Even with Smart TVs streaming 4K content more smoothly, standalone media players remain in demand. Viewers still experience the best performance and access the latest features with Google, Amazon, and Apple streaming devices. Regardless, not all buyers are willing to spend extra cash on these players after investing in an expensive flat panel.
Related
Best Smart Speakers for 2024
Whether it is Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Siri, a smart speaker is a great addition to any household.
Expectations were high when Google announced the TV Streamer 4K, which is twice the price of the Chromecast with Google TV 4K. The TV Streamer 4K tries to improve on its dongle predecessor’s sometimes sluggish streaming. While larger, Google’s new streaming box packs more power, connectivity, and an improved remote. Facing intense competition, how does the just-released Google TV Streamer 4K fare against its rivals?
Google TV Streamer (4K)
The evolution of popular Chromecast devices has produced the Google TV Streamer 4K, the most powerful and fully featured Google media player. The still compact Google TV Streamer 4K is a slim and sleek component that fits perfectly in any setup. One of the advantages of this form factor is a dedicated Ethernet port for the fastest and most reliable internet speeds. The Google TV Streamer 4K supports the latest audio and video formats, including Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, for the most immersive streaming experience. An improved remote control and AI-powered Gemini find personalized content for neverending entertainment.
- Dimensions
- 6.4 x 3 x 1 in
- Brand
- What’s Included
- Voice Remote, Power Adapter/Cable, Quick Start Guide
- Audio outputs
- Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos
- Integrations
- Google Home, Matter
- Bluetooth codecs
- Bluetooth 5.1
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
- Ethernet
- 10/100/1000 Mbps
- Video/Audio/Data Ports
- HDMI 2.1 (Type A), USB-C (power/data)
Design
One of the biggest questions in anticipation of a new Google media player is what it will look like. With previous devices, like the Chromecast with Google TV and its 4K version, Google remained committed to the dongle format. While great options for traveling, these components hanging from HDMI ports in TVs had severe connectivity limitations.
The sleek Google TV Streamer 4K is a compromise between dongles and chunky media boxes. The new device’s bottom has a smooth cloth surface to prevent scratches on TV stands. Unfortunately, Google stubbornly refuses to go the dark side, and the player is only available in Porcelain and Hazel, the latter of which is a Google Store exclusive.
Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
The Google Chromecast with Google TV comes in 2 flavors: Full HD and 4K, with the latter being able to handle most modern content with ease, coming with a dedicated remote control and tight integration with Google TV and excellent voice control thanks to the integrated Google Assistant as part of its offerings.
- Dimensions
- 0.8 x 1.6 x 1.3 inches
- Brand
- Google Chromecast
- What’s Included
- Chromecast, AC Adapter, Power Cable, Remote, Batteries, Documentation
- Audio outputs
- Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos (passthrough)
- Integrations
- Google Home
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Ethernet
- No
- Video/Audio/Data Ports
- HDMI 2.0
At about six and a half inches wide, three inches deep, and just one inch tall, buyers gain a surprising amount from the larger footprint. The Google TV Streamer 4K has taken a hit in portability, but the changes should result in an improved viewing experience. The Gigabit internet port is the most obvious advantage, which both previous Google players and Fire TV Cubes lacked. The third generation of Amazon’s flagship streaming box includes Ethernet, but its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity often outperforms the wired 100 Mbps spec. Fortunately, the Google TV Streamer 4K supports faster-corded connections, ensuring no buffering when playing 4K media.
A dongle is designed to conserve space, but for full functionality, owners often turn to USB flash drives and Ethernet adapters. This results in a daisy chain of devices sticking out of the side of a TV, with lucky users able to hide them in cabinets. The Google TV Streamer 4K simplifies this cable management nightmare with a USB-C port for additional storage if the device’s 32 GB capacity isn’t sufficient.
On the other hand, Google may be emphasizing the Gigabit Ethernet port because the media player hasn’t upgraded from the Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard. Meanwhile, the latest Apple TV 4K and Fire TV Cube boast Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e. Bluetooth 5.1 on the Google TV Streamer 4K is also nothing newsworthy, but invites easy pairing with game controllers and wireless headsets.
