Last December Channel Master announced a new Android TV-powered DVR called the Stream+. Not only does it record your antenna but you also have access to the Google Play Store to access apps like Hulu, Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and more.
“Stream+ is the culmination of customer requests, market research and engineering, rolled up into an advanced solution from creative companies,” said Joe Bingochea, EVP of Product Development at Channel Master. “We are a consumer-first company focused on delivering value to our customers with Android TV and GoogleTM’s Live Channels app.”
Last week thanks to the team at FreeTVee.com we lent us their Stream+ we are finally able to give it a full review. (Our pre-order has still not been delivered.)
You can watch our full review on YouTube here: (Note since we record this video Channel Master has added the ability to record shows to a USB storage device. In the past it was only able to record to MicroSD cards.)
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- No monthly bill for guide data
- Small compact design
Cons:
- No Netflix
- No Whole-Home DVR Option
Final Thoughts:
The Channel Master Stream+ is a powerful and easy to use DVR. The fact that your guide data is free is a huge plus over other DVRs. (Many DVRs give you 24 hours for free and charge for additional guide data.) Yet there are a few things that hold us back from saying this is the go-to DVR option.
One of the main selling points of the Stream+ DVR is the idea that its one device that does it all. Yet as of today Netflix is not allowing the Netflix for Android TV app to be installed on the Stream+. The lack of Netflix for many means they still need a second device to access Netflix.
The second main issue we have with the Stream+ is the fact that it lacks any whole home streaming. Most DVRs not will let you stream your recordings to multiple devices including other TVs and even phones. This allows you to have one DVR for every TV in your home. The Stream+ from Channel Master has no streaming option meaning you need a Stream+ for each TV in your house and they can’t share recordings between devices. If you record something in your bedroom you have to watch it in your bedroom.
Both of these issues can be fixed and would make Stream+ the go-to option for many cord cutters. Yet as it stands today the lack of Netflix and the inability to take their content holds the Stream+ back from being as great as it could be.
Do you have a Stream+? Leave a comment and let us know what you think of it.
Did you know we now have a FREE app for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire? Click HERE to download our app.
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