Chromecast Died For This: My Google TV Streamer 4k Review

[@CChristianScott]

We have a Hisense TV with the Google TV system built into it. It's nice, but definitely under-powered, but more it's an issue with storage. I'd think by now one of these systems, be it Google, Fire TV, Roku, would figure out how to create an upgrade port. Then every couple of years, you can get the latest set top box add-in, so you get the newer Google TV box, it connects to a USB port on the set, and it integrates completely and seamlessly. The TV's remote works for it, and it just basically enhances or upgrades what was already there. It also would keep you in their ecosystem. TVs should give you a good 5-10 years, easily, but the smart functions start choking up way before then. This could be a real selling point. Anyway, great review, Jason! Glad to see more of this kind of content from you.

[@JasonHowell]

But then you wouldn't feel the need to upgrade your TV every few years!

[@MrSchimpf]

Google allows you to upgrade storage with a USB drive...but because of apps who fear ANY sign of slowness you accept from using that to store their apps, they refuse to let you take advantage of it. Same with the Fire TV. I have too little time in the day to jailbreak anything. I hate that I have to do this dance even with a huge USB drive and I stick with Apple TV and Roku mainly because of this, and the latter out of spite because they keep adding useless verticals and ads to clog the screen (I don't need TRIVIA as a smart TV feature Roku!).

[@AndyFordham-s7f]

I would have preferred a competitor in The Apple TV/FireTV cube category. This is going to another underpowered stick competitor

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Isn't that exact this is? Same price point basically. Same storage basically.

[@ariothegamer5]

FireTv sucks you ok dude

[@JasonHowell]

What's interesting to me is that the Google TV streamer processor is 3 years old. The processor in the Apple TV 4K is also 3 years old, although a better processor all around. If Google had opted for a more current processor inside the Google TV streamer, it might be a different story right now. But it would also cost more, so there's that.

[@Marinalin85]

Nice for double the ram and storage, and the little performance increase but you actually get less for more. no adapter, no hdmi cable, no batteries for 50€ more...

[@JasonHowell]

Batteries included in the box actually, but... What adapter are you referring to?

[@tofu_golem]

I don't care about the AI features. I bought one (arriving later today) to get Ethernet without a hub. I suspect that hub was the cause of those frequent lockups I've been getting.

[@JasonHowell]

Cool, curious to know if it fixes your issue.

[@jrazrjjb]

The free channels won't work behind my pi - hole, which is fine by me. I'm not about to whitelist it for doubleclick and amplitude just for free channels.. but loving the hardware so far

[@bjberge]

How to put everything in 4k doby vision and doby autmos like on the amazon fire TV 4k max

[@JasonHowell]

Much the same as the Amazon Fire TV 4K Max, if your TV/system supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, then it should pick up on that and play content appropriately.

[@tvcaptioner]

I had to buy a third party silicone cover for my Chromecast remote. It was WAY too slippery. Hope someone makes it for this one.

[@JasonHowell]

Oh I'm sure someone will!

[@Jflux69]

I'm single, and I don't need guard rails.

[@JasonHowell]

I hear ya. It's about as consumery of a product there is so of course google's going to tighten the ship.

[@chiPersei]

Jason- I'm probably going to buy one of these but there's one thing that really, really, really disappoints me. You still cannot stream the audio of a video to a Google home speaker group to enhance the audio. I wish you and all reviewers/ influencers would drive this home every time this device is discussed. I just read a 4-year-old article from The Verge wherein a Google exec said this feature was coming. That's 4 years ago! It's my understanding Fire TV streamer works with Echo speakers and the Apple TV streamer works with their speakers. Why not Google?

[@JasonHowell]

Good thing to point out, thank you. I'd honestly given up on that all this time later.

[@realgagne2956]

Will this work with a regular 1080 HD flat screen tv?

[@JasonHowell]

Yes, absolutely!

[@danieliorga2000]

Chromecast with google tv 4k and hd were not chromecast devices but tv boxes. So Chromecast died now three launches ago

[@aliaselchore]

Not a big deal but I think at this point we're missing a rechargeable remote. Maybe some connecting points with magnetic alignment on top or in the front of the new media player since it's meant to be displayed.

