The Google Chromecast seems to me to be the easiest and least expensive way to get into casting and streaming. The low cost doesn't mean 'cheap', the device is technically up-to-date with plenty of memory. It does everything it says it will do and does it flawlessly. I've used it intensively---mainly with Netflix---without a single problem. Pros: (1) It is inexpensive and simple to install; (2) TV connects dependably to the Google Home app, which is also easily downloaded; (3) Zero tech problems so far, great picture on my 50' TV, no buffering or any play interruptions or glitches whatsoever. Cons: (1) Remember, it doesn't come with a remote but that is a trivial concern because play control is via your iOS or Android device; (2) Keep in mind that Play controls are limited to play/pause and quick 30-second jump rewind---no fast-forward or full rewind. I use my regular TV remote to control volume.

I recommend Chromecast without any reservations, it is a bargain and works like a charm. Thanks for considering my comments. Have had an original version of this and gave it away because of excessive buffering which made it a waste of money. This one.have it hooked up to my mini-projector and it works like a dream. Only had very little buffering and that was when I was doing quite a few other things at the same time on my PC.

Unlike the original.Google has done away with the Chromecast app I was used to using in the Chrome browser and my tablet/smartphone. After a couple of hours of trying to get it to work.finally found updated directions on how to use the browser from the PC. After this.was watching some TV shows from my TV tuner card.

The worst part about this is the lack of updated documentation and the software since this has been released. With 35+ years of computer experience and running a media server to have to deal with the lack of clear directions because of upgrades is a travesty and needs to be better communicated for an absolute beginner. I have been using XBox 360 for streaming YouTube, Netflix, and occasionally Amazon Prime Videos. Recently bought chromecast to enable casting and reducing wires and cables in my home, but my experience with casting wasn't as great as I expected it to be.

Castio for Chromecast - Google Cast App Free Castio - great choice if you want to play web video on the Google Chromecast media player that is connected to your TV.

For starters, netflix casting from my android mobile isnot really as smoothe as Netflix app on XBox. While browsing, play/pause or forward/rewind, the casting loses its context and comes back to main screen, which is really annoying.

I watch streamed videos from my laptop on my TV using HDMI cable. I thought that casting such videos on TV without HDMI would save me some trouble setting up the cable etc, but the experience wasn't really nice. The videos, even though they stream fine on laptop, do not cast nicely on TV. There is a lot of jitter and lag, so much that I ended up using my HDMI cable again. Note that I have a TWC's rented modem which is best in class, so wouldn't think that router or wireless network would be an issue. Overall, I haven't really found a good use for this except sometimes casting photos from mobile to TV, or the entire mobile screen for that matter. I own a Vizio smart TV that is several years old.