The Chromecast with Google TV has a LIVE section at the top of its screen, into which you can connect your channels from YouTube TV and (more recently) Sling TV. And while the Chromecast with Google TV doesn't do this as well as, say, Fire TV, it's still beating the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, especially with how it connects to one of the best streaming services. Chromecast with Google TV: Live TVĬutting the cord has been one of our favorite topics in the last year. Roku's year was spent with frustrations for YouTube's live TV app subscribers, as the YouTube TV app was kicked out of the Roku Channel Store, and then forced to hide inside of the YouTube app (like how Hulu has its live TV service).Ī last second deal between YouTube TV and Roku saved the day for all parties involved.Īnd now? Well, both devices have every single app you could need, with the basics including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Funimation, Hulu, HBO Max and Peacock. If we'd written this face off last year, this battle would have gone to the Chromecast with Google TV. Winner: Roku Streaming Stick 4K Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs. Not to a point where it's a bad device, mind you, but Roku Streaming Stick 4K brings apps up faster.Īnimations, especially on Disney Plus, can appear slightly stuttery on both. The Chromecast with Google TV is definitely the slower of the two, with Disney Plus and Netflix taking noticeably longer to load. Wonder what's faster? Well, while both aren't as fast as the speedy (and pricey) Apple TV 4K, this is one area where I can see a slight difference. The latter provides a deeper, more immersive sound. Roku told Input that this is because of a licensing issue, while a recent Chromecast update improved Atmos support.Ītmos, according to Roku's own site, is sent via pass-through HDMI. Atmos provides immersive audio sound, if you're not aware. In terms of audio quality, while neither advertise Dolby Atmos on their box, both appear to have it. The Chromecast with Google TV and Roku Streaming Stick 4K stream up to 4K Ultra High-Def at 60 fps, and both support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats, for stronger and bolder colors. And if I don't know what to watch, I'll go to the search bar and find something myself, thank you very much.Unsurprisingly, this section is also a push. ![]() I just want to be left alone so I can get straight to my apps. I much prefer the cleaner layout on Roku. Look, I know that some people really love seeing cross-app content in this way, but I find it too cluttered and overwhelming. Scrolling down further gives you Popular Movies and Shows, Dramas, another Peacock ad and Recommend YouTube Videos. Below that is a row filled with Top Picks for You, followed by all my downloaded apps. The top of the homescreen is filled with five rotating slots of various show or movie suggestions, mixed with an ad for NBC's Peacock service. Google TV is cluttered and has questionable search capabilitiesĪside from its inability to stream in 4K HDR, the only thing holding this device back ever-so-slightly is the Google TV platform itself. I moved easily between apps and browsed the home screen with hardly any lag. Navigating around the platform is also fairly zippy. HBO Max took a little longer to load, at around 5 seconds. Netflix loads from the home screen in a second, as does Hulu. The Chromecast with Google HD fixes this problem by letting me use just one, small, easy-to-read remote.īut it's also fast. I absolutely loathe having to use more than one remote at a time - it's cumbersome and I always find myself grabbing the wrong one. ![]() I can't tell you how much of a game-changer this is for me. ![]() Not only did it work seamlessly to control my 2020 Samsung TV's power, volume and inputs, but it also comes with a button to access the Google Assistant. It offers Alexa support, so you can use your voice to control the TV, but it still lacks physical volume, mute and power buttons.īy offering the same remote as the Chromecast with Google 4K, the HD model brings a whole different level of functionality to its inexpensive streaming device. This means that you need both the original TV remote and the Roku remote to use that device. For example, the remote that comes with Roku's entry-level streamer, the Roku Express, lacks voice control or the ability to adjust the volume, never mind being able to turn the TV on or off. ![]() Many entry-level streaming devices skimp on hardware features in order to sell their players at a lower price.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |