Chromecast with Google TV review: streaming stick for movie lovers
The Google Chromecast has received a major update and this new version of the popular HDMI dongle is made for avid binge watchers. iPhoned tells you everything about the Chromecast with Google TV in this review!
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Google Chromecast with google TV review
When you watch streaming services a lot, it quickly becomes tedious to keep track of which movies you can watch where. In addition, films regularly disappear from certain streaming services. It also happens that they move from one streaming service to another. That doesn’t make it any easier to keep track of which movies you’ve seen and which you haven’t…
Wouldn’t it therefore be easier if you could search or browse all streaming services at once? Or that you get to see recommended movies and series from all streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max and Amazon Prime?
Which can! Because that’s what the Google Chromecast with Google TV is made for. With this new Chromecast you can easily browse all your streaming services to watch all your movies and series, from one central place.
Install Chromecast with Google TV
When you open the little box of the Chromecast with Google TV, you see that the look of the Chromecast has been updated quite a bit. It is white, more oval than the previous generation and has rounded corners. Other things have remained the same: you still connect the Chromecast to an HDMI port of your television.
Always need an outlet
It’s a pity: you have to use the (supplied) USB-C cable and the power block to power the Chromecast. So you always need a free socket to use the streaming stick. You can’t plug the cable into a USB port on your TV, which was still possible with older versions.
Then turn on the TV and switch to the correct HDMI channel. Then you grab the remote control (with the included batteries) and you have to set up the device. The easiest way to do this is with the Google Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
If you’ve used that app before for another Google device, the Chromecast can use this data. The setup then goes fairly smoothly, but you still have to manually set some things, such as the WiFi password.
Set up streaming services
During the installation you indicate which streaming services you have. Chromecast supports almost all known streaming services. Once you have indicated the streaming services, you can take your coffee in peace. Installing all apps and starting up for the first time takes a while.
Is that behind us? Then the Chromecast with Google TV is ready for use. Well, for the most part. Because sometimes it can happen that you first have to log in to the streaming service you want to use.
You operate the device entirely with the remote control. The menu is clear and responsive. Thanks to the round button at the top, the remote control works very well and you can easily browse through the menu.
It is striking that there is a physical button for Netflix and YouTube on the remote control, but that there are no buttons for Disney Plus, for example. We would have preferred to have seen five buttons on which you can then attach your favorite services or no buttons at all for specific services.
The Chromecast gives you recommendations from all streaming services, which is nice, because you don’t have to start all apps individually first. Also a handy option: with the black button on the remote control (keep it pressed) you can use voice commands. For example, you can say ‘start Stranger Things episode 4 of season 3’. That works very well and saves you a few extra clicks with the remote.
Read more: Chromecast with Google TV is officially coming to the Netherlands
Spotify, no Apple Music
Spotify and other apps can also be found on the Chromecast with Google TV, but there is no trace of Apple Music. You can link the music service to your Google account via the Google Home app, but that is cumbersome. Did you do that? Then you can play music via the Chromecast (and even use voice commands to start music).
Chromecast is also for games (but limited)
You can also use the Chromecast to play certain Android games. You will notice that this option is not the main task of the Chromecast. For example, if you search for ‘Angry Birds in the App Store’, you will see a list of YouTube videos.
To search for a game in the store, you must first go to the ‘Apps’ tab. Then choose ‘Search for apps and games’ to search for the title of a game. By the way, you do need a controller with bluetooth for some games.
Read more: Apple TV or Chromecast – which media player is better?
Conclusion: Chromecast with Google TV review
The Google Chromecast with Google TV is a very affordable device for the avid movie viewer with access to many streaming services. Searching all movies and series is very easy. In addition, the interface of Google TV is clear and easy to use.
The Chromecast is smooth, but can sometimes falter when you have watched Netflix for a while and then return to the main screen. Then it takes just a little too long to go to another movie.
Apple TV has similar search functions as the Chromecast with Google TV, but they are a bit more limited. In addition, the Apple TV is a bit more expensive.
Apple TV does have the advantage that setting up is smoother if you already have an Apple account and that the app for Apple Music is available, among other things.
Buy Google Chromecast
The Chromecast with Google TV has a suggested retail price of 69.99 euros. Are you planning to buy a Google Chromecast? Then you should take a good look around, because the Chromecast with Google TV is often a lot cheaper to get.
In that case, first check the Chromecast with Google TV price comparison from our sister site Android Planet. Then you can be sure that you always get the best price!
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