Cool New Device

Well, it's new to us. We just bought google chr ome ca st for all our tvs. The tv needs to have an hdmi port.
It's $35 and it allows you to broad'cast' whatever is on your laptop, android phone or tablet and works with ipad (limited). On everything but the apple devices, it allows you to cast whatever is on the screen of your device to the tv! If guests have a netflix account, they can stream movies on their smart phones, etc and it will show on the big tv in their room.
Has anyone used this yet? We just set the first one up in our owners quarters and it's working great. We have unlimited internet, so we don't have to worry about how many gigs are being used.
For our ipad, there needs to be an app for netflix, youtube, hulu, etc. it won't broadcast from chrome browser.
If it's a hit with our guests, we might sign up for a netflix account for just the inn. I'm not letting guests go onto my own account.
Learn About This Device

I keep wondering about these things. We only have slow DSL so I don't think it will work for us. Everyone is looking for a work around to get away from cable and direct tv on the cheap. There are better ones out there from what I read...but we aren't that advanced here yet for it to work for us :-(

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device.

I'm sure guests will love this. We have a Netflix account just for our Inn. You do need to make sure your internet can handle multiple rooms streaming at one time. Also that your usage level you have from your provider does not go over! We had to limit it to only one room. It's available on a smart tv in only one suite and we charge more for that suite. People like tech stuff. Another suggestion, if you have a hard time figuring out something your guests will too. So keep that in mind. You will be in your guests room all the time teaching them how to use things.

Hillbilly said:

I'm sure guests will love this. We have a Netflix account just for our Inn. You do need to make sure your internet can handle multiple rooms streaming at one time. Also that your usage level you have from your provider does not go over! We had to limit it to only one room. It's available on a smart tv in only one suite and we charge more for that suite. People like tech stuff. Another suggestion, if you have a hard time figuring out something your guests will too. So keep that in mind. You will be in your guests room all the time teaching them how to use things..

Click to expand...

Hillbilly said:

I'm sure guests will love this. We have a Netflix account just for our Inn. You do need to make sure your internet can handle multiple rooms streaming at one time. Also that your usage level you have from your provider does not go over! We had to limit it to only one room. It's available on a smart tv in only one suite and we charge more for that suite. People like tech stuff. Another suggestion, if you have a hard time figuring out something your guests will too. So keep that in mind. You will be in your guests room all the time teaching them how to use things.

Click to expand...

people who use netflix already have accts.
they wont use yours. It is personal. If they are watching lost episode 78 when they are there it picks up on episode 78. I wouldnt waste time getting netflix for the inn, personally. I have it right here on this ipad, i will watch it from my account there, or at the airport, wherever i go it goes with me.
i even let Innkeep watch a doc on outsourcing while visiting Louisiana on our innspiring road trip. It is personal. My shows, my preferences, i wouldnt use someone elses acct. if i have my device i stream or watch from it.
explaining this for those who don't understand how netflix works.

As more and more people use extreme amounts of internet on their devices you need to think about what your usage is for your internet account. We have set up a Hot Spot for our Inn. We can block certain sites from being viewed. If we have 8 guests streaming at once this would be very bad. So we have it available on one tv. This is the most popular suite we have. JB I agree most people who use Netflix already have an account. But I don't want them all streaming at once. But you would be shocked at te amount if guests who have never used Netflix and love this feature. But they just have to push a button on their tv remote and it loads. It's very easy that way.

New and more powerful internet stuff gives me a headache.
We have dvr on our big tv and I generally use the non-dvr tv.
On the inn side, we provide plain old tvs. Some have dvd. TV at a B&B is for checking the weather. Not staying in to watch movies. At least, that's what we tell our guests.

We have had a variation of this for a while on all our TVs. The LG Smart TV Upgrader and I have at least one ChromeCast and one built in. The learning curve is a little steep for some people.

Joey Bloggs said:

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device..

Click to expand...

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!

EmptyNest said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device..

Click to expand...

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!
.

Click to expand...

If you want to learn how to do this, what you can do is use DLNA. Sometimes called a uPnP server. Built into many routers today but also into some servers like WD My Cloud EX 4. The video files are saved on the server and the DLNA serves them up to the TV. Smart TVs have this built in and it just uses the house's bandwidth without using the Internet. A bit of a learning curve to teach guests to go to the server and browse. There is a more complicated version called PLEX or XBMC. XBMC is pretty slick in that you can even set up to show the listings from IMDB and cover pics.

EmptyNest said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device..

Click to expand...

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!
.

Click to expand...

EmptyNest said:

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!

Click to expand...

