Windows 8 Runing Metro Chrome and Videostream for Chromecast

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Shadowwrath5

Shadowwrath5

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May 31, 2013
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Hello everyone thank you for taking the time to hear my problem:

Diagram:

Nas (video files here) --> PC (videostream) --> Chromecast --> Tv/sound system

I just bought a chromecast and in order to play PERSONAL videos from off of my NAS drive from my PC to chromecast. I am using the Videostream app for Google Chrome. The program works as intended AS LONG AS chrome is NOT in metro mode.
The pc im using is an all-in-one fully touch computer. When chrome is not in metro mode and you click the "browse for file" button on Videostream, it will bring up the old fashion windows explorer box to search for your files. It is much more convenient and easier to use a touch computer with chrome in metro with the metro-based explorer. But when chrome is in metro mode and you go to browse for media, it pulls up the metro-bases file explorer which WILL NOT display your network as an option to browse so you cannot get to the NAS. Is there anyway to fix this at all besides having to just leave chrome in standard mode?
Is there a way to disable the metro file explorer and only use the standard for everything?

For the most part I love windows 8 but little things like this drive me insane...
Thanks for the help!!!!!
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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1) I'm no expert, but it may be problematic trying to link to the PC which then links to the NAS.

I'm constantly having issues connecting to NAS devices from my PC directly. For example, to manually transfer files to a media box I have to click "WIN+R" then type in the device address (i.e. \\10.0.0.10).

I used to be able to click the device in Windows Explorer-> Network-> WDMYTV

That worked in Windows 8, but now it's gone on all our computers (all W8 machines) so this may have something to do with your problem. It's not just my WDTV but also my NAS. My NAS shows up in Windows Explorer under "Storage" but to manually access it I have to put in its address with the same method I mentioned above for my media box.

2) *Is your NAS incapable of streaming to the Chrome device?

3) There are usually two ways of streaming. One method is the device (PC, NAS if capable) DECODES the file and then streams the video file. The other method is that the device just sends the file itself and the Chromecast decodes the video.

*I assume your Chromecast can DECODE certain files by itself? If so, then you should be linking to the NAS itself I assume and only using the PC if you need the PC to decode files the Chromecast is incapable of.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Can anyone verify the Chromecast has no onboard DECODING capabilities and can only forward video streams already decoded by another device such as a PC or tablet?

If so, perhaps the ROKU 3 would be better as it can link directly to the NAS and avoid the PC completely.

The "WDTV" has the best file support by far, however there is no NETFLIX support. My WDTV LIVE HUB died and i'm trying to find a replacement. The Roku 3 is the best alternative i've found that also supports Netflix.

Sure I can stream from my PC but it never seems to work properly.

(Western Digital's site is confusing BTW. There is a "WD Elements Play" but I think that it does NOT have any local network capabilities. The WDTV does and can connect to a NAS.)

*So if you don't need Netflix (or can get it other ways), the WDTV is probably ideal:
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1270

(it may not matter to you at all, but I've got lots of files that won't work on other players. The WD devices even support VORBIS and ISO images for DVD/BD.)

BluRay players:
There's also a few BD players that support streaming and aren't too expensive (as little as $80 USD). Samsung and Sony for example have a couple that support streaming, USB, and Netflix/apps.

Alternative summary:

#1: WDTV (not the Elements Play)
- streaming
- USB hard drive
- Netflix not supported
- *very large number of codecs supported

#2: Roku 3
- streaming
- USB/SD
- Netflix is supported
- limited codec support (fine for most people)

#3: BluRay players
- similar to above plus BD/DVD
- haven't tried any though (only read reviews)
- Sony BDP-S5100
- Sony BD-H6500
- Samsung BD-F5900 (similar cheaper models)
 
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Shadowwrath5

Shadowwrath5

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May 31, 2013
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I think you guys are missing the problem. And I don't think chromecast has onboard decoding because if you send to it from a mobile device, the device still loads everything not chromecast . Also I don't want to buy another device and if I did I would just get a smart tv.

Anyway the problem here is Windows 8's file explorer ui changing when you go to search for a file from the app with chrome in metro. If chrome isn't in metro Windows 8 can and will show my nas and I can stream from it.

I can make a video if this is still confusing or unclear.
 
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