Review: Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K)

Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K) looks very similar to the old bestseller from Google, which sold over 100 million units worldwide. Chromecast was a popular, smart and inexpensive upgrade for old TVs, until it was replaced by TV Streamer models – at double the price! Now there is a new alternative from Thomson for less than a hundred euros, and we have tested it.

Smarten up your old TV

Thomson Go CAST 150 is meant to be a simple and cheap TV upgrade for those who miss modern streaming options on their old TV. The dongle comes with cool features like Google TV, 4K picture and Dolby Atmos sound – plus loads of apps. What’s more, it’s small and portable, so you can take your streaming with you when you travel. As long as you have access to Wi-Fi, power and a TV with an HDMI port, just plug in the dongle and start streaming from your own user profile.

In terms of design, the Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K) is very compact and lightweight, and its rounded shape is reminiscent of the previous Google version. It fits easily in your pocket or backpack and is powered via USB-C. An included power adapter makes it possible to use it throughout Europe.

Setup takes only a few minutes, and the user interface is easy to become familiar with, regardless of whether you are already familiar with Google TV or not. The menus are clear and provide recommendations based on behaviour and preferences. Family members can also save their own user profiles.

The Google Play Store offers a wide selection of apps and streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and YouTube.

Sharp 4K image quality and good sound

Despite its small size, the Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K) has excellent specifications: 4K Ultra HD resolution at 60 frames per second and support for HDR10, but unfortunately no HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.

It also supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital+, but the sound must be connected via a soundbar that supports this. Thomson also supports the AV1 video codec, which is essential for maintaining good and stable image quality on slower internet connections. On the connectivity side, it makes do with Wi-Fi 5 instead of the 6 version and has no physical Ethernet input.

Under the hood is a quad-core Amlogic processor with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage. It’s not an overwhelming amount of storage, but it should be enough for your favourite streaming services. In the worst case, you may have to delete some apps to add new ones.

The remote control has a built-in microphone and shortcut buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and Prime Video – as well as a separate button for live TV. A programmable button lets you choose your own favourite app. The remote control also supports IR learning, so you can use it to control your TV and volume.

A good alternative to more expensive competitors

The Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K) is not intended as a direct competitor to more powerful stationary streaming boxes such as Apple TV or Thomson’s own Streaming Box Plus 270, nor is it intended as a gaming console. But as a Chromecast replacement that you can easily take with you on trips or from room to room, it works perfectly.

The image quality is good with 4K material, as long as your TV is capable of reproducing everything Thomson has to offer. The Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K) manages to communicate with the TV and select the optimal resolution and refresh rate (frames per second) for optimal reproduction. If not, you can go into the menu and override it.

Modern films and series are reproduced in HDR format (HDR10) if your old TV supports this. However, there is no support for the popular Dolby Vision format. But if you have an older TV, this may not be relevant anyway.

Downloading and navigating apps works excellently, and many will probably find that Thomson responds faster to commands than their old smart TV. After all, there have been incredible developments on the smart front over the last 5-6 years.

The sound will of course also depend on the type of system you have connected. If you have a soundbar with Dolby Atmos, you may have better luck connecting the Thomson to the soundbar first and then to the TV if it is an older model. If you already have a TV that you are happy with in terms of picture quality, it may actually be better to spend your money on a new sound system with Dolby Atmos.

Conclusion

The Thomson Google TV Go CAST 150 (4K) is an inexpensive and practical alternative to Chromecast and an effective upgrade for older TVs. With the Thomson dongle, we get access to much of the same functionality as a state-of-the-art Google TV, and for only 669 Danish kroner. If you are looking for a stationary solution, there are alternatives with even higher performance, also from Thomson itself – but these are not as easy to take with you. In this way, the Go CAST 150 is an excellent Chromecast replacement that we can confidently recommend.