This was originally the entire functionality of Chromecast devices, and now it’s simply a nice bonus on top of an extensive app-based ecosystem and handy user interface. It incorporates Sling TV into its live TV guide, but its own menu system is a bit more cluttered, and built a bit less consistently on top of Android TV than Google TV is on the Chromecast. Chromecast is an easy device to setup and use on … It easily rivals the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, with a sleek interface and loads of functionality, earning our Editors’ Choice for affordable media streamers. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Installed apps appear on the row below these suggestions, and the ability to resume any content you were previously watching is on a row below that. Google TV makes its debut on Chromecast here, and despite that resulting in a mouthful of a name for its latest device, we understand why Google wishes to shout about its new interface. Chromecast with Google TV Chromecast with ... a welcome addition New colors with matching batteries Interface is fast and smooth 4K HDR support The Bad Stadia not compatible … Unlike other smart TV sticks (looking at you, Amazon Fire and NOW TV), Google Chromecast is compatible with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and NOW TV … Chromecast with Google TV is a big change in terms of features, looks, price and more for the Chromecast, compared to the first three models. The Chromecast With Google TV performed well in tests, with fairly brisk menu performance and fast content loading. The Apple TV app is the only big name currently missing from the Google Play store, which means you can't watch Apple TV+ content. You can access Google Assistant on the Chromecast by pressing and holding the Google Assistant button on the remote and speaking into the microphone. PCMag PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Ultimately, the Chrome Chromecast With Google TV offers more functionality than any other $50 media streamer, and that's enough to earn it our Editors’ Choice. Cast is compatible with WiFi-enabled Android smartphones and tablets; iPhone ®, iPad ®, and iPod ®; Chrome for Mac ® and Chrome for Windows ®; and ChromeOS. The included remote control is a first for the Chromecast, and it looks and feels like a cross between the Apple TV and Roku remotes. Google Chromecast is a streaming service that lets you stream media through your TV through wireless connection. If you use Sling TV, the $49.99 TiVo Stream 4K incorporates the service into its live TV guide and interface, though it’s a bit more cluttered than Google TV. That said, the Fire TV Stick is cheaper than the Chromecast with Google TV. Perhaps the most elegant option for playing Apple TV+ content on your Chromecast or Android TV is simply casting a tab from the Chrome browser. Netflix. Note: The Privacy Policy describes how data is handled by this app and these devices. The Chromecast has completely lacked any form of on-screen interface until now. True to its name, Chromecast with Google TV can send media to your television from supported apps. You can still cast direct from thousands of compatible Android and iOS apps, but now you can also choose what to watch from the home screen on your TV… I watched shows on Netflix, Sling TV, and YouTube, and switched between different apps quickly and easily. Chromecast with Google TV turns any TV into a smart TV with one seamless experience for all your streaming apps. Use the remote or your phone to watch your favorite shows, movies, or videos. Now, it supports the 6,500 Android TV apps already available in … You can use the Google Home app on compatible mobile devices to set up Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio, and TVs and speakers with Chromecast built-in. Once connected, the Chromecast can stream video at up to 4K resolution and 60fps. Will Greenwald has been covering consumer technology for a decade, and has served on the editorial staffs of CNET.com, Best Malware Removal and Protection Software. Subscription(s) may be required, and additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Study Finds Bad Web Design is Killing Us All With Stress, The Best Headsets and Headphones for Your Home Office, Not Wild About Waze? You might not … Availability and performance of features and services are application-, device- and network-dependent and may not be available in all areas. The Google Terms of Service and supplemental Nest Terms of Service apply to use of the Google Home app and devices set up via the app. You can use the Google Home app  on compatible mobile devices to set up Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio, and TVs and speakers with Chromecast built-in. Google TV opens to a For You tab that displays suggested shows and movies on a row of large, colorful tiles. For 4K content, you need a 4K-capable TV and a high-speed internet connection (at least 20 Mbps). Google's Chromecast lineup was getting a bit long in the tooth. The Chromecast Ultra is almost 2x powerful as the Chromecast and can stream 4K at 60 fps. The Chromecast with Google TV is now available in the U.S. for USD 49.99 (~RM207), with three colours available: Snow, Sunrise, and