Buyers won’t find the new Google TV Streamer 4K remote dramatically different from its predecessor. However, the latest remote (pictured on the left side above) has a taller and thinner appearance with a slightly altered button layout. Viewers frequently struggled to find the volume buttons on the Chromecast, with the Google TV remote tucked into the side of the accessory. The revised remote makes these controls accessible on the front, while adding a programmable share button.
It may not seem like a huge addition, but Google is championing their new player’s lost remote finder. Since the revised remote remains compact, it will almost inevitably get misplaced in sofa cushions. Now, the accessory will begin to sound an alarm through either the Google TV Streamer’s menus or a physical button on the box.
Other Connectivity and Processor
The Ethernet port is a significant addition to the Google TV Streamer 4K, but its other capabilities are more hidden. Most significantly, the media player has an HDMI 2.1 (Type A) port, allowing higher framerates at 4K resolution and supporting features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Dynamic HDR. Buyers will need an appropriate HDMI cable too, since the Google TV Streamer 4K doesn’t ship with one.
Google introduced Dolby Vision to the Google TV Streamer 4K through a software update in 2021. Viewers frequently reported issues with the feature, which ideally produces a super wide color palette in supported media. Hopefully, Dolby Vision’s integration into the latest Google media player will lead to more compatibility with 4K TVs.
Another concern for many buyers with a new streaming device is support for Dolby Atmos. Some players, like the older Chromecast with Google TV 4K, can bitstream Atmos, but require a compatible surround sound speaker system or soundbar. The Google TV Streamer 4K should simplify matters with native Atmos connectivity.
What processor lies in the Google TV Streamer 4K is somewhat of a mystery. Some retailers have listed the CPU as a variation of the MediaTek MT8696. This would roughly equate to the 22% increase in speed promised by Google. With complaints about the Chromecast with Google TV slowing down over time, any performance bump is appreciated. Even so, the MT8696 would be a far cry from the Tegra X1+ that powers the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. Despite the Shield TV Pro having similar specs since its initial 2017 release, this processor enables viewers to move through menus at lightning speeds.
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is an Android-based Streaming device powered by Nvidia’s own Tegra X1+ SoC that offers significantly enhanced connectivity, Plex Server support, and enhanced gaming support thanks to its beefy hardware offerings.
- Dimensions
- 1.02 x 6.26 x 3.86 inches
- Brand
- Nvidia
- What’s Included
- Shield TV Pro, Remote, Power Adapter, Documentation
- Wi-Fi
- WiFi (802.11ac dual-band)
- Ethernet
- Gigabit
- Connective Technology
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
The other premium media player with more horsepower than Google, Amazon, and Roku competitors is the Apple TV 4K. Using the A15 Bionic chip found in some past iPhones, Apple TV viewers experience minimal lag when navigating its interface or loading 4K movies. This added power also results in smoother gameplay from local apps or cloud gaming.
When pitting the Google TV Streamer 4K against these competitors, it’s also critical to consider cost. Google’s new streaming contender has a $100 asking price, which is $30-40 less than the cheapest Apple TV 4K or 3rd-Gen Fire TV Cube. The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is even more expensive at $200 and without any discounts. Buyers won’t feel shortchanged if the Google TV Streamer operates more smoothly than the preceding Chromecast player. Nevertheless, Google should consider building a higher-end device that won’t break a sweat with any challenge thrown at it.
Making Smart TVs Smarter
Many homeowners now have rooms full of smart gadgets. The Google TV Streamer 4K aims to make it easier to monitor all these devices and alleviate some of the frustration of adding new smart gear. A challenge users regularly face is finding a convenient way to see an overview of a home’s lighting or security cameras. Smartphones and hubs like the Google Nest Hub are the obvious answer, but they can quickly break the immersion when streaming a movie. Google’s new media player displays an easily accessible home panel on the right edge of the screen, showing a complete overview of a smart home network.
The interactive control panel isn’t revolutionary, but for some reason, most smart TVs and players have yet to feature one. Viewers who detest voice commands can toggle lights on and off from the interface. If seeing what happens inside and outside a home is the priority, the Google TV Streamer produces a multi-camera view. However, some security-related functionality with cameras and locks still requires using an approved app.