[@amipow]

My Samsung TV remote is rechargeable and has a small solar panel on the back. I've only had to put it in 2 or 3 times in as many years. It's a nice feature.

[@JasonHowell]

For real, agreed.

[@lindas_doppelganger]

Wish it had a USB port for external media

[@JasonHowell]

You can connect a usb-c hub to the single port, that will power the streamer AND give you a port to plug external storage into. I've tried it, it works!

[@richardvacanti9428]

I do not think they should’ve discontinue Chromecast with Google TV just for the sake of launching Google TV screamer maybe some people cannot afford $100 in Chromecast with Google TV was getting a big upgrade getting a big update. So no, they should not have discontinued it

[@JasonHowell]

Yeah the affordability aspect is a big bummer. Chromecast was awesome for that fact.

[@russelldye5506]

pick up Onn4kPro half price

[@chrisad1177]

Despite a mediocre chip and the price hike, it seems to work well and I'll be waiting for a discount next month. But I suspect the Onn 4k Pro is going to woo many would-be buyers

[@ericg7490]

This! My Onn 4K Pro is great. The extra gigabyte of RAM is not worth $100. I can’t believe they’re using a three year old chip.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Yeah that's what I would choose the ONN 4K Pro. The only real benefit to this is the Google name and maybe a slicker aesthetic.

[@JasonHowell]

I do wonder if Google will ever do something like the Pixel Feature Drop for their in-house Google TV devices. I doubt it but if so that would make it more appealing.

[@JeffStadt]

@@michaelcorcoran8768 Actually no the Streamer comes with A14 vs A12 and if and when the Onn gets A14 there will be a new model. The GTV Streamer will get more frequent updates vs the Onn

[@Rac3r4Life]

I ordered the new streamer for $10 because of leftover Google Store credit from my Pixel 9 Pro and PBP2 pre-orders. I am excited to upgrade my living room TV from the Chromecast w Google TV, but if I had to pay full price, I probably wouldn't have bought it. Unfortunately, Google is having a hard time shipping them out. My order has an estimated delivery of Oct 23. Thanks for the review! I'm rooting for you now that you have gone independent!

[@JasonHowell]

Hey thank you for the support and I hope you enjoy your new gear!

[@TC-tw5zk]

Im on the fence on this product, one feature i do like is heavily invested in google home automation...this feature would be good. Also the ethernet hub a big plus

[@mr.critic]

1:57 interesting way of saying; "a half a decade old processor."

[@Byte_J]

Solid review. Google took what is a good idea (focusing on content instead of apps) and took it to an ad ridden extreme.

[@JasonHowell]

Thanks for watching!

[@curbsidetech]

Interesting i might get it i do want some smart home features.

[@JasonHowell]

It's a great solution for home control.

[@SuperWarioBrother]

Excellent video Jason 👍 Thank you for listing not just the pros but the cons 🙏 I personally am going to stick with my Google TV with Chromecast from a few years ok…it just does what I need.

[@JasonHowell]

Right on! Thanks for watching.

[@perriconemdbeauty43]

I have the TV Streamer. Nice device. Used the Chromecast before. Works great with my Pixel 9 Pro and buds pro 2 together. Nice video from you ❤.

[@JasonHowell]

Thank you for watching!

[@flexor212000]

I'm more shocked they actually included a power brick...

[@JasonHowell]

Fair

[@whoever_81]

Tough sell Google...The bare minimum "upgrades". This Mediatek CPU is unacceptable. Happy with my Google TV 4K dongle although I never really use it.

[@JasonHowell]

Thank you for sharing!

[@MrPurle]

Awesome review! I'm tempted by this - it's a solid update - I think I'll pick one up for a Xmas gift for someone who'll appreciate it :)

[@alex.hansford]

I'm really underwhelmed by the latest Google streaming offering. I'll keep hoping for an updated Nvidia Shield TV - otherwise it might be time to look at an Apple TV *gulp*

[@JasonHowell]

Yeah I hear you. I think we all were hoping Google would go to the mat with the update. This is better than what they've done before, but its always a bit addled and I don't understand why that is.

