Google Chromecast is an HDMI dongle that once connected with any ordinary TV with HDMI port will convert it into a smart TV. With this dongle users will be able to stream anything that they see on their mobile, or tablet or laptop onto their big TV screen. Chromecast is available exclusively on Snapdeal.com for Rs. 2,999.
Box Pack
It’s a small square shaped box that contains the HDMI dongle, travel charger, data cable and HDMI extension cable. There is no user manual; in fact the simple setup process is mentioned on the box itself.
Design
The dongle is black colour with a good build quality. There is LED notification, a micro USB port, HDMI point and reset button. You need to connect the power adapter to power-on the device. There is a physical reset button; if you want you can reset the device – press and hold the reset button for about 25 to 30 seconds.
Installation
The install process is piece of cake all you need to do is follow the instructions. Once connected you might see the Chromecast screen on your TV or you might want to switch to HDMI mode to get it.
There is a link there, type it on your phone or tablet or laptop and then download the app. I used my mobile phone and downloaded the Chromecast app from Google Play. When you run the app for first time, it will connect with the Chromecast Wi-Fi, you will need to setup your primary Wi-Fi router. All you need to do is select your Wi-Fi router (in most cases it will be automatically detected) and enter the password.
After successful installation, if there is any firmware update available, the same will be downloaded. It will take few minutes, you can see the progress on your TV screen – once the update is completed it will reboot (check the video review at end of this review) . When you get a wallpaper (backdrop) on the TV screen, Chromecast will be ready to cast.
Performance
You can use your mobile phone to enable cast screen and everything that you see on your phone will be mirrored on the TV. Both the Phone and the Chromecast will stream data using Wi-Fi. You can browse the web, view photos using the image gallery, watch movies and even play game on a big screen. The content in such case will be played on both your phone and TV, but the sound output will be via the TV.
There are some apps that are compatible with Chromecast like the YouTube player. When using such apps you will get an option to stream content on the TV screen. When you enable that, the dongle will use your primary Wi-Fi to download / access the YouTube video directly and there is will be no activity on your phone, you can use your phone to control, pause / play the videos (like a remote).
I played Asphalt 8, got the graphics on the TV screen. Game play was smooth on phone but there was some lag when the same was mirrored on the TV screen, probably cause of heavy graphics. Also note that when you are using cast screen option your phone and dongle will communicate using Wi-Fi, there will be lags when using heavy apps (games, etc.).
You can setup the backdrop (wallpaper), whenever you switch on the dongle you will get the backdrop – the images are downloaded from the net and it will change after few minutes.
Verdict
Google Chromecast can stream content from your phone, tablet or laptop / desktop on to the big TV screen. It also allows you to cast anything that you see on your phone to the TV, now this is a very good option as this will work with any app, you are just seeing the mirror image on the TV. A good option for under Rs. 3K.
Google Chromecast is available on Snapdeal for Rs. 2,999.
