onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023), Review: Improved

The onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) is an interesting micro TV-Box of which we present today in our review. A product with an excellent price.

In the new version onn. Google TV 4K SB 2023 we find the Amlogic S905Y4 SoC that improves the previous 2021 version that mounted the S905Y2. This tiny TV-Box offers us as Google TV 12 environment and includes a Bluetooth remote control, which integrates a microphone for Google Assistant to give orders. We also have integrated Chromecast 4K to send content from our mobile and all certificates for streaming apps in 4K HDR quality with Dolby sound.

Let’s test in our review how this system behaves and what it offers compared to the rest.

Details of the onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023)

Unboxing

The small onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) comes in a simple cardboard box identical to the previous version. Inside we find the small TV-Box, remote control, 5V 1A charger and a first steps manual.

Description

The new onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) maintains the simple and small design of its predecessor. In the rear area we have the microUSB 2.0 OTG connector, on the front the HDMI 2.0 male connector, status LED and a sync button for the remote. The remote control is Bluetooth and Infrared, it has a microphone for Google Assistant. We have keys to use with our TV to change channel or video output, something that is configured with the startup wizard.

This small TV-Box has a Wifi 5 MIMO + Bluetooth 5.0 chip with internal wifi antennas. The cooling system fulfills its function well because it hardly heats up.

• Remote Control: BT + IR with microphone / keyboard + mouse compatible / Android TV App.
• USB Port: Allows USB 3.0 HUB + microUSB OTG cable, for peripherals or add Ethernet.

Sistema y Rendimiento

Environment and Android system

We start the onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) in a few seconds, we get to the configuration wizard where we can set the Wi-Fi, control our TV by IR, define which apps will be installed by default and select the type of content we want to see on the main screen. Finished the configuration of the Android TV system we get to the new launcher Google TV 12 based on rows with tabs of the contents or shortcuts to the installed apps. The overall performance is smooth and pleasant, we move smoothly between the most common apps, the UI in 4K resolution looks very good.

• Launcher: We can change de the launcher / Android UI rendering at 4K.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / Notifications the upper icon.
• Languages and Google Play: All the international Android languajes / Google Play for Google TV installed.
• Check our Google TV User Manual to install classic Android Apps, prevent screen rotation and much more.

System

We check the system data, we also observe which power systems this device allows us to use. This TV-Box has updates via OTA to correct possible failures.

• On/Off Controls: Sleep mode / Shutdown settings available.
• System: Google TV 12 (32 bit) / CPU r1p0 (S905Y4) / Model onn_4k_gtv
• Support: onn. OTA support / IMG firmware NOT available, only OTA update.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

This new TV-Box onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) has 1.5 GB of DDR4 RAM and for storage we have in this version of 8 GB eMMC that we can expand with a USB memory. In the network section has a wireless adapter Wifi 5 MIMO + Bluetooth 5.0 as we can see in the test results are good and the USB Ethernet adapter also behaves normally reaching good figures despite its speed limitation.

• Network: Antena Wifi interna / Alcance -46 dBm / Enlace 5G 867 Mbps / Ethernet USB / Bluetooth OK.

As we have seen, we have a microUSB OTG port to connect external drives, peripherals or Ethernet output thanks to a USB 3.0 hub. We found that the performance of the internal storage is good and moves the system without problems, on the other hand the RAM offers us data in the line of these devices.

• Storage: Total 8 GB  – Free 3.5 GB / Expandable with a USB external memory
• RAM: Total 2 GB – Free 1 GB / DDR4
  
• Inputs: USB 2.0
• Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.

Power and performance

In terms of performance the onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) has the Amlogic S905Y4 SoC, a Quad Core with ARM Cortex-A53 processors up to 2 GHz and in the graphics section a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU which is in the mid-range. This SoC is a variant of the S905Y2 but with some overclock, it is not a radical change and almost reaches a S905X4. In the results as we can see it is well positioned, matching Fire TV-Box 4K Max, being close to the Googlecast TV and far surpassing the Xiaomi Mi TV-Box.

