The televisions sold today may have, in the vast majority of cases, connected features, it is always possible that you will not find the ones that interest you: the Samsung and LG Smart TVs, but also the Philips, Sony models. and other brands which are a bit old do not always offer access to all the applications that can be found on recent televisions running Android TV. In addition, you may also want to transform your computer screen into a connected television: this possibility exists, thanks to multimedia gateways. Google Chromecast devices belong to this category of products: they connect to one of the HDMI ports on your screen, as well as to the Internet through a WiFi network,and provide access to different features depending on the model you own. There is great potential, both in a personal capacity, to access online entertainment, as in a professional capacity, to “cast” work documents or edit files collaboratively, while displaying them on a large screen. Now all you have to do is find the multimedia gateway that best meets your needs: our selection is here to help you.Now all you have to do is find the multimedia gateway that best meets your needs: our selection is here to help you.Now all you have to do is find the multimedia gateway that best meets your needs: our selection is here to help you.
our selection
Chromecast Video, Google
Chromecast TV, Google
Fire TV Stick Lite, Amazon
Mi TV Stick, Xiaomi
Fire TV Stick, Amazon
Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra HD, Amazon
Mi TV Box S Android TV, Xiaomi
R2 Plus Android TV Box, Bqeel
4K TV Box, Apple
TV Pro, Nvidia Shield
What is the Chromecast?
Originally, the Chromecast was a connected device that Google began marketing in the United States in 2013. At the time, smart TVs, or Smart TVs, were starting to hit the market, but many TV owners flat-screen TVs had acquired their model some time before, and did not want to invest in a new TV just to have connected features. It is to help owners of televisions with little or no connection that Google has started to offer its first Chromecast on the market. The name of the device is quite self-explanatory, because it mainly allowed, at the base, to "cast" the contents present within the Google Chrome browser: for example, from a computer equipped with Chrome, theuser could stream the content of the browser window to his TV. Very quickly, the Chromecast became compatible with services like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and many others. Without being able to access these services directly from their TV menu, Chromecast users could then stream content from their computer, but also from their tablet or smartphone, directly to their big screen.directly on their big screen.directly on their big screen.
The transmitting device then becomes a kind of remote control, and it is also possible to use it at the same time for another use. This is an additional advantage compared to traditional “cast” systems, which generally simply mirror content from the smartphone to the television. With the Chromecast, the user of the terminal can, for example, decide to broadcast a movie from Netflix on his TV via his smartphone, and use the latter to surf the Internet at the same time. Since the release of the first Chromecast model, Google has developed its concept and now offers other products of the same type, such as the Chromecast Ultra, which broadcasts content in 4K Ultra HD, as well as the Chromecast with Google TV, which embeds its sound. own independent system. Theevolution of the range of Chromecast has largely contributed to develop the market of connected multimedia boxes, which are used by very many owners of televisions around the world.
Which Chromecast for which use?
Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra are not used in the same way as Chromecast with Google TV: the uses of these devices are very different. Depending on the use you want to make of the device, you must choose a specific model. The basic Google Chromecast, and its Ultra alternative, work on the original principle developed by Google: once connected via HDMI to a television or a computer screen, the device can broadcast any stream from a computer. , a smartphone or even a tablet, provided that the original application is compatible. From there, you can control what appears on your big screen from the small one. This means that the Chromecast cannot work on its own: you need to havea second device to stream content to it.
The Chromecast with Google TV, for its part, embeds as its name suggests the Google TV system, which can operate independently.
When plugged into the TV, this model of Chromecast allows native access to entertainment apps, without the need to use your smartphone or computer in addition.
It is sold with a remote control for easy navigation in its menus.
It is therefore entirely autonomous, and adapts more easily to a use centered on an easy access to entertainment.
It's up to you to choose the model that best suits your needs.
Which TV can you connect your Chromecast to?
The different versions of Google Chromecast all plug in the same way to a TV or a computer screen: through an HDMI input. In fact, Chromecast devices are compatible with all screens that have this connection. If your TV does not have one, it means that it is much too old to use the device. Note that Google devices require a power outlet to work, and a wireless connection to the internet is also essential. The devices must be connected to the same WiFi network to interact with each other. All the necessary connections associated with the use of the Chromecast are included in the box of the device, and the instructions for use are very clear:you shouldn't have any problem using it.
How do I install the Chromecast?
Setting up a Chromecast is very easy, and the process is exactly the same no matter which model you choose. The first step is to connect the device to one of the HDMI inputs on your TV: an extension cable is included to ensure perfect compatibility with any TV, including those whose HDMI ports are slightly sunk into the structure. Then connect the device to the mains via the socket supplied. From this moment, the Chromecast is activated: you must then go to the Source channel associated with the HDMI port to which it is connected, to continue its configuration. Essentially, this is like setting up your WiFi connection to connect your device to the internet. TheHome application on your Android smartphone or tablet can be useful for this. Once this last step is done, you can finally use your Chromecast to cast your favorite apps.
Which applications to use?
You can use a lot of apps through your Chromecast. The Google Play Store highlights the dozens of services that you can either download to your smartphone or tablet to “cast” them, or install them directly on your Chromecast with Google TV. Among the services that allow you to watch videos, we can mention in particular: Netflix, myCANAL, Disney +, Amazon Prime Video, Molotov, YouTube, Orange TV, OCS, Google Play Films and Rakuten TV. On the music side, we find Tune In, Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, SoundCloud, Podcast Addict and Qobuz. You can also turn your TV into a digital photo album with Google Chrome, Google Photo and dozens of mirroring apps. Finally, Chromecast also lets you play games through Stadia, Cast Games,TV Games Free, GamingCast or Cast Nes, to name just a few compatible applications.
How to cast an application?
Casting an app to a Chromecast device is very easy, as long as the app in question is compatible.
A small screen-shaped icon, with a connection symbol, appears most of the time on the main screen of the connection.
When you activate this feature, a menu appears and asks you which Chromecast you want to stream the stream to, a useful proposition if you have multiple Chromecast devices at home.
Once the choice is made, the magic happens automatically.
You can deactivate the cast directly from the application, whenever you want.
Chromecast and other media gateways: what are the differences?
Unlike the basic Chromecast, which depends on the devices you connect it to, other brands' media boxes are stand-alone: they either have Android TV, Apple TV, or Fire OS to work. You can simply plug them into your screen and control them via their remote control to take advantage of their features. In short, these boxes are similar to Chromecast with Google TV, quite simply. But there are still many differences. Indeed, as the Android TV operating system is freely available, all third-party manufacturers can adapt it with their display, their functionalities and their initial content according to their habits and what their customers are looking for. That's why if you compare 10 media gateways that work usingAndroid TV, you find yourself facing 10 very different experiences from each other. However, if the form of the proposal may change, the content remains essentially the same: the accessible applications are similar, and it is possible to take advantage of many multimedia features and services on the big screen, with very little effort. .
The prices of the different multimedia boxes vary according to the features offered by the devices, in particular the side of the available image definition (Full HD or 4K Ultra HD generally), as well as the side of the built-in storage space and the features of the remote control. The more you turn to a powerful multimedia gateway, the more the price goes up. Still, if you're just looking to use Netflix on your TV, you don't need to spend a lot of money on it - the cheaper devices may be right for you.
Finally, it should still be noted that all the multimedia gateways on the market do not work with Android TV: the Fire TV models sold by Amazon have Fire OS, and those from Apple run with Apple TV. There is therefore something for all tastes, all needs and all budgets: taking the time to compare models is the best way not to make a mistake when making your purchase.