TV Casting:
Seamless In-Room Entertainment
What Is TV Casting
Casting is a technology that allows you to stream content (music, films, videos) from your smartphone or computer on your TV over Wi-Fi to watch it on a bigger screen, while freeing your device for other tasks.
Transform your guests’ in-room experience with HotelBuddy's TV Casting feature: guests can stream their favourite content directly from their smartphones to the hotel TV—quickly, securely, and without any complicated setup.
Benefits of Casting
Instead of switching between TV channels to find something to watch, guests can enjoy their favourite content with just a few clicks: Netflix shows, Spotify playlists, YouTube etc.
Personalized Experience
Secure, private connections ensure guests can stream confidently. No logins required; guests never enter personal credentials on shared devices.
Enhanced Security
Guests can cast to TV while using other apps, checking emails, or taking calls without disrupting playback. Content streams directly from the internet, ensuring smooth and high-quality playback.
Hassle-Free Setup
What Guests Say
Take a look at what happy travelers have to say about their experience using digital keys at our partner hotels. With Hotelbuddy, you can elevate guest satisfaction, boost your online reviews, and achieve higher ratings on platforms like Booking.com and Tripadvisor.
Powered by Dynamic PSK™ Technology
Most in-room entertainment solutions require cumbersome steps for guests (app downloads, logins and pairings) raising privacy concerns and causing frustration. For hotels, high hardware costs and frequent updates make traditional casting systems difficult and expensive to maintain.
HotelBuddy eliminates these pain points by leveraging Ruckus Networks infrastructure with patented Dynamic Pre-Shared Key™ (DPSK) technology to ensure secure and reliable connectivity.
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DPSK enhances network security by assigning unique encryption keys to each user or device, eliminating the risk of unauthorised access common with shared PSKs.
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DPSK technology simplifies the connection process, as users can self-serve or receive unique Wi-Fi passwords from administrators. This not only enhances the guest expereince but also allows administrators to control access levels and remove individual users without affecting others.
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Guests, particularly families with children, greatly appreciate the ability to access their personal content via the hotel television, providing a comforting touch of home while traveling. Guests access TV casting directly via their mobile browser from the HotelBuddy dashboard.
How It Works
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Guests access their personal HotelBuddy dashboard via the secure link received via email or SMS.
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Guests select the Casting feature from their dashboard, enter the casting page where they see their unique Wi-Fi network name and password. This network is connected to their room and reservation, so only they have access to it.
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After connecting to their room WI-Fi, they can open their Netflix on their phone, select the film they want to see and select Cast to device. Their room TV will be the only device they see on this private network, so they can connect without worries.
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Each room has their own mini-network and is combined with the reservation info to create unique passwords for each guest. If guests change rooms or check out, they do not have access to this network any more.
Why Choose HotelBuddy?
HotelBuddy’s TV Casting delivers the ultimate guest experience by combining convenience, privacy, and versatility. With no logins, pairing, or app downloads required, guests can enjoy uninterrupted entertainment while multitasking on their devices. From Netflix to Spotify and YouTube, HotelBuddy ensures your guests always have access to their favorite content.
FAQ
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Casting:
Casting allows guests to send specific content, such as a Netflix show, Spotify playlist, YouTube video, from their smartphone to the TV. The TV streams the content directly from the internet, freeing up the guest’s phone for other tasks. For example, a guest can cast a TV show and simultaneously use social media apps or check emails. Casting continues uninterrupted, even if the guest receives a call. It is seamless, private, and doesn’t drain the guest’s phone battery or interrupt playback. -
Streaming:
Streaming involves playing content directly on the TV through built-in apps (e.g., Netflix or Hulu) or a connected streaming device. This often requires guests to log into their accounts on the hotel TV. Logging in and out of accounts is time-consuming, and many guests hesitate to enter personal credentials on shared devices. -
Mirroring:
Mirroring replicates the guest’s smartphone or laptop screen on the TV, displaying everything visible on their device, including notifications and other personal content. This is often done via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Playback stops if the guest receives a call. Mirroring drains phone battery quickly, and can cause lag. Guests can’t use other apps without interrupting the mirroring session.
Comparison: casting, streaming and mirroring
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Currently HotelBuddy TV casting requires a specific network provided by Ruckus Networks and TVs with Cromecasts.Requirements for casting
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Enhanced Guest Experience: Offering a modern, personalized entertainment option like casting can significantly improve guest satisfaction and make their stay more enjoyable.
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Increased Appeal: Guests increasingly expect the convenience of casting during their hotel stays. Providing this feature can help your property stand out from competitors.
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Cost-Effective Entertainment: Casting eliminates the need for costly traditional pay-per-view or cable TV services while still offering high-quality entertainment options.
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No Guest Account Risk: Since guests use their own devices to cast content, there’s no risk of personal account logins being left behind on hotel TVs, ensuring privacy and security.
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Low Maintenance: Casting technology requires minimal maintenance and is easy for staff to manage, reducing the need for operational support.
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Multi-Device Compatibility: Casting works seamlessly across a wide range of guest devices and platforms, reducing the likelihood of technical issues and complaints.
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Future-Proof Technology: As streaming continues to dominate entertainment, casting ensures your hotel stays up-to-date with guest expectations and technology trends.
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Eco-Friendly Solution: Reduces reliance on physical media or additional in-room equipment, contributing to your hotel's sustainability goals.
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Upselling Opportunity: Highlighting casting as a premium amenity can justify higher room rates or be part of your value-added packages.
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Improved Brand Perception: Providing tech-savvy solutions like casting reinforces your hotel’s image as modern, guest-focused, and innovative.
Benefits of Casting
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Casting benefits for hotel guests
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Entertainment Freedom: Guests can stream their favorite shows, movies, or music directly from their own devices onto the in-room TV, ensuring a personalized entertainment experience.
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Easy to Use: Casting is simple and intuitive, requiring no app downloads or complex setups. Guests can connect their devices with just a few clicks.
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Seamless Experience: Casting works with popular streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and more, letting guests enjoy the content they already love.
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No Login on Hotel TVs: Guests don’t need to log in to their personal streaming accounts on the hotel’s TV, ensuring their privacy and eliminating the risk of forgetting to log out.
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Familiar Environment: By casting content from their devices, guests can recreate the comfort of their own home entertainment setup during their stay.
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Multi-Device Compatibility: Works with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, regardless of the operating system (iOS, Android, or Windows).
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Enhanced Stay Experience: Casting adds value to the guest’s overall experience by offering a modern and convenient in-room entertainment option
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More About Casting
