After weighing the pro's and con's of various solutions to watch video files on my TV I settled on trying out a Chromecast. It has various built-in apps for streaming services (netflix, youtube, etc) but what I was most interested in was the ability to stream my own files.
All I have to do is load up my phone with what I want to watch, go to the VLC app, click play and then hit the cast button. A few seconds later I'm watching the video on the TV. What's nice is that the Chromecast came with a remote that has volume buttons. I don't even have to mess with my TV's original remote to get things going or adjust the volume.
I like it so far but my only issue that I've noticed is that the VLC app doesn't have the ability to send subtitles to the screen. So I'm going to have to go with something else for foreign films that don't have the subtitles hard-coded into the image. I've read Plex may work but I haven't had much time to mess with it.
That's pretty much all I have to share at this point. I know there are other streaming sticks like the Roku or Fire Stick but the Google option seems more open and you don't have to do any mods or trickery to use VLC.
Chromecast as basic home theater solution
Re: Chromecast as basic home theater solution
Google supposedly has better privacy, despite being a massive ad company, than Amazon or especially Roku. The Nvidia Shield is also an option, but I don't know whether it has continued active support. Apple TV probably has the best privacy options, but it's not the cheapest option, for sure.
Re: Chromecast as basic home theater solution
Yeah, the Shield and Apple TV weren't even a consideration for me due to price. I wanted the cheapest, no-frills option for my own files. Chromecast seems to fit the bill just fine at the moment.
However, I will say that if you order it from the Google Store like I did - be prepared to wait. The shipping is free but you definitely get what you pay for. I had to wait about five days past the expected date for it to show up. Not that I desperately needed it but just so others are aware I figured I would mention that. At the time that I ordered, the cheaper 1080p Chromecast was only available through their store. Most places seem to be out of the $30 model while the $50 4K one is in stock.
However, I will say that if you order it from the Google Store like I did - be prepared to wait. The shipping is free but you definitely get what you pay for. I had to wait about five days past the expected date for it to show up. Not that I desperately needed it but just so others are aware I figured I would mention that. At the time that I ordered, the cheaper 1080p Chromecast was only available through their store. Most places seem to be out of the $30 model while the $50 4K one is in stock.