Is Chromecast Better Than HDMI Cable? A Deep Comparison

Ever since the introduction of Chromecast back in 2013, the HDMI cable’s continued usage has been challenged.

After serving classrooms and home theaters for several decades, is it finally time to replace your trusted HDMI cable? Or does it still offer advantages over Chromecast?

Chromecast is a better transmitter than HDMI cables due to the convenience and transmission quality it provides. Although it is much pricier than HDMI cables, its benefits sufficiently optimize the Chromecast user’s viewing experience.

This article will provide a deep comparison between HDMI cables and Chromecast.

I’ll discuss differences in price, quality and consistency of transmission, supported resolution, and general convenience. Let’s get started! 

Price Difference

Unsurprisingly, an HDMI cable is much cheaper than Chromecast.

On average, a pack of three 6-foot (182.88 cm) cables retails for around $14, while a pack of three 15-foot (457.2 cm) cables retails for approximately $19. This averages to about $6 per cable, which is pretty inexpensive.

Chromecast, on the other hand, will set you back around $30 but keep in mind that it does come with Google TV. As of September 2022, Google estimates that there are about 700,000 movies and TV episodes in their catalog. 

Consistency of Transmission 

Transmission consistency is an important factor to consider when comparing Chromecast and HDMI cables. Let’s analyze their differences: 

Chromecast

An integral aspect of the Chromecast experience is its reliance on a stable WiFi connection.

This means that if the WiFi is spotty, the transmission will also be spotty. In fact, older models of Chromecast experienced significant connectivity issues. 

Luckily, the newer models are known for their solid connections, although some issues remain.

For example, if your Chromecast is far from your WiFi router, you may experience no transmission or blurry transmission. 

This could be because the WiFi connection has to pass through several appliances that may be made of materials that aren’t conducive to connectivity.

Some of these materials include metal, plaster, and even ceramics. 

A way out of this is by using the “Guest Mode” function, which works via Chromecast’s built-in WiFi beacon.

Once a streaming app detects the beacon, transmission continues. 

Even then, Chromecast transmission issues are very easy to fix.

This article outlines a few Chromecast problems and shows some hacks to improve transmission quality.

HDMI Cables

HDMI, on the other hand, despite not being WiFi-dependent, has its own set of consistency issues.

If an HDMI component is even slightly damaged, you can expect to see either a fuzzy resolution, blurry resolution, or no transmission at all. 

Remember that HDMI connectors have 19 pins, each assigned to an aspect of the transmission.

If something seems to be off with the image or audio of the media transmitted, it may be due to a broken pin.

And it’s not even just direct damage on the HDMI that is to blame. Even damaged ports can cause significant alterations to the pins. 

HDMI connectors are also prone to becoming loose and have no locking systems.

It is pretty common to see HDMI users having to hold the cables as a way of keeping them in place. Even a slight nudge of the cable would sometimes be enough to ruin the transmission. 

Additionally, since a distant television will require lengthy HDMI cables, these long cables are exposed to risks such as playing children or chewing house pets. 

Given continuous WiFi quality and transmission improvements, having Chromecast would be much less of a hassle than having faulty HDMI cables. 

Supported Resolution 

If you’re a gamer or you enjoy watching movies in a high resolution, this will be an important consideration when comparing an HDMI cable and Chromecast:

Chromecast

Chromecast can support a resolution of up to 1080p, with some models able to support up to 4K resolution.

The $30 Chromecast with Google TV can sadly only support a maximum of 1080p. Still, a model that supports 4K resolution is available at $50.

A problem that gamers often have with Chromecast is the limited number of games.

Not all games are Chromecast-supported. Furthermore, some gamers would experience occasional frame drops that affect the gaming experience. 

HDMI Cables

The HDMI 1.4 meanwhile, supports 4K UHD resolutions but only with a frame rate of 30 fps. Unfortunately, this won’t be good enough if you want to experience 4K gaming. 

Luckily, HDMI came out with HDMI 2.1, which supports 4K UHD at a frame rate of 120 fps and even 8K UHD with a 60 fps frame rate. In fact, HDMI 2.1 is considered the acceptable standard among PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers. 

General Convenience

Suppose you aren’t that much into gaming. In that case, the slight resolution difference is not at all a problem, especially given the convenience that Chromecast offers.

After all, the integration of Google TV into Chromecast gives you a seamless viewing experience.

Since Google TV showcases Netflix, Disney+, AppleTV Plus, Spotify, and more, you won’t have to open these streaming apps to get to the shows you want.

Google TV’s machine learning mechanisms also allow the media you consume to be sorted according to your watch history.

This tailors the recommendations you get and keeps you excited about what’s next to see. 

Additionally, Google TV links to other Google products, such as the Google Nest. It even controls smart lighting appliances and smart speakers.

You can tap into Google Assistant and use voice control to get your desired content. 

You can also filter the type of content your children watch through the FamilyLink feature. All you have to do is set up a kids’ profile, and you’re good to go!

Through Google Chromecast, your home will feel like the home of the future. In addition, such a sophisticated device is generally very easy to set up.

With HDMI cables, on the other hand, you will see clumps of wires tangled together, and this can be pretty unsightly.

And if your device is too far, you still have to get an extender to watch your favorite shows. This is not a concern with Chromecast since everything is transmitted in the air. 

Is Chromecast Better Than HDMI Cable? Conclusion

Google TV’s viewing experience makes the Chromecast a genuinely worthwhile purchase. You don’t have to replace your HDMI cables if they are still working, but let’s be honest, Chromecast makes the delightful experience of watching TV even more delightful.