Back in stock. Down from original price of $144.
Below info are taken from last year post.
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
Referrer & referee receive $25-$50 credit after referee's 3rd monthly bill.
Mine doesnt show channels, always saying low /no signal. Although it works with usb tuner plugged to laptop if using the same aerial. I always thought it is the app, but if it works with your equipment, then i must have a faulty voda tv
My antenna is just an internal one too.
Definitely worth checking out the device and swapping if required.
I recommend fire TV
But basic is only one available in australia
Prime day USA and shipto to deliver here
They don't ship to aus or has that changed
No Cast, no Google PlayStore, no YouTube on Fire Stick!
No need to cast. Aptoide store yes. Smart YouTube no adverts yes on fire stick!
YouTube is native on the fire stick now.
I prefer the Mi box over this becuase of the updated OS. But this is a good basic for people that can't use the Mi box remote. Which is similar to shield. Pairing issue has been fixed in latest patch.
The nic is only 10/100 so it's not as fast as the wireless Ac which both mibox and voda are same speed. Shield has 1gb nic
The TV tuner is a nice feature but not a make or break feature.
I have 4 of these for the kids bedrooms since they were cheaper, will have to replace them in later date when mi boxes come down in price with Android TV 9 versions to match new shield.
New shield is coming with Android tv9 this is only 7.1 and mibox is currently 8.1
What do you get in v8 and 9 over 7? I have vtv and got everything I need.
I like the 8 interface better. It shows you inside the app what TV movies are new etc without needing to open it. Like recently added kodi, new YouTube recommends or subscriber videos etc. So more widget based less Apple icon
If you need audio passthrough to your av receiver, do your research before you buy. You will need to sideload a specific version of Kodi to get it working.
I could never get this to work and searched pretty hard. Do you happen to have a link? I thick they problem is inherently in Android TV, as I tried several apps and Kodi branches.
I gave up trying to get passthrough working and just bought a shield. Worked instantly and has been flawless since.
I gave up too and went to Windows htpc.
I read reviews saying that shield has poor picture quality.
@Punkboy: I went Windows 10 on a 7th Gen nuc in the end. Currently doing my head in with blue screens, resolution changes and network stability. Never had an issue with win7!
Why not connect this to AV receiver hdmi in?
We have but HD audio passthrough doesn't work. Ie DTS, DTS hd, etc etc
Ah gotcha, I thought you were trying to get just digital audio out, my bad! Thanks for clarifying
Does this device have infrared as I'm interested to know with my Logitech 650 compatibility?
Yes and Bluetooth remote or Android adb for remote api control
i suspect i dont need to have vodafone services to run this?
Nope. It just has VF branding.
I have 3 of these and think they're great. I primarily use them to run Kayo to watch sports. They are fast and easy to use. The remote is also simple, quick and comfortable. Kayo needs to be sideloaded. There is a thread on Whirlpool. It uses the app from the Shield.
What screen options does kayo allow on it? 2, 4, pip?
Any streaming issues at all?
About to pull the trigger, but kayo is my deciding factor.
No pip available. App runs smooth easy integration. Sometimes takes a while to load full 1080 but they may be my NBN.
Would alternatively recommend running Kayo through Kodi as a more smooth streaming method, no issues with buffering at all. Method of how to install and in this thread.
I have Kayo on my Xiaomi Mi box and the split-view feature (watch up to 4 channels at once) works perfectly. Are you sure it doesn't work on VTV? If it's the proper Kayo Android TV app side loaded it should work. Maybe not via Kodi.
@billy_bob: Kayo app direct, this version:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.apkpure.com/kayo-sports/au.co…
Which is apparently the latest version.
Mi Box is a Kayo exclusive whilst VTV currently is not.
@HoleInMyWallet: Just curiosity, which version of the Xiaomi mi Box do you have that plays the 4 screens at once? I'm willing to get it just for this feature alone!
@HoleInMyWallet: AFAIK the Android TV apps are all the same, however neither the Vodafone TV or the Foxtel Now Box support SplitView (and the Kayo app is available in the Play Store for the Foxtel Now Box).
The VTV and Mi Box are very similar spec too, so you would think SplitView would be available on the VTV, even if it's not officially supported.
@HoleInMyWallet: You said in previous comments you are using the Kayo app from APKPure? That is a standard Android APK, the one on MEGA.NZ site is specifically for Android TV Boxes like Shield and VTV, there is a difference. Splitview still may not work with the MEGA app, but worth a try?
@billy_bob: Cheers mate, yeah gave it another shot with that one from the link. I just don't think the VTV is compatible with the ability to splitview. Trust me i've researched and tried everything now lol
@HoleInMyWallet: OK thanks, hope Kayo release a dedicated VTV app that enables that feature in the future.
wasn’t as good for live tv ..tuner is average still using tivo
It's a cheaper tuner then tivo or fetch boxes
What are you using/how are you downloading a program guide to make TIVO operable for FTA tx? We have two I'd like to render operational again, My wife really misses her TIVOs. Tks.
Quick one,
I have multiple non-4k original Firesticks (i have no use for 4K btw) , is there any advantage of this over firestick except the 4K? I'm looking for a semi decent android box at the moment to replace one of them.
Also is the remote Bluetooth only or has Infra as well? I have harmony 650.
