TV Buddy vs Chrome Cast: Which is Better?
The Internet has become a primary need in our daily life. It provides us with unlimited possibilities. GPS, social media, music, movies. We have access to anything from all types of various devices, from TV’s to smartphones. In the past any kinds of media publications were limited to certain forms such as newspapers and televisions. However, with the rise of digital media we have been provided with new leisure enjoyments, for example, streaming services. They offer a wide range of entertainment in one place.
Still, most of these services require certain operating system like Android or IOS. If you don’t have a smart TV with built-in internet or don’t want to poke your eyes out trying to watch Netflix on your phone, we’ve got the answer! If you’re in search of how to do that or the perfect device, you’ve come to the right place. Today we will be looking at two of the best devices on the market – TV Buddy and Chrome Cast. What they do, how they differ and which is better?
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What Are Streaming Devices?
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Streaming services are a part of the future. They’ve got all of our favorite movies and series all at the click of a button. However, what do you do if you don’t have a device that can play a streaming service? Well, now the solution is easy. All you need to do is get a casting device.
Such various devices are available everywhere to purchase. While they all offer different added functions, their main one is to help connect your television to the Internet. They are small computers dedicated to helping you stream content through your TV. It connects to the television via an HDMI cable and uses your Internet connection or Wi-Fi. These little devices have been explicitly designed with streaming in mind, so their operating systems are limited to offering apps relevant to their purpose. Think HBO Go, Netflix and Disney +. A streaming device like TV Buddy and Chrome Cast are a fast and affordable way to enjoy streaming service in your very own living room.
New tech inventions come out every day. However, with reviewers such as Gatopy who delve deeper into these gadgets, choosing what to buy has become significantly easier. Today we also want to take a look at two of the best streaming devices on the market and see what sets them apart. Who will be the winner? Read on to find out.
Comparison Points
TV Buddy and Chrome Cast are one of the biggest devices on the market. While they both have their own intuitive and casting features, today we will compare them on six points. Being able to understand these points can help you make the right choice for you.
Technology
When it comes to such devices, the technology behind them is an important part. Questions such as, does it mirror or cast, are essential. Or maybe both?
Price
When it comes to investing money in a device, we are always looking at what is the best value for your money.
Set Up
Nobody wants a hassle setting up their device. That’s why it’s important to review this point.
Accessibility
Since the main point of these devices is having access to streaming services, it’s good to know which gives you access to a variety of apps such as Netflix and YouTube.
Customer Service
If you ever bump into trouble with your preferred device, it’s good to know you have nice, and useful service behind it that can help you out.
Resolution
The higher the resolution, the better your viewing experience. No matter the size of the TV, the image quality should stay good.
Comparison Overview: TV Buddy vs. Chrome Cast
Let’s check out some main comparisons between the two before we go into the comparison points.
TV Buddy
This is the device for you if you need a device that can mirror your tablet or phone. It shows whatever is on the small screen to the big screen. This device does great with JPEG, GIFs, series, and movies. MKV and AVI are also included. This device offers a 1080p HD screening on all types of platforms such as NBC, History Channel, YouTube, and Netflix.
In terms of packaging, the device comes with a power cord and the TV Buddy itself. However, the set-up isn’t the easiest. Using the USB plug in the devices to the TV Buddy. Next you plug the cord into the television. Afterwards, you need to plug the HDMI cord into the TV and then connect the device to the Wi-Fi. Hop on to the TV Buddy website to get all the settings of the device. Enter your password and the set-up is complete. Don’t worry, it has a detailed and specific manual. You can also stream Apple Music and Spotify.
Chrome Cast
This device is another addition from Google. You connect the Chrome Cast with your phone and then the TV mirrors or casts the movie you have put on. Thanks to this dual option you can still use your phone or tablet while the videos on the TV screen still run. Just like with the TV Buddy, you can also stream music from platforms such as Google Music and Spotify.
This device has two models: the Chrome Cast and the Chrome Cast Ultra. The Ultra version gives you a surreal viewing with it’s 4K Ultra HD and HDR options. For it to work you will need a Wi-Fi connection and an Ethernet cable to enjoy all of these perks. Unlike the TV Buddy, the set-up is much more of a breeze. You just need to plug in the HDMI into the TV and use Google Home on your mobile device to connect it to the Internet. The main con of the Chrome Cast is that it is quite limited when it comes to app use. It does not have an on-screen interface that you can casually swipe through.
Pros and Cons
Here are the main pros and cons of each device from what we have learned so far.
TV Buddy
Pros
- Fast processing speeds for minimal buffering
- Streams in HD
- Supports a wide range of services
- Works with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Cons
- Expensive
- Detailed setup process
Chrome Cast
Pros
- Good price
- Convenient design for use and set up
Cons
- No on-screen interface
Comparison Results
Let’s see how the two devices did on our six comparison points. See who the winner is in each point.
Technology
As with all digital things, technology is super important. The main differences between the two is how they work with the television. The TV Buddy mirrors what your tablet or phone is playing. That means in order to watch you need to stay on the screen in order to see it on the TV. The Chrome Cast however, has smarter technology. With it you can do both – mirror and cast. Use your phone freely while still enjoying the TV series.
Winner: Chrome Cast
Price
Everyone likes a good bargain. With Chrome Cast, you get a device that is jammed with quality features, yet it is sold at a much cheaper price than TV Buddy. TV Buddy is around $175 while the Chrome Cast is around $69 even for the Ultra model.
Winner: Chrome Cast
Set Up
TV Buddy has a lengthy set-up process, but does come with detailed instructions to help make the process easier.
Winner: Chrome Cast
Accessibility
TV Buddy had a wide variety of platforms to enjoy such as HBO, NBC, and Netflix. Whereas Chrome Cast is kind of limited. It has a limit to mostly Google Play Store and other very specific ones.
Winner: TV Buddy
Customer Service
On this one we really can’t say, but check out this TV Buddy caster review for even more information and an in detail comparisons between the two devices.
Resolution
Both the TV Buddy and Chrome Cast deliver good quality imaging. However, Chrome Cast goes a notch higher by offering both 4K and HDR resolution with the Chrome Cast Ultra device.
Winner: Chrome Cast
Bottom Line
Overall, they are both good quality devices that you use to watch on your TV. Now that you know and have all these comparisons, you can choose wisely. We hope you have a nice watching experience.
