Chromecast with Google TV – launched in Norway

Where Chromecast was released in 2013Sold in buckets and buckets in this country, the idea behind the product was as simple as it was innovative: Plug it into your TV, then you can “send” photos, video, and music wirelessly from your phone, tablet, or one PC.

Later, Chromecast appeared in several versions, including Chromecast Ultrawith support for 4K resolution and finally stadiumGoogle’s game streaming service.

However, the slightly innovative Chromecast Audio has Google stop making.

In store June 21

Today, the pre-sale finally begins Chromecast with Google TV, also called the innovation of Google. had become Released in select countries in fall 2020so it took a year and a half before we Norwegians joined in the fun.

This is the first Chromecast to come with a remote control, which also has the Google TV operating system, with the ability to download apps, get recommendations for what to watch and the like.

Google TV can be considered as a complement to Android TV and is currently receiving an update that supports several user profiles, so that each family member can have their own recommendations.

The retail price is great too – a suggested retail price of 799 kroner when it hits store shelves on June 21, about half of a competing Apple TV. It can now be pre-ordered from Google’s online store and can also be found at Elkjøp, Power, Komplett, Clas Ohlson, NetOnNet and Proshop.

Remote control with Google Assistant

In appearance, the plug itself is quite similar to the latest iterations of Chromecast, a sort of elongated puck that hangs from a short HDMI cable. Additionally, one has a USB-C port for the power supply. There is also another power supply with wired network ports as an option.

But you see a few more behind the TV anyway – you see more on the remote control, which measures about 12 x 4 x 2cms and weighs 63g.

This has a built-in microphone that hears what you’re saying while you hold down the Assistant button, and you can then request a selection of new action movies or comedies from the ’80s or whatever, launch a specific app, movie, or TV series, or something like that.

Yes, the Assistant actually works just like in Google Nest products, so you can also request a weather forecast, dim the lights in the living room, watch live video from the security camera, and the like. According to Google, the microphone only turns on while the Assistant button is held down.

Next to the navigation buttons (back, home) and arrow keys with the OK button in the middle, you’ll also find two shortcuts here for YouTube and Netflix. It can’t be basically reprogrammed, but we know there are third-party apps that let you do this, if you’d rather use Disney+ over one of them.

TV can be controlled

You can actually use your little Google remote to control your entire TV.

On the side you’ll find the volume buttons, and on the front are the mute button, the power button, and even the input button, which then allows you to switch to other sources connected to the TV. With the arrow keys, you can change the channel and so on.

The remote has both a Bluetooth and an IR transmitter, and if you use the latter, you can choose what kind of device you have at home via setup. TVs with HDMI-CEC (most) can be controlled without using infrared.

The remote control is not rechargeable, but uses two AAA batteries (included).

Do you cut the picture? easy to fix

4K HDR

The new Chromecast with Google TV supports 4K resolution and HDR content, with a frame rate of up to 60 frames per second.

In addition to HDR10 / HDR10 +, it also supports Dolby Vision, and allows Dolby audio to stream unobstructed (the so-called pass through).

And if you want to use Stadia, you can just download the Stadia app. This support was not there in the first place when the product was launched.

Yes, and for recording: you can still “cast” content like any other Chromecast.

DinSide will be back with Chromecast being tested with Google TV as the June 21 launch date approaches.