yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Chromecast] abuttino:
Avia will not transcode, it takes a much higher power processor to do that. Plex should transcode everything to h264 to preserve quality. I'll give a full rundown when kyocast gets updated. Hopefully, it also preserves audio quality for 5.1 and other high resolution audio formats.
[Google Chromecast] nacho73:
could someone upload the apk realplayer cloud?

Here in Spain is not available yet
[Google Chromecast] rkirmeier:
Plex transcodes and works pretty well. I have a lifetime Plexpass and spent a little time playing with Plex/Chromecast last night.
[Google Chromecast] omgjoz:
Don't waste your time... Do yourself a favor and get Plex. You won't regret it. If you do a lot of streaming, the Plex Pass is worth it. Plus, chromecast functionality is working very nicely.
[Google Chromecast] smrsxn:
I somehow still think that plex will be limited to own home use. For example, when i go to my friends place, plex will be not be able to cast my local phone videos to my friends tv which has chromecast.

On the contrary avia will be picture perfect everywhere. My phone already takes mp4 videos, so I am good.
[Google Chromecast] Restorer:
If it does, I haven't found the setting to enable that. All of my DD and DTS 5.1 files are getting down-mixed to stereo. But the good news is that everything I have thrown at it plays brilliantly on the Chromecast. And none of these mkv files would play the audio at all using Avia.

I'm a first time Plex user and it was a real breeze to set up. The $3.99 Plex Pass also gets you the Android app for free (not sure if it turns off after a month if you don't renew?). It is going to be a great one-stop replacement for Serviio/BubbleUPnP/MxPlayer/HDMI-out combo I currently struggle with for the bedroom TV.

To use on the main TV through the Chromecast though, I am going to want to find a way to retain the 5.1 audio. Or maybe Chromecast doesn't support these formats at all?
[Google Chromecast] youriblah:
Avia

Avia works okay - casts from the DLNA server in my router (rt-n66u) and I can browse a samba share w/ es file explorer and open a file with Avia and it seems to play.

Seems like all my MKVs are encoded with AC3 so I don't hear any sound.

Any recommendations for a DLNA server that will transcode into something chromecast will play, or is there a way to add ac3 support to chromecast? I have a really early version, but it's never been rooted & it has gone through all its OTA updates.
[Google Chromecast] dragonflyr:
yupt .. worked perfectly for me too. the exact same process. loading up my plex server as we "speak". very happy. will be getting another chromecast for 2nd tv. LOVE local content!!!!
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
PlexServer will transcode aVia will not.

The transcoding is a function of a server not a player. Too much confusing the two around here it seems.

aVia is a Client/Player

Plex App in the Play store is a Client/Player

Plex Server does not run on Android and must run be on some other device (Server) that can see your local Media

aVia will play Local content (BOTH, as in ON YOUR ANDROID UNIT but also from any DLNA server)

Plex Apps will Play local content FROM a Plex Server Only

aVia will not do any transcoding but you can get around that by encoding your local files to a format the Chromecast can handle which in many cases is the same format your android unit can handle (H.264, MP4 Format)

PlexApp does not transcode either but since it is taking content from a Plex Server (which does transcode) the Server will send the appropriate transcoding to the Chromecast no matter what format the Master file your playing is in.

aVia seems to be the one most of you will use who do not have a Plex Server running on your network.

If you have a Plex Server running then it really doesn't matter what Client/Player you use. They will BOTH work with that Plext Server.

If you have a DLNA server that is NOT Plex (like Twonky) that also does transcoding then aVia is the App you should get to stream to Chromecast.

Twonky Server may not yet have a definition for transcoding for Chromecast though. So mileage may vary with DLNA servers other than Plex at this point.

The only DLNA server for Android that I know of at this point is BubbleUPNP and Twonky (Bubble may be a client not a server I have never used it). Neither supports Chromecast at this point and is not meant to PLAY files on your Android machine as much as it is to play content saved on your Android unit to other devices

Now that Plex has supported Chromecast it's only a matter of time before Bubble and Twonky follow.

I hope that helps with some of the confusion here...

[EDIT] Twonky for Android will play Local (on Unit) files and Files from any DLNA Server. It does not transcode those files however unless they are coming from a DLNA Server which does the transcoding.
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
I went for the full boat Lifetime PlexPass. Considering how much you will pay in a year for something like NetFlix it is well worth the Money to have all the media you have at home available to ALL your units everywhere PLUS the ability to send it to a Chromecast.

I have almost 12 TBs worth of Movies.TV Shows, Music and Pictures available to me wherever I go! And while there are ways around paying it and making it work, it was worth the money to me to take the easy route.

aVia will only be picture perfect if the files on your unit are encoded in a format that Chromecast likes. Try an MKV file and see what I mean.

