OnlyCast's Most Monumental Update!
We’re excited to announce a groundbreaking update to OnlyCast, our cutting-edge solution enabling TV casting for hotels. Now, with enhanced compatibility, OnlyCast seamlessly integrates with Chromecast with Google TV, delivering an unparalleled hotel casting experience for guests seeking premium content at their fingertips. More than just a hospitality casting solution, OnlyCast 2.0 offers an “IPTV-Lite” service with more interactivity and customization than ever before. In this article, we’ll explore some of the unique features of OnlyCast 2.0, and delve into the more technical aspects of Google TV in hotels.
What is Chromecast with Google TV?
Chromecast with Google TV represents Google’s newest iteration of the Chromecast series, replacing Ultra and Gen 3. Sometimes Chromecast with Google TV is called gen4, however, this is not correct as technically the 4th generation is Chromecast Ultra. For continuity, we will refer to Chromecast with Google TV as Google TV or GTV. GTV transforms any television equipped with an HDMI port into a sophisticated smart TV, featuring integrated apps and effortless casting capabilities. Paired with OnlyCast, Google TV can transform any room into a high-tech and modern retreat. Easy to use and simple to customize, OnlyCast 2.0 with GTV is the upgrade your guests deserve. Now let’s explore all that OnlyCast with GTV can do.
A World of Possibilities with OnlyCast 2.0
OnlyCast has undergone a significant enhancement to support Chromecast with Google TV. This collaboration brings a new dimension to our hospitality casting solution, enabling guests to access a world of streaming possibilities, hotel information, and more!
Key Features:
1. Personalized Welcome Message
When guests enter their room, they are welcomed with their name displayed on the TV screen over a beautiful picture of the hotel or local landscape. With Property Management System (PMS) integration, OnlyCast displays the guest name on the TV as a personal welcome into the room and hotel. OnlyCast 2.0 gives your hotel a high-end upgrade without the high-end price tag.
2. The Casting Feature You Know and Love
We kept the same secure and reliable casting feature, but added some enhanced capabilities. OnlyCast takes hotel casting to the next level, now with the option to use GTV’s built-in apps. OnlyCast 2.0 provides a user-friendly interface that allows guests to cast their favorite content from any streaming platform directly onto their in-room TV while keeping their user credentials safe.
3. Customizable to Fit Your Hotel
With OnlyCast 2.0, hoteliers can effortlessly customize and update their guest TVs. Choose what apps to display such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, and more. Change the background image, and add custom slides for any occasion. Guests never have access to any settings, and cannot add or remove apps.
4. Display Information from the Guest Book
OnlyCast 2.0 allows hoteliers to display information and hotel branding in a slideshow on the guest screen. Customize the slideshow for local events, holidays, and more! Encourage guests to dine in the hotel restaurant, make a reservation at the hotel spa, and book their next stay directly through the hotel website. Post hotel amenities, local attractions, and other important information easily on guest screens.
5. Solving the Dilemma: How to Sign Out of Netflix on Hotel TV
OnlyCast addresses a common concern faced by hotel guests—how to sign out of Netflix on hotel TV? Our update ensures an automatic and hassle-free sign-out process, providing guests with added convenience and peace of mind knowing their accounts are safe. OnlyCast ensures no credentials on any apps will be stored or seen by future guests.
6. Play Custom Videos
Display custom videos highlighting hotel amenities such as the spa and restaurant. Provide video tours of historic landmarks or attractions. Highlight local spots and provide travel tips. With OnlyCast 2.0, the possibilities for custom videos are endless.
7. Integration with PMS for Seamless Checkout
Our new update allows OnlyCast to integrate with your PMS to acquire guest check-in and check-out times. Now guest credentials can be automatically cleared at check-out and TVs ready for the next guest. If PMS integration is not available, the default credential clearing time is daily at 1:00pm (this is the clearing time for OnlyCast with previous generations).
Summary: OnlyCast 2.0 Offers an IPTV-Lite Service
These key features are merely a selection of the possibilities of OnlyCast 2.0. Hotels can display any number of images including local attractions and events, local and hotel history, and marketing materials. With our dashboard, hoteliers can change their custom slideshow any time they choose. Hotels can update their slides to match the season, holiday, or special event, and create a memorable experience for guests.
Now that we’ve seen what OnlyCast with GTV can do, let’s compare it to OnlyCast’s hospitality casting solution with previous Chromecast generations.
