On the face of it both the Apple TV and Chromecast do largely the same thing, and this is stream video and audio content straight to your TV. However, there are significant differences on how the two streamers go about doing this. Keep reading and we’ll cover all of this for you. See also Google Chromecast review.
Apple TV vs Chromecast comparison review: price and steaming services
Perhaps the biggest difference here is the price of the two steamers. As you would expect, Apple is the more expensive of the two, coming in at £99. Chromecast is less than a third of the price at £30.See also How to set up and use Google Chromecast. Things get a little more confusing when you look into what you can- and can’t do with both streamers. The best and most concise way we can put it is: on paper you can access more apps and media files with Chromecast than you can with Apple TV, but the things that Apple TV does let you do, it does so flawlessly. From our experience with the Chromecast, we have found there to be issues with media playback from time to time. See also What can you watch on Chromecast: why Chromecast is a game changer. Local media What do we mean by this? Well, in terms of locally stored media, Apple TV lets you play only Apple approved media file formats purchased through channels through iOS devices or a computer with iTunes installed. Chromecast lets you do the same thing, but it is a little more confusing. If you have bought a movie, TV show or piece of music from the Google Play store, then you can stream it from your Android smartphone/tablet to your TV via Chromecast. This is a bit of a cheat though, as Chromecast is actually playing the file from Google Play’s media servers and not your Android device. If you want to play media stored on your Android device, then you are going to have to buy a £2.98 Plex for Android app, and then set up a Plex Media Server account, and only then can you “fling” media from your Android smartphone/tablet to your TV via Chromecast. Far from straightforward, but undeniably useful. See also Google Chromecast vs Roku Streaming Stick comparison review. The flipper is that you can play more video/audio file types with Chromecast than you can with Apple TV. So the question you need to ask yourself is what file format is most of your media, and where did you get it from? Once you’ve answered that you should be in a better position to know whether to go for Chromecast or Apple TV. Third party content Neither of these streamers cover themselves in glory when it comes to the compatible streaming apps on offer. From a UK point of view, the Chromecast probably edges it in terms of usefulness as it gives you access to both Netflix and BBC iPlayer, whereas the only mainstream popular-on-demand video player to which Apple TV has access is Netflix. There are too many options (of questionable use to the average UK user) to list here. So the best advice we can give to work out which one is best for you is to go to the official What’s On/Now Casting pages for both streamers and take a look for yourself. Here are the links for Apple TV What’s On and Chromecast’s Now Casting.
Apple TV vs Chromecast comparison review: controls
Controlling Apple TV is pretty easy as it comes with a remote. You can also operate it via an iOS device that is connected to the same network as Apple TV. From here you can simply mirror app/video/music content from your iPhone/iPad/iPod straight to your TV by pressing on the mirror icon. Failing that you can also control Apple TV via iTunes on a Mac or PC providing it is connected to the same network. You can then use the provided physical remote control to navigate around your local media library and/or access the steaming apps such as Netflix. Chromecast is a little different, there is no single physical remote that comes with it in the box. It relies on you controlling it from your Android/computer/iOS device that is connected to the same network. You then need to download the Chromecast app for the initial set up, from there you need to use a supported app – i.e. BBC iPlayer – to your device and press the Chromecast button in the app.
Apple TV vs Chromecast comparison review: design
Both the Apple TV and Chrome cast streamers connect to your TV via a HDMI port. The main difference is that the Chomecast is a dongle device that is key sized and slots straight into your TV where it stays – there is also a mini HDMI lead you can use if your TV is pushed up tightly to the wall. Apple TV is more of a mini set-top box that will need a surface nearby to sit on. Apple TV requires as 6-watt universal power supply (from the wall plug socket), whereas Chromecast has to be powered from a USB lead (designed to work with the USB ports on your TV).
