In January, Protocol revealed that Google was working on a cheaper Chromecast video playback dongle with a 1080p resolution, which could possibly be sold as “Chromecast HD with Google TV”.
Now, a new Google presentation to the Federal Communications Commission (via Droid-Life) suggests that the device is on its way.
Note that the FCC presentation does not directly confirm a Chromecast. For now, it’s just called “Google G454V.” No juicy filtered images; the presentations simply describe it as a “wireless device” with 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth LE.
But if you let me turn your attention to this diagram for a moment, my friends, I think everything will be clear:
The EU (Computer Under Test) seems to connect directly to a monitor without intermediate cables, as well as to a wireless remote control and a Bluetooth headset. Image: FCC
The “EUT” is the gadget we’re talking about, and this diagram is supposed to be a map of all its connections. Notice how it is behind the LCD screen? Notice how it is not connected to the LCD screen with any cable? Note that the only cable connected is a power cord, and this power cord is USB?
Also note how it has a remote control, and in a related part of the presentation below, 1080p video streaming was tested?
The device streams 1080p video while charging from a USB cable. Image: FCC
Now, I guess there might be some other kind of gadget you’d put behind a screen instead of a Chromecast … but it seems very likely we’re not talking about a Nest wireless speaker. And while you may be able to stream video to a wireless soundbar or something similar that might pass the video to your TV and have a remote control, no HDMI cable is connected to the device in the test settings. In addition, Google has consistently favored barrel plugs for the power of its Nest line of smart devices.
But Google has a gadget with a remote control and USB power that connects directly to a screen with no other cables involved. So I’m very surprised if this isn’t exactly the Chromecast that Janko discovered in Protocol.
Not all devices that reach the FCC are released, but manufacturers usually do not ship them until they are relatively close. I’d bet the price of a cheap Chromecast we’ll see this fall. However, I wonder how far Google will go: the current Chromecast with Google TV already makes 4K HDR for $ 50 (currently $ 40 on sale).
Chromecast with Google TV
Chromecast with Google TV has an up-to-date user interface that combines content recommendations from all of your favorite real-time streaming services. It also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.