Google Chromecast 2nd Generation (2016)

Worst user friendly device ever – I’ve had a gut full of this device I just want to smash it into a thousand prices. I’m away in our caravan with no tv reception, however we have internet through our iPhone, I have spent hours trying to get the iPhone to cast to our chromecast connected tv. It won’t, factory reset whatever, it is not user friendly. Google chromecast is a waste of money. Show details

High Tec Low Performance – I have to wonder why in this day and age my Google Chromecast regularly (at least once a fortnight) stops functioning and I have to go through a range of primitive switching and re-booting to get it to come online again. I have seen military blokes sitting in a booth thousands of kilometres away remotely fire a rocket and precisely destroy their target but my google chromecast has problems remotely connecting to my laptop one metre away. Show details

Flakey and unreliable – I've worked in system adminstration and software development for almost 40 years and I can't get it working reliably. Error messages are vague, if you can get it connected (which seems to depend on the phase of the moon) it randomly disconnects leaving the video running which can't be stopped. Don't buy it unless you get a money back guarantee!

2nd Gen.. not the 4K model – We bought the 2nd Generation Chromecast as soon as they released it and later on we bought another 2nd Generation, same as the one we already owned. We got it for a really good price, just $35. We were at the shops because the 4K (really High Definition) version had just come into the shops and we went in to have a look. We read that it was… Read more ·  1

just for those really High Definition 4K TVs, we don't have one so the extra $15 above the other model's price would just be future proofing for when we buy the big screen TV. Then the sales assistant comes over and says they will have to do a clearance of the other model???? now that the new 4K is released. Well we asked how much discount and only paid $35, could say NO to that.

We are very happy with the 2nd Generation model, we have used it with our LED Projector for outdoor movie fun and plugged it into an old DVI (we had a cable) monitor that was a PC monitor and 'wow' instant bedside entertainment.

So compact, so smart and so portable between monitors. We wonder why people bother to buy SMART TVs because the smarts are built-in and cost more than $35

PS. You don't need a Smart TV, but a half decent flat TV will probably have CEC-HDMI that allows your TV remote control to work with the Chromecast device.

Love it but have problems with it – We have had a basic Warehouse Chromecast now for two years and do love the fact you can watch movies on A big screen. Bit disappointed in it the last few months as it keeps disconnecting from the IPhone and we loose the Chromecast button all the time and when we do get a movie successfully we loose the remote control buttons to stop/play movie at… Read more

the bottom of the iPhone screen and this happens with every movie. I have tried to resolve this problem but nothing has helped. Not sure the life span of the Chromecast but we are nearly ready to chuck it and buy a new one. Worth the buy but hope the next one works better. Not sure if this issue is a Netflix error or mine.

Review updated August 3rd 2018:

Had my Chromecast now for a couple of years for Netflix movies. Use my IPhone 6 as my remote control to my Veon Tv. First year Brilliant and then started to run into problems with it disconnecting nearly every day. Have tried everything to stop this from happening and still have the same drama. I use my Google Home App alongside Netflix App to remote control movies and this works bit better. Our Internet is the best and so wonder if It’s my IPhone that is the problem. Getting a new Tv today so will see if this improves the connection. Wouldn’t be without my Chromecast so will buy a new one if not improved. Maybe I just got a dud but it’s still working with a lot of fiddling. Watch movies most days with slight interruptions.

Review updated August 16th 2018:

Second Chromecast I’ve used as first one was faulty so I thought. Second one was great for the first couple of weeks then it started having problems like the first Chromecast with Chromecast button disappearing while playing movie and so couldn’t use my IPhone as the remote control which is a pain. My internet Wi Fi is great so do not understand why this happens and was suggested to get a Wi Fi extender which will help Wi Fi to extend to a larger area and help app equipment to work better, apparently these are $200 so bit expensive but good if you have poor WiFi to part of your home... What helps when you loose Chromecast Icon” is to have “Google Home” App and use your set up “Playing Netflix” Remote Control, use this as it works well when you can’t use the Netflix page remote. I’m getting a “Smart Tv” this week so can’t wait to put away my Chromecast as it is not worth the worry and just use the Netflix App provided.

Amazing and couldn't live without – The chrome cast makes life so much more simple. It turns older TV's into a smart TV with the use of a phone or tablet and a WI-FI connection. Very simple to set up just need to connect to TV and download app following the steps to set up. I even have put the chromecast on my newer TV's as they didn't have all the app's we needed and it is just… Read more

much easier to cast it from your phone.

I use the chromecast to watch Netflix, Foxtel play, Plex and you can even cast you computer screen to your TV by having Google chrome installed on your computer. I find that when I am watching Netflix through the app on the smart TV that it often freezers and disconnects, with the chromecast this never happens. Also being able to control the streaming through you phone is great and faster.

You will need a good Wi-Fi connection to make it work and a phone or tablet to have the apps on. Well worth the money, I have had 3 for just under a year and so far no issues.

