Getting internet content on my TV...

[RockyMtn]

The OP is asking to stream free ESPN (what app/site exactly?), that's not easy to do with Chromecast. If he/she has a pay TV subscription, maybe. If not - given the nature of the OP's question, would you assume he/she can readily setup mirroring from whatever device? It's not that easy IME. Which comes back to not enough information.

Fact is that if he/she doesn't have a pay tv subscription they are not going to be able to stream any ESPN content from computer to their tv regardless of the device. No subscription/no authentication=no streaming.

I can cast ESPN from my Watch ESPN app and/or my Directv app directly to my Chromecast.

Fact is if you can look at it on your computer (however you get it) you can cast it to a Chromecast. It is as simple as that. Chromecast is simply an interface between your TV and your computer assuming (as I have said all along) that you have the necessary HDMI slot on your tv. Ecosystem and computer type are irrelevant. If you are going from your computer to TV as opposed to from a mobile device you will need to go through Google Chrome. It will then completely mirror your computer screen on your tv should you desire or just specific content. See the attached article for more in depth information.

Mirror Your Computer’s Screen on Your TV With Google’s Chromecast


If that is not the case then the Chromecast is set up incorrectly.

 

[RockyMtn]

Wow!! Two pages of help! Thanks everyone. I haven't had a chance to read all of it yet. But I will.

For God's sake please let us know whether or not you have a HDMI slot on your tv!!!

 

[Midpack]

Fact is that if he/she doesn't have a pay tv subscription they are not going to be able to stream any ESPN content from computer to their tv regardless of the device. No subscription/no authentication=no streaming.

I can cast ESPN from my Watch ESPN app and/or my Directv app directly to my Chromecast.

Fact is if you can look at it on your computer (however you get it) you can cast it to a Chromecast. It is as simple as that. Chromecast is simply an interface between your TV and your computer assuming (as I have said all along) that you have the necessary HDMI slot on your tv. Ecosystem and computer type are irrelevant. If you are going from your computer to TV as opposed to from a mobile device you will need to go through Google Chrome. It will then completely mirror your computer screen on your tv should you desire or just specific content. See the attached article for more in depth information.

Mirror Your Computer’s Screen on Your TV With Google’s Chromecast


If that is not the case then the Chromecast is set up incorrectly.

Good info if you're various assumptions are correct, we don't know do we.

 

[RockyMtn]

Good info if you're various assumptions are correct, we don't know do we.

I made no assumptions whatsoever. The OP stated he wants to stream from his computer to his tv. This tells me right off he currently doesn't have the capability. Which means he has no interface (apple tv, Chromecast, Roku or otherwise) correct? He also states he wants to "send" a free ESPN game from his computer to his tv. That tells me he has an ESPN subscription from someone (cable co/Directv, etc) otherwise he wouldn't be able to see it on his computer as there is no such thing as a "free" ESPN subscription.

I suggested a chromecast...as long as he has an HDMI slot. I made no assumption that he did or did not have one. I only stated the IF he did have HDMI that ecosystem and, as you called it, viewing source are irrelevant.

 

[Midpack]

I made no assumptions whatsoever. The OP stated he wants to stream from his computer to his tv. This tells me right off he currently doesn't have the capability. Which means he has no interface (apple tv, Chromecast, Roku or otherwise) correct? He also states he wants to "send" a free ESPN game from his computer to his tv. That tells me he has an ESPN subscription from someone (cable co/Directv, etc) otherwise he wouldn't be able to see it on his computer as there is no such thing as a "free" ESPN subscription.

I suggested a chromecast...as long as he has an HDMI slot. I made no assumption that he did or did not have one. I only stated the IF he did have HDMI that ecosystem and, as you called it, viewing source are irrelevant.

I'm done going in circles with you. I didn't see where he said he was watching on a computer. And unless something has changed, you can view WatchESPN on a tablet, but that doesn't include live viewing without a pay TV subscription. He did say he was watching "free ESPN," I wouldn't assume a subscription. I'm still not clear exactly what he was trying to watch. But knock yourself out.

