DishTV SmartVu+ A7080 4K Google TV Streaming TV Box with NZ Freeview & USB Recording

As a home theatre enthusiast my standards may be a bit high, however the moment I turned the device on and saw the over-processed image quality on the Android TV logo all my hopes for DishTV finally releasing a decent Freeview box were dashed. Sadly this over-processing carries over into every app I ran on this thing, and there were no opptions available to override it. If you've ever seen it, you'll know what I mean but it was like watching a low resolution image upscaled to 4K, and then the sharpening effect set to maximum.

Other issues I encountered in the 6-hours of troubleshooting before ultimately giving up included:
- No ability to ch...view more As a home theatre enthusiast my standards may be a bit high, however the moment I turned the device on and saw the over-processed image quality on the Android TV logo all my hopes for DishTV finally releasing a decent Freeview box were dashed. Sadly this over-processing carries over into every app I ran on this thing, and there were no opptions available to override it. If you've ever seen it, you'll know what I mean but it was like watching a low resolution image upscaled to 4K, and then the sharpening effect set to maximum.

Other issues I encountered in the 6-hours of troubleshooting before ultimately giving up included:
- No ability to change the audio output format - even in Developer mode
- Installation of apps was hit-and-miss. It almost felt like any useful app that would improve the experience would take ages to download, then ultimately fail to install - including DishTV's own apps.
- The device freezes for up to 5 seconds every time the channel is changed, and the interface is just sluggish. This is true whether you're streaming live TV, or using your antenna.
- Many of the options and features that make Android TV so compelling have been removed. Because, why not?
- Custom DishTV/SmartVu launcher is hot garbage. Why they felt the need to replace the already excellent apps Google includes with Android TV is beyond me.
- While it does technically support 4K output, Freeview is only broadcast in 1080p (720p on Satellite and Streaming), and due to the aforementioned image overprocessing everything is oversharpened and just kind of ugly. This would probably be better on smaller under 40" TVs.
- Spelling mistakes, broken english and bad grammar throughout the interface often makes it difficult to navigate and find the settings you want/need.

On the more positive notes, the device is super-easy to setup, and assuming you don't want to do anything beyond watch Freeview you should be fine. However, take note there are cheaper devices i.e., Chromecast with Google TV, that while won't do freeview from an antenna or satellite dish, will do everything else much, MUCH better. And if you know who Matt Huisman is (Google is your friend), then Freeview streaming is a simple 5-minute process away.

This device earns a firm no from me.

I cannot get to see TVNZ 1 nor TVNZ 2 on Freeview, so far disappointing. I cannot get to see TVNZ 1 nor TVNZ 2 on Freeview, so far disappointing.

Replaced a basic STB with this to now get the benefit of watching live TV via my satellite dish and all my apps and services via Android TV.

Installs all my apps with ease and they all work great, I use apps like: Plex, TVNZ+, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video outside of these I havent really used many others.

The basic Home screen is alot more simple than whats normally on Android TV devices but it leads to advantages like no Content ads across the screen and the integrated Live Tab and Guide Tab.

One star less because there is still room for improvement especially when it comes to the USB recording and some of the User interface.view more Replaced a basic STB with this to now get the benefit of watching live TV via my satellite dish and all my apps and services via Android TV.

Installs all my apps with ease and they all work great, I use apps like: Plex, TVNZ+, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video outside of these I havent really used many others.

The basic Home screen is alot more simple than whats normally on Android TV devices but it leads to advantages like no Content ads across the screen and the integrated Live Tab and Guide Tab.

One star less because there is still room for improvement especially when it comes to the USB recording and some of the User interface.

Great and easy to install, better than expected. Great and easy to install, better than expected.

This is a great buy for those who own older non-smart tv's who want a lot more viewing options from them. It was very simple and easy to set up with step by step instructions the whole way from start to finish. It supports both terrestrial antenna for tv and satellite. It auto updates when you first set it up so just be patient and let it do its thing to ensure you have all the latest software and apps on it. This is a great buy for those who own older non-smart tv's who want a lot more viewing options from them. It was very simple and easy to set up with step by step instructions the whole way from start to finish. It supports both terrestrial antenna for tv and satellite. It auto updates when you first set it up so just be patient and let it do its thing to ensure you have all the latest software and apps on it.

good recyclable protective packaging, a true plug and play item, HDMI cable unit to tv, aerial cable and power plug to unit, turn on TV and select source, wholla it worked instant and even the remote sinked to TV, it you have a dumb TV this makes it smart, only niggle was TVNZ+ chanels (1 & 2) need to be via the app but other than that mint! good recyclable protective packaging, a true plug and play item, HDMI cable unit to tv, aerial cable and power plug to unit, turn on TV and select source, wholla it worked instant and even the remote sinked to TV, it you have a dumb TV this makes it smart, only niggle was TVNZ+ chanels (1 & 2) need to be via the app but other than that mint!

Tease to install, just follow prompts, yayy, now to watch boring TV again....lol Tease to install, just follow prompts, yayy, now to watch boring TV again....lol

Every product purchased on PB Tech across my work and personal accounts has always worked perfectly w/ no issue. So it is annoying when I come across something as terrible as this product. Constantly disconnects from Wi-Fi while in use. Is incredibly slow. Sluggish UI. Sluggish in some apps. Awful to use. Slow Freeview UI too.

If you get another device, you are much better off with the likes of a Xiaomi Mi Box or Amazon Fire Stick 4K - much much better off setting up with IPTV if your network can handle it and especially if you're familiar with MJH's guides.

While yes you do get what you paid for, this is a tad more costly compared to t...view more Every product purchased on PB Tech across my work and personal accounts has always worked perfectly w/ no issue. So it is annoying when I come across something as terrible as this product. Constantly disconnects from Wi-Fi while in use. Is incredibly slow. Sluggish UI. Sluggish in some apps. Awful to use. Slow Freeview UI too.

If you get another device, you are much better off with the likes of a Xiaomi Mi Box or Amazon Fire Stick 4K - much much better off setting up with IPTV if your network can handle it and especially if you're familiar with MJH's guides.

While yes you do get what you paid for, this is a tad more costly compared to the products I mentioned above and those work a lot better, especially the Fire Stick 4K.

Looked further into the technical side and noticed these decoders are made by the same vendors that developed the Sky Pod and uses the same Amlogic SoC from SEI Robotics. Except somehow this is slower than the Sky Pod which is shocking.

I am extremely pleased with my purchase of the SmartVu+ A7080. My viewing is clear, navigating the controller is a breeze and was super easy to install. In-store service was great and informative. Would highly recommend this appliance to anyone wanting to get better viewing. I am extremely pleased with my purchase of the SmartVu+ A7080. My viewing is clear, navigating the controller is a breeze and was super easy to install. In-store service was great and informative. Would highly recommend this appliance to anyone wanting to get better viewing.