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Google Hardware

Google Unveils $99 TV Streamer To Replace Chromecast (theverge.com) 63

Posted by msmash from the how-about-that dept.
Google today unveiled its new Google TV Streamer, a $99.99 set-top box replacing the Chromecast. The device, shipping September 24, boasts improved performance with a 22% faster processor (over its predecessor), doubled RAM, and 32GB storage. It integrates Thread and Matter for smart home control, featuring a side-panel accessible via the remote. The Streamer supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and includes an Ethernet port. Design changes include a low-profile form factor in two colors and a redesigned remote with a finder function. Software enhancements use Gemini AI for content summaries and custom screensavers.
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Google Unveils $99 TV Streamer To Replace Chromecast More

Google Unveils $99 TV Streamer To Replace Chromecast

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  • i've been looking for something that can suck in a 4k UHD stream from my Plex server and output to my TV without needing a transcode, and I don't want to buy a 5 year old Nvidia Shield TV for fear that they're going to discontinue it.

    • I am using Chromecasts with PLEX, so far the only issue I have encountered was the device complaining about Wi-Fi when a truly high bitrate file was played.
      About the Shield, I abstain from buying one for the same reason. It's a 5 year old device which could go tits-up (as a product) any day.

      • It's been the best-of-breed device for 5 years, with consistent updates across those 5 years, and you think it's just going to magically stop working if you buy one?

        Why would it ever stop working for streaming content from your home server, if the app is installed and you don't change any software on it? Yes, at some point in the future it won't get some kind of certificate update or there will be new codecs it won't support, but every single device you buy is constrained by that.

        It does what you want now,

        • I know some consider it blasphemous, but an AppleTV has a Plex app, and does a great job at playing the content. This honestly sounds like a rip off device, but why get a google device that will be discontinued in 3 years with no refreshes and slow updates, when I can get an Apple TV that seems superior and I know will work with their ecosystem in a decade? I have owned them since the they were large, flat, and grey and all my content and apps still work on them and get better automatically when I upgrade t

        • It's a combination of reasons.
          1. A perhaps irrational fear that I would end up with a bricked device if nVidia pulls the plug.
          2. A "just my luck" habit, where almost every piece of hardware I bought saw a new version coming out in 6 months or less. Last time that happened? 6 months ago (and no, I haven't bought anything new in the meantime, except for a laptop, but that doesn't count). I would almost bet that nVidia waits for ME to buy a Shield, only to release a new one :)
          3. Inability to natively play AV1

    • If fear of discontinuation is what keeps you from using Nvidia Shield TV, look for another solution. Alphabet is very likely to stop supporting this product very soon unless everyone and their dog buys it.

    • and I don't want to buy a 5 year old Nvidia Shield TV

      It's too bad you don't want to buy a device that meets your exact need, regardless of introduction date.

      I'm doing exactly what you want to do, with a 2019 Nvidia Shield TV. And they're still updating it. And it's still the best set-top streaming box you can buy 5 years later.

    • The Fire Stick 4K Max handles everything I throw at it and is on sale right now for $40.

      I'm not a fan of the interface, but it's fine once you load into Plex. It should tide you over until the next Shield is released.

      • The Fire Stick 4K Max handles everything I throw at it and is on sale right now for $40.

        I'm not a fan of the interface, but it's fine once you load into Plex.

        Some of the Amazon reviews mention running into random bugs running the Plex client on that Fire Stick. Personally, I prefer Kodi over Plex so it's not an issue I've run into, but I know some people prefer Plex.

        • I'm not sure what encoding the videos people writing those reviews are using. But I'm able to direct play everything.

          Plex has an annoying issue where you need to configure every single client to direct play media, otherwise 4K content will transcode even if you are streaming for a local network device.

          4K transcoding can hit a CPU hard if you aren't setup to do hardware transcoding. But the 4K Max handles some of the newer codecs that my Nvidia Shield I also still use can't.

          But I've had several hundred hours

        • I like kodi too, but on my 4k firestick it's nothing but painful. It almost always needs me to clear the application cache before it will start, and then likes to keep playing when I exit. Frustrating.

    • I've got no complaints about using Roku with Plex.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by wiggles ( 30088 )

        That's what I have now - however, the network link to my built-in Roku in the TV is limited to 100Mb - which sucks for high quality 4k streams.

  • And... (Score:3)

    by LordHighExecutioner ( 4245243 ) on Tuesday August 06, 2024 @10:28AM (#64685130)
    > The device, shipping September 24

    When will it be abandoned [killedbygoogle.com] ?!? It is a google product, after all...

    • Does it matter much? It's meant to be used inside LAN, and arguably needs to relevant update.

    • > The device, shipping September 24 When will it be abandoned [killedbygoogle.com] ?!? It is a google product, after all...

      Really? You wanna spoil the surprise? What a Grinch!

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by leonbev ( 111395 )

      I have to wonder that adding Matter and Thread home lighting support was a first step at making the existing Google Home devices obsolete. They haven't been adding new features for years now, and it's only a matter of time before Google announces their EOL date and ships them off to the graveyard.

