Google has updated, a more of an upgraded its line of Chromecast devices and launched the new Chromecast with Google TV. Unlike the earlier Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra where you only get to cast media on your TV, the new Chromecast with Google TV runs on Android TV OS. Thus all the apps that worked on Android TV work here as well. Besides this time, you also get a remote to control the device, unlike earlier using your smartphone for that.
Chromecast with Google TV is priced at $49.99 (roughly Rs 3600) is the US. The company has yet to reveal the pricing for the device in India, but we could expect it to reach India during the Diwali season.
Google TV
As with the name Google TV, it’s essentially a version of Android optimized for your TV and Google put a “new entertainment experience” in the front. It now curates movies, tv shows, live TV and more from across your installed apps and subscriptions (remember the JioTV plus functionality). Thus you get a seamless interface to search, discover and watch videos from across different source, and no need to browse through those individual services. To help you out in getting much need information, Google has also improved its Knowledge Graph which understands and organize your media accordingly.
Of course, Google TV bundles the “Search”, which is as easy as asking Google. It can find results from across your apps like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and YouTube, among others. The Google TV Watchlist provides an ability to create a bookmark to which you can add movies and shows from anywhere on your phone or laptop via Google Search.
Google TV bundles all the ability of Google Assistant, thus you could ask it about the weather, cricket scores and more, and get answers right on your TV. You can even view and control all compatible connected home devices right from your TV.
Chromecast with Google TV
Now to the main topic, the Chromecast with Google TV is a full-fledged Android TV box (now Google TV box). It’s a compact device weighing 55 grams, while the remote which also bundles the accelerometer and microphone weighs 63 grams. As always to get started, you just need to plug-it into your TV’s HDMI port, however, instead of the TV USB power source, the device needs a dedicated power source (USB Type-C power adapter).
Chromecast with Google TV comes with support for video resolutions up to 4K and high dynamic range (HDR). It can play those videos in full 4K HDR at up to 60fps and can play other video formats including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and h.265 streams. For audio, the device supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTSX and Dolby Atmos (pass-through). As for connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) and Bluetooth options. As the device runs on Android TV OS underneath, you have access to Google Play store and from their access to more than 6,500 apps.
The Chromecast with Google TV also comes with a new Chromecast voice remote. It has a dedicated Google Assistant button that can be trigged, to ask a question, do a certain task on TV and search for your movies and TV shows. It also has another two dedicated buttons for quick accessing YouTube and Netflix. Other than that, the remote has the usual mute button, home button, back button and a 4-way D-pad for navigation. The remote connects to the Chromecast with Google TV via Bluetooth, however, it also supports IR to control TV, soundbar, or receiver.