• expired

Vodafone TV - $72 Delivered @ Vodafone

3320
This post contains affiliate links. OzBargain might earn commissions when you click through and make purchases. Please see this page for more information.

Nice price on the Vodafone TV - going for half the usual price of $144.

Excellent bang for buck IMO:

  • FTA TV tuner (can record to USB)
  • Inbuilt ChromeCast (has been working great with Kayo)
  • Quality bluetooth remote (dedicated app buttons / tactile buttons / play and pause / numeric pad etc)
  • Ethernet
  • 2 year local warranty

Would snap one up if I didn't already have one ;)

Edit: Confirmed available in store too - thanks krouton24

Specs:

https://sites.google.com/view/droid-tv/pay-tv-provider/vodaf…

Review (USB recording added since review):

https://ausdroid.net/2018/06/04/vodafone-tv-ausdroid-review/

Credit to MrSpeaker72 on Whirlpool

Mod Update 29/12: Still available.

Referral Links

Referral: random (28)

Referrer & referee receive $25-$50 credit after referee's 3rd monthly bill.

Related Stores

Vodafone
Vodafone

closed Comments

      • +4

        Yep.

  • Will this replace WDTV perfectly in terms of playing downloaded content in various formats?

    • Yes

      • +1

        I came across feedback in forums that older TVs/AVRs that are not HDCP compliant 2.2 will not work with this box unfortunately. My plasma TV and AVR are 8 years old so I have a feeling this is going to be the case :(

        • If connected DIRECTLY to older TVs - it does work (for now). Connecting via HDCP 2.2 compliant receiver doesnt work. In this setup, it worked first time, but stopped working after firmware update. I have since ordered a cheap HDMI splitter (which conveniently strips off HDCP).

          • @r0nmac: How cheap was the splitter?
            I've got a Samsung screen that won't work with a Chromecast unless it's "warmed up" for an hour - seems like the signal is just out of expected range or something. Was thinking about spending up to $20 on a stripper (of the HDMI kind) to see if it fixes the problem.

            • @ssquid: The splitter itself was ~ $10. Hasn't been delivered yet.

          • @r0nmac: Just confirming that the splitter did the trick. I have set it up between the VodaTV & my Denon receiver.

            • @r0nmac: Can you please confirm what model HDMI splitter?
              I'm having the hdcp error between a late model Yamaha amp and Sony projector.

              HDMI input on the front of the amp works (as its a basic HDMI) but the back ones throw the error. Hoping to use a splitter to fix it. Thanks

    • +9

      WDTV

      Wow, haven’t heard that thing mentioned in years.

      • +7

        LOL it's still serving me well together with my 2010 Panny plasma which still refuses to die.

        • +1

          Hey, and I thought I was the only one who has something similar. My TV is still going strong and I will keep using this until it gives up

          • +2

            @ashdays: Lol same here - still rolling at 2008/09 Panasonic plasma - they are built so well (so heavy for moving also unfortunately).

        • I only replaced my WDTV last year with a mi box. Still have my 2008 Samsung LCD which refuses to die also.

    • Yes 10 times over! You must have the patience of a saint to be running a WDTV. That thing is so buggy and slooooowwwww.

  • +1

    Thank you! Got one

  • I'm coming from using a small Window PC as a streaming box, does the Kodi android app and smaller specs of this box actually make a difference?

    Also any idea it's easy to watch Optus Sport on this, or use Spotify?

    • +1

      It has a native Spotify app, and you can cast Optus Sport and use the remote to pause and play (we did have an Optus Sport app working nicely that was ripped from a Fire TV Stick, but a recent update killed it).

      • Nice - thanks!

        Have you used Kodi on this at all?

        • +2

          Yep - works well, but am leaning more towards Plex nowadays to make use of its Home and DVR features.

          • @kirt: So overall, a small Windows HTPC is still better?

            • +3

              @Kangal: Yeah it seems like still nothing beats a PC for compatibility, but I wouldn't subject the wife and kids to the keyboard and trackpad of the K400 (still love having a PC in the lounge though)!

            • @Kangal: Depends on where. I have nuc i5 in media room win10 Kodi and mi box in bedroom. We can stop movie in media room and resume on bedroom Kodi no issues. The nuc does 3D movies from ISO bluray backups. But lacks Netflix so have chrome cast ultra for Netflix in media room, I hate it was worse investment. Bedroom has Netflix YouTube Kodi will be replacing media room chromecast with a mi box. Have Sony android tv in living room does Kodi Netflix YouTube perfectly. No need for additional boxes. Except for ps or Xbox

              Have mi box in sons room on his hi sense tv and works great it attached by smoke alarm magnet kit to back of tv so very clean same as in bedroom, no need to see box as Bluetooth remote

              • +1

                @asa79: "backups"

              • @asa79: is there a reason why you don't have netflix on your windows 10 nuc?

                https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/p/netflix/9wzdncrfj3tj?activ…

                i'm undecided on whether to get a vtv or x64 based mini pc.

