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.

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.

This is so awesome, it has transformed a TV with practicality no smarts at all into a TV that we can watch Netflix and Freeview and heaps of other apps. Very easy to setup and totally worth the money. This is so awesome, it has transformed a TV with practicality no smarts at all into a TV that we can watch Netflix and Freeview and heaps of other apps. Very easy to setup and totally worth the money.

Set up is easy, works fine, good value....
Recommended Set up is easy, works fine, good value....
Recommended

Product is great and works a treat. Been using it for a month now and we bought it as we already had one on another Tv that was perfect for our needs . Product is great and works a treat. Been using it for a month now and we bought it as we already had one on another Tv that was perfect for our needs .

Have owned my SmartVU for about a month. I studied all the reviews before purchasing and I must agree. Easy to set up and it turned and old tv into a Smart tv. This has replaced my Vodafone tv box. Have owned my SmartVU for about a month. I studied all the reviews before purchasing and I must agree. Easy to set up and it turned and old tv into a Smart tv. This has replaced my Vodafone tv box.

Fantastic device, easy to install/connect also very easy to use. Nice tiny remote. Fantastic device, easy to install/connect also very easy to use. Nice tiny remote.

Very simple to set up & use. Bought primarily for Sky Sport Now & Freeview however it's now the go too for all apps. Very simple to set up & use. Bought primarily for Sky Sport Now & Freeview however it's now the go too for all apps.

Brought to replace my Vodafone TV box doesn't keep dropping out on connection just wish the remote had number buttons instead of needing to scan through every channel watching Freeview also can't find a button to get TV guide but other than that amazing wee streaming device Brought to replace my Vodafone TV box doesn't keep dropping out on connection just wish the remote had number buttons instead of needing to scan through every channel watching Freeview also can't find a button to get TV guide but other than that amazing wee streaming device