The key to getting good streaming EVERYWHERE is the Transcoding function of the server.

Not to mention the amount of media you can have available to stream without filling up your Android unit with Media files!
[Google Chromecast] jsgraphicart:
So aVia worked pretty well last night in some cases. MP4 files play nicely with Chromecast. AVI files do not. I messed with some transcoding settings on my Media Server and was able to get choppy audio with no video with one AVI file. I dont know if its something I did or something to do with the file itself. My lack of transcoding knowledge kind of makes it pointless for me to mess with. But MP4 files do work well. Except I had one MP4 video that would play fine on my phone/tablet but only played sound and no video on Chromecast. Maybe it was the bigger file size. I dont know. It was also pretty cool to link my Google+ account to it and view my photos on my TV as well. I havent tried streaming my local music on my computer yet since I was mainly focusing on video last night. I'll try that tonight.

I also looked into Plex. But it requires Windows Vista or later. I'm still on XP. :eek:
[Google Chromecast] dragonflyr:
y.. did some encoding last night via handbrake .. h.264 mp4 is the way to go for cc/phones/tablets/etc.

very happy now .. for approx $40 (cc and avia) i have a great local streaming setup in the house .. with no cables! pick up another cc and for less than $100 my whole house will be hooked up for streaming audio and video. very nice!
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
Probably used a Codec that Chromecast doesn't like. H.264 is probably the best one to use for Chromecast use. SOme Android Players support other codecs that Chromecast may not support.

If you really want to run a Plex Server just find some old Computer your not using (cause you upgraded), throw Ubuntu or Fedora on it and get Plex for Linux.

It doesn't require a very high power rig since it also works on NAS devices.

In Fact if you don't have one already have an NAS (Network Attached Storage) the Netgear ReadyNAS, QNAP, Synology, ASUSTOR and some other NAS devices come with Plex Server built in!

http://www.plexapp.com/connected/
[Google Chromecast] bhiga:
aVia's site says files >= 10 Mbps bitrate are problematic... Apparently this includes all the video I shoot on my Galaxy S3.

I need to load some alternate videos...

So far for me the aVia connects to my Chromecast, and Chromecast shows the aVia screen and tries to play video and photos, but have not actually seen picture on my Chromecast yet. Haven't had a chance to fully investigate, might turn into a weekend project.
[Google Chromecast] Nledesma:
aVia was definitely worth the $3. I also tried realplayer which hasn't really been discussed here and it played mp4 files from my phone fine.and realplayer is free.
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
The only issue I have with the MP4 format is that it doesn't support SUBTITLES or SRT files...It's either you encode them on or without them entirely.

MKV supports this but only because it is really a form of Video ZIP that can have multiple files, formats and subtitles inside the container.

Which is why it play like a pig in mud on most android units because it requires more Proc Power to play properly.

Something I hope goes away by the time we hit Tegra6 or 7! LOL
[Google Chromecast] jsgraphicart:
I am planning on adding another hard drive to my computer with Ubuntu so I can dual boot. So maybe in the future I will look into Plex again.

Are you only trying to stream videos directly from your phone or a Media Server? I actually didnt try anything from my phone. Streaming MP4 files from my computer worked good though.
[Google Chromecast] bhiga:
Yes, just from phone. Haven't had a chance to try my media server (DLNA) yet.
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
Once you set up a DLNA Server you will never store media on your Tablet or phone again! LOL

I got so hooked that I went out and got an NAS just to store all the files! Too bad I didn't know about Plex before I bought it or I would have got a different unit that had Plex built in.
[Google Chromecast] dragonflyr:
this is what i aspire to be. :D
[Google Chromecast] Louer Adun:
Went ahead and bought the $75 lifetime subscription to PlexPass for the Chromecast feature. I have to say I am thoroughly impressed.
[Google Chromecast] smalis:
I am using the free Plex Server on my PC. Are you saying I can get it to transcode an mpg file to a Chromecast compatible format (MP4, for example) on the flly as I play content from the server on my tablet (or casting to my TV from my tablet) using Avia? If so, can you point me to the setting for this, as I have not found it?

Thank you.
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
I do a lot of traveling since I work broadcast trucks and find myself staying in hotels all around the country with their limited TV channels.

DLNA has saved me as I have an entire library of content to watch instead.

Too bad there are issues with Chromecast on some Wireless Hotel Networks due to the Auth issues.
[Google Chromecast] smalis:
Can't cast with Realplayer unless you install Realplayer Cloud, - but to cast with that, you have to upload the file to Real's server. What BS!
[Google Chromecast] Louer Adun:
I have been using DLNA for quite some time, although any trans-coded files don't play properly on my LG TV through Plex (I have had to use Servioo for any trans-coded files), and I spent weeks tweaking the DLNA configuration settings for trans-coding. I have a Chromecast hooked up to every TV in the house, so Plex supporting Chromecast is a HUGE WIN! I think everyone will be getting a Chromecast for Christmas this year, and complete access to my Movie/TV/Music libraries (that is one hell of a Christmas present with over 3 TB of content).

