Chromecast HD/4K vs. Google TV Streamer :
So, almost four years after the launch of Google TV, and 2 years since the 1080p version, we now have the Google TV streamer, is it worth upgrading from these predecessors.
Google abandoned the dongle design for the streaming system, not updated the chromecast has always been a fully integrated product, which simply plugs into the back of your TV, then into a power outlet.
The user’s remote control allows you to start the Google TV streamer, is quite different because it is designed to be integrated into your home decor on your home television system, it is a fairly quick departure from the set, and forget about the hardware that has been around for more than a decade with the chromecast.
You will also need to provide your own HDMI 2.1 cable, as the TV streamer does not have the ability to plug, and play like its predecessor, many alternative streamers include HDMI connectivity as part of the design, which could be a rather significant compromise, for a dedicated atom cinema system, as it removes some of the simplicity.
You will also have to find a place to place the largest streamer, or hide it behind your TV as I have the colors, it is also missing a little this time with the off-white porcelain, available in parts of the world.
The United States has a Nutty Green option, but this is limited to the Google Store and the United States.
The chromecast 4K, has a snowy sky and a sunrise, but if you have the HD version, you know that it’s already available in the snow, the dongle is going to be hidden on the back of your TV, so it’s really only the color of the remote control, which counts with the chromecast this time, there are the color coded remote controls.
So this is something to choose from, between if you are worried about how you worry about this, will look like the Google TV Streamer, which is in your home Theater system.
This new design has an advantage, because you can plug in your own HDMI cable, you can actually put the TV streamer in many more places, high quality HDMI cables, and the longer ones are quite cheap, so it’s not as much of a problem as it could be.
The larger box means that there is more space for an Ethernet port, dedicated also if you want a more stable connection, I think this could be a useful addition, because the Wi-Fi can be uneven when you add Google TV to your home, and it should be noted that Wi-Fi 5, is only available again with the Google TV streamer.
There is also a new button on the back, which you can press to find your remote control if you lose it, a long press and your remote control will make a little noise, but you should be able to find it more easily as a result of this, you can also ask your Google home, or the assistant to find the remote control.
Which, I think is more useful if you choose to hide the TV streamer from your TV center, or from your decco home, a notable improvement mistake is that the Google TV streamer, now has a bigger and better remote control, it has 10 face buttons, and better overall ergonomics, because it is much larger.
The placement of the buttons means, that although visually, the TV’s streaming remote control, seems larger than the chromecast remote control, it changes the way you are going to use this device, so that the volume controls, are now moved to the face of the remote control, and the home button is located under the circular navigation buttons.
The voice control, the color-coded voice control button now moves down, and there is a custom shortcut button, which replaces the input, or source control at the bottom right also due to the fine function of my remote control.
There’s also a small speaker hole in the back of the new remote, so if you’re wondering what that is, it’s just a small speaker for all intents and purposes.
The basic Google TV experience on the chromecast with Google TV, and the Google TV streamer, is identical at least on paper Google has not fully confirmed the internal chip of the TV streamer, we know that it does not offer the greatest level of performance, or that a 4-year-old product should probably offer.
We know that this is the mediatech 8696 parameter from the show, and that it only offers a supposed 22% improvement in performance, compared to the amlogic S90 5d3, in the 4K version, but there is 4 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB, on the older model, and this will result in a smoother experience.
The fact is that Google has not really created a particularly powerful streaming system, with the version of the TV streamer for reference, the chromecast HD only has 1.5 GB of RAM, and uses an even slower amlogic 05 X2.
So I would say don’t neglect the Google TV streamer simply, because of the slightly older chip, which is actually the same one that is used in a Fire TV device, from 21 performance for basic streaming tasks, and the simple fact of opening Netflix and YouTube, is more than enough it’s fast and fluid.
There are, however, some just when you turn on for the first time, or when you scroll through huge menus, or right after installing an application, but this is actually very rare compared to the stuttering chromecast experience, at least in 2024 for many people.
A lack of on-board storage has always hampered the chromecast 4K and HD, with only 8 GB of onbo storage available, and less than 5 GB of usable space that you can actually access, you get a whopping 23 GB of usable space on the Google TV streamer, capable of 32 GB.
Which I think is more than enough to install a lot of your favorite apps, and games, and like the chromecast, you can extend it using the USBC port on the back, if you want in terms of actual codec support.
All the basic codecs are supported again, but the av1 codec support, is still not present on the chromcast 4K, due to hardware limitations, but it is on this HD version and the new TV streamer, this simply allows lower bitrates, but high quality for streaming content.
Which I think is useful given that Google is still stuck with Wi-Fi 5 rather than switching to Wi-Fi 6, on the new TV streamer.
Another limitation is that you still cannot pair several pairs of Bluetooth headphones simultaneously to one of these Google TV power systems, so if you want to use wired headphones or wireless headphones, then you will have to look elsewhere for several devices connected at the same time.
It’s just one and done with the Google TV streamer, the updated Google TV system however has a few new tricks, including home controls AI Summaries, AI screensavers, and a sports for upage, these are the only major new changes with the upgraded hardware, but Google will actually roll them out to other systems hopefully including the chromcast HD 4K, over the next few months.
So, these unique features will not necessarily be too unique, for too long when you actually use them, I will say that the AI summar option is much more useful, than it probably should be, because it actually makes the Google TV homepage, based on recommendations much easier to browse, with key information about a show, or a movie it is by no means a killer feature.
But it is an interesting addition that saves you time, can help you sift through sometimes confusing content libraries, at least the content competes for your time, home controls are also a very nice addition to your TV especially Google TV, if you use smart home systems connected to Google, you can see your cameras doing things like turning off your lights, adjusting your thermostat, if you have one and even running routines directly from your system.
options at the front, and in the center of your home entertainment system, so it is something to look forward to, if you have an old model or if you take the new one.
You can use it from the start, the biggest question that many people will ask is is it there or are there enough significant upgrades?
I think one of the main disadvantages of the Google TV streamer, is that although it offers significant advances compared to the chromecast in several ways, it could end up running out of power long into the future, will it perform as well in the long term.
I think if you are worried about longevity, you may have to look elsewhere, Google has also confirmed that almost all of these Android power TV systems, will eventually get a number of the features that were launched alongside the TV streamer.
Especially the AI screensavers, as I mentioned, the AI summaries of the sports page, and the home control panel, so if other systems are going to have more power under the hood, and all these functions than the Google TV streamer or at least distinguishes the Google TV streamer from these challenges, then I think it might not be wise to stick to a first-party streaming system for the foreseeable future.
Unless you desperately want a complaint aside, although I think that comparing chromecast to the Google TV streamer, definitely shows a substantial improvement in usability in the daily experience, and a large part of that, is derived from performance improvements.
I think the improved remote is good news, but as I said, some of the old hardware is staying there for a while, at least until the inventory is completely exhausted.
So although it is technically discontinued, the chromecast, you expect to see fire sales, and discounts as the stock starts to decrease if you want a basic portable streaming system.
Conclusion :
I think the chromecast is pretty much doing the job in 2024 again, there are better cheaper alternatives, with the same form factor, but you knew that in advance anyway, I think 99 is a lot of money for the Google TV streamer.
As I said, there are upgrades, but this is not necessarily the streaming saver for Android TV, it will be a great addition for most home streaming systems, especially if you just want basic streaming.
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