Google’s latest Chromecast streaming media dongle is a little different. Instead of just streaming or “casting” content like your predecessors from your phone or computer, the new device works more like a modern smart TV.
With a full interface and remote control, the new Chromecast with Google TV costs £ 59.99 and above the basic Chromecast at £ 30. You can still toss Google to the new device, but the new flat plastic dongle is more than just a simple receiver, which manages the complete Android TV software similar to the 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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Connections: 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 @ 60Hz, 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 enabled, the new Chromecast will be set up within about five minutes using the Google Home app on an Android, iPhone or iPad. Scan the QR code on your TV, sign in with the required Google Account and select some apps to install. You can also add additional Google Accounts for limited support for more users, such as accessing more than one account in apps like YouTube.
The interface is pretty simple. Individual programs for your media services work like most smart TVs, with the remote control’s direction bar, select and back buttons.
Most TV applications you would expect are available, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney +, BT Sport, YouTube and the UK streaming services, such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and My5. The big standouts are All 4, BritBox and Apple TV, which are not available. You can still throw All 4 and BritBox from a phone to the dongle, but those who want to watch Apple TV + or their iTunes library are not happy. Oddly enough, Google’s Stadia game streaming service is not yet available.
Google TV also tries to bring content from the apps and to the main interface, to learn what you want to see and to suggest more about what you might want to see. The first “for you” panel contains personalized choices, a list of your installed programs, plus popular movies and TV shows in different genres and types compiled by algorithm. Press and hold select on any movie or display thumbnail, and you can see where it’s available, watch a trailer, add it to a watchlist, mark it as already seen and like it or not.
It also incorporates trends from Google, such as most-searched movies, topics like “Tom Hanks” and YouTube videos.
Tabs for movies and shows limit the recommendations by type. The Apps tab shows all your apps and a storefront to find new apps for Android TV. Finally, the Library page shows you any movies or TV shows you have purchased in the Google Play Store.
Google Assistant
There is also a search tab, but the interface is fully set to use voice to search with the remote. Hold and hold the Google Assistant button while talking, or it will find what you want, or perform the desired action.
You can ask an app, movie or TV show or a combination of terms like “Timeless on Netflix” to start right there. You can also search via a movie element, such as an actor or director. Ask for Steven Spielberg movies, and it can be shown on any of your subscription services, Google Play Movies and also programs like BBC iPlayer. You can even limit it by production studio or actor, but ask for ‘Steven Spielberg movies with Tom Hanks’, and this will suggest the Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons – it’s proven that Google is not infallible.
It can occasionally show things from the Google Play Store that are also available at one of your subscription services, and can heal something you can sign out of and sign in to Netflix and other services.
In addition to searching, Assistant can control playback such as ‘skip 15 minutes’ and do some of the things that the voice assistant is capable of on a smartphone, tablet or smart screen. These include streaming streaming from compatible smart cameras, turning lights on and off, looking for the weather, showing events from your calendar and other pieces.
The remote can also be configured to control your TV or sound system and has its own power, input and mute buttons plus a small volume rocker on the side, which I found a bit difficult to use.
Performance
The Chromecast with Google TV usually performs well when actively streaming. Programs launch fairly quickly, movies start instantly with high quality starts, and the dongle supports all the latest video and audio formats, including 4K UHD, HDR10 and HDR10 +, Dolby Vision and the various Dolby surround sound technologies, including the latest Atmos.
The dongle applies the appropriate HDR format to your TV across the entire interface and all content – similar to the Apple TV. But the audio and HDR format you get in the movie or TV show still depends on the streaming app and the content you use.
While the interface is sleek and modern, it can occasionally be a bit slow when returning from an app or video to the home screen. Sometimes the interface appears in silhouette with blank squares and a loading animation, waiting for the thumbnails for the various services, content and applications to appear.
Navigating within programs like Netflix is also not as fast as it could be. It’s not slow in itself, but you can definitely click the navigation buttons faster as the interface moves. I waited for it to catch up a few times when I was in a hurry, which cannot be said for the more expensive Nvidia Shield or Apple TV 4K.
Sustainability
The Chromecast with Google TV is manufactured with 46% recycled plastic in the mechanical parts to the consumer. The remote control contains 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 plastics used in its products starting in 2025. The company publishes environmental impact reports for some of its products, including the Chromecast with Google TV. Google will recycle all its devices for free.
Observations
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You should keep the Assistant button on the remote control longer than you would expect after you stop talking, or it will miss the last word you said.
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You can show your photos from Google Photos as a screen saver if you’re not actively using Chromecast, or just to request your photos from Google Assistant.
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There is no support for non-Dolby audio formats like DTS.
Price
The Chromecast with Google TV costs £ 59.99, but is regularly discounted and is available in three colors.
By comparison, the Chromecast costs £ 30, the Nvidia Shield costs £ 149.99, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K costs £ 49.99 and the Apple TV 4K costs £ 179.99.
Pronunciation
The Chromecast with Google TV fixes most things, and it stimulates Google’s smart TV system with a modern interface, useful voice search and enhanced Assistant features.
It may have Chromecast in the name, but the new dongle is much more than a simple cast receiver. It is definitely an upgrade to have a remote control to control the playback without having to reach for your phone.
The lack of the All 4, BritBox and Apple TV apps disappoints, while the dongle is not always the fastest available, but it is fairly inexpensive and is made from recycled plastic.
The Chromecast with Google TV is a useful, valuable smart TV upgrade that is a big step up from the basic receiver.
Advantages: modern interface, good voice search, Google Assistant, most streaming apps available, Google Cast support, HDR10 / 10 +, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, recycled materials.
Cons: interface can sometimes be a bit slow, no All 4, no BritBox, no Apple TV, no Stadia, a remote control can be tricky.
