Is the TiVo Stream 4k Worth It?

Don’t have a smart TV? That doesn’t mean you can’t stream your favorite media content with your regular TV. Thanks to the TiVo Stream 4k, you can access the popular streaming apps on your TV and enjoy the entertainment.

The TiVo Stream 4K is a top streaming box, bringing movies and shows from Netflix, Prime Video, live TV from Sling, and more into a single device. For only $39.99 (or for a discounted price on Amazon), you can get the box today.

TiVo Stream 4k is a direct competitor of two top streaming players, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.

If you’re not sure if the TiVo Stream 4k is worth it, this article is an answer to that question. We will explore the ins and outs of this TiVo device and help you decide if it is the right streaming media player for you or not.

Keep reading for more insights. Let’s get started!

What is the TiVo Stream 4k?

What is the TiVo Stream 4k?

The TiVo Stream 4k is a streaming device to connect to your TV through the HDMI port. Once connected, it allows you to stream all your favorite TV shows and movies by bringing the most prominent movie streaming apps to one place. The device works on Android TV, a device powered by Google.

TV Stream 4k offers a 4k TV resolution and a refresh rate of 120. It supports all wireless networks with WiFi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz/ 5 GHz) has an Android phone control and an Android operating system.

The supported internet services include Disney+, HBO max, Netflix, Sling, Prime Video, and Peacock.

How Much Does the TiVo Stream 4k Cost?

The TiVo Stream 4k TV is currently $39.99 on the TiVo company website but might be a bit cheaper than that on Amazon.

You don’t have to pay a monthly fee for the box, but you may have to pay to access some of the streaming services you can access through TiVo.

TiVo Stream 4K Specifications 

  • HDMI, USB-C, and Micro-USB ports
  • maximum video resolution: 4K at 60 frames per second is the 
  • Supports HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
  • Audio formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos
  • 120 refresh rate
  • Android operating system

TiVo Stream 4k Design

The TiVo Stream 4k is designed to be hidden behind your TV. It has a prominent TiVo logo on the front and a distinctive wedge style that looks like a small Edge DVR.

Like many other streaming devices, the TiVo streaming player is a dongle with a “tail” that plugs straight into the HDMI connection on your TV. The rectangular dongle is small enough to fit in your palm, and it’s compact and discreet.

A micro-USB port is included on the opposite end of the tail for connecting the power cord. If you don’t want to depend on WiFi, there’s also a USB-C port that you can use to connect to an external device or an Ethernet adapter.

The remote (with two AAA batteries) is shaped like a peanut and has simple controls, including a directional button, power, volume control, channels, and Google Assistant. The remote’s only flaw is that the numerical keypad appears unneeded.

There are no up or down buttons, which is disappointing, but there are far more controls than you’d find on a regular Roku or Amazon remote. It will also operate the power, volume, and input on your TV, but because it uses HDMI CEC rather than infrared like Roku and Amazon, it will only work with recent TVs.

Streaming Content on TiVo Stream 4k

When you first set up the TiVo Stream, it will show you a selection of movies and TV series and ask you to choose your favorites. These selections serve as the foundation for TiVo’s main menu recommendations, which you may access by hitting the big silver TiVo button on the remote.

You may also add shows to a watch list, see a list of recently viewed shows, or browse by category from this page. TV shows, movies, sports, and children’s programming have their submenus.

The way the TiVo menu integrates several streaming sources makes it stand out. If you hover your mouse over a program, you’ll see icons indicating whether it’s available on Netflix, Hulu, or other platforms.

You can also filter out any services that you don’t have a subscription to so that they don’t appear in TiVo’s menus.

Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Now, Disney+, Tubi, Sling TV, and Google Play Movies & TV are among the TiVo Stream’s current content sources. It’s convenient to have all of these popular services in one place, especially if you begin to compile a watchlist to keep track of your favorite shows.

To watch videos from other apps, exit TiVo’s menu and return to the Android TV home screen. This brings you to a more traditional app launcher, from which you can continue to download apps from the Google Play Store.

Why You Should Buy the TiVo Stream 4k Device

App Switching

With the TiVo Stream 4k, you won’t have to change apps when you want to watch a particular show, and it doesn’t feature on the app you are currently on. 

The TiVo Stream 4k saves you all that stress because it brings all your favorite apps to one place where you can stream all your favorite shows without having to switch apps regardless of the broadcasting network. 

This is one of the unique features that make it stand out. Some people always complain about changing apps anytime they want to change shows or see a different movie.

You won’t experience that with the TiVo Stream 4K, as all your favorite shows on different apps are brought to one place.

Voice Control

The TiVo Stream 4k comes with a voice control feature with the integrated Google Assistant, allowing app launching, light dimming, and much more. This makes your viewing experience more comfortable, more accessible, and stress-free.

With just the sound of your voice and the command, you can begin your experience. 

It doesn’t just make your viewing experience more enjoyable it makes it more unique and classy. It makes your home more welcoming, especially when you have visitors over on a date. 

Shows and Movies Recommendations

Thinking of what to see next? TiVo can help! Automated show recommendations are one of the features the TiVo Stream 4k offers. 

TiVo 4k recommends shows and movies from what you love and not your location. You won’t have to think or search before finding the next show to watch because it does that for you.

Because the TiVo 4k has all your apps in one place, it brings out all the recommendations not just from one app but from the different apps you have installed. 

With this, you can enjoy non-stop action on your television screen.

All Your Favorite Streaming Apps in One Place 

The TiVo Stream 4k brings all your favorite streaming apps to one place. You can also watch live TV content using this device. Some of the apps you can access with the TiVo box include:

  • Netflix
  • Hulu/Hulu + Live TV
  • Prime Video
  • HBO Max
  • SHOWTIME Anytime
  • Disney+
  • Peacock
  • Paramount+
  • Sling TV
  • Philo
  • STARZ
  • Pluto TV
  • fuboTV
  • Tubi
  • Crackle
  • NFL SUNDAY TICKET
  • FOX Sports
  • CBS Sports
  • NBC Sports
  • FOX Nation

Easy Setup Process

The TiVo Stream 4k is simpler to set up because it runs on Android. 

If you already have a Chromebook, an Android phone, or a tablet, you already have an existing Google account on those devices. Once you go through the signup process using your already established Google account, you’re automatically allowed to sync your apps from your Android devices to the TiVo Stream 4k. 

To complete the setup, you’ll have to answer a series of questions for the final step to establish your preference. After all that, you are good to go.

It’s incredible how you can just easily sync your phone with your television without going through any long processes. 

Chromecast Feature

The TiVo Stream 4k is designed with Google Chromecast technology.

When logged in to your Google account on your Android device, you can connect your phone screen wirelessly to your television via the TiVo device.

This feature lets you share videos, pictures, and photos from your Android device to the TV almost immediately.

IR Device Control

One of the TiVo Stream 4k TV remote control features is that it can control certain functions on a wide range of compatible IR-enabled devices.

Should You Buy the TiVo Stream 4k?

The TiVo Stream 4K is an excellent and reasonably priced 4K streaming device. If you’re a Sling customer, the live TV integration app is helpful, and the Google Assistant-enabled remote is well-designed. It also works with almost every streaming service available, including HBO Max and Peacock.

Remember that you need a Google account to access and use TiVo Stream 4k. This is a very limiting feature, and it makes it difficult for people (especially) Apple iOS users who don’t already have Google accounts. It is a very restrictive feature.

Overall, we think the TiVo Stream 4k is worth it, and you should buy it you want a streaming box.