Google TV & Chromecast Features You Aren’t Using (but Should)

The Google TV platform is super powerful and versatile, but that also means it's easy to overlook some of the best ways to use it to your advantage. In this video we'll show you how to customize and setup Google TV so that it looks and acts exactly how you want it, whether that's turning on app-only mode, controlling Google TV content suggestions, maximizing privacy, or turning Google TV off altogether. By following our tips and tricks you can get the most from any Google TV device including Chromecast with Google TV, Sony Google TVs, TCL Google TVs & Hisense Google TVs.

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00:00 Intro
00:47 Enabling Basic Mode
01:59 Customizing Your Home Screen
02:26 Enabling App Only Mode
02:59 Adjusting Content Recommendations
03:38 Profile Settings
04:41 Re-ordering Apps
05:08 Changing Your Screensaver
06:12 Using Your Own Photos as Screensavers
07:08 More Screensaver Customization
07:49 Watchlist Settings
08:38 Kids Profiles & Parental Controls
10:09 Privacy Settings
11:45 How to Use Chromecast
12:46 Final Thoughts

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[trobinsonkc]

Thanks for reviewing streaming media software. Its such an integral part of television use yet it gets too little attention. I would love to see DT compare such software and possibly rate them. Its a big subject and confounds a lot of users, myself included.

[icelord]

I just bought a TCL 50P635 and I love google tv because all the freedom that they give and the connection with your Google account. You helped me a lot

[xxxxxxxx]

THANKS BRO. I JUST BOUGHT A GOOGLE TV AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM YOUR TUTORIAL. GOD BLESS MY BRO 🙏🏿

[TheGretsch]

Hey Caleb, thank you for this (as always) very informative video. Can you maybe make a video going a little more in depth with the basic mode (e.g. comparing the behavior/experience of it to other TV OS without an Internet connection)? I‘m exactly the kind of user you describe as the target group for this mode, but I can‘t find good information about how it improves the experience of a not connected TV and therefore if it is worth putting it on the pros site of my pros and cons list when looking for a new TV. I think such a video could be very helpful for a lot of people. Thank you, again!

[YuanLiuTheDoc]

As usual, very on-point and practical tips! I just went through this ordeal on Hisense U8H (thanks for the recommendation) and kinda had to marvel at some of the granularities (compared to Apple TV). But what annoys me most is the weird ways it manages privacy choices - or rather, all the questionable defaults. (I know my TV doesn't have camera. But why would Live TV _require_ camera permission?) One related question: Even with all this granularity, I don't see an equivalent to "director's cut"/match content (dynamic range and frame rate) setting. Does it exist?

[julioecheverry]

Thank you, very instructive, and setting it up both as Google tv and monitor for my PC.
Thank you very much

[veronicamurray]

Thank you so much for this video! I am a newbie to cutting the cable cord and have been more than a little overwhelmed by so many options. Your video has helped, but I do have a question that you kind of skipped over in your video. I have chosen to use the Apps Only version, and I would like to try to add a couple more options. You mention to add these through the Play Store, but I can't find how to do that. I tried to enter Play Store in Browser search area, but that did not work for me. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[endico]

I'm really interested in the Hisense TVs this year. Aside from the picture, I was excited to learn about basic mode since I don't need a smart TV. The 2023 models are supposed to have Matter compatibility so this may be the year I finally upgrade. Unfortunately, I suspect that the matter compatibility is provided by Google TV so I might not be able to use basic mode. Any thoughts?

[tvtech]

Great video! I do wish that you would have talked about the tv tuner and how to get the most out of it.

[nscian]

This is a fantastic video!!! So many features I didn't know about. I'm sad my Sony x900h won't get Google TV 😭 guess I'm stuck with Android TV. Can you do a version for the older software?

[erzascralet]

I'm surprised I didn't know about apps only mode. Sometimes navigation can be slow to GET to my apps, and once I switched it on, IMMEDIATELY its so fast. Guess those ads and other things really slow it down a lot haha. THanks!

[jamiedewberry]

6:42 Great tutorials, especially with how to get the screen saver to a specific folder. Been wanting to fix that for months. My only issue is I can’t get past google home connection tot he cloud for the TV. Can’t get past this one hurdle

[stevebeef]

Thanks for this. I think I've found most of these features. I've finally gave up on my streaming boxes and use Google TV on my Bravia and it's the smoothest smart tv experience I've had. BUT like all streaming tv they bury your watch next and watchlist. I really wish there was a way to move the CONTINUE WATCHING to the top row (certainly above the app row) and have the WATCHLIST row on the same page... maybe even below the CONTINUE WATCHING row. I would pay for a custom UI that would do that.

[ssolognier]

Thank you very much, its fantastic all your advise on youtube channel 👍

[paulc]

Thanks Caleb, Im having trouble finding this Apps only mode on my 1 year old U8G. I love the simplicity of the home screen that you display. PS: I love your posts!

[OurCatioHome]

Thank you, this was most helpful indeed!

[eddieconroy]

Many thanks for this video.. very informative...

[kpoptrash]

Oh my gosh thank you for making a helpful video and not a whole lot of dude bro or whining cuz technology isn't perfect. This was very helpful, I didn't know I could change my ads settings or other options like how to turn off Google assistant. Or even change position if by aps. Thank you so much

[mayorus]

Thanks for video Caleb... Been having some issues with Google assistant on my uh8 and u8k.... Google assistant is turned on but will tell me my TV can't be found or isn't connected... My u7k is fine but seems like there's a bug out there people haven't been able to figure out

[syakirzlqr]

Hi Caleb! Great content as always. I have a question, is there any option to choose at what time for the screensaver to start. I'm using Sony X80K and it seems like there is no option to select time to start the screensaver/ambient mode. Checked on Sony's website, Google TV has removed the settings to control the ambient mode timing.

Sometimes, I just want to listen to a radio channel (from apps) but the tv will activate the ambient mode in just 10 mins, despite setting ON the Picture Off function. This will stops the radio and it is annoying. Unless, there is a workaround or setting to allow me enjoy radio channels as long as I can (at least up to the sleep time), appreciate your expertise here Caleb.