Pretty good, enhances the speed – I got faster speed on Youtube and Netflix compared to my Smart TV app of my LG TV. Plugs into your HDMI port of your TV. You can even control this Chromecast via remote (Play and Stop function) Show details

Time Saver – The ability to cast a video from youtube or have photos displayed on the TV has never been easier. I can tap a button and have the video be almost immediately streamed onto the TV from YouTube, or Netflix or Stan. It can play music form my selected device. It works even smoother if accompanied by a Google Assistant device such as Google Home Mini Show details

Great purchase! – I can’t believe I didn’t buy it sooner! It makes streaming online soooo much easier to view on your tv. No time for HDMI cables anymore, much easier to stream with the google chrome cast. Love this product! If you’re thinking of buying it, I completely recommend. Very simple to install and use right away!  Show details

Biggest pile of crap – Continually disappears from being available to cast from my mobile phone. I continually reboot and have requested customer help on many occasions and it never fixes. When I want to cast I never can and this product is a pile of crap.

sothey sell products that last as long as their warranties ....good to know ...will look for something different know – not longer works just after warranty expired will look for an alternative. very disappointed. supposed they are made in china. cant think of ten more words four to go one Show details

When (If) it works its great – Its a great concept but the execution is the worst as the product barely works, on top of this I went to a support page for a issue I was having (orange flashing light, blank screen) and it simply stated that yes the product had this issue with no suggestions for fixing it or what may have caused it. It drops out every 15min or so when actually… Read more

casting and I constantly have to monitor where im up to as it doesn't go back to the same time in the program. A HDMI cord for your laptop is a far better alternative and if an alternative product for casting from my phone exists I'm about to go find it and purchase it.

Never works, sub standard compared to Apple tv – I went from an Apple TV, no problems, worked well, to this product that hardly ever connects to me devices. Glitched, that require me everyday to reset the item. The worst desicion I have made, in particular when mirroring. Google company should be ashamed of themselves to have a device that works at low standard. Please do your self a favour and don't buy this product, it's no good.  Show details

Stay far away! – My chromecast continues to reboot as I am streaming. I cannot even get in 5 minutes of watch time. This issue started about over a week ago. I rebooted the device as well as did a factory reset and now the problem is even worse! Now I am not even able to connect to the device. I contacted customer support and the representative laughed at my issue… Read more

and was not sympathetic to my issue. The support agent did not fix my problem and only made me run around the house disconnecting and restarting everything when the issue is with the chromecast itself, not my wifi or cellphone. I am extremely disappointed in the product as well as the customer service I will not be buying again and will stop everyone from buying this device. I suggest a roku or fire stick. There’s no happy casting with chromecast.

crap – Chromemast device and Google Home (which I use to cast from my Galaxy S9) work together less than 50% of the time. Nothing more frustrating than tech that only works 'sometimes'. I just threw my Chromecast in the trash and uninstalled Google Home. What a waste of $$$ and time.  Show details

Love it! – Was tempted by AppleTV but kept getting suggestions of Chromecast and haven’t regretted it. Works with all our devices, and can be compatible with non Chrome usage with correct tech support. Much much cheaper and works brilliantly, allowing casting of what you choose rather than mirroring of whole screens so the casting device can still be multifunctional. Great buy!  Show details

Unleash the potential - Make your TV smart – Complement my TV, which has very limited capabilities, it is semi smart, but with the chromcast I was able to stream from my phone to the TV, mirror my phone, have my personal photos as screensaver, very useful. Hardy any problems, may once or twice stalled and needed reset, other than that it is very practical  Show details

Almost AI – there are so many things connected to the TV, and this is the only one that connected without any trouble or hard reading into the manual. we cast Stan and video from mobile phones. just in a few times it had error in the connection and have to recast again.  Show details

The best product from Google – Two things I liked about Chromecast are price and easy set up. Price of Chromecast is very cheap. Anyone can simply set it up with HDMI enabled TV. Acceding to my experience, Chromecast's WiFi connectivity and reliable are far better than the latest TVs' WiFi connectivity and reliable. To stream 4K videos, use the Chromecast Ultra,  Show details

Chromecast to TV – Chromecast for the IT novice Easy connection and set up for anyone to do Can connect to any TV Minimal spend Perfect choice especially when on holidays the Chromecast can go with you Very happy Well worth the outlay A great investment  Show details

Buy Apple TV – One of the worst consumer products I've experienced. Bottom line is spend extra money and buy an Apple TV. Apart from the obvious trouble of accessing your phone to pause what you are watching. You are lucky if you can pause or do anything with your phone. Because the chormecast connection is very finicky. If you were lucky to stumble upon a… Read more

moment when the device is showing on your phone/computer and start streaming. When you want to pause it it simply dissapears from your device. Now you can't pause or do anything with it. It is garbage. I am a very tech savvy person, I have tried everything. To get it working but still it is garbage....The simple truth is..

SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY!

