Chromecast with Google TV HD review: Super easy 1080p streaming

Google's latest streaming dongle is so similar to the previous one that when I first opened it, I felt a bit of deja vu. The new Chromecast with Google TV still has a puckish oval design, it comes with an identical remote and even the OS powering everything is (largely) unchanged. The only major difference (at least on the outside) is updated packaging that features a label that says "HD." So instead of supporting 4K displays, this new, more affordable Chromecast is aimed directly at people who want to stream shows and movies to 1080p displays. And from where I'm sitting, that's great, because despite being limited to HD content, this thing offers essentially the same viewing experience we loved on the original.

The basics

I won't bore you with the typical design section, because the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is incredibly simple and almost a carbon copy of its predecessor. There's the Chromecast itself that plugs directly into your TV via HDMI, a separate remote with a built-in mic and a Google Assistant button for voice commands, and a power adapter with a USB cable you can use in case your TV could not supply enough juice using only HDMI.

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Setup is also incredibly simple. Thanks to an update to Android 12 for TV (which comes preinstalled), there's a new sign-in process that works by using your phone to scan a QR code in the Google Home app. This saves having to enter your credentials, connect to WiFi, etc. However, if you want to do things manually, that's also still an option.

Once the Chromecast is up and running, you can connect to your favorite streaming apps as usual, then dive into some of the more advanced settings like HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) which allows the Chromecast to make things like turning on automatically when you turn on your TV. You can also use Google's controller pairing setting to program the Chromecast remote to mirror important functions like adjusting volume or switching inputs. This means that if you're like me and have a relatively simple setup, you might even be able to store your TV remote in a drawer and rely entirely on the Chromecast, which is a great way to cut down on clutter. .

The streaming experience

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When it comes to finding something to watch, it couldn't be simpler. There's a dedicated row in this top that makes it easy to find shows, movies, apps, and purchased content, plus a Live tab that works with a handful of streaming TV services (YouTube TV, Pluto TV, Sling TV, Philo), so you can access the program currently being broadcast directly from the main home screen.

Naturally, as this model is focused on 1080p content, you won't get support for 4K video. But even with the relatively light specs of the HD model (just 1.5GB of RAM with an Amlogic S805X2 chip), performance was very similar to what you get on the original Chromecast with Google TV. On startup, there is often a bit of a lag as the dongle loads the OS and fetches art for content recommendations. And if you're careful, you might also notice a few little glitches when switching between apps or settings very quickly. But in general, everything goes well, especially during playback, which is when it really matters.

Gallery: Chromecast with Google TV Photos HD | 7 Pictures Gallery: Chromecast with Google TV Photos HD | 7 Pictures

The other notable feature you won't get on this new, cheaper Chromecast is support for...