Issue
Found this article that mentions a few things including the one below.
PSA for Chromecast with Google TV: turn on "Match Content" in display settings
Otherwise it always outputs Dolby Vision, even for HDR10 or SDR and doesn't always look right.
This must be an oversight by Google to have this off by default, no reason for it to be disabled for normal use, imagine it will get patched.
This is easily searchable but posting this here in case anyone didn't notice it was happening.
A selection of useful Youtube video clips to help you get going or suggest improvements.
These clips can take quite a while to watch but if you want to learn a lot more about your device and it's features you might want to come back a couple of times and watch them.
Click here to see a relatively short video [18+ mins] that goes through "The New Chromecast With Google TV Full Setup Video"
Click here to see another video [23+ mins] that also goes through "Unboxing" & "Setup" review giving a different viewpoint
Click here to see a more comprehensive video [46+ mins] that includes a great overview and detailed installation instructions [see table of links below]
It starts off by pairing the handset with the dongle, then using the Google Home App to connect the dongle to your local Wifi etc. It then continues just using the remote to set up your user account at Google [optionally with Google TV App for typing] before getting into the detailed walk through of the menu interface.
Apart from the timed lins [below] there are a number of other useful entries to be seen under the video caption on the Youtube page.
Click here to see a section of a video that talks about what looks like an error situation that requires a full system reset for which remedial action is well documented. However you will see that in this case Brian, the well known 'Automation' vlogger, was able to get his device back to full working order in just a few seconds without the need to go through a full system reset. Got to be worth a try if you device freezes up !
Click here to see a 9to5Google article "How to fix ‘data may be corrupt’ Chromecast with Google TV error" that could prove useful if you get an issue.
Click here to see a high level introduction to key features, by Robbie @ ChromeUnboxed, demonstrating ease of use and integration.
Click here to see another video he prepared to demonstrate sideloading apps using File commander and a Google Drive folder.
If privacy is worrying you then head to Settings, scroll down to a section labelled Privacy where you can access settings for Location, Usage and Diagnostics and Ads.
There are also sections for account settings that feature Google Assistant as well as Payment and Purchases.
Finally, the section has app settings where you can control App Permissions, Special App Access and Security and Restrictions.
Click Usage and diagnostics and make sure that tab is switched off. This means that you are no longer sending diagnostic info to Google.
Click Ads, and Opt Out of Ads Personalisation, to keep apps from using your ID to build personalised ad profiles.
To manage other data Google has on you, such as YouTube and search histories and web and activity data, head to myactivity.google.com.
Click here to see a 9to5google article "Chromecast with Google TV Review : A lifeboat as we drown in streaming services" that goes over key features together with detailed observations and tips that are worth a read.
Click here to read a Gizmodo article "The $50 Chromecast with Google TV Is the Best and Smartest Streaming Dongle for the Money" that contains a few more interesting points.
Click here to see Part 1 of the topic [14+ mins] that shows you a number of things you can buy, and a number of things you can add to this device [breakdown below]
Plus find out how to get the Google Play Store on the new Google Chromecast, and start loading on other Apps.
Position of topics in video:
00:00 The New Google Chromecast
00:45 Get to the Chromecast Settings Quickly
01:10 Remap YouTube and Netflix Buttons
01:45 Get Play Store Apps on Your Google Chromecast (Method 1)
02:25 Control the Chromecast With a Keyboard and Mouse
03:00 Other Remotes You Can Use
04:30 Using headphones, earbuds, and smart speakers with the Chromecast
05:34 You can still Cast, but what happens when you do?
06:00 Screen mirror to Chromecast with Android and iOS
06:55 Cast from your PC (with Chrome Browser)
07:40 Google Ambient Mode is Best Here
08:10 How to Voice Control your Google Chromecast Volume
08:50 How to customize the Chromecast interface
10:00 How do Google Profiles work on the Chromecast?
10:30 Lock down the Chromecast for children
11:00 Change to a PIN purchase protection method
11:30 How to get to the Play Store on the Google Chormecast (Method 2)
12:10 Plex and VLC allow you to play local media content on your Chromecast
13:00 Get all your Nest Cams or Wyze Cams on one screen on Chromecast
13:40 Get an ethernet adapter instead of using WiFi
Products shown (all affiliate links)
Google Chromecast - https://bit.ly/3p4qa5v (Best Buy)
USB C to C Power Cable - https://geni.us/AnkerPowerCableCtoC (Amazon)
Anker USB Hub - https://geni.us/nDxdi (Amazon)
Anker USB Power Port - https://geni.us/AnkerPowerPortAYL (Amazon)
Logitech Webcam - https://geni.us/LogitechWebCam (Amazon)
Combo Unit from Logitech - https://geni.us/LogitechCombo (Amazon)
(I've never tried this but it should work)
Wireless Keyboard (Backlit so you can see in the dark) - https://geni.us/LogitechBacklitKey (Amazon)
Wireless Mouse - https://geni.us/LogitechMouse (Amazon)
Extra Resources:
