So whats in the box ?
Well not much at all. The Chromecast unit itself which is the size of large USB stick, obviously it has an HDMI port, and a micro USB in the back for a power supply to plug into.
Set up is a easy as ...
Plugging in the device - visiting the website https://cast.google.com/chromecast/setup and downloading the set up program, here is where it gets interesting.
Chromecast has a set up WIFI built in, your PC will attach to it, you give Chromecast the WIFI settings to your local network. Then your are done. You PC will re-attach to you local network and look for the Chromecast.
Once done you will be invited to download the Cast extension into Chrome Browser if you are using it. It should look like this.Limited Apps - Unlimited usage
So far there are a few apps that work, Netflix, You Tube, Chrome work with the unit, as does various video relay off an Android device. To start just visit the page you want to cast then click the Google Cast plug in.
iPlayer, ITV Player etc
We tested BBC iPlayer, (all the other UK streaming sites too) from within the browser and some flash sites. All seem to stream pretty well to the device, and you can also browse the net and show the tab to the screen.
Sky Go
We are testing Sky Go now to see if this works. Currently receive a weird error which we will update shortly on. However we have just learned Sky Go doesn't work on Windows 8. So you might want to try this out yourself. Obviously this would be a great workaround for Multiroom, saving £10pm from your bill.
Smartstream from PC to US HBO / CBS / FOX etc
We recommend stream-via which you can signup to here. Streamvia using their very clever smartstream to the US to watch US services. As with Sky Go and iPlayer - visit the sites you want to stream, click the Google Cast in the top right of your browser, and away you go.
All the major networks streamed to the Chromecast some with fantastic results others just OK,
Since smartstream doesnt use VPN, its DNS routed, you can keep on the same local network as your Chromecast. Of course this wouldn't be the case under VPN conditions.
Android
Just useful for playing local content from the Play Store and your own videos, music etc. You Tube and Netflix get a tick in the box here.
Overall Very Good - with potential, at $35 its a bargain !
Its not quite direct streaming, but it is effective. You wont see the mouse flying around the screen either so don't expect use it for gaming because it wont have that kind of response.
Very handy and we hope to see apps more make use of Chromecast, especially on Android / Chrome OS
If you are in the UK you will not see the app in Google Play store, however you can download it from us, as covered before. http://ihaveagadget.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/importing-chromecast.html
OUYA Cheapcast
If you have a rooted OUYA then you can download Google Play - Cheapcast and use that as another Chromecast. We hear that some users have a problem with it dropping out but we haven't experienced it yet. We found to have the same experience as the Google hardware.