Chromecast with Google TV Review - HD Version

The Chromecast is a dud! It's so slow and the interface is obnoxious. Specs are secondary to actual usability which is often frustrating. The remote is irritating to use -- too small slippery and lacks functionality. The interface is a vast jumble of disorder, clutter and repetition. On top of all this, Google is a nuisance constantly asking for approvals and permissions.

can you use a VPN w th this? Thank you very informative

How is it with Plex?

I'm still living the 1080p lifestyle, with two TVs still going strong. I run an Apple TV HD 4th gen on my main TV, and recently purchased this Chromecast with Google TV HD for my secondary TV. While it is a nice device with a nice interface that works pretty well overall, especially for the price, it is striking how this 2022 device from Google is still slower and clunkier than a 2015 device from Apple.

With the right connection and the right touch-enabled everyone told me you cannot do it I tried it myself bought it and it works just fine use it on my touch monitor

What about actually casting browser windows? If I cast a chrome window from my Mac does to 4K one do it at 2160p and the HD one only 1080P?

Can you add airel screensaver to Google TV hd

So for dynamic range and color format should I turn on ful under color on input settings on my 4k vizio smart tv?

Just pickup up some of these for under $20. Well worth it at that price. The OS is flawless.

Great review as always Lon, except for that part where you touched the wobbly remote on the top down view. A lot. :)

Sucks it doesn’t allow pairing to Bluetooth speakers and headphones

Kodi 19 doesn't work

Interesting that you got Duo/Meet working on the CC. I'll have to try that some time. Hopefully, Google fixes the 1080p resolution bug.

Netflix told Google not to recommend their stuff nor to put them on Google's watchlist. Netflix wants everyone to visit their actual app and not use 3rd party stuff.

Is this a better buy than the firestick? Really confused at this point!

I believe it's only around 4GB of storage on these devices.

Does anyone know if the HiTV APP works on this device ?????

i honestly dont know why does this device exist if a new hardware was needed it would better be a higher specs than the 4k version

Recently I purchased the HD version. Found 3 major issues already.
The screen mirroring stutters like crazy.
The screen casting randomly disconnects and connects.
The internet on the device randomly disconnects and connects.

Just officially got the 4k edition in Norway a few months ago.
I wonder if we'll get the HD edition before I upgrade my TV from 1080p

It's a product that makes no sense. Aside from AV1, and streaming OS updates, everything on this device is a downgrade. Google should cut the price of the existing model to target whatever audience they're aiming for, and released an actual upgrade with better codec support, better CPU, more memory, etc.

If you plug the 4K model into your 1080p TV, you're going to get a 1080p image.

Just get the 4K version. Even if you don’t have a 4k TV you’ll be ready when you do. The price difference is a couple of McDonalds meals.

For the money just go pick up an ONN Streaming stick for $15, or the box for $20 that can push 4K. Google kind of missed the mark on this one at this price point.

Thanks from Australia 🇦🇺🤓

They should have made a 4k Box like Roku Ultra 4k box for New Google Chromecast 4k Box 2022

A Google device that says you're on minimum wage without actually saying you're on minimum wage. Keep up the good work Google.

I have a couple of 4K streaming devices. I have them set for 1080 because my ISP has a data cap. I have been streaming a lot these days, I am tired of watching an hour block of commercials that are interrupted briefly at times by some TV Drama.

does it play h.265 videos?

Stadia is closing down.

This is a unique, very good and thorough review of this product. I have viewed many other reviews of this product and NONE come close to being as comprehensive as yours. This is only one of the reasons I subscribe to your channel. THANK YOU!

I think its the app builders responsibility to open up their OTT streaming service to Google's search and watchlist by implementing the API.

I'm hoping Lon will also do a review of the new Amazon fire tv cube. Maybe, next month. Fingers crossed.

Great to see Google has put out a competitively priced version at the 1080p point! On a hopefully humorous note, sorry to see Mrs. Seidman appears to be a fan of "Rings of Power". 😎

I downloaded a button remapper too change what some of the buttons do

Got any Windows 11 thumb sticks PC in the pipeline to review Lon?

Even on the Shield, you can't add Netflix shows on the watch list. I think it maybe a Netflix company not wanting that feature enabled because every other streaming service I have enables adding shows to the watchlist (Hulu, Paramount, Prime Video, HBOmax, Pluto, Plex etc) I don't know if the Shield supports multiple users yet, I haven't seen the feature. But it does allow me to add additional gmail accounts. Just not switch between accounts, I think or it isn't very intuitive on how to do it.

Nice review Lon! One thing to add -- If it's anything like the 4k version, you should use the included power adapter since the TV's USB ports may not provide enough power.

1,5gb ram 😓

I upgraded my old "dumb" Chromecast to this Google TV (4k) version.

Overall, it's a great stick.

But sometimes it's really stupid when trying to interpret what you actually want it to do.

Even simple things like searching for content, you have to phrase it just right for the stick to do what you'd expect.

You would really wonder if any of the programmers who created the software, are actually using the stick.

It's like Google read my mind (which I'm entirely sure will happen, one day). This is perfect for my daughter's lower-res TV.

Just bought it, best timing

I have 4K version and the remote control is really pain in the butt.

Nvidia Shield 2023

I have an old rear projection crt tv that is 720p that this would go great with. The only issue is that it has an overscan you can’t turn off. Does this have an option to resize the screen in the settings to get around an overscan?

I think the single row of apps is the thing I hate second most (after ads) in the latest Android home screen. I wish they would just allow pinned apps to wrap around to multiple rows instead of having to scroll off the side.

I hate how they both look exactly the same, I just notice I order both and now idk what one is the 1080 and what one is the 4k

Great review
Just shows me the profit google (and others) are making on those 4K streaming sticks.

Same remote, same cables, power supply
Lots of the same for the hardware
The chips probably cost cents on the dollar for the 4K

And it’s half the price
I like my 4K version, but lots of ads.
Amazon is my preference for value
Apple is my preference overall

Weird of them to release a downgraded version a couple years after the 4k version. I have a 1080p 60hz TV and the original (better) 4k version works just fine for me. Its only $49.99 right now and might get it cheaper. Odd of them to confuse people with this NEW!! downgraded version.

On the Smart Home Front the Amazon Firesticks now have a Smart Home Dashboard (“A** bring up Smarthome Dashboard”) that allows control of all lights cameras plugs etc from one screen. The conclusion Gaming is the big differentiator for Chromecast with Google TVs