GGoogle’s latest Chromecast media streaming dongle is a little different. Instead of just streaming or “streaming” content from your cell phone or computer like its predecessors, the new device works more like a modern smart TV.
With a complete interface and a remote control, the new Chromecast with Google TV costs £ 59.99 and is above the basic £ 30 Chromecast. You can still Google Cast for the new device, but the new flat plastic dongle is more than a simple receiver, running full Android TV software similar to Nvidia Shield or smart TVs from Sony and others.
Specifications
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Processor: Quad-core ARM
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RAM: 2GB
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Storage: 4GB
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Connectivity: wifi ac, Bluetooth, HDMI 2.0b (HDCP2.2)
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Software: Android TV (Android 10)
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Format support: up to 4K @ 60 Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10 +; Dolby Atmos, Digital and Digital Plus
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Dimensions: 162 x 61 x 12.5 mm
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Weight: 55g
Google TV
Once connected, the new Chromecast is set up using the Google Home app on an Android, iPhone or iPad in about five minutes. Scan the QR code on your TV, sign in with the required Google account and choose some apps to install. You can also add additional Google accounts for limited multi-user support, such as the ability to access more than one account in applications like YouTube.
The interface is quite simple. Individual apps for your media services work like most smart TVs, navigated with the remote’s direction pad, select and back buttons.
Most of the TV apps you expect are available, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney +, BT Sport, YouTube and the UK’s ketchup services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and My5. The big outliers are All 4, BritBox and Apple TV, which are not available. You can still cast All 4 and BritBox from a phone to the dongle, but anyone looking to watch Apple TV + or their iTunes library is out of luck. Also strangely not yet available is Google’s Stadia game streaming service.
Google TV also tries to bring app content to the main interface, discovering what you like while watching and suggesting more than you might want to see. The first “for you” panel has personalized choices, a list of your installed apps, as well as popular movies and TV shows in various genres and types selected by algorithm. Press and hold select on any movie or program thumbnail to see where it is available, watch a trailer, add it to a watch list, mark it as already seen and like it or dislike it.
It also pulls Google trends, like the most searched movies, topics like “Tom Hanks” and YouTube videos.
The guides for films and programs restrict recommendations by type. The Apps tab shows all of your apps, plus a store to find new ones for Android TV. Finally, the Library tab shows all movies or TV shows purchased from the Google Play Store.
Google Assistant
There is also a search guide, but the interface is fully equipped to use your voice to search with the remote. Press and hold the Google Assistant button while speaking and it will find what you want or take the desired action.
You can order an app, movie or TV show or a combination of terms like “Timeless on Netflix” to start directly there. You can also search by movie element, such as actor or director. Order Steven Spielberg’s films and he will show you any of his subscription services, Google Play Movies and also apps like BBC iPlayer. You can even restrict by production studio or actor, but ask for “Steven Spielberg Films with Tom Hanks” and will suggest The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons – proving that Google is not foolproof.
Occasionally, it may show things from the Google Play Store that are also available on one of its subscription services, something that logging out and logging back into Netflix and other services seemed to remedy.
In addition to research, the assistant can control playback, such as “skip 15 minutes” and do some of the things that the voice assistant is able to do on a smartphone, tablet or smart screen. This includes transmitting feeds from compatible smart cameras, turning the lights on and off, checking the weather, showing events from your calendar and other details.
The remote control can also be configured to control your TV or sound system and has its own power buttons, input selection and mute, in addition to a small volume control on the side, which I found a bit complicated to use.
acting
Chromecast with Google TV generally performs well when streaming content actively. Applications start very quickly, movies start streaming in high quality immediately, and the dongle supports all the latest video and audio formats, including 4K UHD, HDR10 and HDR10 +, Dolby Vision and various surround sound technologies Dolby, including the latest Atmos.
The dongle applies the appropriate HDR format to your TV across the interface and across content – similar to Apple TV. But the sound and HDR format you actually get in the movie or TV show still depends on the streaming app and the content you are using.
Although the interface is sleek and modern, when you return to the home screen of an application or video, it can sometimes get a little slow. Sometimes, the interface appears in silhouette with blank boxes and a loading animation, waiting for the thumbnails for the various services, content and applications to appear.
Browsing apps like Netflix is also not as fast as it could be. It is not slow in itself, but you can certainly click on the navigation buttons faster than the movements of the interface. I found myself waiting for him a few times when I was in a hurry, which cannot be said for the more expensive Nvidia Shield or Apple TV 4K.
Sustainability
Chromecast with Google TV is made from 46% post-consumer recycled plastic in its mechanical parts. The remote control uses standard AAA batteries, of which two non-rechargeable types are included.
The use of more sustainable materials is part of Google’s commitment to include recycled or renewable materials in at least 50% of the plastic used in its products starting in 2025. The company publishes environmental impact reports for some of its products , including Chromecast with Google TV. Google will recycle all of your devices for free.
Comments
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You need to hold the Assistant button on the remote for longer than you expected after you stop talking or you will miss the last word you said.
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You can show your photos from Google Photos as a screensaver when you’re not actively using Chromecast, or just order your photos in Google Assistant.
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No non-Dolby audio formats, such as DTS, are supported.
Price
The Chromecast with Google TV costs £ 59.99, but is often discounted and comes in three colors.
For comparison, Chromecast costs £ 30, Nvidia Shield costs £ 149.99, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K costs £ 49.99 and Apple TV 4K costs £ 179.99.
Verdict
Chromecast with Google TV does most things right, reinvigorating Google’s smart TV system with a modern interface, useful voice search and advanced Assistant features.
It may have Chromecast in its name, but the new dongle is much more than just a cast receiver. Having a remote control to control playback without having to pick up the phone is certainly an upgrade.
The lack of All 4, BritBox and Apple TV apps disappoints, while the dongle is not always the fastest available, but it is quite cheap and is made from recycled plastic.
Chromecast with Google TV is a useful and economical smart TV upgrade that is a big step up from the basic cast receiver.
Pros: modern interface, good voice search, Google Assistant, most streaming applications available, support for Google Cast, HDR10 / 10 +, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, recycled material.
Cons: the interface can be a little slow at times, without All 4, without BritBox, without Apple TV, without Stadia, the remote control can be complicated.