Sky. In order to view 4K or Ultra High-definition (UHD) content, in addition to the requirements listed above, your equipment must meet the following requirements: To learn about technical specifications for Chromecast devices, check the Chromecast specifications article. It supports hundreds of different apps across most major streaming services, including Amazon, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV, Twitch, and YouTube. The new Chromecast is built similarly to the previous models, with a slim, puck-like body on a short cable that ends in an HDMI plug. The Chromecast with Google TV represents a big upgrade from previous Chromecast devices. Chromecast with Google TV – USD 49.99 (~RM207) At the time of Chromecast's launch, four compatible apps were available: YouTube and Netflix were supported as Android, iOS, and Chrome web apps; Google Play Music and Google Play Movies & TV were also supported, but originally only as Android apps. Chromecast-enabled apps let you stream videos, music and videos to your TV from your Pixel phone, Google Home, Pixel Slate or other device. With the remote, new interface and Google Assistant, the new Chromecast with Google TV is finally on par with the Roku Streaming Stick and the Amazon Fire TV Stick. You can use the tool to play digital music, video, and images with an internet connection. The TiVo Stream 4K is another excellent Android TV-based media streamer available for the same price. This isn’t stock Android TV like you’ll find on some new TVs and media streamers, though. For High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, you need an HDR-capable TV. The Google Chromecast is a media streaming device that can be used to watch Live TV Streaming Services. Chromecast compatibility was recently added to the Spectrum TV App, giving customers even more options for viewing live and On Demand content. The remote works well for controlling Google TV, which is also new for the Chromecast … Download: iOS / Android Netflix is one of the best Chromecast-enabled apps. This tab incorporates the live TV service of YouTube TV into the menu system itself, showing the top shows currently available, followed by a grid-based program guide. The regular Chromecast could only stream 1080p content, while the Chromecast Ultra added 4K but more than doubled the price, and neither came with a remote or had an on-screen menu system. Contact the Chromecast Support Team for assistance. AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro: What's Apple's Best Pair of Noise-Cancelling Headphones? The voice assistant will also provide both spoken and on-screen details like weather reports, sports scores, and general information. Google Assistant can control your smart home devices as well, configurable through the Google Home app (which also lets you set up the Chromecast itself). As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about this in the Google Nest Privacy Help Center article. It seems to me that Google just don't want to enable it on Chromecast built-in devices with Ultra capability. This enhancement allows our customers to take video content playing on the Spectrum TV App and “cast” it to a larger screen or TV. The included remote control is … It supports HDR in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It has a rounded candy bar shape like Roku remotes, with a volume rocker on the right edge, and it features a large, circular direction pad near the top, with two rows of large, round buttons like on the Apple TV remote. A USB-C port sits at the opposite end of the puck from the two-inch HDMI cable, for receiving power through the included USB-C cable and wall adapter. The rather awkwardly named Chromecast with Google TV, is now a full-fledged mini streamer, rather than just being a 'caster'. You can use it like the older Chromecasts to stream video from any compatible app on your phone. It’s compatible with over 6500 of the apps built for Android TV and, at launch, will recommend content on the home page from over 30 streaming services. The new Chromecast still runs Android TV at its core, so it includes all of the same features as other Android TV devices like the TiVo Stream 4K and Sony smart TVs. Verdict. The buttons include Home, Google Assistant, Back, and Mute, plus two dedicated service buttons for YouTube and Netflix. Scrolling down farther shows additional rows of suggestions based on genre and service. Once connected, the Chromecast can stream video at up to 4K resolution and 60fps. They offer two versions: Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra. What can you stream on Google Chromecast? Of course, this is still a Chromecast device, so you can stream any Google Cast-compatible content from your phone or tablet. The Chromecast With Google TV features a fully fledged menu system built on the Android TV platform.