New to Chromecast with Google TV (4k)

[kabucha]

I am considering getting the Chromecast with Google TV (4k), however,  I am not clear on something.

Do you need a device (phone/tablet) to use the Chromecast device on your tv?  I've read that you can cast from your phone to your tv.  However, I cannot find a clear answer if you actually need a phone/tablet in order to use the Chromecast device on your tv.  We already have all our streaming services installed on our TV and don't need to cast them from a phone, we are just looking to combine them all into one platform/dashboard like it seems like you can do using the device.

Thank you

[David_K]

If the streaming services you want to use have an app that runs on Chromecast with Google TV, then no you don't need to cast the content from a phone or tablet. However, you do need a phone or tablet with the Google Home app to setup the device.

[kwlmab]

We just got Chromecast with Google TV (4K) to go along with our new 4K TV. For the past 6 years, we have been using a Chromecast Ultra to cast Netflix to our TV via our phones. This has worked flawlessly.
With Chromecast with Google TV (4K), however, we have several issues when trying to cast from our phones. Those issues go away when we use the Google TV app instead of casting from the phone app. Not sure why this is, but it is acceptable.

However...
When we launch Netflix via the Google TV app, everything works fine if we use the physical remote that comes with Chromecast with Google TV. But, we don't want to use a remote, we want to use our phones.
So, in the Google Home app, I paired our Chromecast with Google TV with our Home app.
This lets me use the virtual remote in the Home app to control Google TV.

Except...
Once we launch the Netflix app in Google TV, the virtual remote in the Home app no longer works. At that point, we have to use the physical remote.
Is this intentional, or are we doing something wrong?

[kwlmab]

I found the Google TV phone app. I thought that would solve my problem. But, still have the same issue as the Google Home phone app: I can control the Google TV app (on the TV) via the virtual remote, but as soon as Netflix launches, the virtual remote stops working and I have to use the physical remote.

[kabucha]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.

[Kimy]

Hi folks,

Thanks for helping, @David_K.

@kabucha, I hope you've found the answer you're looking for.

@kwlmab, it is actually the Chromecast Voice remote that pairs with the TV (or soundbar, or AVR), which can then control the power, volume, and/or input buttons. Both the Chromecast Voice remote and the virtual remote control the Chromecast device.

I hope this answers your questions. If you're still in need of assistance, please let us know, as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks,

Kimy

[kwlmab]

The virtual remote control works fine for everything in the Google TV app on the TV.
The problem I have is that when using the virtual remote control (via the Google TV phone app), it stops working once I launch Netflix from Google TV. At that point, I am forced to use the physical remote.
This defeats the purpose of the virtual remote.

[Kimy]

Hi folks,

Thanks for the reply, @kwlmab. Based on your description, this is a completely different concern from this actual thread. Yours is more related to the functionality of the virtual remote that triggers after launching Netflix. I suggest you create a separate thread about this so people here in the community can share things about this particular topic. We can get more help that way.

@Everyone, let us know if you still have questions.

Cheers,

Kimy

[kwlmab]

Ok. Will do. Thanks!

[Kimy]

Hi everyone,

Thanks @kwlmab.

I will keep this thread open for one more day. Feel free to create a new thread if you have questions or concerns in the future.

Regards,

Kimy