A Full Review Of Chromecast 2, A Competent And Affordable Streaming Device

Chromecast 2 is the second generation of Google's dongle that turns ordinary TVs into smart. The device, which has gained many fans, may be a good option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a Smart TV without paying a price expensive for it.

The device is already available on the market, with millions of units being already sold in the last two years. With Google Chromecast 2, apps like Globo Play, Netflix, YouTube, Google+, Spotify can be accessed, as well as any sites or applications that are available in Google Cast.

Installation

Installing Chromecast 2 is fairly straightforward and intuitive, but can take a while depending on the Wi-Fi connection you use. Like Chromecast, your device needs to be connected to a power or USB cable, and then to the HDMI input of the TVs. The user then needs to change the TV's input to HDMI and download the Google Cast app. Then, just set up the Wi-Fi network to the gadget through a mobile phone, PC, MacBook or tablet, which will function as a remote control.

How it works?

The device can mirror various types of content on your television such as movies, videos, games, even portrait or sports, through applications. In addition, the user can access any site through the Google Com Chromecast Setup browser and mirror it on the TV.

What has changed?

The design of Chormecast 2 has changed radically. Now, the device is in disk format, unlike the previous version, which is in a format similar to a pen drive. The device is available in the colors red, black and lime green, as well as have also won the Chromecast Setup TV logo.

The device, just 39g, now comes with flexible HDMI extender coupled to it, making installation on televisions attached to the walls become easier. In addition, there were also changes in Google Cast, which now has more applications that are already supported by categories, such as games, music, and movies.

Another important point to be mentioned in the new version of the streaming device was the enhancement of the Wi-Fi connection. Now the gadget supports 2.4 and 5 GHz dual-band and 802.11ac and also has three new separate antennas, which promise more stable connections even on low Wi-Fi networks, although in practice such changes have not had much effect.

Performance

When tested on a Wi-Fi network with a latency rate of 54.1 ms, that is, with connection oscillation, Chromecast 2 presented a frightening difficulty in loading Netflix, for example, being necessary to wait about ten minutes to connect to the app. The loading time of the videos was so long that it made the waiting impossible, as the image barely stabilized and reloaded immediately.

In contrast, when tested on YouTube, Spotify and Netflix on a Wi-Fi network with a latency considered normal (21ms), the device did not show blockages and performed satisfactorily to Activate Chromecast 

It's worth remembering that Chromecast 2 does not support 4K images and only transmits Blu-Ray-quality Full HD (1080) images, fulfilling paper well, which may appeal to ordinary users who are not that picky about quality.

Worth it?

Currently, Smart TVs are for sale in Brazil from R $ 1,300, in online stores, depending on the brand and model. Therefore, investing in Google's dongle, which basically performs the same functions, becomes an economy for both those who already have a common TV and do not want to invest in a new one for now.

However, it is worth remembering that if the user has a Wi-Fi connection that fluctuates a lot, the purchase of the device is not a good option to watch streaming content. In this case, buying a Smart TV can be a better investment, taking into account that to have a media center, the user will need, in addition to buying the device, also exchange the Internet package and thus spend more for it.

Chromecast 1 Or 2: Know The Similarities And Differences Of Google’s Streaming Devices

Chromecast 1 and 2 bring many specifications in common, such as Full HD resolution support. However, several things distinguish both streaming players. Two years separate Chromecast 1 from Chromecast 2. Some things have changed and others have remained the same in Google's dongle, one of the first to turn ordinary television into a smart TV. In common, the specs support Full HD resolution, compatible operating systems and of course the HDMI connector.

The first generation of the Activate Chromecast, famous for the pen drive format, was launched in 2013. With a completely redesigned design, the second made its debut in 2015. Both devices made a strong impact on the streaming market.




Design

The most apparent change between the first and second generation of Chromecast was in design. The 2013 model has the look of a more robust, 7.2 cm long 34 g flash drive, and HDMI connector replacing USB. It has all black finish except for the Google logo and the name "Chrome", printed in white.

On Chromecast 2, the manufacturer adopted the pendulum design. The HDMI connector is positioned on a flexible cable for easy installation on wall-mounted TVs. The base, which has gained a circular shape, now has options in the colors black, coral and lime green.

Connectivity

Another reason Google has changed the design of Chromecast Not Connecting To Wifi to improve Wi-Fi. The first generation has only one internal antenna, which operates in the 2.4 GHz band and supports Wi-Fi standards 802.11b/g/n.

On Chromecast 2, the base has grown in size to receive three antennas. They are compatible with the latest Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard, in addition to the older b, g, and n. The system is dual-band, supporting the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

These changes give the second-generation better performance in streaming videos over the first, at least in theory. Google's promise is for more stable connections and end of buffering (when the video stops transmitting and the user has to wait for the upload).

However, in Chromecast 2, Netflix movies simply did not load with an unstable connection. In any case, it is very likely that the first-generation device would look even worse under the same conditions.

Operational systems

Both models have the same operating system operation. They bring an adapted version of the Chrome browser capable of mirroring the contents of various devices on television. The transfer takes place via HDMI and the Wi-Fi network.

Installation and control are done from Google Home, the old Google Cast. The free application has versions for Android (4.4 and higher), iOS (9.1 and higher), Mac OS X (10.9 and higher), Windows (7 and above) and Chromebook OS 53. Thus, the user experience in terms of the platform will be the same with Chromecasts 1 or 2.

Video resolution and specifications

There are no changes to the quality of the videos: the two versions offer Full HD (1080p) maximum resolution. 4K support is exclusive to Chromecast Ultra, which was launched in October 2016.

The inside of Chromecast 1 boasts 1.2 GHz single-core, 512 MB of RAM and 2 GB of storage. Chromecast 2 has received a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, retaining the 512 MB of RAM and passing the storage to 256 MB.

Downgrade to internal memory may seem strange, but it does not disadvantage the user. Unlike Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google's dongle never allowed to install apps or save content, dedicating storage only to the cache of videos.

The first version needs more internal space just because Wi-Fi is lower. With faster and more reliable transmission, Chromecast 2 needs to store less cached data than its predecessor.

Features and content

The most common use of Chromecast Tech Support is to display videos from your smartphone on television, with the advantage of freeing up your mobile for other activities. For this, the app in question must be compatible with Google Home, as is the case of popular streaming services such as Globo Play, Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify.

However, the possibilities go further. The user can make slideshows, use the TV like a picture frame, play online and other features.

As there are no differences in the system between the two generations as all that you can do in one, you can do in the other. Guest mode, for example, lets owners of both Chromecasts free the Wi-Fi network to friends without having to provide the password.