Android TV is great, but the remote design is disappointing and doesn't respond well when typing fast (username/passwords/search). It should prompt users to logon a web browser to link TVNZ/Freeview NZ and other apps directly from user phone or computer... The Freeview app works but there are still glitches in the interface. It's not very fast and you will need very good WiFi coverage where you use it to make this dongle work properly.

Using Roku and other US streaming sticks, I wanted to give it a chance to convince me to buy local, but this is a downgrade at this price.

Netflix preinstalled and other New Zealand apps available in the ...view more Android TV is great, but the remote design is disappointing and doesn't respond well when typing fast (username/passwords/search). It should prompt users to logon a web browser to link TVNZ/Freeview NZ and other apps directly from user phone or computer... The Freeview app works but there are still glitches in the interface. It's not very fast and you will need very good WiFi coverage where you use it to make this dongle work properly.

Using Roku and other US streaming sticks, I wanted to give it a chance to convince me to buy local, but this is a downgrade at this price.

Netflix preinstalled and other New Zealand apps available in the Play Store. But slower and average interface compared to current Roku Ultra (with Ethernet cable) for 4K HDR Netflix/PrimeVideo & YouTube/AppleTV and other apps working in New Zealand.

Pros
+Chromecast Built-in
+Some Freeview channels via internet (IPTV, no tuner required)
+New Zealand Play Store (AndroidTV) with NEON, Sky Sport Now, Spark Sport apps
+4K support with compatible displays and 4K capable apps

Cons:
- Power Adapter DC cable (not USB powered)
- Cheap plastic remote (cannot customise launching buttons)
- Interface can be glitchy (delay in command/respond)
- Loading times (no CPU or "brain" integrated)
- Takes time to refresh to proper resolution (no Ethernet input option)

This is a very good device that will give you Freeview, Youtube, Google Video, Netflix and access to numerous other streaming apps like TUBI. Easy to set up and works flawlessly. Very quick response time and never skips a beat. Replaced my Vodafone TV, which Vodafone is shortly withdrawing support for and it works much better with sharper picture quality. Thankfully, the little remote supplied will also switch your TV on and off and all makes and models seem to be supported. I really can't think of any negatives for anyone who wants a good solid TV streaming service at a reasonable one-off price. This is a very good device that will give you Freeview, Youtube, Google Video, Netflix and access to numerous other streaming apps like TUBI. Easy to set up and works flawlessly. Very quick response time and never skips a beat. Replaced my Vodafone TV, which Vodafone is shortly withdrawing support for and it works much better with sharper picture quality. Thankfully, the little remote supplied will also switch your TV on and off and all makes and models seem to be supported. I really can't think of any negatives for anyone who wants a good solid TV streaming service at a reasonable one-off price.

Bought this for a TV in the back part of the house where there's no TV aerial cabling. Easy to setup and works perfectly well streaming over an ADSL connection which gives no more then 8Mbps on a good day (joys of rural living).
The only slight negative I have is the Freeview stream chews the bandwidth, seemingly about 7Mbps, Spark Sport is no better. If Netflix can do it consuming less bandwidth, why can't these guys? We won't all be reduced to gibbering wrecks if it isn't 4k super hi-def etc etc. But that's not the SmartVU's fault. It works and works well. Recommended. Bought this for a TV in the back part of the house where there's no TV aerial cabling. Easy to setup and works perfectly well streaming over an ADSL connection which gives no more then 8Mbps on a good day (joys of rural living).
The only slight negative I have is the Freeview stream chews the bandwidth, seemingly about 7Mbps, Spark Sport is no better. If Netflix can do it consuming less bandwidth, why can't these guys? We won't all be reduced to gibbering wrecks if it isn't 4k super hi-def etc etc. But that's not the SmartVU's fault. It works and works well. Recommended.

We have been using this device for about one month. It does exactly what we needed it to do, and turned our older TV into a useful smart TV. We have been using this device for about one month. It does exactly what we needed it to do, and turned our older TV into a useful smart TV.

small and doesn't take up any space, easy to set up and I have had no issue it. small and doesn't take up any space, easy to set up and I have had no issue it.

Its ok gives you Freeview but casting from other devices it lags badly which is a disappointment for me because it is the main reasons I brought this device Its ok gives you Freeview but casting from other devices it lags badly which is a disappointment for me because it is the main reasons I brought this device

Excellent purchase easy setup fluid running and relatively fast Excellent purchase easy setup fluid running and relatively fast

I have an old Samsung that relied on Sky Cable for a good signal to Freeview. I need to cut costs, so I did some research on my alternatives. The Dish TVSmart Vu, was easy to install (I am not tech savvy). It gave me access to Freeview. I also have my Netflix and Youtube accounts on the TV. The only comment I have is that it took around a week before I got proper reception of Freeview. At the start, I wasn't connecting. Netflix and Youtube connected as soon as it was installed. I highly recommend it for those who have old model TVs you want to turn smart. I have an old Samsung that relied on Sky Cable for a good signal to Freeview. I need to cut costs, so I did some research on my alternatives. The Dish TVSmart Vu, was easy to install (I am not tech savvy). It gave me access to Freeview. I also have my Netflix and Youtube accounts on the TV. The only comment I have is that it took around a week before I got proper reception of Freeview. At the start, I wasn't connecting. Netflix and Youtube connected as soon as it was installed. I highly recommend it for those who have old model TVs you want to turn smart.

Bought afew months ago, couldn't be happier. Turned my over 10 years old tv into a smart, LOVE! Bought afew months ago, couldn't be happier. Turned my over 10 years old tv into a smart, LOVE!

Would recommend - has everything you need! Would recommend - has everything you need!

Good for streaming and Freeview but a lag between picture and sound when casting from Skygo. Good for streaming and Freeview but a lag between picture and sound when casting from Skygo.

This is so awesome it turned our dumb TV into a Smart TV. It’s amazing, we can watch Netflix and Freeview on the TV now. Easy setup too. We love it. This is so awesome it turned our dumb TV into a Smart TV. It’s amazing, we can watch Netflix and Freeview on the TV now. Easy setup too. We love it.