Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K - Snow

This is a really great piece of kit. Easy to set up and simple to use. Keeps track of all TV series being watched across multiple streaming services in one place. The remote is very functional, and acts as a universal remote for auxiliaries like sound bars etc. - so able to declutter 3 remotes previously required. Not just another Chromecast puck - does everything an Amazon Firestick can do, but better. A whole different (better) experience. This is a really great piece of kit. Easy to set up and simple to use. Keeps track of all TV series being watched across multiple streaming services in one place. The remote is very functional, and acts as a universal remote for auxiliaries like sound bars etc. - so able to declutter 3 remotes previously required. Not just another Chromecast puck - does everything an Amazon Firestick can do, but better. A whole different (better) experience.

This is my second one. Bought this one for a friend, as I have had one for more than a year now. I bought my one in Australia and they are finally available in NZ. So easy to use and so easy to set up. The connection is great even when used through a mobile phone casting Wi-Fi (4g). This means its handy to take all your TV needs even with you traveling. Heaps of apps from the standard Netflix to the less know NPS or Plex they all work well. I was surprised with the radio functions (apps) and use it all the time now to even play The Rock/ or Hauraki through the TV (screen can be off) and sound system. Google assistant and remote make this a...view more This is my second one. Bought this one for a friend, as I have had one for more than a year now. I bought my one in Australia and they are finally available in NZ. So easy to use and so easy to set up. The connection is great even when used through a mobile phone casting Wi-Fi (4g). This means its handy to take all your TV needs even with you traveling. Heaps of apps from the standard Netflix to the less know NPS or Plex they all work well. I was surprised with the radio functions (apps) and use it all the time now to even play The Rock/ or Hauraki through the TV (screen can be off) and sound system. Google assistant and remote make this a supper enhancement for any old TV. All you need is an HDMI input. The cable supplied and charger are solid. Setting it apart from other cheaper cast devices. The remote has survived so far, a hot coffee and a coke dunk... Also showing its a device build to just live with. Button design on the remote is good, it makes typing in usernames and passwords not supper easy but not un-do-able. Through BT you can connect a BT keyboard for fast setup, but once you are all set-up, you hardly have the need to type. Also connecting to BT speaker and headphones works fine and was not too hard to setup. Some TV brands let you control some of the TV settings through the Google remote, VEON however still needs the TV remote, but I tried Samsung and LG and Google was even able to get into the TV settings fine. You have heaps of apps to choose from, even a third-party browser that is usable, it would be good if Google allows Chrome to be installed, rumor has it that's still on the cards to come. The device really can stand alone with all your accounts setup and no longer need to log in with your phone, but also still has all the casting functions. So, a friend with Disney or Sky+ on their phone can still just cast to your TV making account switching supper easy.

Have had one of these parallel imported for over a year. Both adult daughters have one each too. This can turn a $100 tv into a smart tv that runs Netflix, neon, Apple TV, docplay, vlc, pretty much any android streaming app. Spotify is good too. Experience with remote is much better than casting from phone to older Chromecast in my opinion. I think you can do that too but I never bother. Have had one of these parallel imported for over a year. Both adult daughters have one each too. This can turn a $100 tv into a smart tv that runs Netflix, neon, Apple TV, docplay, vlc, pretty much any android streaming app. Spotify is good too. Experience with remote is much better than casting from phone to older Chromecast in my opinion. I think you can do that too but I never bother.

Ads on the home screen. Disguised as "recommendations". Presented with a full page ad for apps I don't have installed - called a "recommendation" for a streaming service I don't need and don't want. This week? Google start running full screen, full volume motion ads for physical products.

I don't have this on Apple TV, for hardware that's four or five times more powerful. There's no good reason for any of this. I didn't pay to have an ad box. Returned, the product description is extremely misleading by not mentioning the ads, and the pictures you see are NOT what you get with the latest update. I am so sick and tired of buying hardware tha...view more Ads on the home screen. Disguised as "recommendations". Presented with a full page ad for apps I don't have installed - called a "recommendation" for a streaming service I don't need and don't want. This week? Google start running full screen, full volume motion ads for physical products.

I don't have this on Apple TV, for hardware that's four or five times more powerful. There's no good reason for any of this. I didn't pay to have an ad box. Returned, the product description is extremely misleading by not mentioning the ads, and the pictures you see are NOT what you get with the latest update. I am so sick and tired of buying hardware that's basically a new way of companies directing ads at me.

