Yesterday, TV antenna maker Channel Master revealed details of its new Stream+ Android TV box. The announcement adds details missing from the teaser video we reported on last month – including a special $99 intro price.
Lack of access to local TV stations is an on-going frustration for cord-cutters. Channel Master’s Stream+ could be the solution that cord-cutters have been looking for.
Integrating Broadcast TV and Streaming
“Stream+ is the culmination of customer requests, market research and engineering, rolled up into an advanced solution from creative companies,” said Channel Master product development executive Joe Bingochea. Among the features the new devices supports:
- Dual high-definition TV tuners
- 4K UltraHD and HDR-10 output
- Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital+ audio support
- Quad-core cpu
- USB 3.0 for external storage
- HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 1.4
- SPDIF optical audio
- MicroSD
- Ethernet Port (100 megabit)
- Dual Band Wireless
- Bluetooth 4.1
Android TV is Designed for the TV
Because Stream+ is based on Google’s Android TV platform, it’s easier to use compared to other Android boxes. Stream+ runs Android version 7 – codenamed “Nougat” – under the hood. The entire interface, however, is optimized for the TV rather than for mobile devices. That means that you won’t run into apps that are hard to use on TVs because they’re designed for touch devices.
Other Android TV features add to the Stream+ experience. For example, ChromeCast compatibility expands app support even further. Additionally, Google’s Live Channels DVR gives you a subscription-free programming guide. The voice-enabled remote control lets you use Google’s search system to find content.
Channel Master is taking pre-orders right now at a limited-time-price of $99. The Stream+ will ship in mid-January.
Chris Casper is a former tech industry product manager who escaped from California for New Mexico. Now he writes about science and tech while searching for the perfect green chile sauce.
