Google chromecast with google tv android#
Google chromecast with google tv tv#

If you wish to rent or buy shows from Amazon and watch it on Google TV, you’ll have to do that elsewhere.

Google chromecast with google tv tv#

I should note, however, that renting or buying a show on Google TV can only be done from the Play Movies & TV store. The Shape of Water, for example, listed four methods: renting it, buying it, watching it on YouTube TV or watching it on Sling TV. What I especially like is that the show page will also list several ways to watch it. Click on one and you’ll see more details about the show, and then be able to add them to a watch list. There are also a few Play Movies & TV options that you’d have to rent or buy. Still, I did occasionally see a few recommendations from services I’m not subscribed to, like Sling TV, but they’re few and far between. This is a stark difference from Amazon’s Fire TV, for example, which tends to bundle up show recommendations under a single service with headers like “Netflix Recommends” or “Prime Originals.” In my opinion, the Google TV interface is better as combining recommendations from multiple services makes for far greater discovery. Those above suggestions, for example, come from Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO and more, and they’re all aggregated right next to each other.

The recommendations are based on the streaming services I’m already subscribed to, which results in a really fantastic assortment of content from all kinds of sources. Google has said that there’s an API for it and it could potentially work for other live services like Hulu or Sling TV too. Right now, Live TV essentially acts as a channel guide for YouTube TV and nothing else. I also liked that each show displays the Rotten Tomatoes rating if applicable.Īside from the “For You” section, the interface is separated out into tabs for movies, TV shows, apps, your library and Live TV. The suggestions on mine included everything from “Comedies” and “Sci-Fi shows” to “Shows about aliens” and “Shows about murder.” That is actually pretty accurate. These rows have category headers like “Top picks,” “Trending on Google,” “Continue watching,” “Your apps,” and a slew of genre and algorithm-generated recommendations. Instead of a wall of apps, there’s a rotating carousel of trending shows up top, represented by bold graphics, followed by smaller rows of shortcut tiles underneath. The first thing you’ll see is the “For You” home screen, which is personalized based on your watching habits. The new menu system looks more like that of Amazon’s Fire TV than the Roku or Apple TV.

Google chromecast with google tv android#

But why do that when the new Chromecast runs on the Android TV operating system? (The same one you’ll find on devices such as the Nvidia Shield TV and the TiVo Stream 4K.) The difference with the new Chromecast is that it ships with a brand new Google TV interface which is far easier to navigate. That’s not a big deal for me, but those looking for minimalist setups might be disappointed here.Īs with the previous Chromecasts, you can cast your phone or computer screen to the TV. According to Google, my TV’s USB port (which is a Vizio M55) just doesn’t have enough power, and the new Chromecast requires at least a 5-watt minimum to function. However, unlike other streaming sticks that can be powered by a TV’s USB port (like older Chromecasts as well as the Roku streaming stick and the Fire TV Stick), I received an error message warning me to plug it into the accompanying 7.5-watt power adapter instead. Like with other streaming devices, all you need to do to get started is to plug the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port. By default, the YouTube button just goes to YouTube’s website, but if you hold down on it, you can customize it to point to YouTube TV or YouTube Music if you happen to have those apps installed.

The Assistant button has a different color from the rest of the remote, and you activate it with a long press as you give your voice command. The remote has both HDMI-CEC and IR, so you can control your TV’s power, volume as well as input mode in case you need to switch over to a game console or a cable box for example.

The volume buttons are on the right side. There’s a circular navigation D-pad on top, followed by six big round buttons (Back, Assistant, Home, Mute, YouTube and Netflix) and two smaller buttons (Power and Input) underneath. It feels super comfortable in the hand, and the controls are pleasant to use. It has a curved and compact design that reminds me a lot of the controller for the Daydream View. The remote control is easily one of my favorite things about the new Chromecast.