When it comes to the best streaming devices, Google's Chromecast has always been a bit of an odd man out. Instead of offering app support directly from the device, traditional Chromecast models allow you to wirelessly stream apps from a smartphone or computer to your TV.
Though that feature is certainly handy in its own right, having to rely on a mobile device as a source can be an inconvenience, especially when you simply want to plop down on your couch, grab the remote, and start streaming. This design choice also puts the Chromecast at odds with other streaming sticks and boxes that let you play apps on your TV without any additional components.
This brings us to Google's Chromecast with Google TV. While the $50 dongle looks similar to older versions, this model now includes a full-fledged on-screen interface complete with built-in app support and a voice remote. You can also still cast all your favorite services from a smartphone or computer if you prefer. In other words, it's the best of both worlds.
This streaming dongle features a built-in library of apps and a Google Assistant voice remote, making it a great fit for people already plugged into other Google products.
What we like
What we don't like
Design
Like the Chromecast Ultra, the Chromecast with Google TV takes the form of a thin, puck-shaped dongle that plugs directly into the HDMI port of your TV. A small "G" logo is etched onto the center of the puck. In contrast to the older model, the new version is more oval in shape rather than circular.
We received an all-white model, which Google calls "Snow." "Sky" and "Sunrise" color options are also available. In general, I like the white color scheme as it gives the device a slick, clean look.
An HDMI cable is built right into the Chromecast and measures about two inches, which is just enough to let the Chromecast gently hang from your TV's HDMI port. A USB-C connection is also integrated to connect the included power cable. Unlike the Chromecast Ultra, the new Chromecast with Google TV does not include an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection.
A compact voice remote is also included, which is a first for the Chromecast lineup. The handy remote matches the color of the Chromecast and includes a circular click pad for navigation, along with buttons for Google Assistant, back, home, mute, YouTube, Netflix, TV power, and TV source. Volume buttons are also present on the side. Minimalist yet perfectly functional, the remote has all the major options you need, and the buttons have a solid feel.
Setup
Setting up the Chromecast is a simple process, but it does require the Google Home app on an iOS or Android device. You just need to unpack the device, connect the power cable, and then plug the Chromecast's integrated HDMI cable directly into your TV's HDMI port.
After you boot the device, the on-screen interface will ask you to use the Google Home app on your smartphone to scan a QR code on the screen to continue the process. After some other general housekeeping items, including inputting Wi-Fi settings, signing into your Google account, and accepting various terms of service, the Chromecast will download updates and restart.
You can then select which services you'd like to be included in your app library, and configure the remote to work with most TVs, soundbars, and receivers.
With all that out of the way, you're basically good to go. It's worth noting, however, that the Chromecast defaults to forcing HDR on all the time if you have an HDR TV. This causes SDR content to look overly saturated and artificial. To fix this, you simply need to activate the "Match content dynamic range" option in the display settings menu. If you have an HDR TV, I highly recommend doing this, and I wish Google had simply kept that on by default.
Google TV
Unlike previous Chromecast models, the Chromecast with Google TV comes with its own dedicated interface and built-in selection of apps. Instead of using the Android TV platform found on older smart TVs and media players, however, the Chromecast uses the newer Google TV interface.
I've always found the Android TV platform to be perfectly serviceable but a bit drab and barebones in appearance and navigation. The Google TV interface offers a nice upgrade, presenting a more visually appealing system with some quality-of-life improvements.
On the downside, the look is eerily similar to other popular streaming platforms and apps, like Fire TV, Apple TV, and Disney Plus. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as this general style works well, but it is a bit boring how interchangeable the design of these different services has become.
Google TV offers an attractive home screen, dubbed "For You," which features rows of icons for content recommendations, your favorite apps, recently watched titles, and specific content categories. A horizontal menu across the top of the screen lets you access additional hub pages for Search, Movies, Shows, Apps, and Library.
The Library section offers easy access to any titles you've purchased from Google Play or YouTube, along with access to a Watchlist that you can add titles to from any app available on Google TV. This offers a convenient way to keep track of movies and shows you'd like to watch, even if they're all on different services.
A seventh hub page, called Live TV, is also available if you subscribe to YouTube TV. This tab makes it simple to jump right into live TV with easy access to the channel guide. Though YouTube TV is the only live service currently supported, Google plans to add support for other live services and apps in the future, making it easy to watch all your live content in one place.
Navigation is generally responsive with fairly snappy performance while moving between menus and apps. I did encounter some sluggish moments early on in use, however, with some lag between launching certain apps or returning to the home screen from Netflix. There was also an odd but isolated issue where the screen would go grey for about five seconds and refresh the menus.
More bothersome was an instance where all video streaming seemed to stop working except for YouTube. Though all the apps would load and allow me to browse content, an error message would pop up every time I tried to launch a video. Restarting the device fixed the problem and I haven't encountered it since.
Occasional sluggish moments and isolated glitches like those aren't a big deal as long as they don't become recurring issues. Based on my initial time with the unit, the Google TV offers navigation and usability that's on par with similar compact 4K streaming devices.
Finally, Google TV also allows you to use the included remote to access Google Assistant for voice search and other digital assistant functions. Searching for shows and launching apps with the Google Assistant is a breeze, and the voice remote can also be used to initiate playback from Nest speakers or pull up footage from a connected Nest security camera on your TV screen.
Playback performance
No matter how pretty an interface might be, it's all meaningless if the streaming apps don't end up playing correctly. Thankfully, playback performance is generally strong on the new Chromecast.
For testing purposes, I sampled a variety of shows and movies from different apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, Vudu, FandangoNow, Movies Anywhere, YouTube, and more.
Whether reliving the '90s by binge-watching old episodes of "ER" on Hulu, or tuning into the latest episode of Amazon's "The Boys" in full 4K HDR10+, playback is smooth, sharp, and free from any audio sync issues. Dolby Atmos surround sound comes through correctly from supported apps as well.
Though I typically prefer to use the device's on-screen interface, casting remains a major playback feature for the Chromecast. Whether streaming videos from various Chromecast-enabled apps on my Samsung Galaxy smartphone or streaming my web browser directly from my Windows laptop, casting works without any major issues, seamlessly transmitting the image to my TV.
Should you buy it?
Though I've been hesitant to recommend older Chromecast models over similarly priced streaming options from the competition, the Chromecast with Google TV has virtually all the features buyers are looking for. General performance is strong, and at $50, it's competitively priced. If you're looking for a compact streaming solution with 4K playback from Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube, the new Chromecast is a worthy purchase, especially if you're already plugged into the Google ecosystem.
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