The Advantages of Keeping Google Chromecast Always Plugged-In

When we start using a new device, it ushers on us many new questions. Google Chromecast is one such new device that you might own if you are fond of watching movies online in Netflix. The pivotal question that keeps many new Chromecast users curious is should they keep the device unplugged while, not using it.

Chromecast and other streaming HDMI sticks are new devices, and many of us are yet not acquainted with its learning curve and thus face many streaming hassles. Google Chromecast provides complete multimedia experience, and if you touch it, you will feel the device very little warm. That indicates that it's a power efficient device with not very high power consumption. Thus, keeping it turned on all the time, doesn't appear to be problematic. Many users prefer keeping their streaming HDMI sticks like Chromecast always plugged in because of the following reasons:

Streaming Sticks Are Highly Efficient

As mentioned above, streaming sticks are remarkably power efficient. Its power consumption is extremely low because its power transformer consumes less power than other streaming devices. In a lab testing by a renowned firm, Chromecast was kept turned on for 48 hours and continuously used for streaming video playlist. During that period, the streaming stick was kept attached to a Kill-a-Watt meter to monitor the power consumption reading. It was interesting to note that, the device used as little as just 1.8 watts of energy. 1.8 Watt was the steady reading all through the test. No matter, whether, it was left idle or used to run heavy content. 

Test was executed on different other streaming sticks as well. For instance, Fire TV Stick, which gave the reading ranging from 1.6-1.8 watts. Thus, it was concluded that even with 24/7 use, streaming HDMI sticks are highly power efficient device and won’t burn holes in your pocket via heavy electricity bills.

Always On Means Always Up-To-Date

Another reason, why people prefer keeping Google e Chromecast always on is to keep it always updated. If you keep your streaming stick plugged in 24X7 hours then it will continue getting updates in real time. Thus, you don’t have to spare any extra time for the device updating. But if you keep it unplugged, then it will take up the updating process when you will freshly plug-in and thus might appear creepy to you. As you have to wait it updates, but if you keep the device always on then updating is no more an issue for you.

Thus, if you wish to have the best up-to-date user experience such as updated firmware, suggestions, thumbnails, or cached content, then you should leave your device plugged in all the time. 

HDMI Connections Are Delicate

The terminals of HDMI cables aren’t suitable for continual plugging and unplugging. They are susceptible to shearing forces, and that is why streaming sticks come with a little HDMI extension cable. That cable is meant to improve the Wi-Fi signal and also to protect the stick from being snapped off.

Thus, if you continue doing much of cable plug and unplug, then you are likely to put more stress on HDMI connection. Thus, if you are thinking of, not to keep the device in always-on mode then also you must unplug/plug it from the power socket and not from the HDMI socket. That will keep the delicate HDMI connections less susceptible to forces.

HDMI-CEC Automatic Turn On

Nowadays, modern HDTV sets come with HDMI-CEC. That makes your device controllable through HDMI cables. That means your Chromecast can turn on your TV using the HDMI connection. However, this feature is useful only when your HDMI streaming stick is on. Thus, if you prefer having the ability where you can chose a show on Netflix and can turn on your TV automatically just by hitting the play button on your mobile, then keep Chromecast plugged in.

Thus, now you have a little of advantages that justify why you can keep your HDMI streaming stick always on. There is very little benefit you will reap by keeping the device turned off while, not in use.

Environmental and economic concerns are usually the main reasons for what, we prefer keeping our electrical devices turned off while not in use. But Google Chromecast and other streaming sticks are power efficient, thus neither gets heavy in your pocket nor on the environment. Thus, you can keep it always on and reap its advantages like real time updating, safety for the HDMI cables, and remote control of your HDTV sets.