1. Use Duo on the Chromecast - https://youtu.be/giCWk5_cUcs
2. Use Keyboards and Mice With Chromecast - https://youtu.be/X6wAB391vOY
3. Remap Buttons on the Google Chromecast Remote - https://youtu.be/NDrb4cDoZdw
4. Full walkthrough and setup of the interface and settings on Chromecast - https://youtu.be/lhu2-uo4NtQ
5. Tech With Brett sets up his Harmony Remote (and others) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQOQK...
6. Our full review of the Chromecast - https://youtu.be/73iILcJqfIM
7. Apple TV Mirror App - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tv-mirr...
Click here to see Part 2 of the topic [11+ mins]
Google Chromecast - https://bit.ly/3p4qa5v (Best Buy)
USB C to C Power Cable - https://geni.us/AnkerPowerCableCtoC (Amazon)
Anker USB Hub - https://geni.us/nDxdi (Amazon)
Anker USB Power Port - https://geni.us/AnkerPowerPortAYL (Amazon)
Logitech Webcam - https://geni.us/LogitechWebCam (Amazon)
Combo Unit from Logitech - https://geni.us/LogitechCombo (Amazon)
(I've never tried this but it should work)
Wireless Keyboard (Backlit so you can see in the dark) - https://geni.us/LogitechBacklitKey (Amazon)
Wireless Mouse - https://geni.us/LogitechMouse (Amazon)
- A Playstation 4 Bluetooth Controller - https://geni.us/PS4Controller (Amazon)
- Another Bluetooth Controller (I didn't test this one) - https://geni.us/AnotherBTController (Amazon)
- The IOGEAR SD/Micro SD card reader - https://geni.us/IOGearCardReader (Amazon)
- An Anker 2 in 1 USB card reader - https://geni.us/AnkerCardReader (Amazon)
Extra Resources:
1. Our Full Playlist of Google Chromecast Tutorials - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb2we...
2. Use Duo on the Chromecast - https://youtu.be/giCWk5_cUcs
3. Use Keyboards and Mice With Chromecast - https://youtu.be/X6wAB391vOY
4. Remap Buttons on the Google Chromecast Remote - https://youtu.be/NDrb4cDoZdw
5. Full walkthrough and setup of the interface and settings on Chromecast - https://youtu.be/lhu2-uo4NtQ
6. Our full review of the Chromecast - https://youtu.be/73iILcJqfIM
7. Tutorial to Add Extra Storage to the Google Chromecast - https://youtu.be/doksD3EwYdk
8. Tutorial For Sideloading on Google Chromecast - https://youtu.be/guvN6Obif5w
Apps We talked About (not sideloaded apps)
Sideload Launcher App on Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Background App Monitor on Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
FX File Explorer on Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Steam Link on Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
RetroArch on Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Send Files to TV on Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Downloader on the Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Click here to read an article by TechHive called "15 cord-cutting tips for the new Chromecast with Google TV"
Click here for a Gizmodo article called "How to Sideload Any App on Your Chromecast With Google TV" that provides other solutions one of which uses APK-Mirror, Google Drive [in your browser, or mobile Drive App] and File Commander.
Click here to see a HowToGeek article called "How to Sideload Apps on Google TV" which uses a combination of APK-Mirror, Google Drive [in your browser, or mobile Drive App] and File Commander.
Click here for a video called "Install Aptoide on Google TV" that provides an alternative solution for installing APKs.
Click here for an Android Police article called "How to Sideload any APK on the Chromecast with Google TV" that uses both "Send Files To TV" and "APK Mirror Installer"
Click here for an article called "How to send files from PC to smart TV" that provides an alternative solution for moving APKs.
SFTTV runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, android smartphone, android smart TV system allowing APKs to be easily transferred between machines running different operating systems.
After sideloading an APK to your "Chromecast with Google TV" [or any other Android streaming device] it may not be visible on your home screen and perhaps you are unsure if it is indeed installed.
In which case click here to see a useful video [from a very entertaining vlogger] that explains why.
He demonstrates how to view these 'invisible' Apps in "Settings" [or sometimes a bit deeper, in "Show System Apps"] and tells you how to get a work around from the Google Play Store called Sideload Launcher that makes it much easier to access any 'invisible' Apps.
Watch this video that gives a good overview of what is required.
Basically it points out two things you need to do on the 'Chromecast with TV device' first.
These are both easy and are 'one-off' actions to [a] put it into 'developer mode' and [b] download and install the 'File Commander' App - both of these are well covered in the video clip.
The other bit is more involved and requires the target 'apk' file to be put up into your Google Drive [or other web location] first. This means using a different device than the Chromecast to get the target 'apk' [e.g. the apk file for the Chrome browser, or any other App you require] into your chosen web location where the 'File Commander' App can then be used to access it and install it on the Chromecast.
Again, there are options depending on your set up etc.
Using a web location: It's possible to 'download' the Chrome apk straight into your Google Drive [so 'download' sounds a bit strange in this case] and this involves using a special extension for the Chrome browser [read this] to get the job done in one go.
Using space on your local device: Alternatively you need to download the Chrome apk file [for the Chrome browser designed for Android] into a "Downloads" folder [on whatever device you use] then you upload it to your Google Drive from here - this involves opening up the Google Drive page first in your Chrome browser then choosing the option to 'Upload file' from local storage.