Customer Ratings & Reviews

I've used many other streaming devices and none of them was perfect. I was hoping the new chromecast with google tv (terrible name by the way) would solve all of the issues I've had with other boxes, but it's not quite there yet. On paper the googletv sounds great. 4k 60fps Dolby Vision w/ Atmos? Fantastic. Unfortunately there are plenty of bugs that prevents this from being the perfect streaming device, and frankly the main bug is almost a deal breaker. See that 4k 60fps? Yeah you can't actually get that in any app other than youtube. Why? Because the highest the googletv will allow you to set your display is at 4k 30fps. That's just the highest setting for some reason. And unfortunately when set this as your resolution it locks the frame rate to 30fps. Even if you're watching sports streaming at 60fps, or a youtube video, or a twitch stream - it doesn't matter. The google tv locks you to that 30fps for some reason. The workaround, such as it is, involves you setting your resolution to 1080p @60fps. This will correctly display everything at the correct framerate. 24p content plays at 24p, 30 fps at 30, 50 at 50, and 60 at 60. The youtube app will, funnily enough, correctly display 4k at 60fps while set to 1080. I'm assuming this has something to do with the way youtube handles resolution since there are so many on the platform. But all of the other apps are limited to 1080p unless you change it back. So what does all this mean? If you're big into sports/esports or plan on streaming games through steam link or other means, you will have to choose between high resolution (4k) or high framerate (60fps). Outside of youtube you can't have both. To make matters worse it's not enough to just change your settings either. Let's say you're on 1080p so you can get the high frame rate. Then you want to watch a 4k movie on netflix, so you change the settings to 4k 30. When you go back to netflix it will still only stream at 1080p. You have to manually restart the google tv in order for the new resolution to take effect. And when you want your high framerate back? Same thing. Requires a restart. This is completely ridiculous and google needs to fix it fast. Aside from the framerate issues there are other problems as well. CEC is often broken and there's no rhyme or reason to it. CEC is what allows you to control all of your connected AV devices with a single remote. It's great when it works, but for whatever reason when I power off my home theater my tv stays on. This wasn't the case for the first two days of using my google tv. It shut everything down correctly when I hit the power button, but not anymore. For two days now I have to reach for the TV remote to manually shut it off because CEC decided it needed a break. This is another very annoying bug, mostly because I hate remote clutter, and the promise of using a single remote to control all of my devices without dropping a ton of money on a harmony hub or something similar seemed like a no brainer. But CEC is just a mess right now. Not entirely google's fault as CEC hasn't ever been perfect due to the ever changing HDMI standards. Still, you should know. Other cons? There are apps missing you might not expect. There's no AT&T TV app natively supported for android tv devices, though you can sideload one if you know what you're about. Still annoying. Same with other networks. Annoying. So what's good about it? Everything else as it turns out. The google tv switches very quickly between different dynamic ranges - whether SDR, HDR 10, or DV the switch is practically instantaneous. This is a huge problem on other streaming devices, but simply not an issue here. Streams at 1080p and above look outstanding, particularly 4k DV content, and the google tv also supports a wide range of audio formats, including ATMOS. Can confirm that 4k DV w/ ATMOS is working flawlessly on this device. That's a big win. Unfortunately many apps don't yet support DV or ATMOS outside of netflix. Even when these same apps (Disney+) support Dolby Vision and ATMOS on other platforms (ATV, Roku) they won't necessarily here. It's strange. So in conclusion? The chromecast with google tv (seriously GOOGS just call it google tv instead of this clunky name) has a lot of promise, but a lot of those promises remain unfulfilled. No framerate switching makes watching content the "correct" way a chore, a limited app library might mean you miss some programming that you're paying for, and CEC control is all over the shop. The google tv does allow sideloading of apps which is a nice bonus if you have the know-how and/or are comfortable following online tutorials. I do love the level of control you have over the device, it's infinitely customizable, right down to the default launcher. Still these shortcomings would make this one tough to recommend to someone with a diverse media diet looking for a simple plug and play device. If you watch content at different framerates (sports/esports/youtube) and care about them displaying correctly, you should pass. if you only really watch tv/movies? This is probably ok. As a 1080p streamer this is easily the best solution out there, as long as it has all of the apps you want. But for all-around use? I want to love the google tv, but I don't. Not yet. Hopefully the platform matures a bit in the coming months

I have a Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. Adding the Google Chromecast with remote completes my streaming device library. I can honestly say I'm a fan of the user interface here over all the others. I also like how I can scan forward or backward and see a screenshot preview of where I'm at while I scan forward or backward. The only two critiques I would have is that I would really like to have the option to plug an Ethernet cable in as although I have great Internet, my WiFi signal on the TV where I installed this isn't the best of course high speed Internet access is paramount with a streaming device. My only other critique is that on Hulu the video and audio are slightly off which means you see lips move and hear audio slightly offset. This doesn't happen on ANY other apps other than Hulu and I can live with it. No issues on Vudu, NetFlix, Prime, Disney Plus, or YouTube TV.

Having the ability to cast content and also watch content in apps is amazing. This chromecast is fantastic and is a great value when comparing it to its competitors. The UI is relatively snappy and easy to use. The remote is also great and looks nice as well.

