Chromecast google tv review movie#
Chromecast google tv review upgrade#
Chromecast google tv review android#

The first thing you’ll see is the “For You” home screen, which is personalized based on your watching habits. The new menu system looks more like that of Amazon’s Fire TV than the Roku or Apple TV.

Chromecast google tv review android#

But why do that when the new Chromecast runs on the Android TV operating system? (The same one you’ll find on devices such as the Nvidia Shield TV and the TiVo Stream 4K.) The difference with the new Chromecast is that it ships with a brand new Google TV interface which is far easier to navigate. That’s not a big deal for me, but those looking for minimalist setups might be disappointed here.Īs with the previous Chromecasts, you can cast your phone or computer screen to the TV. According to Google, my TV’s USB port (which is a Vizio M55) just doesn’t have enough power, and the new Chromecast requires at least a 5-watt minimum to function. However, unlike other streaming sticks that can be powered by a TV’s USB port (like older Chromecasts as well as the Roku streaming stick and the Fire TV Stick), I received an error message warning me to plug it into the accompanying 7.5-watt power adapter instead.

Like with other streaming devices, all you need to do to get started is to plug the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port. By default, the YouTube button just goes to YouTube’s website, but if you hold down on it, you can customize it to point to YouTube TV or YouTube Music if you happen to have those apps installed. The Assistant button has a different color from the rest of the remote, and you activate it with a long press as you give your voice command. The remote has both HDMI-CEC and IR, so you can control your TV’s power, volume as well as input mode in case you need to switch over to a game console or a cable box for example. The volume buttons are on the right side. There’s a circular navigation D-pad on top, followed by six big round buttons (Back, Assistant, Home, Mute, YouTube and Netflix) and two smaller buttons (Power and Input) underneath. It feels super comfortable in the hand, and the controls are pleasant to use. It has a curved and compact design that reminds me a lot of the controller for the Daydream View. At least, you can usually do that-Assistant seems extra finicky on the Chromecast right now.The remote control is easily one of my favorite things about the new Chromecast. It also talks to the other Assistant things in your house like security cameras and lights.

Chromecast google tv review movie#

You can input commands specific to the Google TV UI, like looking up a movie or TV show.

A small LED at the bottom of the remote lights up whenever the microphone is active as well. When you press and hold the Assistant button, the microphone on your remote comes to life. I like the side-mounted volume controls, personally. The volume toggle is on the side, which is another feature borrowed from Roku. At the bottom, the remote has controls for TV power and input. Adding two branded buttons to the remote feels like a little much for something with such a minimalist design. Below that, there's back, Assistant, home, mute, YouTube, and Netflix. At the top, you get a d-pad and select/play/pause button. It's about the same size and shape as Roku remotes.

Chromecast google tv review upgrade#

Google added a remote to the mix this time, and I'd be happy with this upgrade even if that's all Google did to make the new Chromecast, you know, new.