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Are you a movie fanatic or someone that wants to have the best watching experience? If yes, then you have probably wondered what the difference between Chromecastโs 2nd generation and the 1st generation is.
Overall, Google Chromecast is a great streaming device for $35. The new generation has included a few additional features which might leave you wondering whether you should upgrade or not.
The first Chromecast generation was launched in 2013 and had a fairly long run. It did its job perfectly and most people were not dying for an update. But Google knew it was time to move to a second-generation that would include some feature improvements.
The new Chromecast is better in some aspects but there are a few features that are missing. Before we delve into the main differences and reasons why you should choose between the two of them, we should start by making sure you understand the two devices inside out.
Table of Contents
What is Chromecast 1st Generation?
Chromecast 1st generation is a tiny device that is a small HDMI dongle that enables you to stream media from any of your devices to your TV.
It is powered by Google Cast technology and comes for $35. The Chromecast has a small plug at the end of the HDMI cable and it can be directly plugged into the back of your TV.
Chromecast 1st generation comes with a USB power cable, an HDMI extender (in case you donโt have enough space behind your TV), and a short instruction manual. The Chromecast 1st Generation was launched in 2013.
What is Chromecast 2nd Generation?
Chromecast 2nd Generation was launched in September 2015. It has been re-engineered to include some additional features that were missing in the first-gen model such as improved Wi-Fi connectivity, the ability to play audio in sync with the video, improved performance, and faster boot uptime. It still retains the same design as its predecessor.
How does Chromecast work?
Chromecast is a small dongle that plugs into the HDMI port of your TV and allows you to stream content from a mobile device or computer to the big screen.
The main feature of this device is that it does not come with internal memory, so it canโt store any media content on its own. Instead, it connects to your Wi-Fi network and streams the content directly from the Internet.
How do I set up my Chromecast?
If you have purchased a new Chromecast, then setting up this device is very simple. All you need to do is plug the Chromecast into your TV using an HDMI cable and connect it to your WiFi network using the provided USB cable.
Once you set up Chromecast for the first time, all future connections will be automatic and seamless.
What are the main differences between Chromecast 1st Generation and 2nd Generation?
1. Speed
The first generation was a little bit slow when it comes to streaming videos or music from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to your TV. The second-gen model has been significantly improved in this regard so that you can enjoy a seamless experience of streaming media without having to wait for long periods for anything to load. It also supports 4K content which is not supported by the previous generation.
2. Wi-Fi connectivity
Chromecast 1st Generation has average Wi-Fi connectivity and sometimes you may experience some streaming issues. But the second-gen model comes with some better improvements which makes the connection much more stable and faster. You can enjoy HD quality streaming without any buffering issues.
3. Audio Sync
The audio sync feature was missing in the first generation of Chromecast but it is available in the 2nd Gen model allowing you to play music from your phone or tablet and have it paired perfectly with your TV screen. This way you can enjoy a flawless experience that was not available previously.
4. Casting capability
The first generation of Chromecast was limited to only a few devices such as Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks which meant that if you were using any other device, then Chromecast would not be able to work for you. But with the 2nd Gen model, this issue has been resolved as it is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
5. Improved performance and faster boot uptime
The 2nd Generation Chromecast is much faster than the first generation. It boots up in just a few seconds which was not possible with the previous model. So, now you can start watching videos or listening to music right away without having to wait for long periods to get it started.
6. Price
The Chromecast 1st Generation was launched with a price tag of $35 but due to some issues it had to be pulled from the market and re-launched in 2015 with a price tag of $35 which made it even cheaper than before.
The 2nd Generation is priced at $35 as well making it an affordable device for everyone who wishes to stream media wirelessly from their smartphone, tablet, or laptop to their TV screen without having to spend too much money on this purpose.
7. Design
The design is not the same as its predecessor so if you already own one, you can easily tell them apart just by looking at them.
The new model is slightly slimmer and weighs less than the previous model. They have also changed the design from a stick-like device to a circular device. This is one of the biggest differences that can be spotted between these two devices.
8. Bluetooth remote
The previous generation had no remote control capabilities but with the 2nd Gen model, you can now use a Bluetooth-enabled device as a remote to control your TV screen and Chromecast. This feature was not available in the first-gen model so itโs a great improvement that has been made in this new version of the device.
