GOOGLE STREAMER 4K VS CHROMECAST 4K COMPARISON

The Google TV Streamer (4K) is crafted to elevate your viewing experience, fully embracing the latest display and audio technologies.

Display.

This device can handle up to 4K HDR at 60 frames per second (fps), which means you’ll enjoy stunning, high-resolution visuals that are quickly becoming the norm for today’s movies, shows, and video content. One of its standout features is its compatibility with all the major HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. This wide-ranging support allows you to enjoy enhanced contrast, vibrant colors, and intricate details, no matter which HDR format your streaming service uses. While it does support 4K playback, keep in mind that the user interface (UI) still runs at 1080p and is upscaled, which is pretty standard for many streaming devices.

Audio.

When it comes to audio, the Google TV Streamer (4K) can handle a variety of formats, creating a rich sound experience. It supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos. The addition of Dolby Atmos is particularly noteworthy, as it offers an immersive, three-dimensional sound experience that surrounds you with audio from all directions, even overhead. To get the best audio experience, make sure to use an HDMI 2.1 cable and connect the streamer to a TV or sound system that also supports these audio technologies, especially through an e-ARC HDMI port. If you want to learn how to adjust the sound settings on the Google TV Streamer 4K, check out this video.

PERFORMANCE

The Google TV Streamer (4K) really steps up the game compared to its older sibling, the Chromecast with Google TV. With a processor that’s 22% faster, double the RAM at 4GB, and quadruple the storage at 32GB, it promises a much quicker and smoother experience for users. Many have noticed that apps load faster and navigation feels more fluid. However, while it performs well, it doesn’t support the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which puts it at a disadvantage against rivals like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Apple TV 4K. Plus, it doesn’t come with hands-free voice control. On the bright side, it does offer essential features like 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, ensuring a top-notch audio and visual experience. It also has an Ethernet port for a more reliable wired internet connection and can serve as a hub for Matter and Google Home smart devices. In summary, the Google TV Streamer (4K) is a robust streaming device that feels responsive and is a great option, especially for those already in the Google ecosystem. That said, it still falls short of the Apple TV 4K when it comes to overall picture and sound quality, as well as some connectivity features.

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

The Google TV Streamer 4K boasts a stylish, minimalist design that breaks away from the usual dongle shape. This compact and elegant box is meant to sit proudly on your TV stand instead of being tucked away behind the screen. Plus, it’s made from over 65% recycled plastic and comes in a chic porcelain white, along with a special hazel color exclusive to the Google Store. Connectivity When it comes to connectivity, the Google TV Streamer 4K has you covered with a variety of ports and wireless options:

Ports: You’ll find a USB-C port for power and data, an HDMI 2.1 port to link up with your TV, and a built-in Ethernet port for a reliable wired internet connection. The HDMI 2.1 port is great for supporting 4K HDR at 60 fps.

Wireless: For those who prefer wireless, it features Wi-Fi 802.11ac (operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands) and Bluetooth 5.1.

Smart Home: It doubles as a smart home hub, equipped with a built-in Thread border router and Matter support, making it easy to connect and manage a variety of compatible smart home devices.

Software and Smart Home Integration

Powered by the Google TV platform, is crafted to be your go-to hub for entertainment and smart home management. Its software and integration features really set it apart. Let’s break down what it offers:

Software and User Interface Google TV: This device runs on the Google TV interface, which is built on the Android TV OS. It seamlessly combines content from all your favorite streaming services (like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube TV) into one personalized home screen. Personalized Recommendations: Thanks to Google AI, the software serves up movie and show suggestions tailored to your viewing habits and subscriptions, making it easier to find something to watch.

Voice Control with Google Assistant: The remote comes with a dedicated button for Google Assistant, letting you use voice commands to search for content across different apps, control playback, and even manage your smart home devices.

Ambient Mode: When you’re not using it, the Google TV Streamer can transform your TV into a beautiful display. You can showcase AI-generated screensavers or a slideshow of your personal Google Photos collection.

Smart Home Integration Centralized Hub:

The Google 4K Streamer isn’t just a streaming device; it also serves as a smart home hub. This means you can skip the hassle of needing an extra gadget to connect and manage many of your smart home devices.

Google Home Integration: This device is seamlessly woven into the Google Home ecosystem. You can pull up a “home panel” right on your TV screen, making it super easy to control compatible smart devices like lights, thermostats, locks, and cameras. The devices you see on this panel are the ones you’ve marked as “favorites” in the Google Home app on your phone.

Matter and Thread Support: One of its standout features is its support for the latest smart home standards. It acts as a Matter hub and comes with a built-in Thread border router. This boosts compatibility with a variety of devices from different brands and ensures quicker, more reliable communication.

Remote Control: The voice remote includes a customizable button that you can set up to perform a specific action, like launching an app or controlling a Google device. In short, the software of the Google 4K Streamer is designed to provide a smooth experience, allowing you to access both your entertainment and smart home controls from one central device and a single interface.

RAM & STORAGE

The Google TV Streamer (4K) has the following specifications for storage and RAM:

• Storage: 32 GB
• RAM: 4 GB

This is a significant upgrade compared to its predecessor, the Chromecast with Google TV (4K), which had 8 GB of storage and 2 GB of RAM. The increased storage allows for more apps and content to be downloaded directly to the device, while the additional RAM contributes to smoother navigation and faster app switching.