I've been looking to buy an TV for a while, and I had been set on getting one with Android TV.
However, I often hear that the operating system is more clunky than some competitors, such as Roku, and I have started to wonder what the actual benefits of an Android TV is compared to a Chromecast.
Anyone have a succinct comparison of the two?
The Chromecast 4K Ultra can do 4K HDR YouTube. The Shield cannot, it does not even have the VP9 profile 2 hardware decide capabilities.
Sony 4K HDR Android TV's cannot surprisingly even do 4K HDR YouTube. The AMLogic chipset Android TV devices can.
Google Chromcasting hardware usually has the ability of HDMI CEC switching - On a TV when you start casting as well. Not sure it that works with the Mi Box or the Shield.
Google also I believe uses exclusive API's for HiRes audio on their Chromecast hardware that Android TV device do not get access to.
You get an interface to navigate apps on screen to browse threw .
Chromecast is getting long in the tooth. I wanted a new version this year with a remote and androidtv built in. I have a mi box for 2 years, 2 chromecast video, 1 chromecast audio and 2 roku. Mi messed up the device where dolby dts (skips) from a june update and do not fix it. I don't want to pay $140 (shield) for only other choice.
So google you forced my hand. Today I purchased 2 more roku's. I have no plans to come back to chromecast until it is shipping with remote and full androidtv.
#ALWAYS BUY A TV BASED ON PICTURE QUALITY ALONE.
Disregard whatever OS your TV is running and attach a streaming box to it. Then you can upgrade performance and features whenever you like instead of buying a new TV.
And Android TV has Chromecast built-in. So you may as well get the extra bonus features like being able to use a remote and not having to rely on a smartphone or computer to access your content.
That's pretty much it it's like even lying there are way more apps available at allow only casting versus being on a TV platform but most of your essential apps streaming services should be available on Android TV Roku Amazon fire TV or Apple TV.
I prefer basic Android with mouse control compared to anything else. It's significantly more flexible and powerful than anything else.
I prefer Android TV because it has much more functionality AND includes Chromecast functionalities. So you get both benefits from Android TV, whereas you can't get both from Chromecast. And I'm generally a fan of a remote control experience. I tend to have remote control lay around on the couch and in the bed much more casually than I would my phone or tablet, and this casual treatment of the remote is actually a good thing. It is much more easily accessible as I'm probably laying on it instead of on a chair or arm rest. And navigating and pausing and skipping are all done with blind use and with a flick of the rest to pick up and press whereas Chromecast requires unlocking the phone and pulling down the notifications to access the controls (if you don't have to directly open the app, that is). Android TV should be the future of TV for Google, but Google is pushing chrome OS and cast as their operating system for their 1st party devices and having Android be their OEMs open platform. Chromecast does well for a number of reasons and Google is therefore continuing to push that hard. Just because the market likes the Chromecast doesn't mean there isn't a better way, and Android TV really could be that. I would just suggest you get a TV with a good display and enough inputs for the devices you will use the TV with, and then just get an Android TV box to connect to the TV. A mi box or a shield TV