Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD) - Brilliant Simplicity Made Even More Simple

There's no denying Google has been notoriously slow when it comes to releasing its hardware products here in New Zealand - that's if they bring them here at all. For example, I know people who are massive fans of the Pixel phone, yet have to walk across hot coals in order to buy them whenever the new ones are launched.

Although many Android experts consider the Pixel to be the purest incarnation of their side of the smartphone wars, mysteriously none of our major telcos seem interested in offering it as an option for their customers, or if they are, Google certainly doesn't seem interested in supplying them.

This is made all the more galling by the fact the latest Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are both available on the Australian and Indian Google stores but no, not here.

However...

This rule seems to apply to some products and not others. While we Kiwis had to wait till June this year for the Chromecast with Google TV, a product Google initially launched back in 2020, the new one has already appeared on our shelves. Go figure.

This year's model is called Chromecast with Google TV. Confused? To be completely accurate, it's the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) - as opposed to the previous model which has been renamed Chromecast with Google TV (4K).

Not only is the name pretty much the same, it looks basically identical; a flat oblong, smaller than the palm of your hand with a short HDMI tail at one end and a USB-C port at the other to accommodate the wall charger included in the box.

There is a minuscule clue in the new naming policy though; the 2022 Chromecast with Google TV is only capable of displaying content at a resolution of up to 1080p - not 4K like its older sibling can. So the question is, does that matter?

The answer depends mostly on the television you're plugging it into. If you're already considering this device it could well be because your TV is older, not very smart and pre-dates 4K technology. If that's the case, definitely save yourself $35-$40 and go with the newer, cheaper HD version of this dongle. You can't make an HD TV display anything at 4K, no matter what device you plug into it.

On the other hand, if you own a 4K or even 8K telly, especially with a larger screen, you might be better off with the higher resolution device - depending on your content. Although, not everything streams at 4K (and almost nothing at 8K) so if it's just news, talk shows and reality TV you're into, the higher resolution isn't really required here either.

Also, and I apologise if this sounds like some kind of humble brag, but my TV does a fantastic job of upscaling lower-res content and if I'm being completely honest, I've been struggling to tell the difference between the HD and 4K versions of this device - and that's bearing in mind the older, more expensive model does Dolby Vision too.

The remote control is also a clone of its predecessor which I get; it's a fabulous wee remote with all the buttons you need and none of the ones you don't. That said, I do sometimes struggle to identify the correct volume button on the side of the remote - they're particularly tiny - and when I'm explaining how to use it to visitors they often simply refuse to believe these are buttons at all.

To recap from my June review, the really impressive thing about this remote is it's fully programmable to control most TVs and soundbars. Setting it up is very straightforward and this single, small, ergonomic remote is now the only one I use. Of course, you can also access Google Assistant via the remote which saves a heck of a lot of frustration when it comes to navigating around on-screen keyboards.

But perhaps the oddest thing about Google's newest TV dongle is its operating system is a full two generations more up-to-date than that of the 2020 device. Why the 4K Chromecast with Google TV can't be updated to Android TV OS 12 as well, I have no idea. The good news for those of you who already own the original is... I can't actually tell the difference. 

You still have over 10,000 apps to choose from, you still get personalised content recommendations based on your viewing history and subscriptions right on your homepage and it's still one of the most user-friendly, intuitive smart TV interfaces I've come across. I literally ignore my TV's own OS completely now and just default to the Chromecast every time I switch on.

Just like the older model, the HD version can access an ethernet LAN connection for faster connectivity, as long as you're using a compatible adapter, although in all honesty, as with pretty much every Chromecast that's come before it, the Wi-Fi connectivity is pretty great.

At an RRP of NZ$110.00, I already considered the 4K model fantastic buying. At only NZ$69.00 for the new, HD iteration, it's an absolute steal. It wasn't so long ago we were paying more than that for a Chromecast without any of the smart TV stuff, so thanks Google, for finally sending us something this cool, this soon after it launches.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD).