PlayOn Completes Its Chromecast Connection

Claiming it is bringing more than 100 channels alongside DVR capabilities to the Google Chromecast, MediaMall Technologies said its PlayOn and PlayLater PC-to-TV media server software has integrated support for the popular $35 streaming adapter.

MediaMall, which announced plans to support the Chromecast last fall, said this week’s launch of the updated software will enable the adapter to play content from networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Comedy Central as well as Hulu, and to tie it together with a “uniform guide-like interface” – something the Chromecast does not inherently offer.

The company said its PlayLater product provides Chromecast users with DVR capability to record videos for casting later when they are no longer available online.

MediaMall’s technology set-up essentially expands the amount of content that can be delivered to the Chromecast prior to formal optimizations.

Following the recent addition of MLB.TV, the Chromecast supports Rdio, VUDU, Photowall, Crackle, Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Pandora, YouTube, Google Play TV & Movies, Google Play Music, Vevo, Red Bull.TV, Songza, Plex, PostTV, Viki, and RealPlayer Cloud. Users can also cast a Chrome browser tab from their PCs or laptops to the TV. Aereo, which is in the middle of its Supreme Court battle with U.S. broadcasters, expects to be “Google Cast Ready” on May 29.

But users looking to do more on the Chromecast via MediaMall will need to buy its PlayOn PC-to-TV software, which goes for $29.99 per year or $59.99 for a lifetime subscription, load it on their PCs, and get the PlayOn mobile casting app. The PlayLater piece sells for $19.99 per year, $39.99 for a one-time lifetime subscription. Consumers can also buy a lifetime PlayOn/PlayLater combo subscription for $69.99.

“Chromecast is a great, inexpensive device for cord cutters but is somewhat limited in its content and casting capabilities,” said Jeff Lawrence, CEO, MediaMall Technologies, in a statement. “PlayOn gives Chromecast users a universal interface for TV-watching and vastly expands the list of available channels, and with very little fuss, it also brings a full-screen cross-browser web casting experience that users can’t get with the Chromecast alone.”

MediaMall said its PlayOn Browser extension also works with Roku devices, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.