Google TV Streamer smarthome hub US$99

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2886 posts

Uber Geek

#3296285 11-Oct-2024 19:30

I'm on the fence about it.

It's a nice bump up from the existing Chromecast - particularly with the extra RAM, AV1 support, extra storage, and gigabit wired ethernet port.

But on the other hand it's reportedly using the MediaTek MT8696 chipset, which was a reasonably decent chipset when Amazon started using in 2021. But is getting a bit long in the tooth for use in a new premium product released in 2024, and is still way behind the Tegra that was included in the nVidia Shield TV over 5 years ago.

For half the price the Onn 4K pro adds a working google smart speaker, gives fairly comparable performance accordingly to comparison reviews I have seen, and a USB port for other devices. Although it doesn't have AV1 support and and only has 100 mbit wired ethernet.

I don't care about the "gimmicks" such as AI generated screensavers that have been included. In fact, I would probably dump all the "recommended for you" advertising material that clutters the interface, and either run it in App Only mode or install the Projectivy launcher. I just care about performance as a streamer.

So I'm vacillating.

gzt

17009 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3296366 12-Oct-2024 09:40

JimmyH: But on the other hand it's reportedly using the MediaTek MT8696 chipset, which was a reasonably decent chipset when Amazon started using in 2021. But is getting a bit long in the tooth for use in a new premium product released in 2024, and is still way behind the Tegra that was included in the nVidia Shield TV over 5 years ago. For half the price the Onn 4K pro adds a working google smart speaker, gives fairly comparable performance accordingly to comparison reviews I have seen, and a USB port for other devices. Although it doesn't have AV1 support and and only has 100 mbit wired ethernet.

Yes, from Google point of view this is a play into a Smart Home Hub base product. Ethernet is essential for stability and security for that position with Matter and Threads mesh for devices.

As a streaming box GTVS is only a minor upgrade over CCWGTV for a lot more $$. FireTV 4K uses the same SOC and has a lower price. I have a FireTV 4K.

I prefer Google's relatively uncluttered way of doing things compared to the other players. New features aside that is my only remaining reason for buying GTVS.

The remote finder feature - although I can use the Home app as a remote - that remote finder feature has saved time and frustration already ; ).

esawers

551 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3327310 3-Jan-2025 17:28

Anyone had any issues with the new region lock on the ONN 4K PRO?
Looks like you can get around it with a VPN
Have asked a friend to pick up a couple in the US but am I wasting money?

pc

120 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#3328324 6-Jan-2025 15:15

esawers: Anyone had any issues with the new region lock on the ONN 4K PRO?

havn't noticed any problems with mine but only used for plex, youtube and netflix.

but also havn't been really keeping up with onn news, is there anything i can check that might not work?

HellraiserNZ

110 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#3328326 6-Jan-2025 15:28

esawers: Anyone had any issues with the new region lock on the ONN 4K PRO?
Looks like you can get around it with a VPN
Have asked a friend to pick up a couple in the US but am I wasting money?

I got one delivered (on sale at walmart for $30 and then 35 nzd shipping)

I had no issues setting it up or needed to use a VPN? Just set it up as part of my google home and I have plex/stremio/tivimate set up just fine (along with Netflix)

So much better than my firestick 4k max gen 2.

esawers

551 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3329497 9-Jan-2025 12:30

Looks like if you factory reset an existing box and set it up outside of the US then it will have a region lock.
I will risk it..

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#3329985 10-Jan-2025 12:08

esawers: Looks like if you factory reset an existing box and set it up outside of the US then it will have a region lock.
I will risk it..

Let us know how you get on. I have also been reading reports that they have geolocked the Onn 4K pro so that it can't be set up unless your IP is in the US or Puerto Rico (although it can apparently be done with a VPN so that it thinks it's there, once setup is complete it reportedly works fine). I was keen on getting a couple of these, for the price the performance seems pretty darn good. But this sort of nonsense kind of puts me off.

NB: From what I have read, it was apparently done because Thomson is about the sell a rebranded version of this unit in the EU for a substantially higher price, and don't want to be undercut by parallel imports from the US.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

esawers

551 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3331910 15-Jan-2025 18:55

Onn 4K Pro arrived today
Connected to a VPN and set it up with no issues (didn’t try it without)
Apps are fast, remote feels nice, Sideloaded streaming isn’t buffering.
So far so great

razor2000nz

210 posts

Master Geek

#3331940 15-Jan-2025 20:47

esawers: Onn 4K Pro arrived today
Connected to a VPN and set it up with no issues (didn’t try it without)
Apps are fast, remote feels nice, Sideloaded streaming isn’t buffering.
So far so great

Mind sharing how you purchased and had it shipped?

esawers

551 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3332025 15-Jan-2025 23:14

A friend was in the USA over Christmas so they brought 2 back for me
But someone above managed to get one shipped during the December sale

esawers

551 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3332398 16-Jan-2025 19:48

Quick update
The first one I set up must have had the old software on it, no issues setting it up even though I thought it was going through my phone hotspot.

Box 2 today, did a software upgrade as soon as I turned it on and said unsupported region.
A couple of factory resets and a few hours later, I worked out how to setup a hotspot with vpn on a windows laptop. Everything went smoothly from there.

steve2222

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3363308 12-Apr-2025 20:04

esawers: Quick update ......
I worked out how to setup a hotspot with vpn on a windows laptop. Everything went smoothly from there.

Do you mind sharing how you did this?

Cheers

lchiu7

6467 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3363531 13-Apr-2025 10:32

steve2222:

esawers: Quick update ......
I worked out how to setup a hotspot with vpn on a windows laptop. Everything went smoothly from there.

Do you mind sharing how you did this?

Cheers

Slightly OT but if I wan to run a VPN on my Google Chromecast with Google TV (similar to the ONN device) I just run the ExpressVPN app on the device. It's availanle in the Play Store for the Chormecast device.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

peejayw

1839 posts

Uber Geek

#3372745 13-May-2025 12:07

Has the AI feature been added yet? Not showing for me in the screensaver options.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

gzt

17009 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3372749 13-May-2025 12:28

I think I have the new option as "experimental". Settings panel, screensaver, press down to select.

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