Google Chromecast 4K review, it’s all you need

The last Chromecast I owned was the first generation, a century ago it seems (2013?). The black HDMI stick was very innovative at the time, and the ability to cast so easily your phone to your TV was a blessing. The streaming device has experienced few iterations since (1st gen, 2nd gen, Ultra, Audio, 3rd gen, HD, 4K) and Google’s device is now packed with more features than ever and a remote (a tiny one though). Let’s break it down into key categories to see what this little gadget has up its sleeve.

Build and Design

Google sticked to the hockey-puck shape, slightly elongated this time, fitting the palm of your hand. It comes in three colors: Snow, Sunrise, and Sky; not that it matters much once plugged and hidden behind your TV, but so does your pedicure in winter. 🤷‍♂️

The dongle connects to your TV via HDMI and draws power from a wall outlet. Like the Fire Stick 4K, it didn’t work through the USB port on my TV (TCL 6-series), which was a bummer.

The included remote is a huge let-down for me. It’s so small (and I don’t have big hands), it feels like a toy and is sort of slippery. That being said, it has all the essential buttons, including a Google Assistant for voice commands and two shortcuts (ie. YouTube and Netflix. not customizable).

UI and Software

We won’t be discussing here Google’s confusion with their branding but you need to know the Android TV (formerly Google TV) device comes with Google TV interface. ?

Read also: Can someone explain Google TV vs Android TV? I’ve literally Google’d it and i don’t understand at all. (reddit)

TL;DR Google TV is the name of the interface, a launcher for Android TV, just like the Shield Experience is for the Shield TV. As described by Google themselves: “Google TV smart TVs and streaming devices bring together everything you stream on one screen. So you can find what to watch without jumping from app to app.” (source)

Unlike the branding, the design is intuitive, and thanks to Android and the Play Store, it integrates almost every streaming service you can think of. Google’s smart AI learns your preferences and recommends content across various services making content discovery a breeze.

The Chromecast is also capable of connecting with your smart home ecosystem, letting you control smart lights and thermostats and view feeds from compatible security cameras right on your TV.

(My home is set up with Alexa, so I haven’t been able to test it yet, but I will report back here when I do.)

Performance

Streaming on the Chromecast with Google TV 4K is a smooth experience. Supporting up to 4K HDR content and compatible with HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, your viewing experience should be top-notch with a compatible television. The device handles 4K streaming very well, and I didn’t experience any lag or stutter while streaming from the main platforms (ie. Netflix, Disney+, Youtube, Plex) with the maximum resolution. However, I did notice small delays while trying to navigate the UI too fast but nothing totally abnormal.

Audio support includes Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos, catering to audiophiles’ needs.

In conclusion, the Chromecast with Google TV 4K is a stellar choice for those wanting a reliable, feature-rich streaming experience without spending a fortune. It’s not just about casting anymore; it’s a serious contender in the streaming device ecosystem.

Bonus, I was wondering how the processor compared to the NVIDIA Shield Tegra X1+. As expected, there’s no match and it helps to explain the $150 difference between the two.