Streaming Services.
Premium:
Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Redbox Instant, HBO Go, Google Play Movies and TV, HBO Now, Showtime, Showtime Anytime, CBS, Movies Anywhere, NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB.com At Bat, MLS, UFC.TV & UFC Fight Pass, NBA, Sling TV, Watch ESPN, Fox Sports Go, WWE Network, FandangoNOW, DirecTV NOW, PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV
Other:
YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, and more
Description. Just like its predecessor, the Google Chromecast (3rd Gen) is a casting device more than a streaming media player. It is a small (about 2 inches round and 0.5 inches long) disk with a short (about 4 inch) attached HDMI cable at one end and a micro-USB jack--used for power only--at the other. You can power it by plugging the provided USB cable into a nearby USB port on the TV itself, or using the provided wall adapter. Chromecast does not come with a remote control; instead, you use a mobile device (tablet or smart phone) or computer to control the content it displays. Chromecast can access content from a number of services, or from a computer via the Chrome web browser by "casting" it to the device.
Setup. This player is easy to set up. After connecting it to an HDMI port on your TV and powering it up, the main screen has directions on how to set up the device. Although it requires you to download and use an app on either an Android or Apple phone or tablet, or a computer loaded with the Chrome Web browser, connecting the device to a wireless network is a fairly straightforward operation. The app automatically scans for available WiFi networks, and you use the mobile device's QWERTY keyboard to enter your password. However, Chromecast doesn't support WPS connections, which lets you pair the device without entering a password. There is a useful tutorial video that automatically plays on your mobile device during the first time setup.
Ease of use. For everyday use the device is easy to use:
Interface. The Chromecast itself does not have a user interface you need to learn how to use. When not casting, the Chromecast displays a background image, the time, and the casting logo, so you know it is ready to receive content. After content is selected on your laptop or mobile device and you select the "cast" icon, it will automatically load on the Chromecast. In the case of the specific apps noted (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc.) the content streams directly from the service itself, so your device can be shut off or put into standby mode and the video will still play. The Google Home app can also be used to browse content from several of the supported services, and you can use the device's built in mic to do a voice search. The app can also help you find other apps and services that support the Google Cast functionality and has a list of recommended content.
Remote control. The Chromecast does not come with a remote control. To get content onto the Chromecast from your mobile device you load one of the supported apps and select the "cast" icon to send it to the Chromecast. Finding, playing, and controlling the video is done the same way you'd normally do it on that device. When the device goes to sleep the content will still play, but in order to control the stream you would need to activate the device again. From a laptop with the Chrome web browser, you still need to navigate the web page and control the video players on the laptop screen itself, since the cursor will not show up on the TV's screen.
Picture quality. This player supports 1080p output. In general, we found the streaming picture quality from the supported apps to be excellent, better than standard DVDs but not quite as sharp or detailed as from a Blu-ray disc. The quality of the video you'll get from either source is largely dependent on the speed of your wireless network.
Audio. This player will output multichannel digital audio via its HDMI output.
Connections. Expected from its design, this player has a very limited number of connections, namely an HDMI output. It supports the latest WiFi standard (802.11ac), which supports dual-band: 2Ghz and 5GHz networks, but it lacks an Ethernet jack. Since it lacks a USB or memory card slot and DLNA support, you can't play any pictures, videos or music directly through the device. Personal media files need to be stored on a compatible service (such as Google Play Music and Google Photos) and casted to the Chromecast. You can also mirror the screen of Android mobile device onto your TV via the Chromecast.
Miscellaneous. The Chromecast can be controlled using Google Assistant via a supported mobile device or smart speaker.
