In today's tech-obsessed world, the terms 'casting' and 'streaming' seem ubiquitous. But do we know exactly what they mean? or perhaps more pertinently, how they differ?!
Let's break it down and explore the two types of tech:
What is streaming?
In simple terms, streaming is watching TV on the internet (rather than cable or satellite). When you stream a video, you’re playing it directly from the internet in real-time - there’s no need to download the file to your device. Think of it like turning on a faucet to get water: you get what you need instantly, without storing it.
When streaming, the app or website you’re using controls playback of the content.
What is casting?
Casting is a way to send or 'cast' content from a device (like a smartphone or tablet) to another screen (like a TV). Think of it as a way to use a TV screen to display what’s on a device, or to mirror content from one screen to another.
When casting, the user's device controls the playback, even though the content is displayed elsewhere.
Which technology is better?
Whilst both technologies have pros and cons, streaming stands out for its convenience, speed and versatility, allowing immediate uninterrupted access to a user's content. In the competitive hospitality environment, this speed and convenience is especially important, as hotels look to provide the best possible service.
Perhaps the holy grail of this best possible service is the provision of a 'home-away-from-home' experience, as hotels strive to replicate the comfort, familiarity and convenience of the home environment.
Jumping through hoops...
Whilst casting serves a purpose, it's not an ideal solution for the hotel environment.
Why? because it creates complexity, additional failure points, and extra steps in the viewing experience. And perhaps most notably, it doesn't provide a home-away-from-home experience!
We've already written about this (see Casting a light on Chromecast), so won't dig deeper in this article, but for any hotel that wants to meet or exceed guest expectations - and let's face it, what hotel doesn't? - streaming technology will comfortably provide the better experience.
If you'd like to find out more, or wish to discuss the further nuances of the streaming vs casting debate, get in touch - or book an online demo at the top of this page.
