BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Okay so Google has officially announced they have halted production of Chromecast Audio devices. My first reaction? Fuck, I use that all the time! WTF? Now, I don't understand why they discontinued it, because it's seriously awesome tech. I literally use it all the time, whether it's listening to radio, stuff from Emby, or whatever. I use it almost every day! So now I'm considering running out and hoarding a whole bunch of them, because I really want to setup even more speakers throughout the home. But that might put me in an even worse predicament. What if Google pushes a firmware and they just stop working one day? I'm torn, and I haven't yet found a comparable alternative on the internet, also I'm not sure which alternatives would work with Emby. The Google Cast protocol is closed source, so it's not like I can just build a Raspbery Pi for each of my speakers and Cast to them. That would work for me, but I don't see a way to do that while still using the "Chromecast" methods I've come to know and love. So what do you guys know about the options here? What are other ways I can send Audio/Video to devices around my home in similar ilk with Emby or other tools? This isn't me wanting to switch away from Emby at all, more I don't know what Emby supports as alternative methods, because it seems Emby can do so much I'm likely not even aware of my options! Hold me folks, I'm scared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostedpanda 2 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 And... just hours after the announcement... completely sold out everywhere. What a dumb move by google. They never got good reviews but what other cheap dongle has a digital out that we can plug into any DAC/amp we wish? I have 4 of these and was planning to get a couple more. Guess we are all hosed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomicmoon 141 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 We felt like this was coming when they created the mini smart speakers and started grabbing them in bulk.Best buy often has these for only $25https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-voice-smart-bluetooth-speaker-and-alarm-clock-with-google-assistant-black/5865801.p?skuId=5865801&ref=212&loc=1&&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1266837&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5J2-n5_n3wIVB57ACh2_sgf4EAQYASABEgICFvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds We grabbed them up for their bass and the clock is nice. The mini's can be found from free, to a couple of bucks, to full price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 37054 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 You can just keep your CC audio for a while, it will still work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 I know but I want more of them! And I'm not sure if they'll be in stock by pay day You can just keep your CC audio for a while, it will still work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAlGaInTl 279 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 My prediction.... the mini will be updated this year with an AUX. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 I don't want microphones in my home though in devices like that :/ My prediction.... the mini will be updated this year with an AUX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayloncovil 2 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Bummed about this too. Love my CC Audios. Because of this I was looking around and found out about pimusicbox. Been wanting a reason to purchase a Raspberry Pi and this might be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostedpanda 2 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 My prediction.... the mini will be updated this year with an AUX. I agree this will happen soon. They need to update the mini to compete with the new echo dot. I have a mini + CCA and a echo dot. At first I thought I would prefer the dot cause it had that 3.5mm aux out but when you plug that into your stereo system, the voice assistant speaks through the big speakers and the dot is silent. I much prefer the 2 device approach because the stereo doesnt have to be on to use the voice assistant and the mini can be placed anywhere instead of shackled to the stereo. The dot does have a much better speaker than the mini and this will probably be the main reason google will update the mini soon. Having said that, I would never be happy listening to music out of either one. Unfortunately, I expect google to follow amazon by adding the aux out and dropping the digital. Its sad because, as bad and cheap as the CCA digital out is, it is still miles ahead of using the garbage internal DAC and 3.5mm out of the dot or CCA. And if the new mini does come with digital output, I still wont want it cause I've found that 2 separate devices work much better for me than a single integrated unit. As far as the RaspberryPi goes, it would be really hard for me to go that route without slipping down the rabbit hole of add on boards. And how can I ever justify putting a $200-300 hat board on a $35 Pi? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAlGaInTl 279 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 I don't want microphones in my home though in devices like that :/ But google does.... they want you to have assistant everywhere. Not just speakers. Can't say I blame them. It's their business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Branches 231 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 You can just keep your CC audio for a while, it will still work. By the way, could you limit it to be used only for audio and not video?, I noticed I was able to hear the sound of a movie but that doesn't make sense so it should be limited to playing music inside Emby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 37054 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Why? What if someone wanted to listen to a video? