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Kogan Price Drop - Foxtel Now Box
Hi Guys,
my first contribution to the website have been a member for a long time now, please be kind :) - hopefully this deal helps someone.
i personally have an Apple TV HD box and i love it.
Foxtel Now Box $49 + Delivery @ Kogan
730
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It’s meant to be very locked down.
Runs custom Foxtel firmware, can load apps from Google Play store.
Can or can't?
EDIT: Nevermind, can see you confirmed below that it can download from the Play Store.
Was confused by the custom firmware comment.
It loads to the Foxtel Now app by default when starting. You can press the Apps button on the remote to show you other apps you’ve installed. You can install more apps from the Google Play store app which is pre-loaded.
That's exactly why I got it about a year ago. Hard to find optical out and wired Ethernet at this price. Used to be quite buggy but it's better now. Still have to sometimes pull the plug to clear an issue.
DTS out via optical never worked for me though, but I have an old Denon amp that's finiky for DTS. DD works fine.
I use it all the time for Plex, iView, YouTube casting.
Has it received software updates while you have had it?
whats the spec of this thing
connectivity
Bluetooth
v4.1
Wi-Fi
802.11ac
Wi-Fi Speed
2.4GHz/5GHzdimensions
Dimensions
Now Box: 104 x 83 x 72mm | Remote: 145 x 44 x 14mm
Weight
0.27kggeneral
Buttons
Power, Mute, D-pad (Up/Down/Left/Right/OK), Back, Home, Play/Pause, Search, Volume Up & Volume Down Buttons
Internal Storage
8GB Flashinputs
USB 3.0
x1outputs
Audio
SPDIF
HDMI
v2.0performance
Battery
Remote: 2x AAA Battery
RAM
2GB DDR4video
Video Format
4KP60 UHD 10-bit HEVCwarranty
Manufacturer Warranty
2 Year
Does it have a chrome web browser built in?
Can download a browser app from Google Play store, I recommend Puffin Browser.
Also has aerial input.
for freeview tv channels ?
might just wait for official rumoured Android TV box coming out with remote (but no ethernet)
There was an official google one a few years back called nexus player which I am still using. Google orphaned it. But it still kind of works.
Specs: Crap compared to Vodafone TV :D
That's all I needed to know :-)
I just bought Vodafone TV, and when I go to settings to allow unknown sources for side load apps, I see no switch toggle to turn it on 😩. Am i missing something?
If you click the "unknown sources" text, does it prompt you?
(Similar to step 3 here: https://www.firesticktricks.com/how-to-sideload-apps-on-andr…)
Works well, I use it in the media room as set top box and casting device for the projector.
This is why I got one too. Needed a cheap tuner + cast for the projector.
Guys, can you explain further pls…I have below projector with one vacant HDMI port. Need to decide between use chromecast or Foxtel box.
It would be good if I can cast TV channels however the antenna plug not near projector. I think Foxtel can be used as chromecast as well…not sure how…https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Epson-EHTW5600-Full-HD-Home-Thea…
Could this run Plex? or is it all locked down
yes it can run PLEX
Through one simple device, you can access:
New customers get 10 day free trial to Foxtel Now
Free-to-air TV
A world of apps and games from the Google Play including Netflix, Stan, Disney+ YouTube, and more
Also, comes with Chromecast built-inSooo Guess you can run the client !
I found a past deal on the Foxtel box and it seems alot of people would suggest the vodafone box over it
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/449411 <- Comments on Foxtel Now box
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/466660 <- Link to the box you should be buying [Vodafone TV]
Voda box is considered to be better yes, but also an extra ~50% again (not that $23 is world shattering), and there have been tons of complaints about the voda box recently. Mostly about the update to android 9/10 bricking it and disabling the usb port.
Nvm read up on it
It's an Android TV box
It has a built in tv tuner too, the android apps are kinda hidden under the foxtel now stuff. I'm pretty sure it has plex.
You need 2 sign up for a free foxtel now account but you can cancel before 2 weeks.
It Has most of the android apps except amazon.Is it it's own store or does it use the android play store so u can get latest apps?
It's got it's own store with zero apps :)
That's wrong
google play store
This is right
It runs custom Foxtel firmware, but you can load apps from Google Play store. Press Apps button on remote, open Google Play Store. I loaded Tune In Radio on my parents box tonight.
The remote has a dedicated apps button, which I found made it pretty easy.
You can also get 4 weeks free if you are with Telstra.
Overall seems pretty good. Wish it worked with my tv remote, but your can't have everything
My smart tv can not run Amazon prime. Can I buy this to run prime without having any subscription of Foxtel?
Comment above says no amazon.
Thanks pva
Unfortunately Prime Video isn't available through the Android TV shop :(
You can sideload it, get the apk from aptoide and install. Just got it working the other day.
Yes, but you won't get surround sound.
But Prime Video allows casting to Chromecast or Android TV boxes nowadays, and this gives you Dolby Digital Plus sound. This box has Chromecast built in.
have a look in the whirlpool.net.au forums. Maybe someone has found a way to 'sideload' the Amazon Prime app into it.
I run Amazon Prime sideloaded. It was a bit of mission to get the right version, but there is one (at least) that works.
Could you please provide more info? I struggled on the VTV and always had audio sync problems. I wouldn't mind activating a Prime account again, having cancelled Disney+ and Xbox for PC subscriptions.
If it supports chrome casting then it is not an issue. I can run Prime video on my phone and cast to Vodafone TV. I don't have this Foxtel thing though.
My old man has a foxtel account which also allows one account to stream through Foxtel Now.