9. Audio quality improvement
The audio quality is better in the 2nd Gen Chromecast as compared to the 1st Gen model which means that now you can enjoy crystal clear sound with no distortions or any other issues that may have occurred previously due to poor sound quality.
10. Faster performance
Chromecast 1st Generation took some time to start playing videos or music but with 2nd Gen Chromecast, you will now be able to experience the faster performance as everything will load much quicker so you will not get bored while waiting for the video to load.
The main difference between these two is that the first generation only supports a 2.4 GHz WiFi network while the second generation supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5GHZ Wi-Fi bands. This is clear that the second generation will perform relatively better.
Chromecast 1st Generation vs. Chromecast 2nd Generation: Which one should I purchase?
So there you have it, 10 major differences between Chromecast 1st Gen and 2nd Gen. If you are planning to purchase a new Chromecast, make sure that you buy the latest model so that you can enjoy all of its new features and capabilities.
The new generation Chromecast has an Ethernet port, which is a huge improvement from Googleโs 1st generation.
It means that you can connect your Chromecast to your router directly and make sure that it works perfectly. This way you can be sure that there will be no lags or interruptions during streaming.
The biggest advantage of having an Ethernet port is the speed of the internet connection, which is faster than Wi-Fi. If you have a weak Wi-Fi signal or have buffering problems, then this feature will help.
But if your router and modem are placed near each other, then itโs not necessary to spend more money on an Ethernet cable because it will not change anything for you. The devices are already nearby and there is no need to buy an additional cable.
But, if you are using Chromecast in a large house and want to make sure that you get the best streaming experience, then definitely go for the 2nd generation.
Are there any other differences?
The 2nd generation has a new design and itโs slightly bigger than the previous one. The new version has a matte finish and feels very solid in your hand. Itโs not as big as Apple TV or Roku Streaming Stick but itโs much smaller than Xbox One S or PlayStation 4 Slim.
There is a small LED light that indicates if your Chromecast is working properly or not. The old version had a power button on the side, but now they have placed it on the back so it will be more difficult to turn off accidentally while setting up.
But, overall the design of both devices is very similar and even looks like each other from behind.
The second generation is faster than the first one and you can expect a better streaming experience. The biggest improvement is that Google has added support for 5GHz Wi-Fi networks.
If your router supports this feature then you should connect your Chromecast to it. You will have a much better connection and there wonโt be any interruptions while watching movies or playing games.
The new generation is also able to stream in 4K, which is an excellent improvement because if you have a 4K television then you would like to stream your favorite shows in Ultra HD quality.
There are many other improvements like the ability to use voice commands or play music from Spotify without casting the content from another device, but overall the biggest improvement is 5GHz Wi-Fi support and 4K streaming ability.
2nd generation Chromecast vs. 1st generation: which one should I buy?
If your television does not support 4K resolution and you donโt want to spend more money on an Ethernet cable, then you should buy the 1st generation Chromecast.
But, if you want to stream in 4K and have a 5 GHz WI-Fi network at home then the 2nd generation Chromecast is the best choice for you.
FAQs
Whatโs the main difference between Chromecast 1st Generation and Chromecast 2nd Generation?
The main difference between these two generations of Chromecast is that the first generation supports a 2.4 GHz WiFi network band while the second generation supports both a 2.4GHZ Wi-Fi network band and a 5GHZ band.
This is clear that the second generation performs better than the first generation. Other differences include compatibility and performance improvements.
Which one should I buy, Google Chromecast 1st generation or 2nd generation?
If you want to stream movies or play games then the 2nd generation is the best choice for you because it supports 4K resolution and a 5GHZ Wi-Fi band. If your television does not support these features then you should buy the 1st generation Chromecast.
Why Chromecastโs 2nd Generation is better than Chromecastโs 1st generation?
Chromecast 1st generation doesnโt support the 5GHZ Wi-Fi band. The 2nd generation Chromecast supports both 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ Wi-Fi bands. This is the main reason why the 2nd generation Chromecast performs better than the first one.
In addition to this, there are many other improvements in the second generation model such as 4K streaming support, the ability to use voice commands, better mobile app compatibility, and many more.
Conclusion
The 2nd generation Chromecast is an improvement over the 1st generation model. Itโs faster, more compatible, and supports 4K streaming. If you have a 5GHZ Wi-Fi network at home then the 2nd generation Chromecast is the best choice for you.