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 Well I have Chromecast Videos for that too, but I love Chromecast Audios to just plug into speakers I already have. Like in the shower! (seriously, if you guys don't know this pleasure, you're missing out). Why? What if someone wanted to listen to a video? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 So? Does that mean I can't be okay with that? I don't want mics in my home like that, period, non-negotiable. Chromecast Audio gave me that. But google does.... they want you to have assistant everywhere. Not just speakers. Can't say I blame them. It's their business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Branches 231 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) Why? What if someone wanted to listen to a video? I'm just saying because YouTube can't be used with it or any other video streaming service (although casting a tab on Chrome browser or casting the screen of the phone/tablet through Google home app can be used but it's troublesome), it only accepts YouTube Music and the rest of the music applications with Cast support, because it is meant to be used only for audio, that's why I believe you should limit it only for music in Emby... Edited January 12, 2019 by delacosta78 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 37054 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Thanks for the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 You know, I really was just trying to find out what other similar tech Emby can work with, that's similar to Chromecast Audio devices, so I could explore my options. Didn't really mean to cause a big stink here, heh. So yeah, what other tech dooes Emby interface with in similar ways to Chromecast Audio devices? Hmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdiesel 1114 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Any DNLA device I suggest checking out Volumio. I run it on a RPi connected to a DAC via USB and it works great. https://volumio.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 Uhhh, so in that configuration, how do I get Emby to send content to the device? Or other media playback software? Any DNLA device I suggest checking out Volumio. I run it on a RPi connected to a DAC via USB and it works great. https://volumio.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdiesel 1114 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 If the player or device acts as a DNLA player you should be able to select it from your players (Play On) in Emby just like you could with the Chromecast Audio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 What DAC do you use in your configuration? I think I like where this is going... If the player or device acts as a DNLA player you should be able to select it from your players (Play On) in Emby just like you could with the Chromecast Audio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdiesel 1114 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 What DAC do you use in your configuration? I think I like where this is going... There are endless possibilities depending on your needs and budget. Right now I have a RPi2 hooked up to a Teac ai-101da which is a small amplifer/DAC combo. I also have a Chromecase Audio hooked up to a Schiit Modi3 You can also get addon boards that connect directly to a header on the RPi which seem to be very popular with people on a budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyIron 24 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 How much did that Teac run you exactly? o.O!? Also, if I tell Emby to connect to the DLNA option (Rasp Pi + volumio), does the traffic go directly from Emby to the Rasp Pi? Or does it route through my phone? Also, can Emby send DLNA content over the internet if I correctly route the traffic? Mine currently can with Chromecast, but I'm curious if that's the same behaviour for DLNA. There are endless possibilities depending on your needs and budget. Right now I have a RPi2 hooked up to a Teac ai-101da which is a small amplifer/DAC combo. I also have a Chromecase Audio hooked up to a Schiit Modi3 You can also get addon boards that connect directly to a header on the RPi which seem to be very popular with people on a budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdiesel 1114 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 How much did that Teac run you exactly? o.O!? Also, if I tell Emby to connect to the DLNA option (Rasp Pi + volumio), does the traffic go directly from Emby to the Rasp Pi? Or does it route through my phone? Also, can Emby send DLNA content over the internet if I correctly route the traffic? Mine currently can with Chromecast, but I'm curious if that's the same behaviour for DLNA. I got it on MassDrop and can't remember the exact cost, maybe between $250-$300 I'm not sure about this, maybe @@Luke can comment I don't think so and if you could I don't think I'd recommend it due to security reasons You can install it to a regular PC too. So if you don't want to spend money on a RPi yet and have a space PC or HDD around you can test it out first on a PC to make sure it fits your needs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 37054 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 it's direct from server. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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