Appears to have been priced dropped again from $147 to $127. Currently is the cheapest offering of the major retailers, with everyone else running at it's ticket price of $159. Looks like there is a fair bit of stock in the major metro areas according to https://officeworks.youinstock.com.au/search/goa05662au.
Of course this! Not much app support and too much hassle to side load android app on fire tv platform.
yep, agreed
I sideloaded Smarttube on my Fire TV Max and all I had to do was press About in Settings and then it enabled developer settings after 5 clicks and click enable sideloading.
Yes me too, and the process is identical to that on the google sticks - I also loaded smarttube on a 4k chromecast with google TV
I thought smarttube stopped working? I deleted it after a few weeks of it not being fixed
Amazon are making it harder and harder to sideload apps. They are restricting their devices to keep showing ads. I would stay away.
And thats Being stoped soon with the New os coming out
I beg to differ. Just got Fire TV Stick 4k Max from another deal and sideloading was super simple - get Downloader from the amazon store, enable dev mode, then enable 3rd party sources, done.
not true. Side loading is just as easy as this. I have done it on both, and I prefer the firestick's interface.
Not hard to sideload at all. I use an app called localsend which easily allows you to send files directly from your phone to any fireTV device. It's super quick and seamless.
Easily FireTV unless there's some app you need that doesn't work when sideloaded.
Google should be embarrassed releasing these specs in 2024.
https://www.aftvnews.com/2024-google-tv-streamer-benchmark-s…
Fire TV if you want/need full fat sound support via Kodi. I use my Fire TV Cube 3 all the time, very snappy.
I am wondering whether VLC has the same sound quality.
Agreed - turning into apple before our eyes
How so? The Apple TVs have absolutely insane specs and performance. One of the best value Apple devices.
If you don’t need APKs I’d recommend an AppleTV.
@PainToad: Apple TV is Apple price $198 https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/apple-tv-4…
@Euthyphro: This is Ozbargain - We don't pay full price. You'd likely be looking at about $165($40 difference) buying the base model on sale.
@PainToad: I need APKs
The apple tv is solid. Don't know of a android device that can do 4 screens of kayo. Probably the shield but never owned one
@Whatisthatvelvet: Need tivimate premium. I'm more impressed that his provider supported 9 concurrent streans.
@kazer: Well there you go. Have had premium for years but never knew it existed. Mind you I've never really had the need to. Thanks
@Whatisthatvelvet: From memory mhen you are in a channel, long press / go into menu and select multi screen. I'm on premium version BTW, which is well worth the money.
@Pete Gabitas: Thanks. Yeah found it. After all these years of having premium never knew it was there ha
@PainToad: Almost got the Apple TV until I find out no full Stremio support and no official PS RemotePlay, which is deal breaker.
@PainToad: Apple have always been closed, Google has always been open. Google is closing everything down recently.
I must say the new Google TV Streamer 4K is allot more snappy and responsive compared to the Chromecast 4K which is listed as 'very similar' on that CPU benchmark score, perhaps there is some hardware/GPU offloading going on I'm not too sure but it runs much better!
I was also rather worried about the lack of 'audio passthrough' to my amp (Eg, DD, DTS..etc) on this device but I've been using plex to play movies and it would appear the Google TV Streamer must do the decoding and pass it to the amp as surround sound/multi-speaker is still working just fine although the amp is not reporting DTS/DD..etc.. Originally I though you might not get surround sound or centre channel might not work. Etc.. but all seems to be working flawlessly so far…
UPDATE: I just read the article the benchmark above was from on the AFTVnews site and this is what they say about it…
"As I’ve done for the last 9 years of benchmarking streaming devices, it’s important to first remind you that benchmark scores often fail to reflect a device’s real-world performance accurately. This appears to be especially true for the Google TV Streamer, which feels snappier than the numbers below would suggest. It’s unclear whether this is due to optimizations in Android TV 14, which the Google TV Streamer is the first to use, or its ample 4GB of RAM providing plenty of memory headroom, but the device seems smoother and speedier than others with significantly more processing power."
