Great price for the Chromecast Google TV 4K.
Officeworks is also price matching.
CamelCamelCamel.
JB showing $99?
Sorry I meant I called them to do a price match so I could use my gift cards
Go on livechat or in store to get them to price match.
They will price-match
I did the same, plus perks 4K Chromecast for $57 … cheaper than the HD Chromecast.
But the HD chromecast with perks would have been even cheaper
Yeah this is a good deal, scored another one.
Officeworks is also price matching.
I'm betting that the amazon hunt and destroy algorithm is matching the officeworks price.
This or Fire Stick HD for $39?
Would love some opinions on the fire stick please.
*Only have a Full 1080p TV
i find the OS is more obnoxious with ads than Google TV
Fire stick is way better at refresh rate switching if that is important to you
Depends on your use case. I use the Google TV to control my whole TV and use that as my primary viewing experience because the UI is really good and the best thing is being able to connect bluetooth headphones to it which means I can watch it late into the night without disturbing anyone. I am also heavily invested in the Google ecosystem so Google Assistant integration was great and the ability to watch my library of movies/TV shows I bought on the Google store was also good.
Amazon's UI isn't as polished and I found that it didn't support a couple of apps I liked namely Google Movies because Amazon has its own alternative. What I did like about the Fire Stick was the price point and I just bought a couple of them and chucked them into my travel bags so I can just plug and play in hotel rooms and AirBnBs if I don't want to login to their own versions.
I didn't know you can connect bluetooth headphones to it. Cheers. Here's an upvote.
There is delay with older versions of bluetooth. 5.2 is pretty seamless. Makes running the dongle on a projector and wireless connection to speakers pretty easy too.
Keyboard, mouse, controllers and all kinds of things can connect to it.
To anyone else reading. You can also connect bluetooth devices including a headset to the firetv as well, but you are limited to 1 at a time.
Additionally, you can control the tv using the firestick remote with volume and power.
If you have an Android phone, it's really easy to sideload any app across to the firestick
firestick: speed, video quality and hdmi-cec. No Chromecast.
Gtv: chromecast built in.
Speed
Firestick slightly faster ie millisecond faster. Can't feel the difference between the 2 unless you do side by side comparisojn. Even then it really depends on the app. where some are slower on stick.
video quality
Not sure what you are on about - they both produce similar quality.
hdmi-cec
GTV has CEC. You can control power, volume and input.
Firestick is usable, but the UI needs a lot of work, doesn't support a lot of apps that it should. Sure you can 'side load' most apps following a complicated process, but if you want it to just work out of the box, go with a Google TV
Ive had too many glitches issues with my 2 x Gtv (inc both remotes draining batteries in day or two. They were bought a year apart…)
They can be painful getting right audio/visual quality at times, though may play nicer on newer equipment.
Replaced them with fire tv 4k max and they are much more stable - no issues. Just work.
I prefer the UI on Gtv. I hate how the home page just has like 5 small app tiles and thats it.
Another thing I dont like about Fire TV is the "sleep mode" still displays a signal, which means if you are using on a computer monitor it may not auto sleep.
I've got a FHD dumb TV spruced up with a Fire TV Stick HD. Works great, has minimal lag when you've got a bunch of apps installed / sideloaded. The only thing I miss is Chromecast, but there are clunky apps with a way around for that, if you really need it.
You should probably be comparing GTVHD which costs less ($49 or less most times?) if comparing to Fire Stick HD, but anyway…
GTV:
- Easier to cast anything from my current Samsung phone with one click. Firestick longer more annoying process
- CEC HDMI thingo lets me use my TV remote to control the google UI or vice versa (power TV on, inputs etc)
- Google home app on phone - can use as remote to control the GTV when needed (sometimes the kids lose the remote etc)
- Parental controls - You can lock your profile down with a pin and create a separate one for kids that does not need a pin. Firestick HAS A HORRIBLE version that does nothing except make you need to enter a pin every single time. Do NOT get Firestick if you want control of kids accounts - PERIOD.
- More apps than Firestick
If you only have a 1080p tv this is probably overkill. You could wait and see if there's a sale for the HD version.
Best to buy the bigger one if and when you get a 4k tv since there might be something better by then.
As for the firestick HD I got one the other day for my car and was really disapointed. Since I use a Google TV on my lounge and cast to it all the time, I just assumed the firestick could do it. It can't, unless you mirror your entire screen.