BUY APPLE TV!

BUY APPLE TV!

Excellent – If you haven't got a smart Tv (and as long it has a HDMI option and you have wifi) defiantly look into google chromecast . Super easy to set up and very easy to use, your phone is the remote. Fantastic for Netflix and YouTube ect loads fast and clear picture. Only costs around $50. Super happy with the product.  Show details

This is amazing – Hi I bought this last week. It is easy to use and compatible with my two smart phones. I can watch movies from YouTube, net flix and other apps. But the only problem is you can’t stream through internet browser. So I’m giving it 4 stars out of 5. Cheers  Show details

Does what its made for but – Hi the Chromecast is a simple connect to HDMI and sets up using Google Home App. It operates fine for streaming from PC, Android Phone or tablet for screen mirroring. It has a few freebie trials in the app. It does have some lag on voice versus lip movement. However I have found if you are out and about and hotspot from your phone you need a 2nd… Read more

phone, tablet or PC available to stream from as the Chromecast needs a wifi network and has trouble linking to the phone you hotspot from. So if I hotspot on my phone & PC on the phones Wifi link I can stream from the PC to the TV via the Chromecast. Changing networks if using the dongle at different locations is done by disconnecting & reconnecting via the Google Home App.

It is better value for money than the Microsoft offering and from my research on line easier to deal with setting up etc. than some of the Chinese imports such as that sold by Jaycar.

Best technology for Wifi Streaming – Far better than other streaming devices out there. Really easy to install and stream from any device rehardless of android or IOS. I have streamed from my various laptops too. It will be good if it does have usb inbuilt to it to play data from usb on old tv's.  Show details

Essential – I absolutely love this gadget. We used Apple TV for years, fumbling around with a clunky interface on the TV – the Chromecast makes it so much easier, as you use your phone and simply 'flick' content to your TV. We now have a Chromecast in each TV, paired with Google Home Minis so we can play and control the TV with our voice. Ah, the future!  Show details

A good way to watch your phone on the tv – I found the chrome cast the best thing to make my normal TV into a smart tv. It needs the Wi-Fi internet to work. And your phone must be on the same Wi-Fi to cast anything from it onto the TV. Watch anything from YouTube and other similar apps onto the TV or watch a video you made on the phone straight into the TV using the Google Home app  Show details

Super Handy thingy – Good device, first it turned my non smart TV into a smart TV where I could stream netflix and Stan from my Android. Now does a bit more on my TV where I can cast the content on my pc to a larger screen and helps me with designing my graphics. Also works well with Spotify on my phone  Show details

Absolutely Awesome : Makes your TV SMART – I had LED TV and looking to upgrade to smart TV but then I found Google Chromecast. It has everything you would need in smart TV. Its small yet very advanced as it can transform your TV into Smart TV. All you need is Wifi and configure it your chrome cast. And it will be accessible to all the smart devices you have. There are so many apps… Read more

that can be used with this and represent great value. You can mirror you device with your Tv and can enjoy the benefits to share with your loved ones!!!

Its a great little invention that can save you a lot of money!!!

I bought two in 6 months and enjoy the benefits.

Terrible - not worth the headache! – Chromecast has been the most frustrating product I've ever purchased! Refuses to connect to the internet even when the WiFi signal is excellent. Tried resetting the device, moving the router, disconnecting and reconnecting the internet. I've tried to get this device working so many times but to no avail... I wish I hadn't wasted my money!  Show details

Not great system wouldn't bother – There really isn't a standard anymore chromecast yet another poorly executed product! It really doesn't do the job! Every single program needs to support it, constant issues trying to get a simple video playing. Thought $60 to make a dumb tv smart was good idea, HA. The same goes with apple airplay standard.  Show details

Hit and a miss – It's nice when it works, PRO's:-instant wireless streaming - can work dreat with voice command if you have google home device. - can stream from phone and Pc's Con's:- BUT i have been having constant issues with the connection. - video is always jittering and missing frames. - its drops resolution ( i am getting about 6 mbps net speed),… Read more

but even when things are working fine on my pc it drops resolution in streaming and still misses frames.

- some times connection just dops but its very very rare.

Reliable and useful – This is a great tool for those people who needed to "smart" up their old TV. I bought this for my parents and their old TV suddenly became smart. Cheap and good option if you want to use Youtube, Netflix without paying for a new TV. Only catch is that the Internet speed better be good.. :)  Show details

Google Chromecast - Awful – Have to set it up, from scratch, every - single - time. The most frustrating IT device I've every had the misfortune to buy. Works maybe 20% of the time. Waste of money and very frustrating. Google help desk was no help at all. Strongly recommend not buying this thing.  Show details

Unreliable – Constant issues with connection and drop outs. It randomly starts restarting every 60 seconds, making it worse than useless. Google use to be the company that made things which just worked, now they've gone down the Apple and Microsoft route. You make more money selling crap that breaks down and needs replacing quickly.  Show details