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The 10 Best Chromecast Alternatives You Can Buy RIGHT NOW

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The 10 Best Chromecast Alternatives You Can Buy RIGHT NOW


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There are tons of devices that stream to your TV besides Google’s Chromecast


Michael Grothaus

15:34, 11 Aug 2016

Google’s Chromecast has been a smash hit for the company. It first got a lot of attention for its original diminutive design. It started the stick form-factor model of digital media players and originally looked like a small USB memory stick, except it had an HDMI port on the end instead, which allows you to simply plug it into the back of your TV.

When other players started to copy the Chromecast’s stick form factor, Google switched it up with the Chromecast 2 and changed its design to that of something like a small hockey puck. While no other media streaming sticks have followed suit with that design choice. However, there a a TON of devices that mimic some or all of the features of the Chromecast. Here are 10 alternatives to the Google Chromecast worth checking out.

Apple TV

 

Perhaps the most well-known competitor, Apple’s new 4th generation TV sets the standard for media streamers. Via its AirPlay software you can stream any audio, video, or even your Mac’s entire desktop to your television. The Apple TV also features its own App Store so you can add new channels, games, and apps to its menu at your will.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

 

This is a great choice for those who love the Amazon Prime ecosystem, which gives you access to thousands of movies and television shows on Amazon Instant Video. The Fire TV stick also acts as a full blown digital media player and not just a media streamer. That means it can act independently of smartphones and computers. Add in the dedicated physical remove it comes with and the Fire TV stick is an awesome alternative.

Roku Streaming Stick

 

In a similar vein to the Fire TV stick, the Roku Streaming Stick is another great-more full featured-alternative to the Chromecast. It too is its own independent device and comes with a dedicated hardware remote. It also features thousands of channels and other streaming service including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and more.

PiCAST

 

For the makers and hackers out there, might we suggest PiCAST? As the name suggests, the PiCAST is meant to go along with your existing Raspberry Pi and allows you to turn it into a media streamer. However the PiCAST doesn’t work over a Wi-Fi network–you’ll need to use a hardware ethernet connection to stream your videos, which isn’t a bad thing as a hardwired connection is a lot more reliable when streaming massive amounts of data.

Samsung Allshare Cast

 

Being the gadget giant it is, of course Samsung has a streaming device! The Samsung Allshare Cast allows you to stream not only your audio and video to external displays, like TVs, but also presentations as well (great for work). However the Samsung Allshare Cast requires a Samsung device to stream from, which is a bit of a let down. So yep, you’ll need a Samsung smartphone or tablet if you want to use the Samsung Allshare Cast.

WD TV Live

 

Hard drive giant Western Digital has gotten into the media streaming game, although many people don’t know it. The WD TV Live makes it easy to stream Netflix to any TV you own, but better, it also has out of the box compatibility to stream local files on your network. It comes with a physical remote, but WD also offers a software remote app for iOS and Android.

Matchstick

 

The Matchstick originally started life as a Kickstarter project, but it’s now available retail for everyone. It’s operating system is the Firefox OS and its physical form factor is a stick HDMI dongle. The included Fling app lets you send content from your smartphone to the Matchstick and best of all you can close the app and continue to use your smartphone as you were without interrupting playback.

Now TV HD

 

Developed by Sky, Now TV HD gives you all of the streaming features you love on similar devices like the Chromecast and Apple TV, but also allows you to subscribe to Sky’s full range of TV channels. At £7 for the box itself, Now TV is one of the cheaper options on this list (although you will need a Sky TV subscription plan, which you may already have).

Teewe

 

The Teewe is only available in India, but if you’re there, this is a great choice. The dongle plugs into your TV and lets you stream media from YouTube or your smartphone straight to your TV.

