Smart TV or a TV and Chromecast?

• 

  cypher67 on 15/12/2014 - 10:33

  Smart TV does much more than just connect to devices via Wifi. Ask your brother why he needs a the Smart TV functions, then determine if a Chromecast will meet these requirements.

• 

  Day2Deal on 15/12/2014 - 10:54

  +2

  I love my chromecast but definitely get the smart tv unless you only want video streaming.
  When i received my chromecast i was disappointed in how lacking it was in features i mean you can't even brows the web on it unless you have a late high end android such as the Galaxy S4 or S5, the S3 isn't supported; and with this your only streaming you phones screen to the tv and it is not good for videos not to mention the low resolution.
  The only other way to browse the internet is to get the chromecast plugin for Google chrome on your computer and again not good for videos.
  But again i love my Chromecast it was just disappointing, but that's my fault for not looking into it much, in saying that i would have bought it any. The main thing i use chromecast for now is streaming my movies and tv series from my computer to the chromecast whilst controlling it with my phone. I do this through the Plex app that i have grown to love however it does cost roughly $5 in the app store
  In my opinion the only good apps for chromecast currently out are YouTube and Plex.

  Basically if all you want is video streaming get chromecast, if you want other features get a smart tv.
  Just so you know a lot of apps on your phone that streams video won't be compatible with chromecast so look into what you need.

  I hope this helps. :)

• 

  Almost Banned on 15/12/2014 - 12:24

  What I want to know is - who asks their brother for a birthday gift that is almost certain to cost around a grand?
  If my brother gets a phone call for his birthday he is doing well (but perhaps I am just a crap brother?)

  • 

    stargalaxy on 15/12/2014 - 15:37

    It all depends on how deep is your love for your brother, I am sure OP loves his brother very much.

    • 

      cypher67 on 15/12/2014 - 16:37

      +1

      I love my Brother very much, but he can buy his own TV.

  • 

    plmko on 15/12/2014 - 15:41

    Your brother isn't even worth 'around a grand'? :S

    • 

      Almost Banned on 15/12/2014 - 23:51

      Nope.
      ;-)

• 

  grb1234 on 16/12/2014 - 07:53

  +1

  Whatever is the best TV and a separate media player. "smart" TV features are full of limitations and disappointment.

• 

  anonymoususer on 16/12/2014 - 10:27

  thanks, guys, so if only internet (youtube) is needed then I can simply buy a non-Smart TV and chromecast, right? It will save me heaps.

• 

  kryptoz on 17/12/2014 - 00:07

  +1

  If you just want to use Youtube on your TV for now, Smart TV offers no real advantage for the extra cost — a Chromecast will suit your needs fairly well.

  They are dead easy to setup, unlike most SmartTVs. The Chomecast will allow better control from your phone\tablet, it is far easier to search with a touch screen than a remote and you can queue up your content. You can keep using your phone after the video begins playback.
  However, both options are typically underpowered, slow to switch from one function\content to another. Inevitably Chromecast-sized devices will have a short life, but at the low price, it's not a concern, and you will be able to upgrade instantly and cheaply when the next thing comes along, unlike a SmartTV.

  Firstly, Make sure whatever TV you buy, it has spare HDMI and USB ports (so you can plug in devices like Chromecast).

  Secondly, to use the Chromecast, you need a phone with Android 4.4 (KitKat) software or later version, or you won't have access to screen mirroring (ie. web browsing), but you will still be able to use all other Chromecast features.

  Over 1,000 apps are available, including Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Pandora, MLB.TV, Amazon Cloud Player, Vudu, and Showtime Anytime (NB: many of the TV\movie apps require VPN to access from Australia).
  http://www.google.com/chrome/devices/chromecast/apps.html#?v…

  For a little more money you could buy a Roku Streaming Stick which does pretty much everything the Chromecast does for ~$60. It has a real remote and an onscreen interface, which tends to work better in the living room, it also has Android \ iOS apps so you can use your phone\tablet as a remote like the Chromecast. Both devices are not super reponsive, as they run over your internet connection, but you get used to the lag.

  For ~$100 you can buy a box setup like Roku 3, for a faster interface and ethernet ports (ethernet is much faster than wifi). Alternatively, look at AndriodTV boxes like this http://goo.gl/bGce4Z
  for ~$100.