 

[HadEnuff]

For God's sake please let us know whether or not you have a HDMI slot on your tv!!!

Yes I have HDMI.

I don't have Apple TV, but would consider getting it.

 

[Dawg52]

Yes I have HDMI.

I don't have Apple TV, but would consider getting it.

Apple, Roku or Amazon Fire box will make your streaming experience enjoyable. Buy one.

 

[RockyMtn]

I'm done going in circles with you.

Good!

To the OP. Now that we know you have an HDMI slot any of the typical streaming interfaces will work (Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, xbox, Amazon Fire TV, etc). If you want to watch ESPN on your TV (cast from your computer) you'll need to have WatchESPN. To watch anything live from one of the ESPN channels, event replays, etc you'll also need an authenticated video subscription. If you don't have an authenticated video subscription all you can access are clips/interviews, etc. Some ISP's have agreements for content that airs on ESPN3 but that does not give you access to live events/replays/shows that have or are airing on one of the ESPN channels.

See this link for FAQ's on streaming ESPN content.
ESPN WatchESPN Support

Fox is pretty much the same way for content that airs on their sports channels. Content that airs on ABC/NBC/CBS/Fox can be cast to your tv but each has it's own retrictions as to when you can watch (live versus delay).

The whole streaming world is constantly evolving but the one constant is that in order to access content from cable sports networks and many of the other networks you're going to pretty much have to have an authenticated video subscription.

Best of luck!

 

[HadEnuff]

I have Roku, which I use for Amazon Prime and Netflix, both of which I have subscriptions for. On one set I have the card that goes into the HDMI slot, and the other set is a "smart" TV, which was (sadly) bequeathed to me when a family member passed away. Because it was given to me, I did none of the pre-purchase research I probably would have done, had I been buying it myself.
I can stream a college football game, for free, on the ESPN site. Can my Roku (or smart TV) send that to the TV, or would I need something like Apple TV to do that?

 

[HadEnuff]

We don't know if the OP has Chromecast.

.

Neither does the OP. In fact the OP doesn't even know what Chromecast is.

 

[RockyMtn]

I can stream a college football game, for free, on the ESPN site. Can my Roku (or smart TV) send that to the TV, or would I need something like Apple TV to do that?

Roku could do it. So should the smart tv assuming you have connected it to the internet. Personally I find the smart tv interfaces rather clunky compared to Roku/Chromecst/Amazon Fire etc.

 

[RockyMtn]

I have Roku, which I use for Amazon Prime and Netflix, both of which I have subscriptions for. On one set I have the card that goes into the HDMI slot, and the other set is a "smart" TV, which was (sadly) bequeathed to me when a family member passed away. Because it was given to me, I did none of the pre-purchase research I probably would have done, had I been buying it myself.
I can stream a college football game, for free, on the ESPN site. Can my Roku (or smart TV) send that to the TV, or would I need something like Apple TV to do that?

My guess is that if it is a "Smart TV" there is an HDMI slot somewhere. Sometimes if they are wall mounted sets they are hard to access because they are on the back of the tv. Newer models usually have an HDMI accessible from the side.

 

[rodi]

Chromecast works with iPhone®, iPad®, Android phone and tablet, Mac® and Windows® laptop, desktop and Chromebook. So as long as you have a HDMI slot and a wifi connection you are good to go with Chromebook.

No HDMI, no Chromecast.

+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.

 

[Dawg52]

Whatever ESPN game you are watching for free on their site you should be able to pick up on ESPN 3 which is under the Watch ESPN app on your Roku. If it's not currently on there, you can download the app.

 

[HadEnuff]

Without knowing what the OP is using:

• eco system (Apple, Win, other),
• viewing source (desktop, laptop, tablet, phone),
• TV (smart, dumb, inputs, analog)

it's nearly impossible to recommend anything.

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

 

[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]

+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]

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]

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!).