How does Chromecast work? I got my brother one, but he doesn't use it. I'm about to move into a house, and I don't intend on getting cable -- just internet (at least until the basketball season starts, but even then, I'm not sure).
No, but there are a number of apps out there that allow you to stream from your tablet to your tv. Not sure if it's having cyanogenmod 11 on my phone (android rom), but I get the little icon when I'm watching something flash based in my chrome browser.
I'll speak for PLEX. I torrent tv shows and movies. they all have those random titles (full of periods and x264.720p...etc.). PLEX recognizes the files. Downloads the posters, IMDB info, and even theme music for when I have it highlighted before hitting play. It's a beautiful interface. Kind of like having the Netflix menu in front of you, but being your files.
I use Plex -> Roku for upstairs because of Rocket games come on Roku and not Apple TV. I use ITunes -> Apple TV downstairs Everything streams from my Hackantosh Apple
Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu type streaming is all done by my Smart TV. If I'm downloading torrents however, I just put them on a flash drive and plug them into one of the USB ports on the TV.
I've started using Chromecast to cast tabs from my Note 3 to the TV and it's 100% flawless. Works better than from my laptop.
Plenty of mobile versions of sites use HTML 5 for video. For example plenty of anime streaming sites such as kissanime use html 5 thus I can stream through Chromecast. Porb sites also use HTML 5 for their mobile versions.
I use a Roku. One in the main room and one (older version that's really slow) for a TV in my office. I also "stream" via my DirecTV receiver but I don't think that's what the OP had in mind. My living room is at the other end of the house from my internet connection and I was struggling with a weak WiFi signal so I used a pair of Trendnet power line adapters to get a "wired" connection and it works great. I have one plugged into my router and another plugged into a switch in the living room and everything that needs an Internet connection (TV, SONOS, DirecTV receiver, Roku, second WAP, etc ...) connected to the switch. I can stream something in HD to my TV via ROKU and watch HD YouTube videos on my tablet at the same time.
Chromecast. Best $35 I've spent technology wise maybe ever. It's amazing and gets better daily. You can Chromecast damn near everything now. Otherwise I stream on my PS4/Wii U.
