Chromecast with Google TV ushered in an entirely new streaming experience for Android TV when it launched in September 2020. Although the Google TV interface has made its way to a considerable number of smart TVs, it is only available on certain streaming sticks and boxes. ,
Thankfully, a Chinese company called Mecool introduced its own Google TV-certified streaming dongle in April. If you’re looking for a Chromecast with Google TV alternative, the Mecool KD3 checks all the boxes, though it suffers from the same shortcomings as Google’s dated streamer.
In the two weeks I’ve been using the Streaming Stick, I’ve found it can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. When you pair this with an excellent remote that includes a few more dedicated buttons for your favorite streaming services, the KD3 becomes a worthy rival to the best Google TV-compatible streaming sticks and boxes money can buy.
Mecool KD3: Price and Availability
Mecool KD3 Box (Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)
Mecool on April 20 announced the KD3, running Android TV OS 11. The stick costs $63 in the United States and can be purchased directly from Mecool’s online storefront. If you choose to purchase the product through Amazon, it costs $80.
Luckily, the company is offering Android Central readers a 15% discount. By entering the code KD3MECOOL on the Mecool website, you can get the KD3 for a low price.
The company said the product ships in the US, EU and UK markets.
Today’s Best Mecool KD3 Android TV Streaming Stick Deals
Mecool KD3: What I Like
Mecool KD3 Remote (Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)
The KD3 comes in a fairly compact package. Its design is monotonous, which is fine because it’s not something to look at all the time. The dongle itself has got some weight, which gives it a solid feel despite its small size. It plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port, just like Google’s streamer. If you have trouble plugging a dongle into your TV’s HDMI port, the KD3 comes with an HDMI extension cable to help you.
Most sticks are also matte plastic, with a shiny stripe in the center with the Mecool logo on one end and a power indicator light on the other. A micro USB port on the back connects to the included USB power cable, which you can use to turn on the dongle by plugging in an AC adapter.
However, in my case, I didn’t need the AC adapter, as it worked flawlessly on the built-in USB port of my TCL Union TV. This eliminates the need for an extra wire when using a streaming dongle, which is always a plus.
Like Chromecast with Google TV, it includes support for 4K streaming at up to 60fps, HDR10 content, as well as Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Google TV home screen on KD3 (Image credit: Android Central)
Mecool did an excellent job of adapting Google’s G10 reference design for the remote and adding a few more buttons. While the remote looks similar to many streaming devices or Android TVs, it has a lot more buttons than a Chromecast with a Google TV remote.
Of course, the remote wouldn’t be complete without the Google Assistant button that allows you to talk to the voice assistant. It’s noticeably faster here than Google’s media device, though that’s probably because the latter is getting older.
The KD3 supports Apple TV, which Chromecast with Google TV still lacks.
As always, there are power, input, and volume buttons for your TV. It should be noted that the volume buttons function as expected thanks to HDMI-CEC support and an IR blaster configuration, so you won’t need to use your TV’s included remote to adjust volume.
At the bottom are dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. You can’t help but quick access to the major streaming platforms they offer, and as someone who uses Netflix and YouTube frequently, shortcuts come in handy.
If you have an Apple TV subscription, you’ll be pleased to know that the KD3 supports Apple’s streaming service. This is something that, even after a few years, the Chromecast with Google TV is still lacking.
Google TV App Library (Image Credit: Android Central)
In addition, you will see a unique Profile button to the left of the Assistant button. You won’t typically find this button on the included remote of many great streaming devices, and its presence on the KD3’s included remote is likely in preparation for a future rollout of personalized Google TV profiles.
When you press that button, the profile chooser appears, allowing you to switch between your main profile and the child’s profile. However, you won’t find it very useful until Google introduces personalized profiles. However, it is encouraging to see Mecool develop media tools for the future.
Speaking of future-proofing, the KD3 is powered by an Amlogic S905Y4 chipset, a new type of processor with support for AV1 encoded content. This video streaming codec is not currently available on many streaming services.
The KD3 is secure in the future with an Amlogic S905Y4 chipset and a unique profile button.
However, compared to the more popular HEVC and H.264 standards, it offers a superior compression system that should allow for significant data efficiency savings without compromising video quality. As a result, it is poised to become a more ideal standard in the future as video content adopts higher frame rates and 8K resolution.