  • Just in: Google cancels $99 Streaming Device (Score:5, Funny)

    by nightflameauto ( 6607976 ) on Tuesday August 06, 2024 @10:58AM (#64685226)

    In a move that surprised even long-term Google fans, Google skipped the opening months of the product launch and went right to canceling the device. When asked for a public comment, the spokesperson for the project offered the following:

    "The executive team found that this course of action would simply save us time, and may prevent the usual public backlash over canceled product after rolll-out. We at Google feel that this is a more efficient path for our business, and may look to use this tactic on future product releases. It's been a great run everybody! See you on the next canceled product!"

  • Tone Deaf (Score:3)

    by jrnvk ( 4197967 ) on Tuesday August 06, 2024 @11:05AM (#64685244)
    Did anyone at Google even consider the fact that no one in this economy will want to pay $99 for a device that will equal a $40 Roku? This is seriously out of touch with market trends.

    • Looks like they are competing more with the AppleTV device rather than the Roku

    • All these dedicated devices are not great. Best to just roll your own with a cheap NUC clone and never have to worry about an update ruining something. All these companies let you stream from a browser anyhow so no need for shitty apps.

    • I thought the regular Chromecast was fine as is, but then again I keep local media on a private server so I don't deal with this nonsense much anymore.

    • Re:Tone Deaf (Score:4, Interesting)

      by leptons ( 891340 ) on Tuesday August 06, 2024 @11:54AM (#64685408)
      I have 5 Chromecasts around my house. I am not going to be replacing a $30 device with a $100 device. Google can fuck off, there are plenty of other affordable devices that run Plex and Youtube, which is all I really need from it.

    • I guess we'll see how well it sells. I'm kinda leaning towards the "it's priced too high" side of the fence, because only Apple can really get away with overcharging for a streaming device and I'm not sure if Google has a similar level of brand loyalty.

      At the end of the day, unless you really spend a lot of time mucking about in the UI, all these streaming devices do the exactly same damn thing - you press play and watch a show/movie.

    • It might equal an $89.99 Roku Ultra but it definitely surpasses the $40 one. The $40 box is just slow to navigate and also doesn't have Ethernet.

      At this rate, Roku is so full of ads I might be looking to replace with Google. I just hate Google's mess of a home screen.

    • It depends on what you want. The lower end ones (Express 4K+ and below) don't support Dolby Vision/Atmos, and only the top Ultra ones support Atmos, which are comparably priced MSRP to Google's offering, but can be had for less atm.

  • Reading the description there, the only new feature that actually helps anyone is the remote finder.

    • Its been the best feature of my Roku for many years. I have a dog who has a habit of laying on remotes (you have to give him some "attention" to get it back, even if its only to move him).

  • I've been using Roku devices for a long time and I don't see any need to switch unless someone can help me see why I should.

    • Roku used to be the streaming equivalent of Switzerland. They were the only device maker that didn't have their own streaming service (unlike Fire TV, Google, and Apple TV). Now they are selling more ads than ever and cluttering up their home screen and also pushing their own ad-supported streaming.

      If it weren't for Google's messy home screen layout, I would have probably already switched. I own a "Chromecast with Google TV" but rarely use it.

      • True, but for me (I have not tried Apple TV, I'm allergic to Apples) they are the best of the worst at least. I've tried Fire, CC, and Android TV among others. So far Roku is the most reliable and simplest to use. Again, that's just me.

  • Signs that the Internet Explorer effect is starting to happen to the Chrome brand?

    • They're dumping the confusing Chromecast name because it's a standalone box that doesn't require casting to it to function (though it does support that). See the "Chromecast with Google TV" mouthful of a product name for an example.

  • More important question, can you put Kodi on it?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Ichijo ( 607641 )

      And can it play high bitrate H.265 videos that exceed 100Mbps peak? It would be nice to have a good Kodi device that's cheaper than the $200 Shield TV Pro.

  • Google: "Let's not have ridiculous expectations here."

  • Great Google, now bring back Chromecast Audio...

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]

    • Yeap, this route of more "advanced" device with user interface and complex OS is the way to faster obsolescence. They should keep the old chromecast line with simple and hidden OS that doesn't require updates every time some one decide to increase the Android version number...

  • I'll put $5 on 2027.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Jembo ( 10186985 )
      When will google kill Amazon, now that's a fight I'd watch on this new Google TV streamer
  • Somehow chromecast streams from youtube directly or whatever perfectly, but when trying to stream my desktop display it always gets problems or stutters.

    • You mean streaming already compressed video direct from the provider is more efficient than using your CPU to encode? I haven't had any issues with a fast computer. But this is a box that is meant to operate standalone without requiring casting, even if it also supports it.

  • Such as Sony's new Bravia line?

  • Why not just buy a refurb mini PC for $100 and use that on the TV?
  • I wonder if this device will be blessed with Hulu's seal of approval to stream in 4k.
    My Hisense running Android TV doesn't let me do that,
    but I can cast it from a phone that is older than the TV in 4k,
    which is fucking stupid.

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