Forgive me, I recant my positive review of the Tivo Stream 4k.

by kilna

A few weeks back I gave a glowing review of the Tivo Stream 4k, based on a week or so of use. The problems with the device, for my use profile, are more than I can handle. Despite the hit to the pocketbook to do it for all 4 TVs in my home, I am switching to the Shield TV tube at 3x the price.

Here is the rundown of the problems I've had:

  • Hooking up directly to my Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro causes some sort of HDCP problem, and the screen blinks. I originally hooked it up directly to the TV but I wanted to switch to doing it through the soundbar so I could have Dolby Atmos.

  • The Chromecast ethernet adapters worked great. At first. Then they suddenly stopped working. They could be bum adapters, or there might have been a software update, or some other problem.

  • Random reboots started happening week 2-3. At first I thought it might be insufficient power supply for the combination of the ethernet adapater and the device itself, so I bumped it up to a 2A USB power supply, and they still occur.

  • The remotes keep losing which TV they're associated with. I had to go through god knows how many hoops to disable services via ADB and force them to not get bad information about the TV they're associated with from the system software, and force them to use a code. This problem I could compensate for with said hoops, but it was exceptionally annoying nonetheless.

I'm done. I can't do it anymore. I wanted so badly for it to be true that a device at the $50 price point could do everything I wanted, but nothing quite fits as of current. I don't want to tie myself to the less-supported Chinese boxes, I can't do the Amazon ecosystem and all of the apps they lock out, and I really want the standard Android TV launcher, so my best bet right now is to suck it up and spend the extra money.

Please forgive me if my enthusiasm lead you buy one of these. I knew not what was ahead.

Big10Guy

I had replied to your original review asking if you were have remote control issues since mine was having such problems. Fast forward to today and after the latest Stream firmware update the remote control issues are supposed to be fixed. We'll see.

I wouldn't buy more of these though even if that is fixed due to other things like you mention. Holding out for the Google Sabrina and will try that next.

alexg_7

TiVo just released a firmware update today that fixes most of these issues

sstanley4507

How much do you want for the four? I’ve got two Shields- Not the tubes & 3 TiVo Streams and don’t have any complaints. Certainly not for $50 anyway.

But ya... I’ve got two more sets not hooked up and wouldn’t mind a couple dedicated for travel so how much?

pawdog

I have the initial great device impression. Soon found that at least right now it's a secondary room device. They appear to be willing it support it and fix issues. Until then it's still. $50 device.

Sara5dawn

Hey thanks for the info. I was very close to getting a TiVo stream 4k yesterday! So glad I didn't.

Was going to get it because of the price but think I'll stick with the MI Box.

getupgetgoing

" I can't do the Amazon ecosystem and all of the apps they lock out"

You can install pretty much 99% of all Android TV apps on Amazon devices by sideloading them. The opposite can't be done, Apple TV+ is a good example of that. I don't know about Tivo but Shield devices can't even reproduce Youtube 4K HDR content.

jim-p

I am really happy with my Shield tube, though I am thinking of getting a Pro and moving the tube to another TV to replace another Roku.

If I was looking to hook up as many TVs as you I might wait for Google's "Sabrina" device to drop, though. Supposed to be a similar price point to the TiVo Stream 4K and be pure Android TV.

awal1987

Interesting, I've not had the remote problem. I just bought a second to use and no issues other than the TV is old and I can't can't inputs. Volume works, which is enough for me.

papin97

I don't want to tie myself to the less-supported Chinese boxes

I don't know what do you mean by "less-supported" but Xiaomi Mi Box S is Google and Netflix certified, and not many devices (much less Chinese boxes) have this kind of support

DeskReference

I had positive first experiences also but now it's just a buggy mess again. Black outs are back, unresponsive remote, jittery screen. I don't know what happened since I don't use the box that much.

Knowing the new Google TV is similar hardware is making me wary.

werdsmart

Sorry that you are having a rough time and I won't say that you aren't - I do want to leave my post here to state I purchased 5 Tivo Stream 4k's in May. Used 4 of them since then and the 5th one has gone online for use this week... I can honestly say I had one minor issue with one black screening during the first week of use and it hasn't since ( a reset resolved it). The remotes losing the Tivo Stream only ever has happened during setup and is definitely aggravating but has not happened to any of the ones that have seen near daily long term use. So just providing a counter point - those of use with Tivo Stream 4k in heavy rotation that are happy aren't posting often ;)

BiggussDikkuss

Random reboots started happening week 2-3.

This sounds like a hardware failure or the device that is about to fail.

You have a dud device, return it.

Edit: did this recent Firmware update fix the problems ?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tivo/comments/iqt44p/thank_you_thank_you_thank_you/