From what I've read though it wont pass through Plex Movies that are encoded in True HD Atmos and sends it to the Amp as PCM so not a big deal if you don't have an Atmos receiver but if you do then the Streamer won't work and I still use the NVidia Shield Pro
@icanfly: Cheers for that, I don't have an True HD Atmos receiver so might not be able to check this for you sorry, I also tried to find any movies with True HD Atmos but could not find any yet.. I'll see if I can find something to try out and see if it works… From what you've read do you still get surround sound (multi-chanel audio) or is there an issue when playing True HD Atmos encoded files?
I was originally worried reading it did not 'passthrough' but since getting it I've found it to work 100% so far with any thing I've played to date even though the amp is not decoding the audio it seems fine/working to me so far…
It really does depend on what you're using it for.
The Amazon cube has more raw power, allows xbox streaming, easy sideloading of apps. However, no 4K Binge/Kayo and a home screen UI that is unpleasant.
The Google Streamer has a better UI, allows 4K Binge/Kayo, easy sideloading of apps, but uses a weak CPU.
Any way to use a different home screen UI, e.g. a launcher like on android phones?
No. Amazon disabled it. B*stards.
You sure about no Kayo? I'm certain I saw it pop up on the FireTV stick I setup for a mate on the weekend.
Amazon devices have access to Kayo/Binge, but not the 4K versions.
No 4k even with sideloading?
Or is that what you're saying
The app no longer works side-loaded. One wonders why the Hubbl apps are gimped on Amazon devices, given the superior hardware.
The cube is a device that can likely handle 4 kayo multi-streams like the Apple TV.
@sinners007: annoying it is gimped on amazon devices, and annoying that it doesn't work sideloaded anymore. Everyone sucks!
However, no 4K Binge/Kayo and a home screen UI that is unpleasant.
These are significant limitations for me.
Fire TV if you enjoy tweaking and customising and knowing all the settings of your apps. This of you want to turn it on and forget about it.
Have they fixed the compatibility issue with Kayo yet?
Yep seems all fine now.
well it cant do 4k kayo still
It seems to still have a bug where you sometimes get a 'too many simultaneous streams' error. But waiting a bit or rebooting fixes that. It definitely plays the 4k stream.
All that said - if Kayo is very important to you I'd keep that in mind.
I'm sure they will launch HD version with lower price and this do be under $99 soon
I'm sure Google rebrand their entire TV lineup device branding yet again.
Upcoming
Alphabet TV
Pixel TV
Nest TV
Too logical and consistent with other product naming. Name needs to be more confusing for consumers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if future generations are unfamiliar with ‘TV’
It’s such a retro name ripe for a rebrand
Anyone with this care to share how good this is? Having a pixel phone, I understand specs aren't always everything as they manage to make it quite snappy on fairly average hardware.
It's a decent product.
I had the older chromecast with Google TV 4k before getting this and it's noticeably faster compared to the older model - more so than the specs would suggest.
The biggest reason i upgraded was for AV1 hardware decoding - which the older model didn't have. (but i also had Google credit leftover + Google bday voucher - which is why i got it)
In saying all that, it's still very disappointing from a performance standpoint compared to offerings from Apple & Amazon. But it doesn't feel laggy. I wish it was faster for how long this update took.
Got one of these for "free" after buying a Pixel 9 and getting the bonus credit. It's junk.
Slow to load and constant issues with the Plex app. Maybe at $49 it's worth your money.
The Plex app is notoriously rubbish, blaming Google for that is a bit harsh. Your frustration is with the developer not the hardware.
Loading the Play Store is slow. It's a disappointing device for the price.
no wifi 6, uses older wifi .. pass
Bro has 1000 devices in his home
is the wifi your current bottle neck or your wifi plan LUL
Just saying at all my TVs in the house I have ethernet so this is not an issue. The device has ethernet.