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ----------

Have you tried spoofing the mac address of the Chromecast using a laptop or Phone, authenticating using the hotels web-portal, and then connecting with the Chromecast? I think it should work.
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
It depends on how aVia has implemented their Chromecast streaming. It doesn't transcode the file itself (if it does it uses a one size try to fit all method for CC) but playing and then casting from a Plex Server should pick the right transcoding mode when the Chromecast requests the file. aVia may not work that way however (I'm not sure) It may send the Chromcast a link to itself to get the file in which case the Plex Server sends it in a format aVia can handle but maybe not one Chromecast can handle so well.

There is no setting for this on the Plex Server (it is built into Plex Server via an XML transcoding file definition) and it determines what transcoding to use on connection and request to the Server.

Truth is if you have the Plex Server your really better off using a Plex Client.

If you don't want to pay for PlexPass there is a way around it...(I should make a separate thread for this truth be told)

Expose the Plex Server to the Internet via port forwarding on your router (and setting any firewall exclusions needed)

Get the Plex for Android app (not the Plex for PlexPass) in the Play store.

Go into settings on the App and enable manual connections. Enter your router external IP and proper Port information.

The app should connect to your Plex server at home even when your outside your home network.

The issue is going to be how often your ISP cycles your Router IP address and knowing what it is when your not at home to see it.

Setting up DynDNS and giving your router a domain name you can use for it will keep you from having to change the setting and knowing what the IP is every time you want to get things from the server.

Thats one way of getting out of having to buy a PlexPass subscription.

And you should have no issues with transcoding to Chromecast anymore because the Plex App will send the file directly from the server (with all it's proper transcoding goodness to the chromecast.

---------- Post added at 06:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ----------

The problem is some hotels use certificates for Auth and spoofing a MAC will not help you get the certificate onto the router....

You log in via Browser and it send a Cert and since the router has no browser there is no way to get the CERT for it to work.

Sorry I thought you meant a router...Maybe that works with Chromecast but I don't see how you can click on accept when the CC tried to get the Cert.

Check the Plex Forums...You might find a proper transcoding descripter file for your particular TV.

Just copy it into the right folder and you should get good streaming n your TV.

Look into this...Not sure how you install apps on an LG TV but this seems like it might be worth looking into.

http://simonjhogan.github.io/plex.lg/
[Google Chromecast] Louer Adun:
You may very well be correct about the certificates. I also didnt think about this previously, but your phone may not be able to communicate with the Chromecast even if it is properly enrolled on the network as the whole point of that configuration is to isolate devices on the wifi network.

As far as the trans-coding of DLNA content on my LG TV, I have most definitely looked for working profiles, and have built a config that will trans-code the files properly, however the streaming of trans-coded files from Plex works using small chunks of the file (taking breaks when enough of the file is trans-coded), it will play for about a minute (or however long it takes for the TV to consume the first chunk), and then when the TV requests the next chunk, the time offset is not correct and it will skip from 1 minute in to about 10 seconds into the video then play another minute, then skip to 20 seconds into the video and play another minute... you get the idea. Serviio will trans-code the entire file at 1 time, so it plays just fine on my TV.

Anyways... that's a bit off topic for this discussion. I am thoroughly impressed with the Chromecast and how Plex has implemented it, streaming local content through a service like Plex or Subsonic is exactly the reason why I bought them in the first place (that and they were practically free with the Netflix subscription coupons).
[Google Chromecast] smalis:
Outstanding! I will try this tonight and report back.

UPDATE - found some free time so logged onto my home computer with Logmein, signed up for MyPlex (free), signed into Myplex in the Plex server, made sure Plex could get through my firewall, checked router, which Plex had automatically set up for correct port forwarding, installed Plex client on tablet, and voila, I have access to movie files on my home PC on my tablet here at work! They play fine - as some are mpg's, I will try to Chromecast them tonight via Plex on tablet.

Thank you for the advice!
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
Yeah I just checked the Pex Forums and it seems LG is one of those models that doesn't have a really good DLNA implementation...

They dumped some format that use to work for something else that doesn't.

But the good news is you can bypass the TV entirely now and use the Chromecast with Plex! LOL

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:16 PM ----------

There are probably more comprehensive instructions available on the net for what is required, It's been a known bypass to PlexPass Sub for awhile.

