Last week we’ve spent some time in beautiful Groningen at one of our Westcord sites. We’ve upgraded the guest experience by changing the TV solution to our beloved Otrum Mirage TV management system and most importantly …drum roll… OtrumCast Stream Allocator or Centralised Chromecast Solution. Which is something we would like to talk about.😇
So what is “Centralised Chromecast”? In short without going into to much detail;
Instead of placing a Chromecast behind every TV we connect x amount of Google Chromecasts to a modulator (in your equipment room) which forwards a private stream (Kind of private TV channel) through the network to the guest requested the Chromecast.
So in this case the hotel has 123 rooms, we’ve installed 16 Chromecasts means that 16 guests can stream simultaneous. Radisson Amsterdam City Center (were we’ll start pretty soon) has 240 rooms so they’ll have 24 Chromecasts. - This means that 24 guests can stream simultaneous.
Our Recipe
HDMI to IP or DVB Modulator
A HDMI modulator is a device that converts digital video signals (such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI) into an analog video signal. This allows the video signal to be broadcasted over traditional analog networks, such as cable TV, satellite TV, and terrestrial TV. The modulator can also be used to send video signals over IP networks. HDMI modulators are typically used in commercial settings to broadcast digital video signals over existing analog infrastructure, for example in hotels, hospitals, and other large facilities.Google Chromecasts
Used to stream a variety of services, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Google Play Movies & TV from the guests device to the hotel TV.Chromecast Ethernet Adapters
To connect the Chromecast with a LAN cable (We sell them now for a limited time)Network Switch
To connect all Chromecasts to the internet using the right VLAN19” 1U (rackmountable) USB hub
To power all the ChromecastsThe Gateway
A network device that connects two networks using different protocols. It acts as an intermediate device to allow communication between the two networks. Gateways can also provide security and other services such as NAT, DHCP, and VPN services, among others. – In simple words ; it connects the Guest device using the guest WiFi to the Chromecast network.
Why could this be interesting for my hotel?
Guests demand more than just TV channels… thats obvious… Chromecasts are not available anymore, they are EOL (End-Of-Life) and they are becoming scarce.
Investing in new Philips TV’s (with built-in Google Chromecast and Netflix app) isn’t for everyone. So our Centralised Chromecast Solution can be a great alternative for your hotel. You still facilitate the luxury, just on smaller scale.
Hotels we’ll facilitate soon with the Centralised Chromecast Solution:
Radisson Hotel Amsterdam City Center
Postillion Hotel Amsterdam
Strandhotel Camperduin
Inntel Hotels Zaandam
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam
