Because of HDMI-CEC. The dongle can control things on the TV via this technology. This product specifically has a remote that I believe only interacts via HDMI-CEC.
I don't know if it's possible for the HDMI-CEC to pass through a receiver to the TV itself for this purpose.
Yes, that’s a feature in many receivers. My older Chromecast turns on the receiver, sets the receiver input, and turns on the TV. I’m guessing this new one would work perfectly fine, too.
You definitely can plug it into a receiver's HDMI input port and work well. That quote only means if you still have a TV that only takes analog inputs or something, then you won't be able to plug the Chromecast in.
Re:Google TV
by compsciphd on Thursday October 01, 2020 @08:19AM
(#24650031)
even if plugged into a receiver, the new chromecast doesn't passthrough/bitstream hd audio (dts-ma/dts-x, true-hd/atmos). which means I probably will not be getting it.
How come nearly all video dongles want you to plug them into an HDMI port on your TV? Wouldn't it make more sense to plug them in to an HDMI port on your A/V receiver?
Unless you have a fairly recent TV and receiver, the TV can only send up to 5.1 DTS or Dolby compressed audio to the receiver, due to bandwidth limits of ARC. You need a system with eARC if you want to handle more, like Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and the like, or uncompressed 5.1.
Also, with all video sources going through the receiver, it is one less remote to deal with. The only function you need on the TV is power on/power off, and one of your other remotes almost certainly will know or be able to be taught the TV's on/off code.
Another advantage of that approach is that you don't have a need, after initial setup, to look at any of the control or setting or information screens of your TV, which means if you've got a Smart TV that has started festooning those screes with ads, you don't see them.