• CPU performance: Min 0.5 GHz / Working  1.1 GHz / Max 2.0 GHz

In the games section we can enjoy simple titles and also cloud gaming services. services like NVIDIA GForce Now or using the APK to install it. In the emulators section we can get at most run some Wii games, but we will not have problems with 2D games of classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or using KODI, the full OS EmuELEC is NOT compatible.

• Games and emulators: YES Vulkan support / Basic emulators in RetroArch.
• Controls: Compatible with Bluetooth or USB Gamepads.

This SoC Amlogic S905Y4 is manufactured in 12nm, has a very contained consumption, the cooling system of the case works perfectly and temperatures are always low in normal use. The SoC correctly manages the speeds so as not to overheat as we have found.

• Thermals: Maintains performance up to 94% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Min 3W / Working 3.2W / Max. 4.5W

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

In the video playback section the onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) is compatible with most modern video formats such as h.265, VP9 with native 4K@60fps HDR resolution support, is compatible with the recent AV1 codec for the compatible streaming services. It does not have a video quality adjustment app and no automatic refresh rate change. We have official HDR10+ support but no support for Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos.

It is possible to use media players such as KODI or PLEX without the slightest problem by installing them directly from the Android TV store. In terms of audio we can play DD and DTS sound up to 5.1 through its HDMI port. The Chromecast system works perfectly with all compatible services.

• Video Settings: 4K@60fps / HDMI-CEC available/ Automatic refresh rate not available.
• Audio Settings: HDMI  5.1 / NO USB audio settings.
• Color and HDR: 10Bit / RGB / HDR 10+.
• Media sharing: GoogleCast YES / Miracast NO / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay NO.
• LibreELEC: This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC or CoreELEC.
• Tutorials: Install add-on in KODI / Judder, how to fix it / Multi-channel audio / Dark video playback fix
• We recommend reading the Setup Guide of our TV to get the best picture quality.

Video and audio results

• The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.
• SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have have some frameskip in very heavy files.

• PCM – Stereo only with downmix from DD or DTS
• Core – Only the core of the format for Dolby or DTS base systems / More info

Streaming services

We passed multiple tests on the streaming services to check how the most popular services work. The onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) offers maximum compatibility with all popular streaming services. We can watch in FullHD HDR quality the contents of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ or Max.

• DRM: Google Widevine L1 / Playready.
• Audio/Video certification: Dolby D+ / HDR 10+

Conclusions and purchase link

Score

onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) Opinion

As we have seen the new onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) does not change significantly from the 2021 version. In terms of power the upgrade to the SoC Amlogic S905Y4 deploys a very similar power to the S905Y2. We have the same set with a Bluetooth + Infrared remote control that gives us uncomplicated control of TV functions and Google Assistant system.

In the connectivity section the onn. Google TV 4K SB 2023 integrates a Wifi 5 MIMO adapter with good speed. Despite its size we can also connect a USB 3.0 hub with Ethernet to have network stability for its microUSB OTG. This device does not get very hot playing video, in normal use or playing games. As a system we have Google TV 12 without any custom layer.

This Box has all the certificates for streaming apps allowing to play these services up to 4K HDR quality. Despite its size, we can use other apps such as IPTV players, PLEX or KODI to watch local content. Although we must take into account that it includes Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies if that is what we are looking for.

After testing the onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023) we can say that we are facing an economical and efficient Google TV-Box. The downside is that it is only available in the US and that forces us to import it.

Where to buy

onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023)

0.00

7.7

Hardware

7.5/10

System

8.0/10

Connectivity

7.0/10

Design

7.0/10

Price

9.0/10

Pros

• Excellent price
• Compact
• Fast Google TV 12
• BT Remote
• Streaming DRM

Cons

• Dolby Vision and Atmos missing