Hi, I have an older smart TV, and so for my streaming I use Chromecast. Are potential sitters able to use my subscriptions, or would they have to use their own? TIA
Sitters should be able to use your subscription as they’re staying in your home, just as they can use your WiFi. I’ve never used chrome cast so you would have to explain it to me if I were your sitter.
I am not 100 percent sure, but it is my understanding that the sole function of Chromecast is allowing you to stream content from a computer, phone or tablet on the TV. So I would imagine that a sitter would only be able to use your accounts if you provided your log-in information for their devices, unless you had one you would leave there they can use.
I never got the hang of the top-loader video recorder so have no idea what language you speak
Log out of your services, then if a sitter has say Netflix of their own at home they can log in under their own email and password. Or you can leave your log in info but go into settings, there should be a setting to block on demand rentals so no one can rent movies. But even if you leave in you log in info all that does is let sitter be able to watch your services such as Netflix, hulu, etc. You may alao have a setting that offers a guest account which u can set up with making sure nothing can be rented. You can look up Chromecast online as see if you can get your answers there to.
I don’t know much about chromecast. I have a Roku and Guest accounts on my existing streaming services. Some use those, some log into their accounts, some stream on their devices and/or never use our TV. My last sitter used an HDMI cable to connect her laptop to our TV, which I didn’t even know you could do. So I’m thinking it makes sense to ask your sitter their preference once you’ve reviewed the options available with your set-up.
Generally, best to be prepared to let sitters use your accounts with guest setups and to offer directions on how to turn on whatever services and devices you’ve got.
Many hosts walk sitters through, but it’s better to have everything written down, since sitters can get a lot of info all at once and some do one sit after another — info overload.
If you take a look at various sit listings, you’ll see that many hosts note that they’ve got Netflix, Prime or whatever, so some sitters have grown accustomed to access.
Personally, I never use the hosts’ accounts or devices, since I use my own. That’s often not the case with sitters, though.
Hi @Daniele1
You can have many profiles on your google tv account with chromecast. A sitter may use your profile or create their own. If they already have a google account for things like youtube it’ll link this under their profile.
Hi @KC1102
Chromecast is now like a firestick in that yes you can stream stuff onto a tv but you also have your own profile screen where you can add tv stream apps etc.
Here’s my google tv screen via chromecast.
Thanks. I think I have a dinosaur TV and Chromecast!! It doesn’t look like that at all. I’ll investigate further.
yes, that’s it. I will get on to Chromecast info and try to work tout, thanks
Thank you. A few things to think about here.
Across various sits I’ve had the opportunity to use Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, and the native apps for Samsung, Sony… TVs.
Currently on a Firestick on a Samsung TV and it is slow! Slow to change channels, streaming apps, etc.
I use a Roku stick at home and compared to the Firestick, Roku is much faster for changing changing channels/streams.
You can get the basic Roku box to plug in to your TV HDMI port for about US$18 or with a voice remote for US$25 with free shipping from the Roku site. And the interface is very simple. So simple that in the US the Red Cross uses Roku as the interface for platelet donors to watch TV while donating.
As to using hosts’ accounts. If they have Netflix, AppleTV+, etc I will use theirs with their permission (and no one has told me not to use their account). And I’ll ask permission to add Mubi, MHZ, Roku to the system. Generally remove anything that I’ve added.
Roku, btw has the entire run of the 30 minute Alfred Hitchcock Presents from 1955-61. And that was when there were about 40 half-hour episodes a year. You will see many actors/actresses before they became stars - Art Carney, John Cassavetes, Charles Bronson, Joanne Woodward. Lots more old TV, too.
Thank You.I am researching all the different ways of doing this, your comments are very helpful.
My Chromecast is 7/8 years old now so not new either. You just need to switch your tv input to the hdmi socket your chromecast is connected to and login to your google account or create one. It should pre-load with many tv catch services and youtube but you can add any others.
I think they’d have to download google home on their device. On Netflix, Disney etc I set up a guest user.
Thanks for that. Last year I had a sit where the TV had some sort of chromecast setting, and it was just a matter of the TV showing up on a list of devices to which I was able to mirror the content of my computer. I thought that is all that it was.
Thanks for all the information! Here in Australia Roku seems to have bad reviews as it doesn’t seem to be configured with Australian free to air TV… unless I missed something and those issues are resolved. Thanks for taking the time to help
I travel with a Fire Stick that has the apps I use and have accounts for e.g. BBC iPlayer, along with a VPN app.
I’d love to do this but I don’t totally understand how it works. Can you elaborate, especially re: the VPN app?