Apple TV vs. Chromecast - Comments Page 1

As always Bob, very interesting. Thankyou

Why wasn't ROKU part of this discussion? I've used one since they first came out and now own three, one for each tv in my home. They've always worked perfectly and have access to every major streaming channel.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You missed the link to my Roku article in the sidebar...

Bob, one addition: Chromecast works fine with Google's Chrome Browser on a MAC or Windows system.

But Bob, What about the ROKU!?!

EDITOR'S NOTE: You missed the link to my Roku article in the sidebar...

Bob another absorbing brief but to the point article. I'm a UK resident and have had Chromecast since it's inception. Absolute simplicity to use, never let me down or dropped a 'stream' and as always Google products are far easier to operate. It took months before Apple introduced a Chromecast App but the simplicity for multiple users of the Chromecast (such as partygoers, etc) means it wins hands down for me. I do have three very excellent Apple products with the latest IPod Touch among them.

How about Miracast / WiDi? I want this but in the past it has had mixed reviews. I wonder if it has matured.

I have been using Chromecast for a few years now and am very happy with it. Very few malfunctions. Bet of all -it's very portable. I take it along to Mexico where the TV programs are all in Spanish and broadcast my favourite Netflix show from my Smartphone or Laptop to the big screen TV.

I've been using Western Digital's WD TV Live boxes because they allow me to stream video that I have stored on my NAS boxes. Can either the Apple TV or the Chromecast do that? I'm only asking because the Western Digital TV Live devices are becoming hard to come by and if I ever need a replacement, I don't want to be buying the wrong product. I think Western Digital has discontinued them.

Disappointed Roku not included. Wonderful product, have two I have used for several years. For those stuck in the 90's with an analog TV Roku 1 works with analog TV with RCA input and when they finally upgrade to digital, works with that too with a HDMI cord. Great gifting! Breeze to install. Many other benefits, including a Roku stick which is very small factor - can't beat the price and works with all streaming sites. All you need is internet access. Roku site has good info and all particulars.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You missed the link to my Roku article in the sidebar...

I received a Chromecast last year for xmas. There was a lot it couldn't stream. took it back and got Apple TV. Much better. Many apps and Can stream almost anything through wife's ipad. One year later and we love it as TV goes to reruns.

MERRY CHRISTMAS BOB!!!! LOVE YOUR ARTICLES!

I use a Roku and since I am out of the US have a vpn going through my router. I also had to get a second router where I was able to change my dns # since the router that comes from our service is sealed. Would I still need a vpn and 2nd router with either of these devices?

I bought a Chromecast several months ago, but I was never able to set it up- it didn't like my router settings and I found the instructions for changing them quite complex. I do use my BlueRay disk player for Netflix, Amazon Prime and occasionally some of the other services.

LOVE my Chromecast! Easy to get it up and running! No problems--have used it for about a year (at least). Merry Christmas, Bob!

I have not tried either product. While, I must admit, the new Chromecast does intrigue me. Maybe, it's the female in me, it really does look so cute. :)

My granddaughter uses Netflix, as well as my Netgear Adapter. She loves it. I am a user of VUDU. We can get both, on the Netgear Adapter, plus, a lot of other services. What I like about the Netgear, is that lots of apps are available right in the adapter and you only have to chose which one or two you want.

The Netgear Adapter is rather easy to install. My granddaughter did it on her TV, without any help, I think. She is computer, network illiterate. Maybe, my grandson helped her, he could easily do it.

I got my Netgear Adapter on sale, for about the same price as a Chromecast Dongler. I looked at all of the adapters and finally, chose the Netgear. The hardest part is setting up the WiFi. Trying to get the numbers and letters in with the remote control, is really a bummer. Why? You are not using a keyboard, you have to use their format to enter the information.

I current problem is getting my Spectre Sound Bar, to work with my Phillips Blu-Ray DVD player! This one is making me nuts and I am not to sure, I can get the two to work, together. Bummer. :(

I have one each (Chromecast in the bedroom & Apple TV in the living room.) They are similar in ease of use; I actually prefer the Chromecast interface over the Apple remote. My beef with both of them is, neither will stream Amazon videos. Guess I'll have to get the Amazon device and get a third tv, grrrrr.

We've been using both Apple and Chromecast. Both work quite well -- Chromecast is clearly a better value except for those who are tied in to the Apple environment. So, we've concluded that Apple TV is currently designed for Apple users....and the rest of the market is better served by Google's offering.

Thanks Bob for writing this article. I was curious how they differed. I was interested in the Chromecast, for the price and the many things it could do! With this article it confirms my choice! Merry Christmas Bob, and thanks for the articles you write!

I love the Chromecast. I used to have a Roku 3 and as a heavy user of YouTube the Roku YouTube channel basically sucked. Would hardly ever show videos at their best resolution unless you rebooted the Roku on a frequent basis. The Chromecast works perfectly with Youtube not surprisingly. Many complaints on the Roku forums but never any fixes.

I had assumed that a $35 device could not compete with a highly rated $99 dedicated streaming box but I was wrong.

As someone embedded in the Google lifestyle I should have got one earlier.

Rita's comment " ...neither will stream Amazon videos..." is not really correct. Both Chromecast and Apple TV would stream Amazon in a heartbeat if Jeff Bezos allowed it. It's an Amazon-created problem that only Amazon can fix.