                • @[Deactivated]: You can't use netflix in Kodi as far as i'm aware unless thats changed in the last few months.

                  • @asa79: Need a beta Kodi, it's not 100% but works now. Have been using it for the last few weeks on a Win10 NUC. Unfortunately my NUC and amp aren't powering on after this morning's storm. Came here looking for a local Mi Box and found this…looks like I'm heading out to Vodafone tomorrow to pick one up.

                    Haven't used an Android box yet, anyone know if the Aussie FTA catchup apps work on Kodi on the Vodafone box?

                    • @OzBragain: Will check that out. That is only thing I have the chrome cast in media room

          • +1

            @kirt: Picked one up and it's a really good fit.

    • Kodi works the same as Windows you can hook up to MySQL to share library and watched states the same between mi box and Windows kodi

  • +1

    what the use case for this kind of device?

    • Trying to figure it out myself. Seems like a chromecast on steroids: FTA tuner and record to usb, Ethernet for reliability of connection. Not sure what else.

      • +5

        Buy first, work that out later..

      • i thought it isn't able to record

        • +1

          Recent software update allows the VTV to record FTA to USB.

    • It is basically a Mi Box with FTA capabilities.

      • Nope.

      • Had a bit of a play with it and so far not that impressed with the FTA capabilities. I was hoping to use it as a DVR but it seems flaky. Program guide is pretty bad. I can't see past the next 2 programs. NOt sure what's going on.

        • Glad it’s not just me! And you can’t see what’s on channels until you put it on a channel. For example to see ABC Kids’ programs in the guide you have to put it on one of the ABC channels then go back to to the guide.

          • +1

            @skywalka: That's how FTA/terrestrial TV episode guides work… they're encoded in the broadcast stream (repeated every few seconds) so you have to watch one of the sub-channels for a little while to "download" them.

            • @ssquid: In my case even if I watch the channel I'm not seeing any EPG info past the next program.

              On a sidenote - My old Topfield seems to download EPG info just fine without accessing any channels but my new TV doesn't and only works as you indicated above.

              • @gimme:

                In my case even if I watch the channel I'm not seeing any EPG info past the next program.

                That would be a software restriction. In the early days of digital TV the broadcast episode info only had now+next info (I think they were required to in order to comply with ratings guidelines?), but they switched to several days worth of info a long time ago. So the info is there, the app just isn't making use of it…

                Does your topfield have a network connection? It might be getting its EPG information from online somewhere (rather than over the air), or it might just be storing previously received information.

                • @ssquid: Software Restriction - Can someone confirm if Live Channels has this restriction? On the VodaTV material I've seen there's no mention of this.

                  As for Topfield - Yes it has a network connection but I suspect it's retaining EPG info until the next time it's updated (which is a nice feature to have).

                  • +1

                    @gimme:

                    Software Restriction - Can someone confirm if Live Channels has this restriction? On the VodaTV material I've seen there's no mention of this.

                    The latest Live Channels beta (released yesterday) has had the EPG info increased to 14 days for select users/devices:

                    Note the expanded program guide will only be available to some users on Stream+, MiBox, and Nvidia Shield, while we monitor the results.
                    More devices will be added over time

  • Purchased and excited! Replacing a PS3 for network streaming from UMS

  • Did the remote have headphone jack like roku?

    • +1

      No

  • Does anyone know if it has a built in genuine Chromecast (not Miracast)? I want something that my Google Home can control with regards to watching TV, YouTube etc. I have a Samsung smart TV and my phone can cast to it but the Google Home refuses to admit it's existence.

    • +3

      Literally the second dot point in the OP.

      It’s offical Chromexast with updates from Google via the PlayStore.

      • -1

        Nope it's not full chromecast

        • What does that mean?

          • @skywalka: its Google Cast, its a cut down version.

            Which is why you cant cast netflix to it, but you can still cast youtube and stan etc

              • @ssquid: That was in Oct, do we know if that has been rolled out tho?
                Would be great as netflix is only reason i still ahve a chromecast ultra
                and will be available on the android TV 7 as mi and shield at android TV 8

              • @ssquid: Nope, I just tested on my Mi box with last update of last week, and google home still said doesnt support android tv for netflix streaming, please use the remote

        • +1

          Never go full chromecast…

    • Google cast. So does YouTube, stan, Spotify. Just not Netflix at moment

  • Hope their warehouse is ready for the surge

  • I have a 1080p tv in the bedroom connected to a 2.0 Yamaha sound bar. Been looking for an all-in-one media box that has a FTA tuner, Netflix, Prime, twitch, plex, foxtel now and dedicated remote. VTV looks to tick all those boxes (requires sideloading some of the apps).

