The streaming industry is rapidly changing, and Google has now shed its favourite brand, Chromecast, and launched the Google TV Streamer. Although the Chromecast with Google TV was a crowd favourite, winning several awards, the new product is an attempt to provide greater power, additional functions, and a higher-quality design. However, the issue of a greater price and revised form factor is the question: Is the shift warranted?
Pricing
The cost is the initial significant distinction between Chromecast and the new Google TV Streamer.
- Google TV Streamer: £99 / $100 / AU$160
- Chromecast with Google TV: £60 / $50 / AU$99
It is nearly twice as expensive in specific markets as the Apple TV 4K (£149 / $130 / AU219) and the Amazon Fire TV Cube (£140 / $140 / AU219), both high-end TV streaming devices.
In the case of Google, such a pricing approach is audacious. The consumers have now demanded a big jump in performance and features to warrant the price because cheaper substitutes are still available.
Design And Build Quality
Unlike the Chromecast dongle that hid behind your TV, the Google TV Streamer is designed to be seen.
- Form Factor: A low-profile box with rounded corners, similar in size to a smartphone in landscape mode.
- Colours: Porcelain white worldwide and Hazel grey in the US.
- Placement: Made to sit on a media unit, much like the Apple TV 4K or Fire TV Cube.
The design is minimalist and unobtrusive, blending into most home setups. On the back, it keeps things simple with:
- USB-C power port
- Ethernet port (a welcome addition for stable streaming)
- HDMI 2.1 output
- “Find My Remote” button
Speaking of remotes, the bundled Voice Remote is an upgrade. It’s slightly longer, has a better grip, and has reorganised buttons for easier use. However, it lacks dedicated media controls, which may frustrate some users.
Features
Google TV Operating System. The Google TV Streamer is based on the already popular Google TV operating system in smart TVs by Sony, Philips, and TCL.
Content And Apps
It favours all the megalopolises:
- Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+
- BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, Channel 5 (in supported regions)
- Fitness, Android games programs, and lifestyle.
Smart Home Integration
Thanks to Matter and Thread compatibility, the Streamer doubles as a smart home hub. Google Assistant allows users to control lights, plugs, cameras, and other devices without problems.
AI Features
The Google Gemini platform drives the Streamer and introduces intelligent touches:
- More thoughtful recommendations for shows and movies
- AI-generated content descriptions
- Seasonal summaries will help you catch up on long-running shows.
Most features are certainly functional, but specific AI descriptions are unnatural. For example, when we call a comedy show gritty, it does not sound right.
Performance
It is here that the Streamer gives you mixed results.
- Hardware: 4GB RAM and an improved processor (better than Chromecast).
- User Experience: The navigation is generally easy, but the system occasionally slows down or freezes even when only scrolling a menu.
This performance is incongruent at its price, particularly when the Apple TV 4K processors can work under the same load without any issues.
Picture Quality
One of the aspects in which the Streamer is doing well is picture performance.
- Resolution: Up to 4K HDR at 60fps
- HDR Formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
- Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital (no DTS:X support)
The Streamer has a better contrast, depth and detail than Chromecast in side-by-side tests. The example of John Wick Chapter 4 shows that it looks crisper with more oversaturated blacks than the first part.
There is also good colour management with a balance between vibrancy and realism. Fast-moving content, like sports, plays smoothly without stutter. Nevertheless, some films appear to have fuzzy grain compared to rival equipment.
Comparing it to the Apple TV 4K directly, the Google TV Streamer still has a little to catch up on. The box of Apple is richer in colours, more detailed, and its depth is more 3D-like.
Sound Quality
The picture is impressive, but the sound performance is weak.
- Strengths: Clear dialogue and clean delivery of action sounds (e.g., swords and gunfire in John Wick).
- Weaknesses: Lack of warmth, flat dynamics, and uninspiring music playback.
The sound is not very rich and touching when playing such songs as Willow by Taylor Swift or Invincible by Tool. In the case of cinematic sound, this is a serviceable device. In contrast, music lovers cannot help but be disappointed in its quality compared with Apple TV 4K, which is much better than the audio performance of the device.
Conclusion
Google TV streamer is a good, feature-rich product that can please most customers. It introduced significant improvements to Chromecast, especially regarding the quality of pictures and support for smart homes. However, its higher price, occasional lag, and average sound place it in a tricky position.
This device is a good choice for Android loyal users who need to access Google integration without hesitation. However, with picture and sound quality in mind, the Apple TV 4K is an option, though it is a few notches more expensive.
In a nutshell, Google TV Streamer is not that bad, but good. It replaces one of the fans’ favourite features but does not cost it its new high status.