I ended up having to buy a Google TV and now the firestick will just be gathering dust. It seemed fine otherwise though if you don't ever want to cast from your phone.
$57 from JB's with perks voucher & price match
Do you have to go in-store to price match and use a perks voucher?
I tried to do this online once and they price matched with a discount code, that way i couldnt use my perks voucher (one voucher pee transaction)
I just did it online via chat to price match and used perks code and no issues
23rd in the queue. Stop ozbargaining JB chat please.
Worked this time! Cheers.
Dunno what happened last time…
It may depend on the support agent. I just put an order and it was a "JB Deal" instead of a discount code so I could apply the perks code:
Negotiated price: $32.00 off
JB Perks - Spend $50 get $10: $10.00 off
Hmm I don't think I got that perks offer, checked my email, nothing…
Thanks. I have also price matched it and then applied $50 voucher which I have received it from last year for Fold 4 pricing error. It costed me $17 in the end. Super happy :)
Perks voucher expired yesterday 23/8. :(
Any good for watching free to air tv? Tv antenna isn’t working. Or should I consider Apple TV
Yes I use Chromecast to watch FTA using the apps on my projector that doesn't have antenna.
Spend the money on getting the antenna fixed. After watching one of the Matilda's games on an apple TV, I can confirm that steaming TV channels is almost like going back to SD on a CRT tv
That's so weird. I have the opposite FTA experience via antenna - it was like I was back in the 00's with Chanel 7's broadcast of the Matildas game at 720p looking pixelated af. However via the 7play app on the Chromecast it was crisp 1080p….I wouldn't recommend going back to antenna personally but ymmv.
Why didn't you watch the Matildas games on Channel 70, that's at 1080i.
Obviously having a decent signal helps. Call me old school, but there is also the usability advantage of just turning your TV on and then changing channels with the channel button on the remote!
I ended up having to switch to an illegal stream for the second half of AU VS ENG because 7plus was stuttering like mad
Watched loads of the world cup on Google TV streaming and it was absolutely fine. The only annoyance was the channel 7 ads, as I rarely watch commercial FTA TV any more and now have even less tolerance for ads than I did before.
I just ordered mine. In the past i have used an IPTV app / Live Channel's App with mattuisman IPTV Guide to get this going. I am going to try the same thing again with Cosmi DVR.
I'll let you know how it goes. You can also add all the individual channel apps if you know exactly what you are wanting to watch.
yeah problem is that you have to go into each app, there also freeview app but not sure whether works on the chromecast
what's wrong with the antenna?
I think the broken tuner, unable to pick a single channel. I’ve tried 4 different indoor antennas, booster with outdoor antenna not much luck.
Yes, haven't used an antenna for around 18 months and GTV has been excellent. The quality of your internet connection is key, if decent then it works great.
mine is breaking down after 2 yrs, gonna go for apple tv next
Mine has to be restarted , unplugged and plugged back in.. is your issue similar?
I have similar issue. One of my Chromecast Google tv always required to be unplugged before it starts working otherwise it shows the message no device connected.
And the Remotes stopped working on both of my Chromecasts within a gap of couple of weeks.
Anyone else facing issues with Remotes?
Thanks mate, I'll buy a new one.
@BilboBargains: yes, same issue.
i wonder if i can fix it with a smartplug that turns on/off at same time everyday.
@alamodey: They should address this issue as it's happening to more devices and I also heard before that remotes stop working as well. I have one Vodafone TV box which is still working fine even after 5 years…
Earlier I thought it could be an issue with one of the TV's HDMI port but then it's doing same with other ports as well. Have to unplug and put it back if it's off for a longer period of time.
@koolchamp81: my OG chromecast is 10 years old and still works fine, it sucks that the newer gen is less reliable.
Remotes on GTv are GARBAGE. I no longer use my 2 x GTv (bought year apart) due to both remotes destroying batteries, they are flat from full in 1-2 days.
@dlcx: We have 4x in the house (3x 4k and 1xHD) and have never experienced this on any of the remotes. Oldest one was on release in 2018.
This might be a bit of a niche question but does anyone know how good this is for watching stuff on Plex? I think from memory I've heard that it doesn't have as much codec support compared to just plain smart TVs so might struggle with some files, but I'm not sure if that was for specific cases or a general use?
I've had a pretty good experience but can't really answer about codecs. Haven't noticed any issues in my case.
Bought it cos Plex was awful on Xbox and it beat that!
That's great to know, thanks! Out of curiosity, do you know if you use much h265 stuff through Plex/chromecast?
