Streaming films, TV shows and music to your TV seriously expands your entertainment options. But these days, there are so many streaming devices and smart TV platforms available, it can be tricky choosing the right one.

However, Google Chromecast devices are among the best ‘streaming sticks’ you can get. Just find what you want to watch on your phone, cast it to your telly, and whack the popcorn in the microwave – you’re now ready for an epic movie session. So, how does it work?

What is Chromecast?

Chromecast is a small device that plugs into your existing TV – connecting them to the internet. This allows you to ‘cast’ what’s on your device’s screen or playing through your headphones onto the TV screen or speaker set.

What is casting and how does it work?

Casting transforms your smartphone into a remote– using your home Wi-Fi, the content from your smartphone or smart device is streamed onto your TV from a cast-enabled app. You can keep using your device without interrupting what's playing or draining the battery. If you’ve got an old school TV that could do with ‘smartening up’, Chromecast is one of the quickest ways to make it smarter (and it’s loads cheaper than buying a new TV).

Connecting your Chromecast to Wi-Fi is a doddle. Just plug the Chromecast into your TV, download the Google Home app to your phone, tap ‘Set up device’, then follow the instructions on your phone. It takes only a couple of minutes to do, and you won’t need to manually enter your Wi-Fi password to get connected.

To ‘cast’ simply click on the icon – a rectangle with the Wi-Fi symbol in the corner. Loads of apps come with the cast icon – Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Google Play are cast-enabled apps – and there are many more.

With us so far? Here are the two Google Chromecast options that are currently available…

Don’t need another remote? Go for Google Chromecast (Third Generation)

Adding another remote to your entertainment setup can overcomplicate things a little. That’s why the Google Chromecast doesn’t have one! Instead, your phone, tablet or laptop can all be used to stream (or ‘cast’) movies, shows, music and photos from your device to the big screen. And it’s almost instant.

You don’t need to download any apps to your Chromecast or trawl the web looking for compatibility info. If you’ve got a Windows, Android or Apple device, it’ll work, and you can cast straight from the apps that are already on there. You can even cast your phone’s screen or anything you’ve got saved in Google Photos, making it the ideal way to showcase your holiday snaps to the family.

Got a Google Home device already set up in your living room, or Google Assistant on your phone? You’re in luck! There’s an even easier way of getting that film you’ve all agreed on to play on the TV – just ask. Whatever you’ve named your Chromecast on the Google Home app, whether you’ve gone with ‘Jack’s TV’, ‘Living Room’ or simply stuck with ‘Chromecast’, Google Assistant will recognise the name and cast your content there when you want it to. Simply say “Hey Google, cast ‘Don’t Look Up’ on Netflix to Chromecast” and you’re away.

It’s worth mentioning that the third gen Google Chromecast offers a Full HD maximum resolution. That means if you’re after that 4K sharpness and HDR colour, this particular Chromecast is probably not the one for you. However, there is a solution that combines Google efficiency and beautiful 4K HDR…

After 4K, HDR and a smooth operating system? Go for Google Chromecast with Google TV

If you want to watch the shows and movies you love in the best possible quality, the Google Chromecast with Google TV can do everything the third gen Chromecast can do and then some.

The Google Chromecast with Google TV is made to play awesome shows and films in 4K Ultra HD resolution and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10+ - so, it can display the brightest and darkest colours in the same frame. But that’s not all.

Unlike the third generation Chromecast, this one comes with a remote and the Google TV smart platform. That means as well as being able to send content from your phone to stream on the big screen, you can also browse Google’s own easy-to-use interface and find a ton of brilliant apps to watch, listen and play.

Still want to play that new drama everyone’s talking about just by asking? Not a problem. The Chromecast with Google TV comes with a handy little remote that features a Google Assistant button. That means you can request a show, movie or song you want to play on your TV by asking the Chromecast directly instead of rummaging around for your phone. Smart! And if that’s not enough, you can group it with your Google Nest speakers to get bigger, better sound whenever you tune in.

Security conscious? If you have Nest cameras dotted around your home, the Chromecast with Google TV transforms your TV into the hub from which you can see everything that’s going on. That way, you can keep an eye on the kids while watching the content you like.

Like what you hear? It’s also worth knowing that many TVs and soundbars actually have Chromecast built in already, so you can cast content straight to your screen right from the start. And if you’d like more info on all things Chromecast, visit us in store or chat to one of our tech experts online via Shoplive video call.