Â. Adding a remote and an on-screen interface to the Chromecast is appealing enough, but Google TV layers an attractive and accessible menu system on top of that. The Chromecast is an equal to the excellent Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K in terms of affordability and user friendliness, with the extra benefit of being able to cast content from your phone or a Chrome tab. Chromecast built-in is a technology that lets you cast your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet or laptop right to your TV or speakers. So far, I have managed to pair one Bluetooth headphone to Chromecast with Google TV, and play audio through the headphone instead of the TV. Google TV incorporates content searching, recommendations, and even live TV into the menu system, providing suggestions for what you might want to watch in the middle of the screen. The Chromecast with Google TV is an excellent, feature packed streaming stick that matches, if not beats its Fire and Roku competition, but there are a few odd omissions. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, you'll also see a Live tab. Try One of The Best GPS Devices for 2021, How to Find the Best Digital TV Antenna for 2021. Pre-orders are also now open in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the U.K., with official sales to start on the 15th of October. You can also cast Google Chrome tabs from your computer directly to your TV. The new Chromecast With Google TV replaces both of these dated media streamers, offering an excellent 4K experience with a remote, an easy-to-use menu system, and all of the benefits of Google TV in a tiny, $49.99 package. A pair of smaller buttons sit below the six larger ones for TV power and input selection, along with a pinhole microphone for Google Assistant. This version is a bit more oblong than the circular Chromecast, and its smooth matte finish makes it reminiscent of a bar of soap. This tab only works with YouTube TV; other live services like Sling TV don't integrate into Google TV. Apps shows your installed apps, and lets you browse additional apps and services to download on the Chromecast. What is Required to Setup Chromecast On Windows 10 PC. Video looks good, and supported HDR content loads properly. HDCP 2.2 is required to support 4K content. It is … The Google Home app is compatible with the following mobile devices: All Chromecast devices require a TV with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) 1.3 or higher built-in. They probably want us to buy another CCU, which is something I wouldn't do. It supports HDR in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. For my use case, I need to play the same audio through two Bluetooth headphones at the same time. The length of your content, your internet service provider's network availability over time and other factors can impact your Internet speed, and therefore Chromecast device's ability to show content in the best possible resolution. Most televisions that are five years old or newer and have HDMI ports will have at least one port that supports HDCP 2.2. Other tabs include Apps, Library, Movies, and Shows. A reset button and an indicator LED can be found on the underside. It's available in blue, pink, or white, though it doesn't really matter which color you choose since the device is designed to hang off the back of your TV, unseen. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Learn about our commitment to privacy in the home. You can ask Google Assistant to search for content available on Google TV and your installed apps and services, and to open any app with a command. My Nvidia Shield TV has Chromecast (Ultra) built-in with firmware version 1.42.179832 which is newer than the standalone Chromecast Ultra (1.42.172094). Library displays any movies or shows you purchased on Google Play Movies & TV. Here are the minimum requirements for setting up and using Chromecast devices: You can download the Google Home app from the, An Android phone running Android 6.0 or later, An Android tablet running Android 6.0 or later. Chromecast has a line of digital media players used to mirror audio and video from an external device onto a high-definition television. Movies and Shows let you browse different films and TV shows, with suggestions ranging across multiple streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu. Tossing a TV show from your phone or … Instead, the Chromecast uses Google TV, a new user interface that better unifies content across different apps and services than standard Android TV. In a nutshell, it's a technology built by Google that works over Wi-Fi to let you send or 'cast' media - whether that be streaming movies, TV shows, music, podcast or radio - from your phone, tablet or computer to compatible speakers and TVs. Image Credit: Netflix 2. Learn more about. In 2013, the company's first Chromecast helped usher in an era of streaming televisions, but did so by relying on your phone, tablet or computer to supply the apps and video. While you can project Computer Screen to TV using Miracast, you will be amazed at how effortless and easy it is to Cast Videos and Movies playing on your Computer to TV using Chromecast.You will find below the steps to Setup Chromecast on Windows 10 Computer. Need help? Released in 2018, Chromecast 3 stands out for having almost full compatibility with Android devices. The Mi TV Stick presents unique usability for bringing an intelligent remote control and complete Android TV system without using another device to access the services. Unlike most streaming devices, they do not have a built-in interface.