I don't know that actually, I think I'm all h264
I've had no issues with h265
I do appreciate the smaller file sizes
It will direct play 10bit h265 without issue. Only problem I have with Chromecast is refresh rate switching on it is rubbish
The only issue I have had with Plex on it is with 10 bit x264 stuff, it comes with blocky artifacts all over it. People say it doesn't happen with h265 10 bit stuff but I don't have any to try.
Everything else I have played on it works fine through plex.
Using this for Plex has been fine, the app can be a bit slow and annoying sometimes though.
I find subs for a lot of anime don't display properly either and I always need to just cast from the Android app, but at least that option works.
I find that my content often "lags" with my GTV dongle.
Video will often skip a frame or 2.
Its annoying, but not annoying enough for me to do something about it.
Happens to all my content on plex, doesnt matter the codecs.
My AppleTV plays content perfectly fine, def something going on with my GTV dongle.
I just got it a tried with Plex.
So far im impressed, i have Nvidia Shield TV with LAN connection (almost never issues even with 80-90Mbps remux) and Google TV so far was able to play everything on WiFi.
Im impressed.
Was anyone able to use HBO max on Google TV 4K? I used watch it on fire stick, but after a software update I am unable to open it. Would be good to use it on google TV.
I'm in between moving at the moment, and will buy a second hand TV in a month, not sure if I should buy this ahead of time, are non-smart tvs still very prevalent? I have the $10 perks voucher and also $10 cashback from citibank, so very tempting.
I forgot the $10 cashback from Citibank 😱
How did you receive the Citibank cashback voucher?
Damn I don't have the cashback offer. Got excited for a moment.
perk voucher redeemed and they rejected my order, waste of time
I don't like how Google don't make it easy to add ethernet to these. You have to buy some separate adapter online from Google.
Seems a bit hard if you don't want spud speed.
IIRC you can add ethernet via a USB-C plug-in hub
AFAIK, the hub will also require power so you will likely need a bigger power adapter as well
I'm running mine with the included adaptor and it works well. Running ethernet and usb storage
@Mohamed S: I'd been struggling with the low storage and I totally just had the thought to try that, look like that issue will be solved now haha because the default storage space is quite small
I got an adapter, cant remember where I found it but think it was linked on whirlpool, you can just use the chromecast power supply that you'd be needing for the unit anywho
You can buy a USB C hub from Amazon for about $20 with a lots of extra USB ports plus the ethernet port.
One way around this is to get a USB-C hub with power delivery and an ethernet port. You can also use this as a file browser and play downloaded media via a storage device.
edit - ok while I was typing this a few others beat me to it!
Actually, your write-up helped me understand that I can access external storage via USB, so thanks for that.
If you use Ethernet, you lose the ability to cast your phone/mobile device screen to TV.
Could we use it to install any andriod apk we like?
Yes, can sideload apps.
what apps do you add?
I have installed some of the IPTV apps that aren't on Google Play Store.
Can anyone advise if this can passthrough hi-res audio codecs? If watching a blu-ray rip from my server, can I get full resolution audio for example?
Also, interested in the USB-C hub mentioned above? So if I get a USB-C Hub, I can power the dongle but also attach wired ethernet that will function correctly?
thx guys, finally got to use the Ultimate card. Can never remember where to use them.
Good to take the Chromecast with you while traveling oversea.
2nd option is an android set top box where you can also play content from your portable hard drive.
I prefer the second choice especially when visiting family and friends. I can show them slide shows of our favourite photos or home made videos on the TV.
Anyone use this for Kayo Sports? Any lag/buffering issues?
I use this for Kayo. I find it's much nicer to use with a remote and the app is fairly stable. Kayo buffering is hit or miss - I've found watching the Live channels instead of each individual event is better for stability and quality but will depend on your internet connection and who else is on the network.
Thanks mate. I might take a punt at this price. Kayo buffers a fair bit on my TV (LG B1). Hoping this is better!
I do and no issues. It's also heaps better than using the Telstra TV on the other TV as I can switch out of Kayo and back in and it will remember where I was at.
Thanks! I've been using it all morning and haven't had any buffering issues at all.
Thanks OP.
I've been waiting for a good price on these.
Wow, looks like a good deal. I'm surprised that there hasn't been a successor to this unless I missed it.
![[Backorder] Chromecast with Google TV 4K $67 Delivered @ Amazon AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/56/795056.jpg?h=a8bf9627)
Thanks! Price matched with JB Hifi