We have a business account with unlimited bandwidth, 60mps and have been told that even if all our guests were streaming, we'd still have enough. Such a difference from only 6 months ago when we went from satellite internet with snail speed and could only use 5 gig per week.

Breakfast Diva said:

EmptyNest said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device..

Click to expand...

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!
.

Click to expand...

EmptyNest said:

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!

Click to expand...

We have a business account with unlimited bandwidth, 60mps and have been told that even if all our guests were streaming, we'd still have enough. Such a difference from only 6 months ago when we went from satellite internet with snail speed and could only use 5 gig per week.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

EmptyNest said:

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!

Click to expand...

We have a business account with unlimited bandwidth, 60mps and have been told that even if all our guests were streaming, we'd still have enough. Such a difference from only 6 months ago when we went from satellite internet with snail speed and could only use 5 gig per week.

Click to expand...

That is awesome. Wish we had 60 here!

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

EmptyNest said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device..

Click to expand...

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!
.

Click to expand...

EmptyNest said:

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!

Click to expand...

We have a business account with unlimited bandwidth, 60mps and have been told that even if all our guests were streaming, we'd still have enough. Such a difference from only 6 months ago when we went from satellite internet with snail speed and could only use 5 gig per week.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

EmptyNest said:

Yep..name of the game bandwidth..and get ready because in the not too distant future...we will be charged by the amount of bandwidth we use...it is coming!!!

Click to expand...

We have a business account with unlimited bandwidth, 60mps and have been told that even if all our guests were streaming, we'd still have enough. Such a difference from only 6 months ago when we went from satellite internet with snail speed and could only use 5 gig per week.

Click to expand...

That is awesome. Wish we had 60 here!
.

Click to expand...

They offer 30 for a residential account, but 60 for biz! We were pretty thrilled when it happened. We bundled internet, phone and tv and are saving $200 per month from what we used to have.
We went from prehistoric to modern!

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.

Click to expand...

You're right JB. I've learned about a lot of technology from my guests! I think it's also our demographics. We tend to get the younger 25-45 year olds who live in the big cities.

Breakfast Diva said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.

Click to expand...

You're right JB. I've learned about a lot of technology from my guests! I think it's also our demographics. We tend to get the younger 25-45 year olds who live in the big cities.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.

Click to expand...

You're right JB. I've learned about a lot of technology from my guests! I think it's also our demographics. We tend to get the younger 25-45 year olds who live in the big cities.

Click to expand...

And you are a doable day trip for a weekend getaway from a technology capital of sorts. Well, not of sorts, but really. Maybe you can be the tester for technology for the industry and feed it on over to the rest of us!

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.

Click to expand...

You're right JB. I've learned about a lot of technology from my guests! I think it's also our demographics. We tend to get the younger 25-45 year olds who live in the big cities.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Breakfast Diva said:

The setup was fairly easy, but we'll set up all the tvs with the chrome device, then all the guest has to do is download the app. If they can't handle that, then they need to put phone/laptop/pad back in the box and return it to the store....they're not smart enough for a computer! hehehehehehe
Yea, we'll also have instructions for them in the room.

Click to expand...

yeah.
we have people who can't work out how to press the button to pour the coffee. Lawd hep us all!
I bet if we had a poll, er a study you would have guests who were much more tech advanced than the avg B&B, due to your location, being a destination, and more. I firmly believe that.
Disclaimer: Pls Maddie do not attempt this at your place. They can't even work out where or how to sit down to eat there.

Click to expand...

You're right JB. I've learned about a lot of technology from my guests! I think it's also our demographics. We tend to get the younger 25-45 year olds who live in the big cities.

Click to expand...

And you are a doable day trip for a weekend getaway from a technology capital of sorts. Well, not of sorts, but really. Maybe you can be the tester for technology for the industry and feed it on over to the rest of us!
.

Click to expand...

First, they need to get us some cell service!!

I've toyed with the idea, but in the reviews I've read the Ro ku stick usually beats chr ome.
The problem with technology in the rooms is people tend not to use it. I put a really nice docking station in one of the rooms but no one ever uses it, I listed it on eb ay yesterday.
I'm currently bidding on a rok u on eb ay so we'll see if I can get it cheap and I'll try it out and see what I think.

Joey Bloggs said:

Unlimited internet? It is called Bandwidth. If everyone streams there could be issues. We need to up ours for this same reason as our guests are using more.
Netflix is limited to a few devices so you cant stream on all of them at once,
i have netflx ap on this apple product, i would dare say large majority use apple (from the news of millions sold the second they hit the market and people sleeping in front of stores overnight to get them)
The new tvs are set up to wireless stream movies from a device..

Click to expand...

Joey, what device do you use to stream movies over your wireless network. This is something we would really like to do but are not sure where to start. Thank you