So if you get stuck and need better instruction just Google it for a better one than I gave you.
[Google Chromecast] Mr-Glass:
Probably a dumb question, but - can't you just cast to the Chromecast from Media Manager in Plex? or do you have to use the app? Netflix and Youtube let you cast from a laptop..
[Google Chromecast] wptski:
As far as I can see there isn't any difference between using BubbleUPnP DLNA server to stream MP4s to a WiFi enabled DLNA TV than using aVia to stream MP4s through a Chromecast to a TV. Am I correct or is there any advantage/disadvantage using one or the other?

The author of BubbleUPnP stated that Chromecast support would be added after the SDK was released.
[Google Chromecast] abuttino:
Who knows when that'll be..
[Google Chromecast] Flowah:
So, if I'm getting this right, PlexServer will transcode, and you can use Avia on your Android to cast those on-the-fly transcoded videos to the CC?
[Google Chromecast] abuttino:
Don't believe it does, I have allcast and that didn't work
[Google Chromecast] Mr-Glass:
I could be wrong, but I do not think that is correct.. Avia sees the dlna portion or shares and pulls the files, I can only play mp4 files with avia off of the plex server, I believe the plex app allows the plex server to do the transcoding for it, because I can play mp4 and avi..
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
Sure but thats not the same as what Plex, Netflix and YouTube does to stream to it...

Thats casting a tab in Chrome which works great on a PC but doesn't work in android since Android Chrome does not support chrome extensions which means there is no way to load Plex Media Manager in a browser and then cast it to the CCast.

Remember what youre running when you run NetFlix and YouTube is just a PLAYER CLIENT for those servers. Media Manager in Plex is not a client although it can play files through a browser to get them to CCast you need to use the Chromecast Browser extension.

There are Two methods used to stream to a Chromecast (that I know of there maybe others, There are smarter people than me here that can explain this so I might be wrong about thisin some way, I'm sure they will correct me)

1 - Direct Cast from point to point (ChromeCast Browser extention uses this I believe)

2 - URL Sending (which is how Netflix, You Tube and Plex work)

In Direct Cast the program sends a link to itself to the chromecast and then sends a feed in a chromecast compatible format that the CCast displays. Chromecast Browser extension does this and maybe aVia does as well! I can't say but people having problems with some content using aVia seems to suggest this might be how it is implemented.

In the second URL method all the program does is send a link to the Chromecast and the chromecast plays the content directly. The only thing the original program does after that is retain control of the content for play stop pause etc...But the content is coming directly from the source of the files you decided to cast.

Direct requires the unit you used to send to the CCast to make a CCast compatible stream....

URL does not require the Unit to even be on anymore, the CCast gets it's feed directly from the source you told it to play from.
[Google Chromecast] bhiga:
I think you need the Plex client to negotiate with the Plex server to determine what format the client can play (and to have the server transcode as necessary).
[Google Chromecast] Asphyx:
No one knows if thats true or not, Depends on how aVia sends streams to the CCast....

Maybe it does, Maybe it doesn't...

But considering there are files that play fine on aVia from plex but then do not play well when aVia sends it to CCast the most logical conclusion to draw is aVia is not sending URLs to the CCast but instead sending a direct feed it creates itself.

If you want to test that theory, send something to CCast from aVia and then power off the unit.

If it stops then aVia is not sending the CCast a link to play it directly from the Plex Server and is sending the stream te best it can from what Plex transcoded to play in aVia. In that case Plex has no clue the CCast is seeing that file it is sending.

If it does play after that but not well then it is also possible that Plex is not recognizing the fact it needs to transcode for CCast and sending in a format that CCast doesn't like because it isn't getting proper notification of what transcoding is needed.

I can't really help you guys who are trying to use aVia since I don't use it and have not read anything about how it was implemented on their end.

Best place to ask those questions is to go to aVia site and ask about their method for CCast implementation.

Since there is no transcoding info in Plex for aVia it's a good bet that sending to CCast from aVia (or streaming to aVia from plex itself) may be telling the server no transcoding at all!

Which would explain why some content plays and others not so much!

If you want to stream from a Plex Server your much better off using Plex for Android app and only use aVia for content directly stored on the unit itself.

As far as I'm concerned (since I have Plex) the only reason to use aVia is if you have some other server than Plex or have content on the local device you want to send to CCast.

Expect that to change very soon. I expect more DLNA players to enter the picture before Christmas has even come!

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

YES! I believe the Plex Client is working in the same way the Netflix does and tells the server to "PLAY THIS in THIS FORMAT to the CCast and allow me to control it."

I'm not positive aVia does this. Maybe it does but if some files play in aVia properly but not on the CCast when sent from it then Plex is not getting the info it needs to send the right transcoding to CCast.

At least thats what I believe is going on with aVia.