Everything you want to know about Google TV Streamer

Google TV Broadcaster is now available. We’ve published our review, and the long and short of it is that TV Streamer is a pretty good little streaming box, but it’s not a radical departure from the Google TV experience we’ve gotten used to over the last few years. We asked a few weeks ago What you want to know about Google TV Streamerand you had so many questions. We answer 10 of them here. These are your Google TV Streamer questions answered.

Is Google TV Streamer’s user interface smooth and lag-free?

Luke’s question

Google TV Streamer’s interface felt slick and smooth to me most of the time, although there are occasional minor input lags in some situations (oddly, the accessibility settings menu is particularly slow). So far I haven’t experienced the frequent stuttering that’s characteristic of the Chromecast with Google TV experience, but Google TV Streamer doesn’t work aggressively fast like modern flagship phones and tablets.

Does Google TV Streamer support frame rate matching?

Asked by Luke, Paul and Reuben

Google TV Streamer supports frame rate matching, but your distance may vary. In the device’s settings you can go to: Image and Sound A†’ Match content frame rate To choose between Hassle-free Only, Always, and Never.

Frame rate matching requires both an app and a TV that can support it. Netflix appears to be the only major Google TV app with frame rate matching support. Enabling frame rate matching on my Vizio TV causes playback issues that make content look weird and smeary, but this seems to be an issue specific to my particular setup.

Can Google TV Streamer’s volume be controlled independently of your TV?

Question asked by Timothy

By default, Google TV Streamer will attempt to control your TV’s volume directly using HDMI-CEC or the Streamer remote’s IR blaster. But if you’d rather use the Streamer remote’s volume buttons to adjust Google TV’s volume at the software level instead, you have the option to disable this function.

In Streamer’s settings, go to: Remote Controls and Accessories. Later, under Google TV Remoteselect Set up remote buttons. Go to: volume control and choose Google TV Broadcaster. Now when adjusting the volume, you’ll see a familiar Android-style slider that offers 15 individual volume levels.

What audio formats does Google TV Streamer support?

Asked by Lookie and Ross

Google says Google TV Streamer supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos. Formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA are not supported.

For more on this purpose, Reddit user ZoftOS did some in-depth audio format testing, which you can read about in his post. Here.

How is Google TV Streamer different from Chromecast with Google TV?

Asked by BC

Aside from the obvious physical differences, the Google TV Streamer differs from the Chromecast with Google TV in a few key ways.

• Google TV Streamer offers better performance with a faster chipset and twice the RAM of Chromecast with Google TV.

• While Chromecast with Google TV offers eight gigabytes of storage, Google TV Streamer comes with 32 gigabytes of storage.

• Substance compatibility means Google TV Streamer can directly control many smart home devices.

• There is an Ethernet port on the back of the Google TV Streamer for wired internet connections.

• The included remote is better, with a customizable button and a built-in speaker to help find it if lost.

Performance gains aside, the overall Google TV Streamer experience isn’t much different from moment to moment than what you’re used to on Chromecast with Google TV. You can also purchase the new remote separately and pair it with existing Chromecast devices and the TV Streamer’s Google Home software integration. will eventually be available on other Google TV devices.

What chipset does Google TV Streamer run on?

Asked by Ionut

When I asked directly, a Google representative told me they couldn’t confirm which chipset powers the Google TV Streamer; in fact, Google refused to respond. Google said the TV Streamer offers 22 percent faster CPU performance than the Chromecast with Google TV, but it hasn’t publicly disclosed which SoC the device uses.

Mishaal Rahman, who wrote a report for Android Authority in August, provided evidence that: Google TV Streamer is powered by MediaTek MT8696. This is the same chipset as the 2021 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max.

Is Google TV Streamer worth buying if my TV has slow and unresponsive Google TV software built into it?

Question asked by Darius

If your TV has Google TV built-in but is slow and frustrating to use, Google TV Streamer is a good option to revive it. Except for newer, higher-end models, Google TV Streamer is much faster than the built-in streaming software you’ll find on most TVs. You’ll lose an HDMI port in the process, but your streaming experience will improve.

Can Google TV Streamer connect to multiple headphones at the same time?

Asked by David

Google TV lets you pair Bluetooth headphones and earbuds for private listening, but you can’t listen to music on both pairs at the same time. Streamer can remember multiple sets, but only one can be active at any given time.

Does Google TV Streamer support AV1 decoding?

Reuben

AV1 is a relatively new video codec that can accommodate high-quality HDR video at lower bitrates. Basically, it’s a more economical way to encode video; This means that current video content on certain apps like YouTube requires less bandwidth to stream.

Google doesn’t advertise AV1 compatibility, but according to the company’s statement support documentsGoogle TV Streamer supports AV1 decoding.

(An aside: the 4K Chromecast with Google TV doesn’t support AV1, but the newer, cheaper 1080p model does.)

Will the Google TV Streamer’s remote continue to work even if the unit is behind my TV?

Question asked by Justin

Google TV Streamer’s remote connects to the Streamer via Bluetooth; so if Google TV Streamer is behind your TV or other obstructions, you can still control it using its remote. Mine sits behind the soundbar and works fine.

The remote also has an IR blaster, but this is used to control your TV or sound system when HDMI-CEC isn’t an option. The connection between the Google TV Streamer and its remote does not require an unobstructed line of sight.

Google TV Broadcaster

7.5/10

Google TV Streamer is Google’s newest video streaming device. With a set-top box format rather than the dongle form factor of the Chromecast with Google TV, the new Streamer offers better performance and a host of new features for $100.