Google introduced the latest iteration of its Chromecast line, the Chromecast with Google TV, on September 30, 2020. Reimagined with a host of enhancements, the device ushers in a new era for the Chromecast family with its updated design, built-in Android TV, and inclusion of a remote control.
Here’s what you should know about Chromecast with Google TV:
Understanding Chromecast with Google TV
The Chromecast with Google TV marks the fourth generation in the Chromecast series, a line of products that became a consumer favorite for streaming media to TVs. The original, launched in 2013, was a simple $35 dongle. Fast forward to the latest version, and you get a full-fledged streaming device complete with a user interface and a remote control.
Echoing Google’s sustainability efforts, the Chromecast with Google TV is manufactured using recycled materials, evident in the distinct texture of its components including the remote and batteries.
In 2022, Google released a more budget-friendly version, the Chromecast with Google TV HD, offering the same features as the original but capped at 1080p resolution. Priced at $29.99, this model makes streaming in HD more accessible.
Navigating Google TV’s User Interface
Google TV is essentially a revamped Android TV experience, aiming to streamline content discovery on your television. Google TV introduces a launcher with new tabs to help users find live shows (via the Live tab if you subscribe to YouTube TV), movies, TV shows, and access a library of apps. This experience, initially unique to Chromecast, is expected to roll out to other Android TV devices over time.
Compatibility with Streaming Apps on Google TV
Almost any app with Android TV support or Chromecast capabilities is compatible with the Chromecast with Google TV. The new interface includes a variety of integrated apps, with plans for further additions. Some examples include:
– Amazon Prime Video
– Apple TV
– Disney+
– Hulu
– Netflix
– YouTube TV
While not all services may be integrated into the Movies and Shows tabs, they are still accessible directly through their standalone apps.
Live TV on Chromecast with Google TV
The Live tab on Google TV supports both Sling TV and YouTube TV, allowing for a live TV guide directly on the home screen. Google also ran a promotion offering a complimentary Chromecast with Google TV to new YouTube TV subscribers.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Audio Support
Chromecast with Google TV supports 4K HDR content including HDR10 and HDR10+, assuring compatibility with a wide range of HDR content. Additionally, it provides support for audio standards such as Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, ensuring a high-quality audiovisual experience.
Wired Connectivity
Though primarily a wireless device, connecting to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, Chromecast with Google TV can also support a wired Ethernet connection with the purchase of a separate Ethernet adapter.
Personalized “For You” Recommendations
Google TV personalizes content recommendations in the “For You” tab, improving over time based on your viewing history and wishlist items on the former Play Movies & TV app.
The Chromecast with Google TV Remote
Simplicity is key with the Chromecast remote, which includes the essential buttons and dedicated Netflix and YouTube buttons. HDMI-CEC capability allows the remote to control the TV and, with most TV brands and sound bars, can adjust volume, switch inputs, and control power.
While you cannot customize the dedicated buttons now, Google has hinted at potential future customization.
Chromecast with Google TV for Gaming
The device supports Stadia, although official support was only slated to come in 2021.
The Chromecast with Google TV stands as a strong contender in the streaming device market, marrying Google’s smart tech capabilities with easy-to-navigate UI and broad streaming service and app support. Whether for watching your favorite shows or delving into gaming, this nifty gadget aims to be a central hub for living room entertainment.The Chromecast with Google TV revolutionizes the way users consume digital entertainment. Although it initially lacked official support for Google’s Stadia gaming service, industrious users found they could sideload the Stadia app and enjoy gaming on the device, albeit without official backing from Google. It’s worth noting that Google has since announced the shutdown of the Stadia service in early 2023.
Chromecast with Google TV also provides flexibility when it comes to managing entertainment via robust parental controls introduced in March 2021. Parents in the US can now manage the duration their kids spend in front of the TV, restrict access based on content ratings, control app usage, and even secure profiles with locks to prevent unauthorized changes.
In terms of storage capacity, Chromecast with Google TV is equipped with 8GB of internal storage, leaving approximately 5GB for user-access after considering the system software’s footprint. For users keen on more storage, although apps must reside on internal memory, it’s possible to connect a USB-C hub with external storage for media files, which is useful for large media collections or running own media server setups.
Another smart feature is Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to pair Bluetooth headphones for private listening. Without a traditional headphone jack, this function provides the convenience of audio streaming to headphones, thus preventing disturbance to those around you.
As for the cost, the Chromecast with Google TV retails at $49.99, competitively priced in the streaming device market and likely subject to holiday discounts. Google’s eco-conscious approach to its design includes three color options (snow, sand, and sky) using recycled plastics – a nod towards sustainability.
Customers looking to purchase the streaming device can find it at various retailers like the Google Store, Best Buy, B&H Photo, The Home Depot, Target, and Walmart, among others. The availability has expanded since its launch in 2020, reaching wider regions across Europe by mid-2022.
Inside the box, consumers will discover the Chromecast device, the power cables, a remote, and even color-coded AAA batteries to match the device’s color variant – illustrating Google’s attention to detail.
Moreover, homeowners can rest easy knowing there’s no recurring monthly fee for the Chromecast with Google TV device, outside of any subscriptions to streaming services. Adding to its versatility, local channels can be accessed either with an antenna or through a Live TV streaming service, integrated into the “Live” tab on the interface.
In all, Chromecast with Google TV is a feature-rich, eco-friendly, budget-friendly option for digital media enthusiasts, delivering a well-rounded home entertainment experience.
