it. Greetings.
Decide what you want, but since in the future XBMC can be installed in the gadget, or a browser, goodbye to appleTV
The future will be whatever it is, but now it is what it is.
Sent from my iPhone
Good argumentation. I don't think it will cost them much to implement something like this in future updates.
Sent from my iPad
as of today 2020, what do you think is better Apple TV or ChromeCast?
Apple TV without a doubt