Currently available for purchase, the new Chromecast sacrifices video quality but keeps older model’s audio formats.
The rumors are true: Google launched a new, more affordable rendition of its Chromecast devices but it comes at the cost of a few features found in older models.
Dubbed the Chromecast with Google TV (HD), inklings of this new device cropped up recently with some reports speculating the company is expanding support of hardware to non-4K TVs. And sure enough, that’s what’s happening. This new HD Chromecast (opens in new tab) is essentially a toned-down version of the 2020 model which supports 4K HDR streaming and several Dolby video formats.
On the surface, the new device looks identical to the older model as all the changes are internal.
For $29.99, the HD Chromecast allows you stream content in 1080p (1920×1080 pixels) resolution at 60FPS. Support for 4K resolution is gone and so is Dolby Vision, a HDR (High Dynamic Range) format that allows for brighter colors and deeper blacks. The new device does support HDR10 and HDR10+ which aren’t as robust as Dolby Vision but still enhance visual fidelity. Memory also saw a downgrade as the HD Chromecast has 1.
