Update for Chromecast with Google TV improves HDR support

Google has released an update for the Chromecast with Google TV released last year. Most notable are improvements in HDR display and support

Multiple websites, such as 9to5Google, are reporting Chromecast system update QTS1.210311.036, even though it is not yet listed on the Chromecast firmware release page. According to Google, after this update, users can expect an improvement in video playback with Dolby Vision.

In addition, content with the HDR standard hybrid-log gamma will be displayed correctly. Until now, such images have been converted to the more common HDR10 standard. Hybrid-log gamma is a standard that is mainly used in the production of television content. The standard is used, among other things, for HDR content in the British BBC iPlayer app.

The update also brings undisclosed bug fixes and performance improvements, as well as a security update and DRM improvements to prevent errors when decoding video. Storage improvements have also been made. According to FlatpanelsHD, Google has delayed the release of Google TV user profiles.

For now, the Chromecast with Google TV runs on Android 10, even though Google recently released Android TV 12. It is unknown how soon the latest version will come to the cast dongle. Incidentally, it often takes a long time with televisions before a new, already available Android TV version is made available; many Android TV televisions also still run on Android 10.

Replay: Video Review of the Google Chromecast with Google TV