Google TV Streamer Review: Software Plot Twist Changes the Game

Worth When Reviewed

$99

Finest Costs As we speak: Google TV Streamer 4K

Google has made a reputation for itself within the leisure area with its Chromecasts, little dongles that plug into the again of your TV to offer you a spread of apps and options that rework your streaming expertise.  

Nevertheless, somewhat than releasing one more iteration of this collection, Google has gone in a special course. Enter, the Google TV Streamer. 

For this 2024 streamer, Google has opted for a extra conventional set-top box-style design. That is to allow extra highly effective options and provides customers the very best quality viewing expertise doable. 

However does that translate into day by day use? As Tech Advisor’s Leisure Editor, I’ve examined loads of different media containers, and I understand how the Google TV Streamer compares to them and the remainder of the competitors.  

Design & Construct 

• Flat, set-top field design
• Ethernet port obtainable
• US will get unique Hazel color

The Google TV Streamer could also be greater than a Chromecast, however it’s nonetheless modern and fashionable trying. I examined the Porcelain model, a color additionally seen on numerous Pixel gadgets, however US readers may seize it in Hazel. The latter color could also be extra discreet towards your TV. 

It measures 162 x 75.6 x 26.7mm, and has a flat, sloping tablet form. If in case you have a TV that’s raised (similar to on toes), then it might be able to tuck neatly beneath. Alternatively, the USB-C cable is generally lengthy sufficient that it might cover in a TV stand cupboard if wanted, or you may stick the field to the again of your TV, because it weighs simply 163g.

It’s definitely a far cry higher than different extra traditional TV containers, such because the Virgin TV 360. Nevertheless, I agree with our Opinions Editor, that it might have included a wi-fi charger for additional worth – or at the very least a model with the performance for just a little additional.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

On the again, there’s a USB-C port for energy, an ethernet port for a wired web connection, and a HDMI 2.1 port for connecting to your TV. There’s additionally a button which you can click on to ping your distant, do you have to lose it, which works as anticipated and has a pleasant loud ring that ought to be straightforward to listen to, even when it’s stuffed down a settee. 

Whereas the USB-C cable is included, Google doesn’t provide a HDMI cable. That’ll come at an additional price when you don’t have a spare, and even when you do, you’ll need to make sure that it might probably assist 4K content material. There’s additionally no ethernet cable.  

Accompanying the field is an upgraded distant. That is longer than the one which comes with the Chromecast and has a extra ergonomic design. I definitely discovered it snug and straightforward to make use of.  

On the distant you’ll discover a energy button (which could be configured to your TV), the house button (which is now a darker gray) and a microphone, which now has a generic icon, somewhat than the Google Assistant brand – although no hands-free voice management is supported. There are additionally shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube. 

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

The amount rocker has been moved from the aspect to the entrance, with an additional star icon shortcut button that may be customised to be assigned to a particular service, similar to Twitch or Disney+. The TV Streamer will immediate you to assign this button if you lastly get all of it arrange. Talking of which… 

Specs & Set-Up 

The processor within the Google TV Streamer is 22% sooner than the one fitted within the Chromecast with Google TV, in line with Google. That is paired with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage – 4 occasions the quantity on the earlier mannequin.  

Whereas I can’t evaluate like-for-like, I can say that the Streamer is fairly quick to make use of with solely slight lag when switching between some apps, and it’s fast as well up. Even after rebooting my TV for one thing separate, it remembered all my settings.  

That applies to 4K streaming as nicely – the Streamer doesn’t stutter enjoying even essentially the most demanding content material with Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Atmos. 

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Whenever you first boot up the Google TV Streamer, you’ll have two methods to set it up. The primary approach is to make use of the Google House app – you may hyperlink your Gmail to this when you’ve by no means used it earlier than. Then you definitely arrange the area and language and comply with the directions in your display screen.  

You’ll have the choice to obtain numerous streaming apps throughout set-up, which can prevent time – although you’ll nonetheless should register to every particular person one if you first open them.

I couldn’t get the amount management on the distant to pair with my TV throughout set-up. Fortuitously, this was a simple repair by heading into Settings and altering the amount output from ‘Auto’ to ‘Google TV Streamer’. Your TV could be related and my Sky Glass distant additionally nonetheless works in tandem for quantity.  

Alternatively, you may arrange the gadget utilizing voice management on the distant – full directions are on Google’s web site.  

The Google TV Streamer additionally helps Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.1. The connection has been steady all through testing, although my field is near the router. 

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Software program, Compatibility & Efficiency 

Google TV’s interface is clear and neatly laid out, with many options that will probably be acquainted to customers with an Android cellphone.  

On the unit I examined there are 5 tabs to select from: For You, Films, TV Exhibits, Apps and Library – with the Settings and Search bar tucked into the highest proper nook. Customers within the US additionally get a Reside tab for sports activities streaming, however that function isn’t obtainable within the UK on the time of writing. 

I primarily used the For You web page, which pulls in suggestions from all of the streaming apps in your TV Streamer based mostly in your watch historical past and utilizing Google Gemini AI, together with YouTube, which was a pleasant contact. There’s additionally room for various profiles, together with ones for youths, so you may get tailor-made experiences for various family members.  

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

The Proceed Watching carousel works as supposed, placing my most lately watched present first, and drawing from numerous apps. It additionally has a lot much less self-advertising than the Amazon Fireplace TV interface.  

