Sitting in front of the TV to unwind is a far different experience to what it was 10 years ago – and even a year ago the smart TV landscape looked entirely different. These clever devices bring integrated internet-based streaming functionality and compatible apps into your living room; an all-in-one solution that allows you to access the streaming services you love without any extra remotes or need to sync from a laptop or phone.
Making Your Smart TV Smarter
When you’re buying a new TV, you should ensure your main priority is getting the best picture quality. It’s the thing that can last years – even decades – with everything else being a bit of a bolt-on. Need better audio? Add a surround sound system or high quality soundbar. Need better smart TV access? Add a cheap smart TV dongle.
Google and Amazon have both updated their smart TV offerings for Australians, via the Amazon Fire TV Stick range and the Google Chromecast with Google TV.
SEE ALSO: Connect 101: How to Set up and Connect a Smart Home
The Amazon Fire TV Stick Range
As well as the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite that has been available in Australia for a while (it’s “Lite” because it’s the lowest-cost option), April 2021 sees the local release of a range of Fire TV offerings, including a 4K version and ones with Alexa voice-control operation. All models are basically the same, a simple HDMI-connected stick that connects to a remote control, mostly focusing on Amazon’s own Prime Video streaming service.
You can subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone product, but most consumers effectively treat it as a “freebie” alongside an existing Amazon Prime shipping subscription. The Fire TV Stick range is also compatible with Netflix, Stan and Disney+, as well as the major free-to-air “catch up” services, such as ABC iView, 9Now and 7+.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
Google has offered Chromecast devices in Australia for a few years, but to date they’ve all relied on casting and control via a smartphone, tablet or Chrome browser. The Google Chromecast with Google TV steps it up a notch with an included remote and a user interface effectively built on the Android TV platform you find on some smart TVs. This means there’s a wider array of apps you can install on the Chromecast with Google TV: Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and even Amazon Prime Video.
Compared to the existing Chromecast products, this is a “super-charged” model. You can still cast to the new Google Chromecast with Google TV from compatible devices, but it’s got an onscreen menu and a remote control as well.
SEE ALSO: Connect 101: How to Connect Google Chromecast
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Chromecast and Fire TV streaming sticks serve their purpose but the Google Chromecast with Google TV is quicker and, critically, it’s capable of 4K streaming. The Amazon Lite stick is more affordable but will never go above 1080p, if performance is an issue, you may opt for the 4K version of the Fire TV stick. While it’s partly related to your subscription tier for selected services, as well as your broadband quality, the reality for the Google Chromecast with Google TV and the Amazon Fire TV Sticks are that they are eminently portable, so you could take them with you from TV to TV – if you go on holidays, for example.
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