Chromecast with Google TV HD review: Super simple 1080p streaming

Google’s newest streaming dongle is so much like the earlier one which once I first opened it up, I skilled slightly deja vu. The brand new Chromecast with Google TV nonetheless has a puckish oval design, it comes packaged with an equivalent distant and even the OS powering the whole lot is (largely) unchanged. The one main distinction (a minimum of on the skin) is up to date packaging that includes a label that claims “HD.” So as a substitute of supporting 4K shows, this new extra inexpensive Chromecast is aimed squarely at folks trying to stream exhibits and flicks on 1080p screens. And from the place I am sitting, that is simply high quality, as a result of whereas it is restricted to HD content material, this factor delivers primarily the identical nice watching expertise that we beloved on the unique.

The fundamentals

I am not going to bore you with the everyday design part, as a result of the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is extremely simple and virtually a carbon copy of its predecessor. There’s the Chromecast itself which plugs instantly into your TV by way of HDMI, a separate distant with a built-in mic and Google Assistant button for voice controls and an influence adapter with a USB cable that you need to use in case your TV cannot provide sufficient juice utilizing solely HDMI.

Setup is extremely simple too. Due to an replace in Android 12 for TV (which comes pre-installed), there is a new sign-on course of that works by utilizing your telephone to scan a QR code within the Google Dwelling app. This cuts out the tedium of getting to enter your credentials, connect with WiFi and so forth. Although, if you would like to do issues manually, that is nonetheless an choice too.

As soon as the Chromecast is up and working, you may log into your favourite streaming apps as regular after which dive into among the extra superior settings like HDMI CEC (Shopper Electronics Management) which permits the Chromecast to do stuff like routinely activate while you fireplace up your TV. You may as well use Google’s controller pairing setting to program the Chromecast’s distant to reflect necessary capabilities like adjusting the amount or switching inputs. Which means for those who’re like me and you’ve got a comparatively easy setup, you would possibly even have the ability to stash your TV’s distant in a drawer and rely utterly on the Chromecast, which is an effective way to chop down on muddle.

The streaming expertise

In terms of discovering one thing to look at, issues could not be less complicated. There is a devoted row throughout that high that makes it straightforward to seek out exhibits, films, apps and bought content material, together with a Dwell tab that works with a handful of streaming TV providers (YouTube TV, Pluto TV, Sling TV, Philo), so you may soar into presently airing program straight from the principle residence display.

Naturally, as this mannequin is concentrated on 1080p content material, you will not get help for 4K movies. However even with the HD mannequin’s comparatively light-weight specs (simply 1.5GB of RAM with an Amlogic S805X2 chip), efficiency felt similar to what you get on the unique Chromecast with Google TV. Upon startup, there’s typically a little bit of lag because the dongle hundreds the OS and pulls down artwork for content material suggestions. And for those who listen, you may additionally discover some small hitches while you change between apps or settings actually shortly. However typically, issues are easy, particularly throughout playback, which is when it actually issues.

The opposite notable function you will not get on this new cheaper Chromecast is help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient. That stated, this omission would not really feel like an enormous deal as quite a lot of 1080p TVs (notably older ones) cannot deal with that anyway. No less than there’s nonetheless help for HDR10.

Different new additions in Android 12 for TV

As the primary gadget to function Android 12 for TV pre-installed, the brand new Chromecast consists of quite a lot of useful quality-of-life enhancements that may finally make their technique to different Google TV units. These embrace the power to regulate the textual content scaling (from 85 % as much as 130 %), choices for matching your content material’s framerate (which is about to auto by default) and a few extra encompass sound controls. And similar to Android 12 on telephones, you may additionally get slightly pop-up when the Chromecast prompts its mic, so there isn’t any confusion about when it is listening to you.

Wrap-up

With the Chromecast with Google TV (HD), it is clear the corporate did not attempt to do an excessive amount of. And that is completely OK, as a result of the unique blueprint works high quality. It’s simply tailor-made for 1080p screens right here. You get the identical nice UI, a nifty compact distant that covers all of the fundamentals, and greater than ok efficiency — all for simply $30. So for those who’ve bought an getting older set or secondary show that might profit from a contemporary streaming TV OS (and have not already invested in one other streaming platforms), the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is the watch buddy you want.