For customers in America, the Google TV Streamer consists of a lot of the streaming apps you may ask for, together with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, Twitch, Apple TV+ and extra.  

One of the vital obtrusive omissions of the Google TV Streamer within the UK is the dearth of two main streaming companies: BBC iPlayer and Channel 4. Whereas some customers have discovered workarounds utilizing APKs and side-loading, this isn’t ‘official’. You may additionally be capable to forged content material out of your cellphone to the TV.  

Neither the BBC nor Google is committing to a date for these apps to land on the gadget. So, when you’re on the lookout for a media field that has entry to those two apps particularly, we recommend you take a look at one other rival similar to a Fireplace TV stick or a Roku gadget.  

The opposite most important draw of this gadget is its good residence controls. The brand new panel is suitable with Matter, Thread, ethernet, Google Assistant and good show capabilities, that means it might probably management a wide range of good residence merchandise. That features good lights, thermostats and doorbells. 

I attempted out this function with my Nanoleaf, and the response was very speedy. I might flip the lights on and off, and alter the brightness by holding left and proper – color controls weren’t an choice, nevertheless. Whereas I wasn’t capable of take a look at it, picture-in-picture can be obtainable with Nest doorbells, and overlays with no matter you’re watching so that you aren’t utterly interrupted.  

9to5Google factors out that this function can’t but be mapped to the customisable button on the distant, which is a disgrace.

As with Chromecast gadgets, you may forged photographs and movies out of your cellphone to TV utilizing this media streamer.  

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Google Voice Assistant is rather more intuitive and feature-rich than rivals similar to Sky. It dealt with most simple instructions I threw at it, together with “Open Netflix” and “What’s the climate right this moment?”.  

Extra advanced instructions usually took a number of bits of rephrasing and scrolling. For instance, “Watch Andrew Garfield Rooster Store Date” took me to the YouTube brief somewhat than the total video. Taking out “Watch” then led me to the search leads to the app.  

I additionally tried “Samuel L. Jackson on Disney+”, which pulled up an exert of his bio on Wikipedia, together with all of the movies he starred in – together with ones on Netflix and different websites. I used to be capable of get “Samuel L. Jackson motion pictures on Disney+” to work, and the identical for TV collection, however not for the 2 sub-categories collectively. 

For those who depart the Google TV Streamer idle, then you may go for a number of various things as your screensaver.

There’s the traditional choice to have it show your Google Pictures, together with particular albums if in case you have them. For instance, I set mine to have a slideshow of my vacation to Vancouver.  

Alternatively, you may select numerous Artwork Gallery modes with photographs and artwork chosen by Google. Some testers within the US have additionally been capable of experiment with AI-generated wallpapers like what we noticed on the Pixel telephones, although this function isn’t obtainable on my unit but, because it solely began rolling out this month.  

In Settings you may customise these slideshows additional, setting the velocity they filter via, and whether or not Pictures present extra information similar to the placement they have been taken.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Pricing & Availability 

The Google TV Streamer prices £99/$99. Within the UK, you should purchase it from Google, Amazon, Currys and Argos. American readers should purchase this media field from Google, BestBuy and Goal.  

That’s a major leap up from the RRP of the last-generation streaming product, Chromecast with TV, which is £59/$49 for the 4K mannequin. In fact, this dongle doesn’t have the identical {hardware} the TV Streamer, like an ethernet port for the absolute best speeds however continues to be on sale if you would like one. 

Nevertheless, software program options that have been unique at launch – just like the Sensible House panel – have now been added to Chromecast through a software program replace when you’re a part of Google’s Public Preview program. Plus, this gadget has seen additional reductions within the Black Friday gross sales previously, so we anticipate that this may occasionally occur once more in 2024.  

We estimate that the 4K model of that Chromecast will probably be supported till round 2030, and the HD model till round 2032. So, when you’re not valuable in regards to the extra superior distant, the sooner processor, the extra storage and AI chops, however nonetheless need the Google TV expertise, it’s value contemplating the Chromecasts over the Google TV Streamer.  

Alternatively, you may take a look at additional choices in our checklist of the very best streaming sticks general.  

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Do you have to purchase the Google TV Streamer? 

When it first launched, the Google TV Streamer appeared like it will be essentially the most superior gadget from the tech model by far and doubtlessly a market chief – particularly due to its upgraded Sensible House panel hub that reworked it far past a media field. 

Nevertheless, the latest software program rollout of this function to older Chromecasts places it on a extra degree enjoying discipline. I might solely contemplate investing on this field if you would like the longest software program assist, would like extra storage and also you need the quickest reference to ethernet.  

For those who’re not too bothered about that, then it’s possible you’ll as nicely save your cash and go for the Chromecast with Google TV, which additionally has the advantage of being extra discreet.  

For those who’re based mostly within the UK and need to watch BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 for reveals like Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off, then I’d maintain off buying till these apps are supported. That stated, the latter nonetheless isn’t obtainable on older Chromecasts, so wherein case I’d take a look at both Amazon Fireplace TV or Roku gadgets as an alternative for that.

Specs

• Google TV (Android TV OS)
• HDMI output as much as 4K @60fps
• HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Imaginative and prescient
• USB-C for energy
• Ethernet port
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
• Bluetooth 5.1
• Distant management with Google Assistant
• 162 x 75.6 x 26.7mm (field)
• 163g (field)
• 137x 38 x 16mm (distant)
• 40g (distant)
• Porcelain or Hazel (US solely)
• 4GB RAM
• 32GB storage