One more thing: Mecool also deserves a pat on the back for accomplishing what Google failed to do with Chromecast with Google TV. One advantage of the KD3 over Chromecast with Google TV is expandable storage. While the streamer has the same 8GB of internal storage as Google’s media devices, you can officially expand that space with a $9 OTG cable. This enables you to connect the flash drive to the cable’s USB port for additional storage space.
Mecool OTG Cable (Image Credit: Mecool)
In all these key areas, KD3 does its job well. The setup process is simple, the menus and apps are easy to navigate, and the video content is excellent.
The Google TV experience is similar to that of the Chromecast, and I had no trouble launching apps on the streamer. As expected, KD3 did a good job of curating content based on what I often see.
Another advantage is that the streaming stick’s operating system is a generation ahead of Chromecast with Google TV. However, the dongle still has the February 2022 security patch, and Mecool hasn’t revealed when the latest security update will be released.
Mecool KD3: What I Don’t Like
Mecool KD3 (Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)
I wish Mecool added the ability to map its buttons to its future streaming devices. However, while this feature isn’t common in other media devices, the ability to customize the remote’s button functions is always useful.
While you can’t officially remap buttons, you can always download and install third-party apps from the Play Store. I’m using the Button Mapper app to change how some buttons work. For example, I remapped the home button for things like taking screenshots in addition to navigating to the home screen.
8GB of storage space is not enough due to the large storage space consumed by the system itself.
I would also like to see that KD3’s successors come with larger built-in storage. The KD3 suffered from the same app install limitation as the Chromecast with Google TV, which didn’t sit well with customers. 8GB of storage space alone is clearly not enough, and right off the bat, only half of it is left for your apps and files, as the system itself consumes large storage space.
If you’ve subscribed to multiple streaming services, you may want to consider the NVIDIA Shield TV, which comes with more storage. While there is an official solution to this shortcoming with Mecool’s dongle, being able to install as many apps as you want without running into such limitation is always a plus.
Mecool KD3: Competition
(image credit: Android Central)
The KD3 is a solid challenger to the Chromecast with Google TV if you don’t mind paying more for some of the features available in the latter. That means Mecool’s streaming stick faces competition from more popular brands that cost less. At $50, Google’s hardware may still be the better choice for some consumers, except it’s already a bit dated.
Perhaps the KD3’s closest competitor is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, which supports 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Atmos for just $50. It includes an Alexa-powered voice remote and offers the same 8GB of storage. The two differ only in the software they run.
You might also be interested in the TiVo Stream 4K, which is another Android TV-powered device that supports 4K resolution, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. It also includes the TiVo Stream app, which provides personalized content based on your subscription. The best part is that it’s only $49.
Mecool KD3: Should You Buy It?
Mecool KD3 Remote and Box (Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)
You should buy it if…
- You like to stream content in 4K at 60fps, HDR, and Dolby Vision
- You want an interface that does a great job of curating content
- You are looking for an option to increase storage space
- You want an all-in-one remote
- You watch a lot of Apple TV content
You shouldn’t buy it if…
- You don’t want to pay more than you need for other options
- You want more than 8GB of fixed internal storage
- You Want to Watch Content in Dolby Vision HDR
- You Hate the MicroUSB Port
At $63, it’s hard to recommend this product as a better buy than the Chromecast with Google TV. The KD3 also isn’t typical-heavy like the NVIDIA Shield TV 4K, which has everything you could ask for in a streaming device. But when it comes to helping you find content, it’s an excellent choice.
Google I/O 2022 is in full swing, which means a slew of new updates to the search giant’s TV operating system. We’ll have to wait and see how the KD3 holds up as we expect to add more streaming devices to the interface in the coming months. While the streamer is a worthy challenger to Google’s hardware, it’s far from giving it a run for its money.
Mecool KD3 Android TV Streaming Stick
If you’re looking for a streaming device that supports 4K, HDR10 content, Dolby Vision, and Atmos, as well as an excellent remote, the Mecool KD3 Android TV Streaming Stick with Google TV is a worthy alternative to Chromecast. It works well and has some future-proofing features, such as support for the AV1 standard.
