What is Chromecast? Review, Setup, Price & Features

Google Chromecast

Chromecast by Google is one of the most used casting devices in the world. It allows you to cast or mirror media files from smartphone to TV. The 1st Generation of Chromecast was released on July 24, 2013. As of now, five types of Chromecast devices are launched and four of them are available for sale now (2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, Audio, and Ultra). Among the four devices, 2nd Gen Chromecast is available only in 13 countries while the other three are available in more than 18 countries.

Chromecast Review

In the Chromecast lineup, the 3rd Gen is the latest version. The device was released on October 10, 2018. If you are considering but the 3rd Gen Chromecast, this article will help you decide. Let’s get into the detailed review of Chromecast 3rd Gen.

Chromecast Design

Chromecast 3rd Gen has the same circular shape with the HDMI port. With 13.8 mm thickness and 51.8 mm length, it is compact and easily transportable. With the port included, the length of the device is 162 mm. The weight of the device is just 1.14 oz (40 grams).

Design

The device is available on Chalk and Charcoal color. In the box, you will get the Chromecast 3rd Gen, Power adapter, and power cable, which is almost the same a previous editions.

How to Setup Chromecast?

To set up the Chromecast 3rd, you need to install Google Home on your smartphone. Without the Google Home app, you can’t set up the device. The app is available on the Play Store and the App Store, but it is not available for PCs. So, you can’t set up the Chromecast 3rd Gen with your PC. You can install and run the app on Android 5.0 and up, for iOS, it needs 12.0 and above. In the setup process, you will connect the device to your TV’s HDMI port, choose the language, and connect to your WiFi network.

Setup device

Like the previous devices, it has no UI and not an independent device. Your smartphone is the controlling device for Chromecast 3rd Gen. After the setup process, the casting steps are easy. Just open the streaming app and click the Cast icon. The media content will appear on your TV.

Supported Devices

In Chromecast, you can cast contents from Android (4.2 and above), iOS (9.1 and higher), Windows (7 and above), and macOS X (10.9 and higher) platforms. Most of the streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are having the built-in Cast icon. By clicking the icon, you can cast the media titles from the smartphone app. If the app doesn’t have a Cast icon, you can mirror your smartphone app to the TV.

For PC, the Chrome browser is the casting tool. The 2008 and above versions of the Chrome browser will have a built-in Cast feature. Using the feature, you can either cast or mirror media contents from your PC to TV.

Chromecast Streaming Quality

The highest streaming quality supported is Full standard 1080p resolution up to 60 fps (frames per second). Depending upon your internet connection, the streaming quality will automatically be changed.

If you want 4K streaming quality, you can buy Ultra. It is specially launched for 4K and UHD streaming.

Price

The price start from $29.99 in the US, €39.00 in Germany, ₹3,399 in India, and £30 in the UK.

When compared to the 2nd Gen, this device is cheaper.

Chromecast Alternatives

At the $30 price range, there is are numerous alternatives available for Chromecast 3rd Gen. The major disadvantages in the device are the lack of UI and the dependency over smartphones. Devices like Amazon Firestick and Roku are the best alternatives. Fire TV Stick and Roku cost $29.99.

What is Chromecast? Alternatives
  1. Firestick supports Screen mirroring and casting
  2. Roku supports Screen mirroring and casting
  3. Smart TV with inbuilt Casting support
  4. Apple TV supports Airplay

Decider

Chromecast 3rd Gen is a compact and sleek device. It is easy to handle and can be transported without any hustle. If you want a device that casts all your smartphone’s media files, the 3rd Gen is a good choice for you. If you want independent streaming devices with separate remote control and separate OS, you can choose either Firestick or Roku. Share your thoughts about the Chromecast 3rd Gen in the comments section.