My only beef with Chromecast is I feel like they are designed to die after 2 years. I’ve gone through three now; it always seems like right around the 2-year mark, it starts having issues staying connected to the network. But I keep buying them because, like you said, it’s basically the ideal smart device.
Did you try getting the chrome cast ultra that has the ethernet port on the power adapter? I’ve had a lot less trouble with connectivity on that one vs the original wireless only.
Every 4 months or so it will lock up and require a power cycle. So I do still have some of the problems you describe.
In general, I try to keep video streaming devices off the wifi as much as possible even though I have a pretty decent access point. Streaming video drastically decreases the quality of wifi service for all other devices on the wifi. Running an ethernet cable through floors is a bit of a hassle but can be worth it. A powerline adapter could be good for your use case, but they come with a lot of caveats.
They are designed to die, almost everything is now a days. Why build a robust system that lasts forever when you can build a cheaper system that breaks every couple of years and charge as much as you would for the robust system? It’s not like consumers can choose an alternative that doesn’t use the obsolescence model.
My only beef with Chromecast is I feel like they are designed to die after 2 years. I’ve gone through three now; it always seems like right around the 2-year mark, it starts having issues staying connected to the network. But I keep buying them because, like you said, it’s basically the ideal smart device.
Did you try getting the chrome cast ultra that has the ethernet port on the power adapter? I’ve had a lot less trouble with connectivity on that one vs the original wireless only.
Every 4 months or so it will lock up and require a power cycle. So I do still have some of the problems you describe.
I did not even know that was a thing. Maybe I’ll get it when my current one shits the bed in 8 months or so.
I wouldn’t be able to use the Ethernet though since the router is upstairs.
It seems like the chromecast ultra is an outdated model at this point. I can’t tell if the 4k chrome cast comes with an ethernet adapter still.
They do seem to sell the adapter separately. I don’t know if it would be compatible with whatever unit you have. https://store.google.com/us/product/chromecast_ethernet_adapter_gen_2?hl=en-US
In general, I try to keep video streaming devices off the wifi as much as possible even though I have a pretty decent access point. Streaming video drastically decreases the quality of wifi service for all other devices on the wifi. Running an ethernet cable through floors is a bit of a hassle but can be worth it. A powerline adapter could be good for your use case, but they come with a lot of caveats.
Ethernet over power devices are surprisingly good.
I’ve had a couple that died after a year but still have some gen2 and gen3s running fine.
They are designed to die, almost everything is now a days. Why build a robust system that lasts forever when you can build a cheaper system that breaks every couple of years and charge as much as you would for the robust system? It’s not like consumers can choose an alternative that doesn’t use the obsolescence model.