Chromecast with Google TV HD review: Super easy 1080p streaming | Engadget

Google’s latest streaming dongle is so similar to the previous one that when I first opened it, I felt a bit of deja vu. The new Chromecast with Google TV still has a puckish oval design, it comes with an identical remote and even the OS powering everything is (largely) unchanged. The only major difference (at least on the outside) is updated packaging that features a label that says “HD.” So instead of supporting 4K displays, this new, more affordable Chromecast is aimed directly at people who want to stream shows and movies to 1080p displays. And from where I’m sitting, that’s fine, because despite being limited to HD content, this thing offers essentially the same viewing experience we loved on the original.

The basics

I won’t bore you with the typical design section, because the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is incredibly simple and almost a carbon copy of its predecessor. There’s the Chromecast itself that plugs directly into your TV via HDMI, a separate remote with a built-in mic and a Google Assistant button for voice commands, and a power adapter with a USB cable you can use in case your TV could not provide enough juice using only HDMI.

Setup is also incredibly simple. Thanks to an update to Android 12 for TV (which comes preinstalled), there’s a new sign-in process that works by using your phone to scan a QR code in the Google Home app. This saves having to enter your credentials, connect to WiFi, etc. However, if you want to do things manually, that’s still an option as well.

Once the Chromecast is up and running, you can connect to your favorite streaming apps as usual, then dive into some of the more advanced settings like HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) which allows the Chromecast to do things like s automatically turn on when you pull out your TV. You can also use Google’s controller pairing setting to program the Chromecast remote to mirror important functions like adjusting volume or switching inputs. This means that if you’re like me and have a relatively simple setup, you might even be able to store your TV remote in a drawer and rely entirely on the Chromecast, which is a great way to cut down on clutter. .

The streaming experience

When it comes to finding something to watch, it couldn’t be simpler. There’s a dedicated row in this top that makes it easy to find shows, movies, apps, and purchased content, plus a Live tab that works with a handful of streaming TV services (YouTube TV, Pluto TV, Sling TV, Philo), so you can access the program currently being broadcast directly from the main home screen.

Naturally, as this model is focused on 1080p content, you won’t get 4K video support. But even with the relatively light specs of the HD model (just 1.5GB of RAM with an Amlogic S805X2 chip), performance was very similar to what you get on the original Chromecast with Google TV. On startup, there is often a bit of a lag as the dongle loads the OS and fetches art for content recommendations. And if you’re careful, you might also notice a few little glitches when switching between apps or settings very quickly. But generally things go well, especially during playback, which is really important.

The other notable feature you won’t get on this new cheaper Chromecast is Dolby Vision support. That said, this omission doesn’t seem like a huge deal, as many 1080p TVs (especially older ones) can’t handle this anyway. At least there’s still support for HDR10.

Other new features in Android 12 for TV

As the first device to come with Android 12 for TV preinstalled, the new Chromecast includes a number of handy quality-of-life improvements that will eventually make their way to other Google TV devices. These include the ability to adjust text scaling (from 85% to 130%), options to match the frame rate of your content (which is set to automatic by default) and some additional surround sound controls. And just like Android 12 on phones, you’ll also get a little popup when the Chromecast activates its mic, so there’s no confusion as to when it’s listening to you.

Wrap

With the Chromecast with Google TV (HD), it’s clear the company hasn’t tried to do too much. And that’s totally OK, because the original plan works fine. It’s just designed for 1080p screens here. You get the same great user interface, a nifty compact remote that covers all the bases, and more than enough performance, all for just $30. So if you have an aging set or secondary screen that could benefit from a modern streaming TV OS (and you haven’t invested in other streaming platforms yet), the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is the watch companion you need.