Hi all

I have a tele on the wall which has a hdmi threaded through the wall into the back of a nowtv box, however i cant use netflix so i need a chromecast, my question is can i simply take the hdmi out of the back of the nowtv box, connect it to a hdmi coupler and plug the chromecast in the other end of the coupler, will this work? Otherwise it will be a nightmare getting access.

not sure but i know chromecast comes with an hdmi extention lead,so that might help you connect it whilst leaving nowtv box alone.

i returned chromecast same day i bought it btw, just kept losing connection on screen mirroring which is what i wanted it for. netflix worked fine tho

Don't you have more than one hdmi slot?
The other thing to consider is whether you have a means to power the device. On my tv there is a usb next to the hdmi, so I can use that, otherwise you need a power socket.

I cannot access the hdmi port now the tele is on the wall and its really awkward to gain access so was hoping for an easier way

Yes, you can do this. The chromecast comes with a power adaptor so its not a problem. I do this in the bedroom as well since i can be arsed taking the telly off the wall to sort it!

So a hdmi to hdmi connector works fine?

I'd just buy a Roku box if I were you. The Chromecast isn't particularly fantastic, and is very awkward to use.

Yup, works fine


Not sure what you mean about awkward to use. Simply press the cast button and that's it done. Pretty simple to use.

One of the easiest bits of kit i ever had. Only got rid of mine because the Humax box I bought has a casting ability for Youtube that's on a par with it, so i didn't need it.

If you have used a Chromecast you must be doing something wrong because they're very easy to use.

I agree - Chromecast is simplicity itself to use.

Yes. What you want to do should work.

In fact, why don't you go one better and buy a HDMI autoswitcher so that you can use the Chromecast and the now TV box without having to faff around changing the hdmi plugs?

I wouldn't go that far.

Try giving Chromecast to someone without any explanation, and ask them to fire up Netflix.

Then give them a Roku, Apple TV, AFTV etc and ask them to fire up Netflix.

Next test. Once Netflix is up, take your phone and don't give it back and see if they can figure out how to pause, stop and control the video being watched. And before you say the same problem can happen if you take the Roku or ATV remote away, yes, but that never happens. However, people always take their smart phones with them, so if I for instance started a stream and then wanted to leave, whoever else was watching it have lost control.

Next test. Start watching some live TV via Chromecast using a service like Zattoo, Now TV etc. Then find out how many people just switch the TV off when they leave, which in many cases (not all) the live stream continues, which for many people can eat up their monthly cap very quickly.

Chromecast can be easy, but it requires a lot more knowledge on how it works than a normal set-top-box. I like Chromecast, but I only use it when I have to. Why? Because if something is built into a set-top-box, it is really just so much easier to start up, control and switch off.

Ok, Chromecast requires some basic instructions (rather than knowledge) prior to using it. Once you know the very basic concept of casting, and what to do, the rest is far from complicated (as long as you realise that the smartphone is the remote control, so you have one less remote device to worry about)

As I said, simplicity itself to use (once you understand the basics). It is not awkward to use (which was the original claim).

And yes, in-built functions might be better, but in truth we were not talking about STBs or smart TVs.Just a cheap £30 plug-in device

Thought you all might like to know....

Just checked my Chromecast offers and there's a FREE 2 month Now TV movies offer available to all who bought their Chromecast before January this year - even if, like me, you have already had a Now TV movies offer in the past.

There is also a Google Movies rental available too.

Er - no - it does not come with a power adaptor(unless that has changed) but any 1A plus adaptor will work fine.

Chromecast's do come with a power adapter - see under "What's in the box" here.

I dunno if it was any different in times gone by.

The one I bought in Tesco last year came with a UK mains adapter.

I got one last week for my birthday. It has a power adapter.

Yes agree, I got a roku box in the end as the chromecast just kept losing connection or buffering when upstairs, seems to work ok when it really close to the router.

I have to say, that is not my experience. Even with the pretty poor range of the Sky Hubs, I have never had any buffering issues upstairs with the router downstairs in the living room.

I find my chromecast to judder a lot, i rarely use it nowadays as have firetv box which is much better, but for presentations from my laptop to tv the chromecast does a superb job.

What are the benefits of Chromecast over say an Android TV dongle? Why not cut out the middleman of a laptop or a tablet? I don't understand it's appeal?

If you stream video from your laptop via Chromecast onto your TV does it lose quality? Or look pixelated especially on a big TV?

Imo i think the best streaming device would be a Windows 8/10 stick they are starting to roll out more mainstream now from as little as £70 upwards dependant on what you want.
Android stick would be better than chromecast, chromecast i think, i have the firetv box and that is a superb device.

The new chromecast 2 should come soon.