OnlyCast's Hotel Casting Through the Generations:
Features | Gen2 | Gen3 | Ultra | Google TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cast to TV | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Compatible Chromelock | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Compatible with OnlyCast | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Requires HDMI port on TV | YES | YES | YES | YES |
4K or UHD models available | NO | NO | YES | YES |
Still in Production | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Built-in Apps | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Interactive Interface | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Play Custom Video (advertise hotel spa, restaurant, etc.) | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Guest welcome message | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Has its own remote | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Requires power outlet behind TV | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Clear Credentials at Guest Check-out | NO (daily at 1pm) | NO (daily at 1pm) | NO (daily at 1pm) | YES |
Summary: OnlyCast 2.0 Has More Features Than Ever
As evidenced by the chart, OnlyCast with Google TV offers much more interactivity and customization options than previous generations. Clearly more than just a hospitality casting solution, OnlyCast 2.0 allows hoteliers to create a custom home screen and slideshow with hotel information. Additionally, with PMS integration, OnlyCast can generate a personal welcome message for guests on their in-room TV as well as automatically clear guest logins when they check-out. Furthermore, this latest update provides incredible value and opportunities for hotels looking to upgrade their guest entertainment options.
Now let’s explore how the “IPTV-Lite” features of OnlyCast 2.0 compare to a full Internet Protocol Television solution (IPTV).
The Differences Between OnlyCast 2.0 and IPTV:
Features | OnlyCast with Previous Gens | OnlyCast 2.0 with GTV | IPTV |
|---|---|---|---|
Availability | Chromecasts Not Available | Available Worldwide | Varies by Location |
Cast to TV | YES | YES | YES |
Custom QR Code Background | YES | YES | YES |
Custom Home Screen | NO | YES | YES |
Interactive Interface | NO | YES | YES |
Built-in Apps | NO | YES | YES |
Price | $ | $ | $$$ |
Personalized Guest Welcome Message | NO | YES | YES |
Custom Slideshow | NO | YES | YES |
Play Custom Video (advertise hotel spa, restaurant, etc.) | NO | YES | YES |
Integrates with PMS | NO | YES | YES |
Clear Credentials at Guest Check-out | NO | YES | YES |
Designed for 2-3 Star Hotels | YES | YES | NO |
Order Room Service, Make Reservation, Add Room Charges, etc. | NO | NO | YES |
Room Controls on TV (thermostat, blinds, lights, etc.) | NO | NO | YES |
Express Check-out on TV (view and pay invoices, check-out of room, etc.) | NO | NO | YES |
Video On Demand (rent movies, etc.) | NO | NO | YES |
TV Channels over IP Network | NO | NO | YES |
Designed for 4-5 Star Hotels | NO | NO | YES |
Summary: OnlyCast is Similar to IPTV, But Not Meant for 4+5 Star Hotels
From this chart, we first observe that OnlyCast 2.0 is extremely similar to IPTV, hence the description “IPTV-Lite”, however, OnlyCast is not meant for 4+5 star hotels. Some differences between the two include VOD, express check-out, temperature and room controls, and the ability to make and pay room charges. OnlyCast is designed to bring a high-tech, and IPTV-like system to 2, 3, and some 4 star hotels. IPTV is designed to bring the latest in hospitality technology to guests, sparing no expense. IPTV requies more time and money to implement because it is designed to bring opulence and sophistication to the best hotels in the world.
However, at OnlyCast we believe that budget hotels, boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and everything in between, deserve to give their guests a personalized and high-tech stay, even if they can’t afford the IPTV price tag. While OnlyCast doesn’t provide all the high-tech amenities as IPTV, it is a perfect solution for 2-3 star hotels looking to upgrade their in-room entertainment and provide hotel tv casting on a budget.
In the next section, we’ll explore who OnlyCast 2.0 is designed for and the price differences between OnlyCast and IPTV.
Who is OnlyCast 2.0 for?
OnlyCast is for hotels looking for a budget friendly upgrade without all the bells and whistles of IPTV, whether that be boutique hotels, budget hotels, or local bed and breakfasts. Our latest update offers guests and hotels with a personalized, high-tech, and budget friendly option for hotel TV casting and more! OnlyCast 2.0 brings the best features of IPTV to 2 and 3 star hotels at a fraction of the cost.
Who is IPTV for?
