2nd lowest price according to Camelcamelcamel AU
For comparison this is currently selling for $156 at PBtech and Harvey Norman
CamelCamelCamel.
There are actually two versions of the Chromecast with Google TV, an HD and a 4K model.
If you have the HD one and want to watch 4K content, then the upgrade could be worth it.
Otherwise, the main improvements are extra RAM and a faster CPU, so it should run a bit smoother overall.
You can also extend the storage on the old one by using a USB hub.
I upgraded from the old Chromecast with Google TV 4K to the TV streamer just the other day (purchased at PB Tech so shame I missed out on this deal!).
My old CCWGTV struggled with playing 4K HDR HEVC through Jellyfin: even over an Ethernet connection it would become unwatchable due to choppiness and freezing. It also had horrendous audio delay when outputting Dolby Digital. These issues were uncovered as I upgraded from an old 1080p TV to a modern 4K OLED.
I took a gamble on the TV streamer and to my relief it exhibits none of these issues. It also properly supports VRR on my TV which is a nice bonus.
(Edit: My Chromecast was the 4K version)
Hey that's great info - thanks. I've got the 4k one too, and use Jellyfin, but don't actually play 4k rips. I'll probably be getting a new TV soon as the current one is on the way out so that might become an issue for me. I wonder if there's improved codec support too - Jellyfin does seem to like to remux the audio of some of my rips for some reason. I think I'll pull the trigger and give it a go.
You should try Stremio, it works mint and you dont need to download media anymore, best thing that ever happened to me, I don't need torrents anymore and it works great on Chromecast with google TV.
@kevin404: Stremio is good for streaming depending on your access to bt/rd etc., but for more obscure stuff, remixes etc. it's often better to just curate your own library via Jellyfin.
@spren: Sounds like a lot of effort I used to do but I dont miss anymore. Having to download stuff, copy it to the media server. Everything I watch is on stremio and rd is only 3 euro a month.
Stremio + RD
Any recommendations on USB ethernet or WiFi adapters? Have a friend with the fairly common issue of a patchy connection over the built-in WiFi.
Any usb c hub with ethernet port should work. I have a ugreen one which works fine
Harvey Norman AU had this for $78 (AUD) for black friday.
It's a shame NZ gets shafted on the deals.
Yea JB hifi AU had this going for the same price as well, got my brother to buy one and bring it over on his next trip :P
How good is the 4k upscaling on this?
I have had it since launch 2 years ago and watch low and high bitrate stuff via Stremio and it looks good with decent bitrate 1080p material on my OLED.
I upgraded from the non-4K to this and I noticed the ads were way more frequent on Youtube, constant interruptions, it was unbearable. I ditched it and bought an Android box instead, no more ads on youtube using smart-tube, it was also way cheaper than this at $50, also does 4k/60fps. Paying $100+ for GoogleTV is literally paying to watch ads.
You can just install smart tube on this, unless they've changed something? I have it installed on mine since I got it
Do you sign in into your youtube account on smart tube?
Yes
It's done just like the Official app, with a short alphanumeric code to enter on the Google activate login website.
So you don't actually type a username and password.
But it is using your account. Playlists, etc created on a computer are sync into the SmartTube app.
@RockCartel: That sounds very tempting, a good way to drop my YT family plan ($40) and go back to Spotify Duo (22 ish?). I had YT account based in Argentina ($2 usd) and they kept cancelling my subscription so I had to cancel Spotify and hire YT family plan, it made it cheaper all up.
Yes as RockCartel said. Casting from phone works fine too once you set it up. I have the streamer set to Apps only mode, Smart tube, Plex and Stremio installed. Don't really see any ads at all.
You can still use smart tube with this device.
Damn. Has anyone else here had the same experience?
No, because that's not how that works
https://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&i…
In depth review. Talks about the good and bad.
Would you recommend this over an Amazon firestick max ? Only need one because my TV has the tizen OS , which means a lot of apps are not supported /available.
Yes, I am running Stremio on it and my sis runs it on the Firestick Max and my experience is a lot better, besides the fact I have a better WIFI connection to it. The stick has the same CPU but the Streamer has twice the amount of RAM and storage plus it has an ethernet port and is a lot less likely to overheat.
Tizen has stremio
So, does my LG OLED but it is inferior to the Android version running on the Streamer. The box is also more capable for playing high-bitrate video and audio and with an external player like Vimu can play all the different Dolby Vision profiles.
Which wouldn't matter for a Samsung TV being they don't support Dolby Vision. But you're still limited to the capabilities of the inbuilt operating system and chip when you use the TV version.
doesn't seemt to ship to NZ?
That's normal for most Amazon and Google products. I was thinking this was a mistake and would be corrected.
I got one today for $60 at cash converters. Theres 4 in the takanini branch for $99ea
Available again
Any way to get it sent to NZ?
Sorry, Google TV Streamer 4K … can't be shipped to the address you selected. Please remove the item or select another address.
Try it again. It seems to be working now.
Does anyone know if there much point upgrading to this one over the old Google TV chromecast (the one that came witht he similar remote)? I see it's got extra storage which is nice but wouldn't be worth the cost to me just for that.