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Smart TVs & Google Home: 13 Answers (For Beginners)

Doing searches on a smart TV without an external keyboard can be a chore, particularly when hovering the cursor to type on the on-screen keyboard. But with the advent of smart homes and voice commands, you can perform searches in a more intuitive way.

Thanks to voice commands and smart speakers like the Google Home, you can do away with the cumbersome task of typing searches and instead dictate what you want your TV to do.

Facts about Smart TVs and Google Home.

Google Home is a set of smart speakers you can use with Google Assistant. You can integrate your smart TV into your Google Home for better voice command interactivity using Chromecast or Google Assistant, which are built into many modern smart TVs.

1. What is Google Home?

Google Home is the proprietary smart speaker system of Google, made to help you interact with compatible devices in your house or office.

While it can play music, the primary purpose of Google Home is to serve as the “ears” of the Google Assistant so that it can execute commands you input through voice.

Although Google markets this product now as Google Pebble, Google Home remains a more popular phrasing.

Check also our article on how Smart TVs work with voice assistants.

2. What is the Difference Between Google Home and the Google Assistant?

Google Home is the hardware you need to use to input commands into the Google Assistant.

The Google Assistant is software that interprets voice commands and executes them based on keywords.

If you are familiar with Amazon’s smart home system, the Google Home speakers are the Amazon Echo counterpart, while Google Assistant is the Alexa equivalent.

3. Do All Smart TVs Work with Google Home?

Not all smart TVs work with Google Home.

The notable smart TV brands that work with Google Home are Sony, Samsung, and LG.

But not all of their TVs are compatible with Google Home. Compatibility with Google Home is often a feature of higher-end smart models from these brands.

You’ll need to check to make sure your model is Google Home compatible.

4. Is Google Home Built into Smart TVs?

Google Home is a separate device that cannot be built into a smart TV.

What you can find installed on some smart TVs is the Google Assistant, which can talk to your Google Home.

You can do so much with the system – you can even control your Ikea lights with Google Home.

5. What Are the Best Smart TVs to Use with Google Home?

Google provides a list of smart TV series that are compatible with Google Home on its product site.

If you are interested in buying a smart TV to link with your smart home system, here are some recommendations.

LG CX

The LG CX packs in premium quality at a surprisingly affordable price.

This smart TV comes with OLED, has wide viewing angles, and works in different lighting conditions. Topping it off is its 4k resolution, which gives you the best images at a price point that’s more affordable than most flagship smart TVs.

When it comes to smart home integration, the LG CX works with Google Assistant and even Alexa. That means you can test both systems to see which ones work best for you.

Samsung Q80T

If you’re not a fan of OLED displays but want an exceptionally clear image quality, then look for the Samsung  Q80T.

The Q80T is a 4k LED smart TV that features an impressive color calibration, wide viewing angles, and works well in different lighting conditions.

For its smart home integration, the Q80T features Google Assistant, as well as Alexa.

Sony A8H

If there’s any smart TV that’s guaranteed to work with Google Home, it’s the Sony A8H.

That’s because the A8H uses the Android TV OS, the smart TV platform by Google.

While not all Android TVs are compatible with Google Home, this smart TV comes preloaded with the Google Assistant software, making it the perfect match for Google Home.

The A8H comes with 4k resolution, an OLED display, wide viewing angles, and remarkable color calibration.

Like the CX and Q80T, the A8H is also compatible with Alexa.

For more information, check out our article 4 Smart TVs Compatible With Google Home.

6. Can You Use a Chromecast with Google Home?

Google Home can connect to your TV via Chromecast.

In fact, Google Home needs Chromecast to enable the link between your TV and the Google Home speakers.

And you stand to have more control when your smart TV has Chromecast built into it since you get to access other commands.

7. How Do You Connect Your Smart TV to Google Home?

Before attempting to connect your smart TV and Google Home, you should check a couple of things.

  • First, your smart TV will need to have Chromecast built into it, or a Chromecast dongle plugged into any HDMI input on your TV.
  • The next thing you should do is make sure your smart TV or Chromecast and Google Home are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or use the same Google account.

Now you’re ready to connect your smart TV and Google Home. 

  • Open your Google Chromecast on your smart TV to proceed with the setup.
  • Then open the Google Home app on your smartphone.
  • Click the Plus sign on top.
  • Select Set up device, then click on “Set up new devices in your Home.”
  • Choose the Home you want to use, or create a new one. Your smartphone will then search for the Chromecast-enabled TV.
  • Once your TV is discovered, click on next and confirm if the code displayed on the TV matches what the app shows.
  • Click on yes and agree to proceed.
  • You will be asked if you want to send anonymous data to improve the user experience. You can decline if you are uncomfortable with the idea.
  • Select a room to tag your TV, then click next.
  • Connect the Chromecast via Wi-Fi through prompts on the screen.
  • Click on Next to link Chromecast to your Google account.

You will be promoted for more steps that will depend on your smart TV to complete the Chromecast setup.

8. Can I Control My Samsung TV via Google Home?

Google Home can control select Samsung smart TVs.

If your Samsung smart TV has a built-in Chromecast, you won’t have a problem using Google Home to control your TV.

9. Can I Use Google Home as a Speaker for My Smart TV?

You can use a Google Home speaker for your smart TV, but you need to be connected via Chromecast to use it—either the Chromecast system built into your TV or a Chromecast dongle.

While you can use it for streaming audio, you won’t get the same results as using a dedicated soundbar.

10. What Are the Most Used Google Home Commands for Smart TVs?

All Google Home commands begin with Hey Google, followed by a particular string of keywords that the Google Assistant recognizes.

The most used commands are:

“Hey Google, turn off the TV.”

“Hey Google, play (name of show) on (name of device)”

11. Do You Need a Smart Home Hub for Google Home?

The Google Home speakers do not have smart home hub connectivity.

But you can opt for Google’s latest version of its smart speakers, the Nest and Nest Mini, which already feature smart home hub connectivity.

12. Can You Use Any Speakers with Google Assistant?

Not all speakers can work with Google Assistant.

But if you plan on getting a set of speakers for the Google Assistant, here are some options:

  • Sonos One, second generation
  • Sonos Arc soundbar
  • Lenovo Smart Display
  • Lenovo Smart Clock
  • Sony XB501G
  • JBL Link Portable
  • Polk Audio Assist

13. Is Google Home Better than the Amazon Echo?

Both home systems are competitive, and deciding between the Google Home and the Amazon Echo depends on your preference.

  • When it comes to ease of use, Google Home is better if you want a simple, straightforward system. Meanwhile, Amazon Echo is better if you want to do a deep dive into all the possibilities that Alexa can bring to your smart home system—it’s a lot.
  • It also depends on what interface you like the best. Do you use a lot of Google and Android products? Then the Google Home should fit right into your world. If you are more of an Amazon junkie, or you use a Fire TV Stick, then the Alexa might be the right fit.
  • Because Google Home is connected to Google, the most powerful search engine in the world, it’s better at answering questions like, “Hey Google, what’s the capital of Belarus?” (It’s Minsk.)

Sources:

Everything you want to know about Google Home

How to use Google Assistant and Chromecast to control your TV by voice

How To Use The Google Home Mini As TV Speaker

Amazon Echo vs. Google Home: Which Smart Speaker Is Best?

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