I’d give this product a 4.5 stars. My Sony TV (XBR-55X900E) does a great job with streaming apps! Connected via ethernet, I enjoyed a stable connect, quick processing and response time. However, if I made adjustments to the my Marantz AV7705 AV processor, the Sony would stop the app (YouTube, HBO Max, etc…) in order to display my processor’s on-screen menu options?! I love to play with my processor :) Debated between the Chromecast with Google TV dongle and a NVIDIA - SHIELD Android TV. I’m not a gamer. The Google dongle is cheaper and the specs for both piece of gear supported my UHD and HDR media streaming needs. My Sony’s processor is rock solid compared to the Google dongle. However, my Sony TV is connected via ethernet and Google dongle is a wireless connection. I’ve notice minor application launch lags and skipping past YouTube commercials with the Google dongle. Maybe I’ll invest in an ethernet port add-on for the Google dongle. Now the Google dongle has made some improvements over the Sony TV. Quicker main menu scrolling response. The voice control search is quicker and more intuitive. If you have a middle to upper tier Smart TV with optical audio connection sound bar, save yourself $50. Use the TV’s processor.

This works pretty well, it's fast and plays back effectively every service out there. The remote is good and connects to a variety of devices. This is IMO the best media player out there.

This baby has been great for the spare room tv. This has turned an old tv into a great Google TV, which caused me to purchase a new TCL google tv series 6 (see other review). Once you do the initial setup, the dongle will login to your services if they have saved passwords in your android phone. If you don't it's not the worst interface to type in passwords either. Keep in mind this is a lower end device, I also own an Apple TV so I can tell the difference in speed, but this little box can hold it's own. the way it culls suggestions from your different services and puts it on the main screen is fantastic, I hope Google make a higher end google TV box.

I've used a Chromecasts in the past, and they weren't very good, lots of buffering or connection issues. The addition of Google TV, makes the Chromecast great. The interface is fantastic, and the remote can control your TV.

Fantastic purchase! I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend to use in his home and both him and I absolutely love it! The set up was initially annoying as the internet was not connecting easily. The directions also weren't syncing up with what worked (it came down to us clicking random buttons back and forth and it eventually started working and connecting) *insert shrug emoji* Might have been a user error but eventually we got it to work and it is absolutely AMAZING! I might have to buy my own...or steal his :)

We recently cord-cut from satellite TV. One of my systems is using Nvidia Shield Android TV for a while now but for the other TV we got the Chromecast with Google TV. We are very happy with this device. It has a great price and works wonderfully. It is extremely fast compared to the Roku TV it is plugged into. Picture quality is top notch and so is the sound. The search function (voice or keyboard) which searches across many of the services we are subscribed to is very useful. We no longer care which service has what content, we are just asking to watch it and leave it to Google to show it.

This amazing device exceeded my expectations! It just plug and play, the interface is very friendly and you can install 3rd part apps just following some steps. Besides that, it looks amazing and the remote control is outstanding!

I Love this Chrome-cast! It was very easy to set up use the streaming feature! I use it more than my cable box! Easy to stream from my phone and I-Pad. I can stream and still use my phone! Bertolucci S.

The hardware change from the 3rd Generation (2018 version) is the addition of the remote (with a built in microphone) as well as a ton of new features. The biggest feature is Google TV which is the built in app where you can navigate through all your media content connected to your Google acocunt. It even has access to Apple TV. Additional features such as the USB-C port on the bottom can be expanded by connecting it to an expansion dongle where you can add anything from flashdrives, controllers, to webcams. Throw in a Google home/hub to the mix and you can automate your TV to your smart home usimg the routines feature. The one downside is the need for a subscription service to connect to the account if you want the best experience out of this device such as (but not limited to) Youtube Premium or Youtube TV. It will absolutely still work without it.

Got the Chromecast for myself. it is so easy to simply plug the Chromecast into the TV's HDMI socket, connect to AC power, and stream anything you want. It is basically just a device to display (cast) your mobile apps to a monitor; as long as you can update the apps on your phone, the Chromecast will never go "out-of-date". Apps (like Netflix, YouTube) must be downloaded on your mobile device (or Google Chrome downloaded on PC/OS) and can be instantaneously cast to your TV if your mobile device and Chromecast are on the same WiFi network. Casting functions (play, pause, volume, etc.) can be used across multiple mobile devices simultaneously, meaning each of your mobile devices act as universal remote (as long as they are all on the same WiFi network). The Chromecast changed my whole world for media. It operates so smoothly with Android and I could not be happier.

ChromeCast super easy to install, practical installs itself! The remote offers all functions plus voice command making it easy to navigate the programming. Chromecast turned old TV into a smart TV!

Works great. Comes with Remote. Easy setup. Will recommend to buy.

Easy to install and set up with a solid remote. This is perfect for older non smart tv's and better than a lot of the built in smart tv interfaces out there.

Really easy to set up. I was able to get 4K DolbyVision to stream through HBO Max onto my LG CX OLED, though I had trouble getting DolbyVision to work on other apps like Netflix and Disney+. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to something like an Apple TV, or you prefer the Google/Android ecosystem, this is for you.

Must have item! We purchased a new TV where the interface was difficult to use so we got the Chromecast 4K. It was a game changer! It was much easier to navigate to the different apps and the 4K feature made our viewing experience much better 10x! This is recommended for everyone if you have streaming subscriptions.

I have the original chrome cast and this is by far such an improvement!!! The integration with googles services and the apps available are top notch. Also having a remote to control it especially one that has voice controls is perfect!!!

I am so glad Google designed this little thing. Works extremely well with our 5 year old hisense tv. Remote is easily programmable and Google does all the work for you. It organizes all of the streaming services you are subscribed to and puts them all on one screen by category. Nifty, awesome little gadget. Remote is extremely handy as it is programmed and can raise/lower volume and also turn on/off the Chromecast and tv simultaneously. Standby mode includes using your photo albums from google photos on your phone. Worth more in my opinion than retail price, for $50 this is a steal.