The other element of the Google TV Streamer 4K that targets smart homes is its support for Matter and Thread. With Matter, smart devices from many different brands can communicate in a single app. As a Thread Border router, the Google TV Streamer hosts these devices on a low-latency mesh network. Each time a homeowner adds a new gadget, the network becomes stronger and less prone to dead spots.
The Google TV Streamer is bound to experience the same common growing pains with these new protocols. Nevertheless, its ability to replicate the functionality of smaller hubs on a giant screen may quickly make it the focal point of a smart home.
Smartphone owners may have noticed Google’s Gemini recently invading their devices. Using the latest A.I. advancements, its goal is to make finding specific information easier, which has clear benefits for a smart media player. For years, TVs have been able to respond to voice or text prompts to find content. With the Google TV Streamer, the device conducts broader searches, giving detailed synopses of shows and movies rather than the same generic summaries. The potential for Gemini to learn and suggest content based on viewing habits is nearly unlimited.
Gemini also impacts less crucial applications that add to a room’s ambiance. Viewers can generate unique images to display in the background when not navigating the Google TV Streamer’s menus. You’re also encouraged to set up location-specific weather information and forecasts.
Could Google Lose the Streaming War?
The Google TV Streamer 4K has a lot going for it, with enhancements in hardware and smart home coordination. Yet, there are some limitations buyers should be aware of before ditching their favorite Roku or Fire TV players. Google’s new streaming solution is the first to use the Android 14 for TV OS. Among its benefits are improved power consumption and Picture-in-Picture (PIP), which allows for effective multi-tasking or multi-viewing of content.
A major advantage of Android-based media players over competitors like the Fire TV is widespread app compatibility. With the Google TV Streamer 4K, buyers will find popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. Unfortunately, not all Android 14 apps downloaded on smartphones and tablets will be available on Android 14 for TV. In some cases, viewers may have to resort to side-loading their favorite apps.
Buyers could also decide that the Google TV Streamer’s innovations don’t justify its price hike over Chromecast for Google TV 4K. The modest processor upgrade alone has left some disappointed, and it comes at the expense of a larger form factor. At the same time, a Gigabit Ethernet port can transform a streaming experience throttled by subpar wireless routers.
Google TV Streamer (4K)
The evolution of popular Chromecast devices has produced the Google TV Streamer 4K, the most powerful and fully featured Google media player. The still compact Google TV Streamer 4K is a slim and sleek component that fits perfectly in any setup. One of the advantages of this form factor is a dedicated Ethernet port for the fastest and most reliable internet speeds. The Google TV Streamer 4K supports the latest audio and video formats, including Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, for the most immersive streaming experience. An improved remote control and AI-powered Gemini find personalized content for neverending entertainment.
- Dimensions
- 6.4 x 3 x 1 in
- Brand
- What’s Included
- Voice Remote, Power Adapter/Cable, Quick Start Guide
- Audio outputs
- Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos
- Integrations
- Google Home, Matter
- Bluetooth codecs
- Bluetooth 5.1
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
- Ethernet
- 10/100/1000 Mbps
- Video/Audio/Data Ports
- HDMI 2.1 (Type A), USB-C (power/data)
For supporters of Android media players, there aren’t many well-known premium options other than the NVIDIA Shield. The standard Shield is underpowered compared to the Pro version, and both varieties cost significantly more than the Google TV Streamer 4K. With a superior processor, the Apple TV 4K is perhaps its most worthy opponent, but the version with an Ethernet port costs significantly more. Roku also produces some very affordable media players with bloat-free home screens.
Smart TVs continue to emulate standalone media players with smoother performance, and many use Android for TV OS. Still, the Google TV Streamer 4K serves more roles as a Thread router coordinating an entire household of smart devices. Along with Gemini’s A.I. powers changing how we find content, the Google TV Streamer 4K could separate itself from the pack.
FAQ
Q: Is there a monthly fee for Google TV?
The Google TV Live service has no monthly cost and provides over 800 free channels on supported media players and Smart TVs. However, viewers can also integrate paid streaming services and local OTA channels into the app.
Q: Is Chromecast 4K discontinued?
As Google is debuting the Google TV Streamer Player 4K, Chromecast with Google TV models has been discontinued. Even so, buyers can find these cheaper media player dongles sold at retailers while supplies last.
VIA: GameRant.com
