Android Hardware

[VCR58]

Cool. Thanks for sharing that. Pretty comprehensive review. Remote has some extra buttons that could be remapped.

Rex

[mvallevand]

The stock remote is much the same as the ONN remote I am talking the nice remote you linked to from T-Mobile with lots of useful keys.

Martin

[mvallevand]

I just got the latest Xiaomi Mi Stick 4K and it seems like a nice stick type device with newer h/w. This is the first AC-4 audio capable player I have seen for Android TV. Others are for phones.

Pros

- Android 11
- fast processor
- AV1 video h/w
- AC-4 audio h/w
- Supports my USB Hub for Ethernet, remote etc.

Cons

- basic DPAD + Back remote
- not low-end pricing ($55 US from China) Just a year ago this was a pretty good price.
- not distributed in North America yet (needs a USB AC source)
- USB-A not USB-C for input.

Martin

[mvallevand]

I purchased a T-Mobile T-Vision Hub off ebay and it looks like it is different then the one discussed earlier. 

Based on my readings it is an older device from 2020.  It seems very similar to my other devices from the same manufacturer SEI (ONN, Tivo4K, Google Chromecast).  It was so similar that Google reported that I had a new login with my ONN 4k.

Pros

- Android 10 (immediately update after boot). Sept 2021 patch level
- AV1 video
- Best remote for NextPVR, comparing to the Tivo 4K, about 1" longer, touch is almost as good, the dpad is designed better and it is nice to have real play and skip keys.
- Supports my USB Hub for Ethernet, remote etc.

Cons

- Not current model so check for pricing maybe only available on ebay or discounted at T-Mobile.
- No Dolby Vision video support.
- Does not have Ethernet port shown on the newer model
- T-Vision Launcher and bundled apps for service that doesn't exist.
- Most of the keys on the remote do not work via BT on other devices.

I would not recommend this device over other SEI devices for uidroid or sub's Android client.  There might be integration with YouTube TV and Philo that I cannot test.

Martin

[VCR58]

That's a bummer that it wasn't the newer one.

That is the same remote I was thinking of getting to use with my NVShield but after reading your review I think I will pass. TiVo remote works fine with the Shield.

Rex

[artmetz]

Martin (or anyone),
Does the TiVo4K support a 30 second skip? I'm finding the 10 second limitation of the Roku frustrating at best.
Thanks,
Art

[mvallevand]

I would assume you haven't made this change in config.xml which I always use.

<LeftRightBehaviour>Long Skip</LeftRightBehaviour>

The defaulte was fine when remotes had lots of keys now it seems wrong.

Dedicated number keys on the TiVo remote make it easier but there is a popup numbepad on the Roku that takes getting used to. However skipping in ts files is not great on the Roku which is why I recommend mp4 but that doesn't help in progress. You won't have those issues on Android.

Martin

[artmetz]

Martin,
Thanks. I was set to Short Skip and the NextPVR Roku client now skips like I prefer.
I won't bother with the transcoding for the Roku since it sounds like the upcoming release will fix the livetv playback and skip issues with NLite.
According to the manual, it looks like the TiVo4K skip is 30 seconds with other programs (if supported), so I may order one to try it out.
Art

[mvallevand]

No, in-progress is still broken on nlite. I don't know about live TV.

The skip key you see on the TiVo remote won't function in uidroid by the manual, I think it is play but I can't remember. Wait to get it for $30 since it goes on sale often.

With all UI clients the long and short skip times are controlled in config.xml.

Martin