Google Play vs. YouTube for streaming movies

[sea2000]

I've read in this forum that the quality of streaming is inferior on Google Play compared to YouTube (via the Purchases page).

First, is this still true?

Second, are the prints themselves the same on GP and YT? I spend a fair amount of time testing movies on each streaming provider to determine which one has the best master, since they vary in quality so much.

Obviously, I could go in and start comparing, but I'm hoping someone will already have the answer and share it here for others. Thanks in advance.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by sea2000

I've read in this forum that the quality of streaming is inferior on Google Play compared to YouTube (via the Purchases page).

First, is this still true?

Second, are the prints themselves the same on GP and YT? I spend a fair amount of time testing movies on each streaming provider to determine which one has the best master, since they vary in quality so much.

Obviously, I could go in and start comparing, but I'm hoping someone will already have the answer and share it here for others. Thanks in advance.

Youtube is indeed superior visually. I think they use a higher bit rate.

[Ranja81]

I can never get youtube movies to go past 480p. I have tons of films and the only one on youtube that goes past 480p is Creed 2, this is on firestick, Roku, panasonic TV app and more. The only way I get movies to play in HD is casting youtube to a chromecast.

It's impossible to tell what resolution Google Play apps play at but I assume they play at 1080p or above.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Ranja81

I can never get youtube movies to go past 480p. I have tons of films and the only one on youtube that goes past 480p is Creed 2, this is on firestick, Roku, panasonic TV app and more. The only way I get movies to play in HD is casting youtube to a chromecast.

It's impossible to tell what resolution Google Play apps play at but I assume they play at 1080p or above.

Aren’t you just forgetting to change the resolution in the settings to 720p or 1080p? You can buy movies in YouTube full HD so I don’t see the problem?

[Ranja81]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Aren’t you just forgetting to change the resolution in the settings to 720p or 1080p? You can buy movies in YouTube full HD so I don’t see the problem?

No. It doesn't give me the option. It only goes up to 480p, not sure if it's because I'm in the UK and some of my movies have migrated from movies anywhere but it does it on movies purchased through Google play as well.

[IronSoldier]

Originally Posted by Ranja81

No. It doesn't give me the option. It only goes up to 480p, not sure if it's because I'm in the UK and some of my movies have migrated from movies anywhere but it does it on movies purchased through Google play as well.

It depends on the device and drm compliance for quality available. Google/Youtube movies and tv shows are rather touchy or have limited options sadly.

I'd personally stream using Youtube however

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by IronSoldier

It depends on the device and drm compliance for quality available. Google/Youtube movies and tv shows are rather touchy or have limited options sadly.

I'd personally stream using Youtube however

My girlfriend played back a digital copy of John Wick 2 in 1080p Youtube via the PS4 so I’m guessing consoles are good.

[stargazeruk]

Originally Posted by IronSoldier

It depends on the device and drm compliance for quality available. Google/Youtube movies and tv shows are rather touchy or have limited options sadly.

I'd personally stream using Youtube however

I can defiantly vouch for that. Also Google can at some point allow the device to have higher playback quality on store content.

My LGTV was originally HD all they way now it allows 4K playback.
My Samsung UHD player only allowed 480p and now does 1080p.

My Phillips UHD player which has Youtube HDR only does 480p. Odd think is Lionsgate UK films are allowed to be played in 1080p only.

Hoping they remove that restriction on my Phillips and allow UHD playback at some point in the future.

[vonDubenshire]

Originally Posted by Ranja81

I can never get youtube movies to go past 480p. I have tons of films and the only one on youtube that goes past 480p is Creed 2, this is on firestick, Roku, panasonic TV app and more. The only way I get movies to play in HD is casting youtube to a chromecast.

It's impossible to tell what resolution Google Play apps play at but I assume they play at 1080p or above.

Buy a Chromecast Ultra and you will never use anything else.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/..._smart_tv_and/

[Alan Gordon]

I got the notification that Google Play Music is shutting down this year in favor of YouTube Music.

I wonder how long until Google Play Movies & TV is shut down in favor of YouTube?

[vonDubenshire]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

I got the notification that Google Play Music is shutting down this year in favor of YouTube Music.

I wonder how long until Google Play Movies & TV is shut down in favor of YouTube?

I can confirm there is no way. Play Music always needed to move to YouTube, they just did it slowly and it's finally come together.

Play Movies is actually way more advanced in developing things for Chromecast and they actually have a good following. Plus, the Family Library is amazing and necessary which YouTube doesn't support.

[Ranja81]

I think devices that use the web app only allow 480p playback, I'm pretty certain of it.

[shueardm]

I know that using the YouTube app from my SONY UHD player the max I get is 480p ( crazy )
Switch to the Google Play app on Chromecast and it's 4K ( for applicable titles )

[disco mixx kidd]

Anyway To get movies from either of these in HDR 5.1??

[vonDubenshire]

My biggest issue is YouTube purchases cannot be family shared.

But if purchased in Google Play Movies, it will share and be available in YouTube.

[Eidolon]

Does streaming direct from GooglePlay allow 24p playback? Youtube doesn't, and converts it to 30fps, complete with irritating jerkiness.

[vonDubenshire]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

Does streaming direct from GooglePlay allow 24p playback? Youtube doesn't, and converts it to 30fps, complete with irritating jerkiness.

Yes, but what are you using to play it?

I have a TCL 6 with Roku but I don't use the Roku aspect.

The Chromecast Ultra can play anything from any app, it's only limited by your TV quality and capabilities. I think the Nvidia Shield is the same way.

[Eidolon]

Originally Posted by vonDubenshire

Yes, but what are you using to play it?

I have a TCL 6 with Roku but I don't use the Roku aspect.

The Chromecast Ultra can play anything from any app, it's only limited by your TV quality and capabilities. I think the Nvidia Shield is the same way.

If I was using GooglePlay, it would be via a web browser on my laptop. Unless there's an app for the Firestick or Playstation that I don't know about.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

Unless there's an app for the Firestick or Playstation that I don't know about.

Closest thing would be watching your purchases on either through the YouTube app. Or try and sideload Google Services & Play Movies to the Fire, but I'm not sure how well that works.

[vonDubenshire]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

If I was using GooglePlay, it would be via a web browser on my laptop. Unless there's an app for the Firestick or Playstation that I don't know about.

I have compared TV apps. Most are always inferior to Cast. There's a reason I recommend it. Apps suck.

Originally Posted by shueardm

I know that using the YouTube app from my SONY UHD player the max I get is 480p ( crazy )
Switch to the Google Play app on Chromecast and it's 4K ( for applicable titles )

As I said above, this is why I only use Chromecast. Apps on Apple TV will stay updated, and now Nvidia Shield and Google are making Android TV apps good again (no thanks to Sony never updating it on their TVs giving it a bad name but Google is rebranding it September 30)