FORMULER GTV Review: 4K Media Streamer powered by Android TV

We’re already after testing the first 4K UHD media streamer powered by Android TV from FORMULER brand called FORMULER GTV, so today, we would like to show you the FORMULER GTV review.

As we mentioned, FORMULER GTV is the first Android TV Box in the FORMULER portfolio that runs on Android TV OS (Android TV 9.0). Additionally, the TV Box comes with an advanced Bluetooth voice remote with universal TV control. 

Can GTV media streaming device be an alternative to Mi Box / Mi Box S from Xiaomi? You will certainly not be surprised by our answer yes, but … but you will learn more about it in our FORMULER GTV review.

I want to say thanks to FORMULER brand (www.formuler.tv) for sending us a FORMULER GTV 4K UHD Media Streamer to review. 

Availability and price

FORMULER GTV TV Box is available at Amazon for $179.99 and also via Formuler’s resellers.

[tie_index]Product details[/tie_index]

Product details

FORMULER GTV Specification:

• CPU – Amlogic S905X2 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0 GHz GPU – Mali-G31 MP2 “Dvalin”
• GPU Memory – 2GB DDR4 RAM Storage – 16GB eMMC OS – Android TV™ 9.0
• Video Output – HDMI 2.1 output with HDR,
• HDR10 Video Codecs – 4K @60fps 10-bit Main 10 profile @level 5.1 high-tier HDR10, HLG, VP9 Profile-2 up to 4K 60fps, AVS2-P2 up to 4K 60fps, H.264/AVC up to 4K 30fps, H.264 MVC up to 1080p60, MPEG-4 ASP up to 1080p60 (ISO-14496), etc..
• Audio Output – HDMI
• Connectivity – Dual-Band 2×2 802.11AC WiFi, BT5.0, Gigabit LAN (1000Mbps)
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x USB 2.0 port
• Misc – IR extension port, LED on the front
• Power Supply – 12VDC / 1A
• Dimensions – 109x109x21mm
• Weight – n/a

The box included everything that you need to get started:

• FORMULER GTV
• Premium Remote Control (GTV-BT1) + silicone case
• Two AA batteries (for the remote)
• Power adapter
• HDMI Cable
• Remote control extender
• Quick Setup Guide

The following video from our YouTube channel where you can take a look at more FORMULER GTV and bundled accessories.

[tie_index]First impressions, settings, an overview of features[/tie_index]

FORMULER GTV Review: First impressions, settings, an overview of features

GTV TV Box is a small and solidly made Android TV Box. The top cover is matte black plastic with the FORMULER logo in the center. The sides and the bottom of the plastic housing are made of shiny piano-black plastic. The housing has a square shape with rounded sides.

On the sides of the housing, there are USB ports (USB 2.0 and on the other side USB 3.0). On the rear panel are the HDMI port, RJ45 Ethernet port,  DC jack, and IR receiver. On the bottom, there is information such as the serial number, MAC Address, and others. On the bottom also, there is a rubber pad to prevent shifting.

The FORMULER GTV is shipped with advanced Bluetooth voice remote control, which is used not only for Android TV but also for IPTV / Live TV (MYTVOnline2) and TV (via IR receiver). FORMULER GTV-BT1 Remote control is a great premium Bluetooth remote control with programmable Hotkeys. Additionally, FORMULER provides a software update for remote control (of course for TV Box also via OTA). Bluetooth voice remote control works very well. Recognizes voice commands fast and without any problem. Just press the button with colored circles and say the command. Supports also additional features such as Record and Timeshift Live TV channels and PiP via the pre-installed MYTVOnline2 app, Learn more. Unfortunately, there is a lack of air mouse functionality. For Bluetooth voice remote control it is possible to get/buy a silicone case. Below pictures.

Impressions from the use

Just like Mi Box / Mi Box S, GTV TV Box runs on Android TV OS (Android TV 9.0), and thus working with the device is a child’s play, from the moment of commissioning and configuration, through everyday use. Android TV launcher is based on recommendations from many external sources, Youtube, Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Go, Google Movies, Google Play Games, Google Play Music, etc. The recommended content is displayed in rows.

We can choose typically the resolution of FHD 1920×1080 (1080p 60Hz) but you can also adjust the preferred resolution ( also 4K, you need 4K TV) or set the auto switch. Everything worked stable and very quickly without delays.  WiFi connection works well, stable, and fast. Wifi: Download –
207Mbps Upload – 256Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet: Download – 839Mbps Upload – 305Mbps. In addition to the GTV-BT1 Bluetooth remote control with voice feature, we used a Logitech MK540 Advanced set and a gamepad from iPega called iPega PG-9076. 