    Just confirming this isn’t an overkill for my requirement and there isn’t a cheaper alternative on the market?

    • +2

      Buy it. You won't get anything better for the same price. I have two of these which I bought at retail price and couldn't be happier.

  • I assume this is an Android media box? Hence, I can install Plex from playstore?
    What about Xiao Mi Box? Can it also run Plex in a same way?
    Which one would you recommend for Plex client?

    • This, mi boxes are garbage

    • Get this, plex install from the play store, same with Kodi. I prefer to use Kodi with the Plex add-on, which has been rock solid for months locally and when viewing remotely.

    • I have a Roku for Plex. Haven’t played with my VTV much yet. The Roku remote outshines the VTV remote for rewinding etc. (This may not matter if you can get an all in one remote which is something I need to research.) I believe Telstra TV is a rebranded Roku.

  • +2

    Thank you! Ordered to replace my struggling Nexus player.

  • Can this work on a laptop?

    • On a laptop? You mean output to a laptop? Not unless the laptop had HDMI in (which it wouldn’t).

    • Laptop could chromecast certain stuff to this box

  • +1

    Anyone know if one can get rid of the Vodafone logo on the home screen of the device?

    • I don't believe so.

  • +1

    Thanks! Ordered. Even though I have an AppleTV, I'm not using it much, except for Netflix. Ditto my Fetch Mighty, except that als0 provides me with FTA and recording. This should be able to replace the fetch (thus saving a LOT of space) and maybe even the appleTV.

    • As someone who returned this device at launch and Brought an Apple TV, trust me, the Apple TV won’t be going anywhere.

  • The recording feature and chromecast ability is quite good at this price, but its a shame that it doesnt support all the free to air catchup tv apps like 9 and SBS. Was thinking of grabbing a fetch tv mini as this does have all of those plus some interesting subscription channels, but at $169 ($135 when good guys has 20% ebay deal) its still a fair bit more than this. No recording or Kodi either. Amazon fire stick is also an option ($69) as can easily sideload Kodi, Stan etc, and obviously has the Prime app built in, but last i tried SBS didnt work very well and also no recording. Likely will be on special for $49 on black friday though, so cheapest of the bunch

    • Picture suggests iView and tenplay is available, so why not the other apps?

    • +2

      Word on the street is that native Android TV apps for both 9now and SBS are being developed, and will be available early next year.

      In the mean time, those apps can be cast.

  • Can you use this device similar to the Hdhomerun for the plex TV feature functionality?

  • +1

    Chromecast on Mibox is bad when casting video from a PC using Chrome. Constant ghosting and color distortion. I wonder if tbis has similar issues

  • Is this available in store too?

    • Just picked one from in store for the 50% deal.

  • If only had Amazon Prime..

  • +2

    Can anyone confirm if this is 4k compatible? I.e. is it a good alternative to a Chromecast ultra?

    • I have one and i can confirm its 4k compatible with HDR support as well. Chromecast works like a breeze with the VTV.

      • Does it allow Dolby Atmos or DTS-X audio? Obviously it will passthrough normal 5.1. Strange that even on the Vodafone page it doesn't give any detailed info about the box.

    • Chromecast does Netflix streams

    • The Vodafone guy described it to me pretty well.

      It's basically a Chromcast Ultra with an interface and remote.

  • When I go to checkout it says "Keeping your existing number. Once your order arrives, we'll help you transfer your number across." Do you have to have or sign up for a Vodafone service to use this???

    • +1

      No you don't have to be a Vodafone customer to buy and use this - just click "Continue" on that screen.

      • Cheers, ordered.

  • Can someone help me out as I'm a noob.

    I have a small Synology full of torrented videos.
    My 2016 LG tv manages to browse and playback all of the videos flawlessly without the need for any app or dongle. I have a second non-smart tv I want to be able to watch my videos.

    I tried Chromecast but struggled to stream anything and hated using my phone to control it. Also tried a Roku dongle using Plex which often never started the videos up.

    Given that this is a bigger device, higher specs and ethernet I feel like this would suffice. What apps would I be using on the Vodafone TV or would it natively pickup my Synology videos for playback?

    Thanks

    • +2

      Kodi, or else try Plex or VLC.

    • Try Plex. Love it on my Xbox!

Login or Join to leave a comment