Features

There are lots of units that movement on your TV but even so Google's Chromecast

Michael Grothaus 15:34, 11 Aug 2016

Google’s Chromecast has been a damage hit for the corporate. It first were given a large number of consideration for its unique diminutive design. It began the stick form-factor type of virtual media gamers and at first gave the impression of a small USB reminiscence stick, excluding it had an HDMI port at the finish as an alternative, which lets you merely plug it into the again of your TV.

When different gamers began to replicate the Chromecast’s stick type aspect, Google switched it up with the Chromecast 2 and altered its design to that of one thing like a small hockey puck. Whilst no different media streaming sticks have adopted go well with with that design selection. Then again, there a a TON of units that mimic some or all the options of the Chromecast. Listed here are 10 possible choices to the Google Chromecast value testing.

Apple TV

 

Most likely probably the most well known competitor, Apple’s new 4th era TV units the usual for media streamers. By means of its AirPlay device you'll be able to flow any audio, video, and even your Mac’s whole desktop on your tv. The Apple TV additionally options its personal App Retailer so you'll be able to upload new channels, video games, and apps to its menu at your will.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

 

This can be a tremendous selection for many who love the Amazon Top ecosystem, which will give you get right of entry to to hundreds of flicks and tv presentations on Amazon Speedy Video. The Fireplace TV stick additionally acts as a complete blown virtual media participant and now not only a media streamer. That suggests it might act independently of smartphones and computer systems. Upload within the devoted bodily take away it comes with and the Fireplace TV stick is an excellent replacement.

Roku Streaming Stick

 

In a identical vein to the Fireplace TV stick, the Roku Streaming Stick is any other great-more complete featured-alternative to the Chromecast. It too is its personal unbiased software and springs with a devoted hardware faraway. It additionally options hundreds of channels and different streaming carrier together with Netflix, Amazon Fast Video, and extra.

PiCAST

 

For the makers and hackers in the market, would possibly we advise PiCAST? Because the identify suggests, the PiCAST is supposed to head at the side of your present Raspberry Pi and lets you flip it right into a media streamer. Then again the PiCAST doesn’t paintings over a Wi-Fi community–you’ll want to use a hardware ethernet connection to flow your movies, which isn’t a nasty factor as a hardwired connection is much more dependable when streaming large quantities of knowledge.

Samsung Allshare Cast

 

Being the device large it's, in fact Samsung has a streaming tool! The Samsung Allshare Forged lets you move now not best your audio and video to exterior presentations, like TVs, but in addition shows as smartly (tremendous for paintings). On the other hand the Samsung Allshare Forged calls for a Samsung software to circulate from, which is just a little of a let down. So yep, you’ll want a Samsung smartphone or tablet if you wish to use the Samsung Allshare Forged.

WD TV Live


 

Onerous pressure large Western Virtual has gotten into the media streaming recreation, despite the fact that many of us don’t comprehend it. The WD TV Are living makes it simple to flow Netflix to any TV you personal, however higher, it additionally has out of the field compatibility to move native information in your community. It comes with a bodily faraway, however WD additionally gives a device faraway app for iOS and Android.

Matchstick

 

The Matchstick at the start began lifestyles as a Kickstarter undertaking, nevertheless it’s now to be had retail for everybody. It’s running device is the Firefox OS and its bodily type component is a stick HDMI dongle. The incorporated Fling app allows you to ship content material out of your smartphone to the Matchstick and easiest of all you'll be able to shut the app and proceed to make use of your smartphone as you have been with out interrupting playback.

Now TV HD

 

Evolved by way of Sky, Now TV HD provides you with all the streaming options you're keen on on identical units just like the Chromecast and Apple TV, but in addition permits you to subscribe to Sky’s complete vary of TV channels. At £7 for the field itself, Now TV is among the less expensive choices in this record (even if you'll want a Sky TV subscription plan, which you will have already got).

Teewe

 

The Teewe is most effective to be had in India, however in case you’re there, this can be a super selection. The dongle plugs into your TV and allows you to flow media from YouTube or your smartphone immediately on your TV.

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