Having said that 4K full fat movies has never been an issue for me on the older device either but I have 2 Ubiquiti access points in the house so excellent WiFi.
WiFi 5 can do about 200Mbps if it's good. Really should be enough.
Agree, wifi is fine.
I recently got some better quality HDMI cables (8k uGreen) and got a 1m male to female cable to allow better placement of the GTV. The signal wasn't as good having it under/behind the soundbar with the real short cable. has increased the signal by 1/4 bars according to the router summary.
I'd like to try and change the placement of my GTV. Do you have a link to a cable that will can allow it to be repositioned?
Guys, what does this do that Firestick 4K doesn't?
Cost double
I bought one of these to replace a firestick 4k and reckon its a step up. Good range of apps including Kodi. Havent tried the fire cube.
Wish it's 64gb or more. So we could download games. Now that they ditched stadia
Are there any streaming devices that support the full HDMI 2.1 spec yet? I purchased the fire cube tv yesterday at full price as it has HDMI2.1, but you can only output 4k/60hz and not the full 120hz….
Reason: moonlight streaming
You must have a monster pc that can run games at 4k 120fps lmao.
4k and atmos is enough
$159 full price taking the absolute piss
Will I notice any difference between this and my current chromecast other than 4K? If it's just more snappy in the interface and pausing/fast forward/rewind etc. I will buy a new one just for that purpose.
Wouldn't buy unless it's close to $99
Everyone on about Binge/Kayo, ofc that will be supported but those who can't wait can sideload it you are even a little bit tech savvy.
Kayo doesn't need to be sideloaded. It seems to still have a bug where you sometimes get a 'too many simultaneous streams' error on 4k streams. But waiting a bit or rebooting fixes that.
Not sure about Binge cos Stremio + RD takes care of those needs.
Well i'm sure they'll release a few fixes, it's pretty new so the early adopters can be patient.
Not really much of an upgrade over the normal GTV.
Be interested to know if the load time on S+RD is any faster,.
Its not just a 4k streaming box. Its a Matter hub and thread border router, for all the home automation enthusiasts.
That's all you hear.. matter and thread. NFI
Can you run zigbee devices or even smart things?
It's nothing you can't set up on your android device and nest/home??
How's the upgrade from Chromecast with Google TV 4K, to Google TV Streamer 4K? Would I notice the difference?
I have the same question and I have the Chromecast with Google TV 4K from the previous HN 2-for-1 deal, every button press on SmartTube takes 5 seconds.
Will this one work much better? or I should look at something else?
What's smart tube, doesn't seem very smart.
What's really the difference between this and Chromecast with Google TV?
What do you get for the extra $$$?
Stealing jv's comment from the previous deal -
32gb storage instead of 8gb
Double the RAM
22% faster processor
Ethernet port
Thread/matter capable
Also:
- Upgraded remote control button layout.
- Button on the back of the Google Streamer that will make your remote beep if you cant find it.
Nifty feature - I've had a 2 year old run off with the ATV remote a few times - would have been very useful.
Which has better android mirroring/cast?
I'm considering upgrading from my old CCWGTV to either this or the Fire Cube.
I need a device that can support full remuxes via Stremio as my CCWGGTV constantly buffers or crashes when playing these files.
I've used a Fire Stick before so I have no problem sidelining apps.
I have had issues with black screens when trying to run Stremio on the Fire Stick 4K Max, has anyone had this issue with the Fire Cube?
What would you guys recommend for my needs out of these two devices?
Black screen is still a thing with the Stremer since I've been experiencing it recently: https://www.reddit.com/r/Stremio/comments/1fsiidc/google_tv_…
Stremio is one of the buggiest POS I've ever used
May want to check your internet plan 100/20 good for streamio, no doubt extra memory could help but ccwgtv does the trick doe me still. Some of those plugins can nees attention from time to time
This or Fire TV Cube?
https://amzn.asia/d/03aWtHZ - $109