IPTV is for high-end, 4 and 5 star, luxury hotels and resorts. Internet Protocol Television offers hotels and guests the latest in hospitality technology with the best TVs, network, and set-top boxes on the market. IPTV works well for large hotels with 500 or more rooms where traditional check-out at the front desk is not ideal. Hotels with IPTV can spend top-dollar to deliver the best for their guests and go above and beyond with their amenities and offerings. Guests at these luxury hotels expect IPTV in rooms and all the high-end features available. For world class resorts and hotels, IPTV is a great choice.
OnlyCast's Affordable Hospitality Casting Solution: Designed for Boutique and Budget Hotels
The graph above shows the approximate price comparisons between IPTV and OnlyCast 2.0 for an initial installation and one year subscription for a hotel with 50 rooms.
OnlyCast Brings Luxury Accommodations to 2 and 3 Star Hotels
Hospitality TVs
Unlike IPTV, OnlyCast does not require hospitality grade smart TVs, in fact, OnlyCast makes any TV with an HDMI port a smart TV. This means there is no cost to replace current TVs. With IPTV, however, hotels do need upgraded hospitality smart TVs. Hospitality smart TVs can range anywhere from $300-$1000, here we used a low-end estimate of $300/TV. IPTV is great for luxury hotels looking for a full upgrade.
Set-Top Boxes
OnlyCast requires a ‘set-top box’, this is the Chromecast with Google TV dongle. The dongles start at $30 for the HD model, and $50 for the 4K model. Most hotels only require the HD versions, so the graph uses $30/set-top box ($30/dongle) for OnlyCast. Many IPTV systems require a set-top box in addition to the expensive hospitality TVs. These set-top boxes can range anywhere from $100-$200. The graph shows the lower-end estimate of $100/set-top box for IPTV systems. Luxury hotels can afford more expensive set-top boxes that provide enhanced capabilities like light controls, and VOD. For most other hotels, these features are unnecessary.
Remotes and Other Accessories
Compared to IPTV, OnlyCast has a similar price of remotes and accessories at about $50/room. However this is the high-end estimate as not every hotel will need accessories.
Installation and Other Fees
Both OnlyCast and IPTV require installation and configuration. OnlyCast’s installation and configuration is considerably simpler than IPTV and thus requires significantly less time and investment. Once Chromecasts are configured, installation into guest rooms can take as little as 10 minutes per Chromecast. IPTV on the other hand, requires extensive network reconfiguration, installation of new TV’s, and lengthy set up to provide the lavish offerings 5 star hotels and resorts want. The setup of a full IPTV system can take weeks, costing hotels more in labor, and losing them revenue from vacant rooms being renovated. We estimate that OnlyCast’s setup and installation time is roughly 1/4 of the cost of IPTV’s setup time, not including lost revenue from unavailable rooms. This makes OnlyCast perfect for hotels on a budget like 2, and 3 star hotels and smaller boutique hotels.
Subscriptions
OnlyCast, like IPTV and many hospitality casting solutions, requires a monthly subscription. A monthly subscription ensures clients receive the best casting solution for hospitality with round-the-clock support and maintenance. We are continually listening to client feedback and improving our solution, and the monthly subscription includes our premium technical support. While both hotel casting systems require a subscription, OnlyCast comes in at nearly half the monthly price of IPTV systems. IPTV solutions require much more maintenance, and are more difficult to fix should problems arise. Their price tag accurately reflects the time and maintenance required by advanced IPTV systems like those seen in the best hotels in the world.
Summary: OnlyCast is the Cost-Effective TV Casting Solution For 2-3 Star Hotels
Combining every aspect and component of a hotel casting system, we see that OnlyCast is the most economical and budget friendly guest casting solution. OnlyCast’s hospitality casting solution is less than 1/4 the price of IPTV. OnlyCast 2.0 is perfect for smaller hotels, hotels on a budget, and any other hotel where IPTV is not expected. Give your guests an IPTV-like experience at the fraction of the cost with OnlyCast 2.0.
In Conclusion
In this article, we’ve discussed the new and exciting features of OnlyCast 2.0’s hospitality casting solution. Including the creative customization options, the differences between Chromecast generations, OnlyCast 2.0 vs. IPTV, who OnlyCast 2.0 is for, and the affordability of OnlyCast 2.0. With OnlyCast 2.0, hotels can redefine the guest experience by offering a sophisticated hospitality casting solution that caters to the demands of modern travelers at a fraction of the cost of IPTV and other hotel casting solutions. Embrace the future of in-room entertainment with OnlyCast for GTV, and set a new standard for TV casting for hotels. Upgrade your hotel’s entertainment system and provide guests with an immersive and personalized stay that will leave them “wowed”.
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