D-pad as DVR control

[MacNerd]

Somewhere on the Google website, I asked about the DVR functionality of the Google TV remote.

I got answers but I initially posted my questions in the Help section not the Forum. The moderator moved my questions to this forum, I think.

The remote doesn't have dedicated DVR buttons. It was explained to me that the D-pad functions as the DVR buttons.

So, if I remember correctly, the Left button is for Rewind; the Right button is for Fast Forward; the OK button is for Play/Pause, correct? Do the Up & Down buttons have any DVR function? How does one advance the video frame-by-frame?

[Byteguy · Accepted solution]

How the D-Pad reacts depends on the app that you are using.  The Chromecast with Google TV isn't a traditional DVR.  It's a gateway to the different apps (Netflix, Google Moves, etc).

In general, once you pause (the center button) you can move a little bit at a time using the left and right.  But, how much you move depends on what that particular app has set itself up for.

[Byteguy · Accepted solution]

How the D-Pad reacts depends on the app that you are using.  The Chromecast with Google TV isn't a traditional DVR.  It's a gateway to the different apps (Netflix, Google Moves, etc).

In general, once you pause (the center button) you can move a little bit at a time using the left and right.  But, how much you move depends on what that particular app has set itself up for.

[MacNerd]

I've never heard that Chromecast TV is a gateway. I've always seen it described as a streaming device. So, the Fire TV Stick, the Rokus, the Tivo, the Nvidia Shield, the Apple TV, etc are all gateways. Interesting!

Most if not all streaming services have a cloud DVR. Some gateway remotes have dedicated DVR buttons. Apparently, the D-pad on the Chromecast remote is multi-functional.

YouTube TV is my streaming service of choice. Will the D-pad work as a DVR control with ALL streaming services that have cloud DVR?

I found out somewhere on this forum that the Left button on the D-pad is for Rewind, the Right button is for Fast Forward & the OK button is for Play/Pause. Someone explained how to use the D-pad to advance the video frame by frame. How is that done? Do the Up & Down buttons on the D-pad have DVR functions?

I'm tired of paying ever-increasing FIOS bills. I want to hit FIOS where it hurts - in the wallet. I'm anxious to get a gateway. I don't want a Fire TV Stick because Amazon nags people to upgrade to Prime which I don't want to do. The Tivo has bad reviews. I don't want to pay $200 - $300 for an Apple TV or a Nvidia Shield. I keep switching back & forth between the Chromecast & the Roku. I can't decide which one to get! Each one has features that I like.

[Byteguy · Accepted solution]

Chromecast is a platform where Google published a standard for streaming.  Each service decides exactly HOW they want their app to appear and perform.  Chromecast devices are not DVRs (they have very little internal storage in them).  YouTube TV has DVR like abilities because they store your recording on their servers and push them to your Chromecast/TV when you ask for them.

But, how each app behaves is slightly different (and there are literally 10s of thousands of cast-enabled apps).

Keep in mind that not all apps can be installed on Chromecast with Google TV.  I've run into a few that won't.  They have to be updated to support the Google TV standard of limited input and D-Pad navigation (versus a touch-screen).  But, you can still put those apps on your phone or tablet and cast them through your Chromecast device.

But, if you're looking for a generic solution to cut-cable, Chromecast is the best; it works with Apple TV (recently added) and Amazon and, as I said, 10s of thousands of other apps/services.  Some of the other devices are more consistent, but more limited because those manufacturers force a tight standard and apps can't just make themselves work with the platform.

I don't have YouTube TV so I can't comment on exactly how it works with the Chromecast with Google TV device.

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,
Jeran
 

[MacNerd]

I found out somewhere, on this forum, I think, that the Left button on the D-pad is for Rewind, the Right button is for Fast Forward & the OK button is for Play/Pause. Someone explained how to use the D-pad to advance the video frame by frame. How is that done? Do the Up & Down buttons on the D-pad have DVR functions?

[Jeran]

I would check out this thread where someone asked similar DVR questions about the Chromecast Voice Remote. GothamNY went into great detail on how you could expect the functions to work.

Best regards,

Jeran

[MacNerd]

When I click on the thread link, I go to the Nest Home page! I tried several times & had the same result.

[Jeran]

Oh wow, that was a link to the old Chromecast community forum, it looks like Google took it down. I'm sorry about that! 

Anyway, as Byteguy said, it depends on the app you are using. The app developer decides what functionality is mapped to each of the Chromecast Voice Remote's buttons. So, to answer your question, the Up and Down buttons have DVR functions in some apps, but not all. The best way to find out is to look at the settings or support pages for your particular app.

I hope that answers your question!

Best regards,

Jeran

[MacNerd]

Alrighty, then!

Thank you. I think that answers all of my questions.

[Jeran]

Of course! In that case, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread for now. If you have any more questions or concerns in the future, feel free to start a new thread.

Thank you for your help on this, Byteguy!

Best regards,

Jeran