Will I be able to log into that account with this Box and watch TV?
You sure it’s not the foxtel go streaming?
Nah thats separate. There's some weird difference between the two.
With my one you can only ever have one person logged online, and one person directly on the box which isn't a problem for us as my old man only watches fox on tv.
Foxtel go is the free streaming service you get when you pay for Foxtel. So we have Foxtel on our tv and the free Foxtel go on our phone/tablet.
Foxtel now is a paid streaming service (I think it’s getting changed to Binge).During Covid they did allow Foxtel streaming free on TVs but that was until May 30 (or maybe June 30)
@SpotTheOzzie: I'm doing the same with my bro (who has a Foxtel Sub) - I use the built-in Foxtel app on my Samsung tv & as far as I know, if you have the login details of your dad, you should be good to go. You can test what I'm saying by downloading the Foxtel go app on your phone and streaming to your TV - that also works now which was earlier blocked. I haven't tried Chromecast streaming yet but streaming to Apple TV (airplay) works. I do that on my second (un-smart) TV
@Maxdax: Yea I do it on my phone and my computer :D
But is there a way for my TV just to have the Foxtel App to login without buying the Foxtel Now Box, or you need the Foxtel Now Box to do it?
Tyty
@SpotTheOzzie: it's weird I have a 2019 Samsung and the app is built-in, however, was looking for an upgrade for my unsmart TV and it seems that the 2020 Samsung TVs neither have the Foxtel app NOR can it be downloaded from the Samsung app store. Not sure about other brands. Sorry maybe this is the box you need as I don't think the Foxtel app can be sideloaded to another device ( I may be wrong)
@SpotTheOzzie: Any Android TV device should have Foxtel Now including Foxtel Now Box, Xiamoni Mi Box S, Android TV built in to TVs (I can confirm it's available on a TCL TV).
Can I watch Foxtel Go on this?
No
What about if you watch foxtel go via Chromecast function, as the foxtel go app now has Chromecast doesn't it?
You can only do it if you pay Foxtel a $10 fee to be able to cast it to the screen/have a tv app. (That’s how they do multi rooms now instead of another box)
Otherwise all casting is blocked.
People have tried for ages and you can’t do it.
Go is really meant to be a freebie for your phone /tablet with your normal paid sub.@PVA: you can airplay on foxtel go now, haven't tried chromecast yet but no reason why that would be blockd if airplay is running, no multi room needed either
@PVA: I can definitely Chromecast my foxtel go and I don't pay an additional fee, I think they used to charge for streaming it but have since removed it…
@PVA: Muilt-room yes, normally a charge, but free at the present time. Thats if you use the chromecast feature of the app.
Alternatively use a browser and cast from the tab there for free, the quality is fine.
Yes - via Kodi
If it can run Kodi (that I don't know)
Yep - once you "unlock" the box using a Foxtel Now account (you can use the 10 day free trial), you can then logout, then login using your satellite / cable details if you have Multiroom or Multiscreen.
If you don't have Multiroom or Multiscreen, you can use the Kodi fork WBMC with the Foxtel Go add-on here:
https://www.matthuisman.nz/2019/05/foxtel-go-kodi-add-on.htm…
hasn't Matt retired and a new bloke is running his setup now?
I got an email Today from Foxtel offering a Free Foxtel Now box as they were no longer supporting Foxtel Play on the Xbox.
Vodafone TV
I'm on the fence about it as well, all I need it to do is play Plex from my server, I guess the vodafone TV remote does look more snug vs the Foxtel one
Vodafone TV has better specs and isn't locked down to require a Foxtel account to use it. Can sideload whatever you want onto it and has access to full Android TV play store.
If you are wanting to only use Plex, there are numerous options available. I wouldn't waste $49 on this piece of kit which has been so heavily locked down by Foxtel.
I just bought Vodafone TV, and when I go to settings to allow unknown sources for side load apps, I see no switch toggle to turn it on 😩. Am i missing something?
Echo :)
Same question. Need another android box for second tv in the bedroom. Already use a Vodafone tv and it’s great. But $23 more.
It's my understanding spending the extra $23 is well worth it compared to this foxtel box
Take a look on ebay, you can sometimes grab slightly used Vodafone TVs a little cheaper
I would have thought one TV (and STB) in the bedroom was enough!
Mi Box S
I am thinking about one but do they stream 4k ok? Ive heard not.
Yes it supports 4k
Yep, I've got one and use it to stream 4K.
Vodafone TV.
From previous deals people said you need to sideload apps like Netflix for them to work on the Foxtel Now, while with Vodafone TV it works straight from the Play Store.
I think if they have put a button on the remote saying netflix then netflix would be one of those special apps not required to be sideloaded
I checked. They released 2 different TV boxes with the exact same name!
ive heard you can change the button to load different apps if you dont want it to load netflix
Unfortunate… since I have the $20 off $50 spend at Kogan deal ahaha I'll find something else to buy from kogan then XD
Vodaphone 100%
I have both. Vodafone TV is better unit but Foxtel now has an optical out which you can hook up to a non hdmi amp to stream youtube audio without tv on. Foxtel now box send audio signals out on both hmdi and optical concurrently.
There is also a new Google Android TV dongle with remote coming soon which could be worth a look:
https://www.xda-developers.com/google-android-tv-dongle-remo…
The box is alright but sometimes mine shows a grey screen and continues to play audio. Have to manually power cycle to fix it.
Unsure if a common theme.
Sometimes.
Vodafone box is very good I don't use android Sony tv smarts Vodafone box is better
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Optical audio out! This looks like a nice box. Is it based on anything or just a generic android tv box?