I pricked this up as an alternative to the software built in to my older 4K Samsung TV. On the whole, I have to say it's been great. Using the Android/Google TV OS as the base means I can install the streaming apps for the services I enjoy that aren't available on Samsung's OS (TV3 Now being the prime example). I don't use the paid for streaming service like Netflix or Prime, I can't say how good it is for those services, but I would assume they work fine. This little Chromecast dongle is streaming only, so it's not a replacement for a Freeview recorders. In more detail:

Positives
* It's responsive, and has plenty of memory to handle fas...view more I pricked this up as an alternative to the software built in to my older 4K Samsung TV. On the whole, I have to say it's been great. Using the Android/Google TV OS as the base means I can install the streaming apps for the services I enjoy that aren't available on Samsung's OS (TV3 Now being the prime example). I don't use the paid for streaming service like Netflix or Prime, I can't say how good it is for those services, but I would assume they work fine. This little Chromecast dongle is streaming only, so it's not a replacement for a Freeview recorders. In more detail:

Positives
* It's responsive, and has plenty of memory to handle fast scrubbing through 4k video.
* Easy to reconfigure system to my viewing habits, like having the free-to-air channels first on my services list.
* Voice search is easier than using an onscreen keyboard.
* Integrated with the TV, so I could use my universal remotes to control it. (Your mileage may vary, as it depends on how well your TV supports the HDMI standards for this)

Mehs
* You have to install apps like VideoLan if you want to access media have on a media player or nas.
* Feels like it asks for a bit more information that what it should need during setup.
* The setup is a little half-baked in spots, and it's clearly been tailored for Australia, so it's not always looking for the right information.
* It will try to sell you movies/premium account on Google or the paid for streaming services when you search for things, but I only see it occasionally.

Negatives
* Wi-Fi connection only. In my situation, it has a clear line of sight to my Wi-Fi router, it still dropped signals a couple of times so far in the month I've owned it. There's enough memory in the device to reconnect without breaking the stream. (It might be different if the streams are 4k and have a lot of movement.) They sell a power adapter that has an integrated LAN connection, but looks like the AU/NZ market is too small for them to make it available.
* The remote is very small and minimalist, so in bigger hands it's a bit fiddly to use. It also has the volume controls on the right-hand side of the case, not the top, left-handed people might have some problems. But I use a universal remote with the TV, so apart from doing a voice search I never need to touch it.
* It's Google, so you're feeding more data to the algorithm if that's an issue for you.

Overall, I'm happy with the device. If you want to upgrade an older TV to the latest apps support or give a streaming device to a non-technical/computer person, this very much fits the bill and is a simple set and forget system. And a final note, unless you have a 4K TV or paying for 4K services, save your money and go for the HD version.

Easy to use, just as good as a smart tv for a fraction of the price ! Very happy with this purchase Easy to use, just as good as a smart tv for a fraction of the price ! Very happy with this purchase

Great UI, quick & responsive. Programmable remote can power toggle, set input, & adjust volume on the TV allowing one remote viewing. Bravo Google & PB Tech Great UI, quick & responsive. Programmable remote can power toggle, set input, & adjust volume on the TV allowing one remote viewing. Bravo Google & PB Tech

I love this device. Super easy to install and use. A real step up from the old Chromecast and turns a TV or device that will no longer run the modern aps into a vibrant new up to date device. I love this device. Super easy to install and use. A real step up from the old Chromecast and turns a TV or device that will no longer run the modern aps into a vibrant new up to date device.

Does what is says on the tin. No issues at all. Does what is says on the tin. No issues at all.

So chuffed with this devise! The Google Chromecast solved the problem on my tv no longer being able to support Netflix. It was easy to install and has improved the picture and the sound quality as well.
The remote is small and simple to operate and even has voice control option.
A much preferable option to purchasing a new television! So chuffed with this devise! The Google Chromecast solved the problem on my tv no longer being able to support Netflix. It was easy to install and has improved the picture and the sound quality as well.
The remote is small and simple to operate and even has voice control option.
A much preferable option to purchasing a new television!

I purchased this product on a friends recommendation - and I love it.
It is easy, functional and provides the service I need. I can get access to all my Apps in one place, with one remote for everything.
Highly recommend. I purchased this product on a friends recommendation - and I love it.
It is easy, functional and provides the service I need. I can get access to all my Apps in one place, with one remote for everything.
Highly recommend.

Happy with this lil one
It has all the apps in one same place and also it fix the problem that I had with audio going through the sound bar when playing Netflix.
The only thing that i miss on this is to set a sleeping timer on TV, apart from that is perfect now I've all that I need in one remote Happy with this lil one
It has all the apps in one same place and also it fix the problem that I had with audio going through the sound bar when playing Netflix.
The only thing that i miss on this is to set a sleeping timer on TV, apart from that is perfect now I've all that I need in one remote