Getting internet content on my TV...

[marko]

Chromecast. Got one of the very first ones and it's never let me down.

For those less technical, a simple HDMI cable from laptop to TV.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi +1 We cast from our chrome browsers running on windows... Just cast to chromecast yesterday because "undercover boss" covered a business in our 'hood' and we'd missed it live, so had to watch it from the cbs.com site. Built in hooks for youtube as well.

I'll add to those who are very happy with Chromecast. DW watches a lot of TV and movies from DVD (Netflix mostly), and online sources (we don't have cable). She really, really does not like 'futzing' with anything, but she LOVES Chromecast. It's so easy to use (and it was very easy for me, or anyone to set up - plug it into TV, follow a few directions). I'm not sure we've figured out how to 'cast' a DVD from the computer, but of course those can be played from a TV connected DVD player, so not such a big deal (which is one reason I haven't bothered to figure it out).

Trust me, if it was difficult at all DW would not use it. We now have a Chromecast on every TV in the home. I occasionally cast something. It works equally well and easy with everything we have in the house. DW's MacBook, her iPad, our Android phones, my Android tablet, my Linux computer. Youtube, Netflix, Sling TV, and more - all work the same, all work w/o fuss. Far, far, far better than any "smart TV" I've every used, better than our ROKU.

That said, I have not used some of the other devices mentioned, like AppleTV. Those might be as good/better, I can't say. But I don't think you can go wrong with a $30 Chromecast. Incredible value. Wife is thrilled, for $30 (times a few TVs)! Thank you Google!

-ERD50

[Midpack]

Not disputing the Chromecast fans, but it's been meh for us. My (Samsung) smart TV streams everything the Chromecast will - and a lot more. But we have iPads and refuse to use Chrome, so maybe our Chromecast indifference is self inflicted? When I have tried to get my actually mirror cast (apart from the Chromecast and iPad apps) from my iPad, like Apple AirPlay, it's been too difficult to me to be worth the trouble. If I'm missing something easy, without buying Apple TV etc., I'd love to be clued in.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HadEnuff Mac OS 10.11.6 (El Capitan) laptop some TVs smart, some dumb, all have HDMI ports As I mentioned in one of my later posts, I have ROKU, as an HDMI plug-in on one dumb TV, and integrated in my "new" Smart TV. Next question from me: What does Apple TV provide (if anything) that is not available via my ROKU? edit: laptop has HDMI, but I want to do this wirelessly

It does AirPlay - streams video from your laptop to your AppleTV device via wifi. Your AppleTV still needs to plug into your TV via HDMI.

The other devices don't have that compatibility with MacOS and iOS devices.

If you have apps on the Roku device for everything you want to watch, then you don't need the airplay feature. But if there is something playing on your Mac laptop that you want to watch on the TV, then you do need Airplay.

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack But we have iPads and refuse to use Chrome, so maybe our Chromecast indifference is self inflicted?

We use safari on our iPhones and iPads. But we download apps that enable us to "cast" from the iPhone to the TV. Netflix is our main one. We can cast the selections to the TV. Then the iPhone acts as a remote control for the movie. It does not tie up the phone which can also be used for reading books or doing email or FB. Or even answering calls.

We have a Roku but prefer the flexibility of casting. I can also cast movies from my laptop. I also use Kodi on the laptop and can cast movies from the disk or DVD. In that case, it just eliminates the HDMI cable but I can cast from the living room to the bedroom (which would require a long cable!).