Google mibox VS firestick to get an idea
This unit support ir as well
thx mate
Personality I like the Bluetooth remote as I mount these and the Mi boxes on the back of the TV's out of sight
Wasn't happy without the deinterlacing for live TV and struggled to get it looking anything near smooth. -constant micro stutters.
There was no auto refresh switching which made TV worse or made movies worse depending on what setting you left it on, it didn't seem to always change anything instantly anyway.
Loved the remote though.
Mine also basically died a few months ago and I still haven't returned it -if you purchase online you can't seem to return it in store (unless maybe to have another service with them).
Has anything changed in the last few months or since the start of the year? -any firmware updates at all, fixed any stuttering issues? Anyone rooted it or removed any of the Vodafone branding included?
same here returned it …not
clear enough on live tv
Just wondering, how do you return it. Can you return it in store and do you basically tell them the device sux and doesn't work as intended?
I have both this one and the mi box. I genuinely think the mi box is better overall. Those thats having issues with the mi box, definitely haven't really used it recently and don't know it received heaps of updates which fixed alot of the issues.
Does anyone know if it’s possible to install Foxtel Go on these?
I’ve tried on mine but it doesn’t seem to work, Foxtel Now works but not Foxtel Go
Yep.
Matt Huisman has some excellent Kodi add-ons, including Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now, Kayo, Optus Sport, Freeview etc - see here:
This is life changing. Optus sport on Chromecast to vtv is awful. Live it is fine, watching on demand stuff it constantly stutters (not my internet, connected by Ethernet and speed is fine)
I just set up Kodi with the Optus add on… It's perfect!
My hero <3
stopped reading all the comments..
BUT.
Does VTV have any voice sink issues with free to air or when streaming..
I have a cheapy with free to air and a lot of the time I have to unplug and power it back up to get the voice to sink to the picture,
Its impossible when its off by about 30 seconds..
I get this using TV headend rather than the inbuilt tuner. All it takes is for me to change the channel and back again.
This happens on my Shield and VTV so I'd say its an android issue.
Thanks for reply, i will try what you do..
So this can play kodi and play 4k hdr files?
Have one of these and very happy.
I notice the addition of recording to USB despite what the linked article states. Can anyone shed light on how to do this?
I plugged in a USB a few weeks back but couldn't find an option to record in the menu. Maybe I need to update software?
Any help much appreciated 🙂
I've read it requires a USB drive of 64gb or greater. I only had a 16gb spare so haven't had a chance to see if a larger drive enables the option
Ok, I give that a go tonight, did read if it also works with an external HDD?
I assume so. I'm waiting on a 256gb drive to arrive to test it myself
Thank you. I'll try that out and see how I go :)
Awesome. Thank you!
All worked. Thanks Kirt.
Two questions.
1) Which skin are you using that allows adding the "Records" folder to the main screen?
2) How do you map the Records folder?
Cheers.
I use the Estuary skin, and I just add the folder as a Favourite:
does anyone know if it supports chrome or any other browser
I have an Android TV-friendly browser installed. Can find out the name tonight if you'd like.
Is this much good without WiFi? Does it have an antenna input for the TV tuner?
Not sure what you mean by "without WiFi"?
There is an antenna input for the TV tuner.
Is it an MPEG4 HD tuner?
Asking as I have a 720p spare TV and all the new free to air channels are MPEG4.
The house has no internet access, hence no wifi
Have mine connected via the Ethernet port at the back if that helps.
TV tuner connection is also available on the rear of the device.
Same, I have both mine connected via ethernet and POE plugs. Neither has skipped a beat. Excellent little box.
So I want to play Kayo on my Sony TV, which is smart but has no Kayo app (not android). Would anyone recommend this Voda box as my best option, or would you go with something else?
Voda doesn't have Kayo either. However, you can chromecast it to the VTV box.
I sideloaded the Kayo Android TV app, and tested it for about 1 minute. Seemed to work fine.
you can get Kayo app on voda tv box
I’ve got two of these, love how easy they are to use and has a great selection of apps.
How do I get custom install apk to show on the main screen? I seem to have to go to 'apps' everytime.
You need to install Sideload launcher from Play.
For those keen on Kayo and Foxtel Now apps (among others):
Download the APK file to a USB stick
Put USB stick in Vodafone TV
Download X-plore File Manager from the Play Store
Launch X-plore, navigate to the USB stick, click on the APK, and install
Which apps are there?
The most relevant ones are Kayo, Foxtel Now, and Amazon Prime - the rest are mostly available through the Play Store now (eg: all FTA catchups, Twitch etc).
Amazon Prime should be available in the Play Store within the next month or so too.
Is the nVidia Shield version of Kayo Sports version any different?
No it's the same - the APKs listed there have the source of the APK appended to the name.
Does anyone know of these can be used overseas? Mostly for just Plex?
Only if traveling by boat, heard they explode when reach certain elevation.
No watching at Everest base camp? Oh well….
Does anyone know if this can passthrough HD audio?
I personally had no success. Someone commented earlier on the thread that a specific version of Kodi works but I have my doubts.
No worries. Thanks
Highly Recommend this. Excellent tv box.
Yes it does. Although sometimes it decides to drop all the channels so you have to rescan. It's rare tho and only happened twice in 3 months