[@Gav_Jam]

I was hoping you would review this.

[@JasonHowell]

I'm here for ya.

[@GT_FM]

Does the new caster output natively to 1440p? I know it will do 4k, but I'm talking native to 1440p. Does anyone know? Also, great review. I really wish the American reviewers would understand that the 'free TV channels' are only free in America... Although, I suppose we're not missing that much..😅

[@Rac3r4Life]

That's an interesting question. Aside from computer monitors, there aren't any 1440p TV's that I know of.

[@GT_FM]

@@Rac3r4Life yep. I use a computer monitor and 1080 output doesn't look as pin sharp as the computer .. Really wish they would support it.

[@Rac3r4Life]

@@GT_FM Yeah, 1080p will never look great on a 1440p display because of the number of pixels. 1080p looks good on a 2160p(4K) display because every 1080p pixel is exactly 4 2160p pixels. 1440p is in this weird middle area so trying to display a 1080p image makes it look weird and fuzzy.

[@GT_FM]

@@Rac3r4Life Actually, that brings me to a next question. (Thank you very much, by the way, for refreshing my memory. I used to know this stuff years ago.lol..) The monitor, for some reason, seems to accept the 4K output from the Chromecast. Do you think that would actually look better than the 1080p option? (On the same 1440p display).. Or wouldn't be down to the upscaler in the monitor, doing a good enough job.?

[@JasonHowell]

I wish I had realized that the free channels are US only, I would have included it!

[@TC-tw5zk]

Maybe a blackfrday deal?🤔

[@JasonHowell]

Didja pick it up for Black Friday?

[@jamesderrick8201]

Currently useless in the UK - Not certified by the BBC for iPlayer (our national broadcaster's streaming platform).

[@Aorusgamer92]

The Google tv Streamer is great and very powerful Yesterday morning already received a minor bugs fixes and performance improvements update Playing games on it and watching 4k 60 fps HDR videos are smooth and efficient ❤❤❤❤ Less than a week from purchase 2 system updates already 🎉🎉🎉

[@JasonHowell]

Oooh I'll have to check on mine for an update!

[@Aorusgamer92]

@ when Google released a update its worldwide at the same time Because the update is directly from them just like Apple does

[@JasonHowell]

Installing now!​@@Aorusgamer92

[@TayQuartermain]

Hey love your review, I agree that the home screen is far too messy, for anyone who wants a more simple interface can go into settings>Account and sign in and turn on app only mode there, everything except your installed apps will be gone.

[@JasonHowell]

Excellent tip, Tay!!

[@webgenius937]

Thanks Jason, I wondered why I might want one, now I know.

[@JasonHowell]

And do you?

[@webgenius937]

@@JasonHowell Yup, next time they are on special I think I'll pick one up

[@donovancherryholme]

It's no Nvidia shield. Storage sucks as per usual

[@JasonHowell]

Nvidia Shield is always the comparison (that's the other one in our house actually)

[@Pomacat]

I found it too be a bit buggy. I went back to my fire stick for the time being. Maybe if they update it I will give another try. Plus Fire stick remote has more features.

[@JasonHowell]

Curious to know what kinds of bugs?

[@russelldye5506]

2 options send it back to get another one under warranty, or factory rest it

[@joe10117]

apple TV 4 K SUPPORTS LETTER BOX ZOOM OUT FEATURE WHAT ABOUT GOOGLE HMMM

[@JasonHowell]

Not sure I've seen that

[@robhingston]

new Google TV Streamer Crappy processor for late 2024

[@JasonHowell]

The dated processor is frustrating for sure.

[@joe10117]

can you. load up. vpn service apple. tv 4 k supports letter box zoom out what about. google ?

[@JasonHowell]

I have a VPN loaded up on mine, just install the app from the Play Store. Haven't seen any letterbox settings out of the box, maybe on a per app basis?