GTV TV Box more details from the use

TV Box from FORMULER is Google Certified TV Box and comes with built-in Chromecast support (you can stream your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet, or laptop). As we mentioned at the beginning of the TV Box is equipped with Bluetooth remote control with the voice control feature, so by pressing the button with the colored circle’s symbol, you can output voice commands, which work well and fast. Big plus! You do not have to navigate the remote control, just tell what you are looking for.

As we mentioned, TV Box is certified by Google (supports Youtube 4K (2160p) but unfortunately, is not Netflix certified. Error (-13) appears when launching the Netflix app. However, you can run Netflix by following these instructions here. Despite the “HD” icon (as you will see in the screenshots), the maximum resolution is up to 480p (Test Patterns). The TV Box does not support Netflix 4K and also HD.  Which does not change the fact that you can watch your favorite movies via Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Go, and others without any problem. We also installed the latest Kodi 18.9 Leia. The device has 16GB eMMC storage (system shows 12GB). It’s a bit too little.

If you need to control the TV Box through a smartphone, you can use the Android TV Remote Control appl or CetusPlay (Install CetusPlay On TV/Box app on TV box and open, Install CetusPlay on a smartphone). The number of applications for Android TV OS is limited. On GTV TV Box you can play games from the Google Play store, as on other Android TV Box. Games run smoothly.  Just connect a gamepad or keyboard. We used iPega PG-9076 and played Beach Buggy Racing, Asphalt 8, and Space Marshals 2. Below some screenshots.

MyTVOnline2 Cutting-edge TV Platform Features

As we mentioned, the FORMULER GTV TV Box comes with a pre-installed MyTVOnline2 app (after an update via OTA IPTV version v9.2.5) for IPTV/Live TV.  Through the application, you have access to your favorite channels available from IPTV providers. For testing, we used the free of 5000+ publicly available IPTV channels from all over the world .m3u (Github source here). The configuration is very easy. MyTVOnline2 app allows you to watch LiveTV, access EPG, but also record channels. Below are some screenshots.

[tie_index]Operating system and components[/tie_index]

FORMULER GTV Review: Operating system and components

GTV TV Box runs on Android TV 9.0, Kernel version 4.9.113, and supports OTA updates. We updated the firmware via OTA to the v1.4.85 version, an update for the remote controller was also available. Big plus!. TV Box is equipped with Amlogic S905X2 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ processor up to 1.8GHz and GPU Mali-G31MP2, CPU speed between 100MHz and 1.8GHz. On the following screens, you can see exactly the components used and their specification (Information taken from the CPU-Z app). Below is also a screenshot of DRM info. The device does not have root access. Below screenshots.

FORMULER GTV: Performance tests and benchmarks

For testing, we use the AnTuTu Video Tester 3.0 app and AnTuTu Benchmark 8.4.5, GeekBench 4.20, 3D Mark, GFX, GPUBench.

[tie_index]GTV Video Tests[/tie_index]

Video Tests

Video result 1057 and no unsupported codecs! Video playback by Kodi 18.9 Leia runs almost smoothly and stable. TV Box without problem seems plays movies with the resolution of 480p,720p, and 1080p (24fps, 30fps, 60fps) and also 4K (60fps) with various codecs videos such as H.264, H.265, MPEG2, MPEG4, RMVB, and audio – DTS and AC3. Dolby Digital 5.1 passthrough worked fine via HDMI. Additionally, TV Box supports Dolby Audio and DTS-HD. Also, we tested several video formats – AVI, MKV, MP4 (typical formats in which it holds the majority of movies), ISO, and also videos was played fine.

Video Playback via Kodi 18.9

[tie_index]GTV Benchmarks[/tie_index]

Benchmarks

FORMULER GTV a score of 72288 points in AnTuTuBenchmark v8.4.5.Below Benchmark screenshots, we were able to do: AnTuTu Benchmark, GeekBench 4.2.0, 3D Mark, GFX, and GPUBench.

[tie_index]Conclusions[/tie_index]

FORMULER GTV Review: Conclusions

FORMULE GTV  is a Google Certified TV Box, that works very well, quickly, and stable. TV Box well with 4K video playback. Operation via advanced GTV-BT1 Premium Bluetooth voice remote control is friendly and easy. In addition, the support of the MYTVOnline2 app and TV via GTV-BT1 is a big advantage. It is a pity that the remote control does not have an air mouse feature.  GTV TV Box supports Youtube 4K, unfortunately, it does not support Netflix 4K and HD. A big advantage is the updates via OTA. Despite the availability of Android TV, IPTV / Live TV via MYTVOnline2 app, advanced Bluetooth Remote control, the price we found ($179.99) is a bit too high. At this price, we can buy almost three Mi Box S, perhaps at FORMULER’s resellers, you will find the GTV TV Box much cheaper (we do not have information on this). Nevertheless, the GTV TV Box is worth attention and interest because it has very good features.