Android 12 has just finally arrived on the Chomecast with Google TV 4K, and it is also the default system of the new HD model. On paper, this new system does not have many new features. The new version of Google TV has security and stability improvements, compatibility with recent applications and a new recommendation system for minors using AI. However, one of the functions that seemed most interesting ends up convincing no one.
Chromecasts are updated, but we see few changes
As we said, android 12 It does not bring many new features in Chromecast with Google TV. We can consider that it is only a system update that runs below the graphical interface, the launcher being the one that usually brings news when it receives an update.
One of the implementations that had the most potential on paper was the frame rate adapted. It seemed like something like the flagship feature of the update. This is not a unique improvement, as Apple implemented a similar feature in 2017 on its Apple TV.
The Chromecast trips over its adapted frames
The frame rate adapted It is used to solve some visual problems and artifacts when the video frame rate and display output do not match. The purpose of this setting is to change the frame rate without causing the screen to go blank during the change. Now that it has reached Chromecast with Google TV, many have put this new feature to the test, and the surprise is that Google engineers seem to have not been very fine with the implementation.
As soon as the update arrived, the guys at FlatPanelsHD put their Chromecasts to the test. And according to what they say, it has a disappointing performance. In the first place, from the media they point out that the implementation starts from a basic error, since it makes use of Quick Media Switching, a function of HDMI 2.1. The problem is that no Chromecast with Google TV supports this standard. In fact, there is not a single TV today that uses this feature of HDMI 2.1.
They also point from FlatPanelsHD that this function it is not activated by default. In other words, the poor performance is probably due to the fact that it is still in the testing phase. In fact, in the many tests they have carried out, it seems that most applications do not respond correctly to this function. Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max do not support it. In a more extreme case, they tested the native video player itself that comes built into Google TV and it doesn’t support frame rate switching either.
Compatible with Plex and Kodi, but halfway
To the surprise of many, the Plex and Kodi apps do seem recognize this feature. Plex can make use of it, although it uses an API older than the one supported by Android 12. On the other hand, those who have tried this with Plex report on Reddit that it causes quite a few problems.
It seems that Google there is still a lot of work in this field. The Chromecast frame rate change has arrived, but it will be months before we can make use of this technology on our televisions.
