This probably deserves a separate tutorial, but only if there is any interest. But just to get initial impressions, I finished doing a limited test of the ONN box that I purchased at Walmart yesterday. A few things to keep in mind first off. I’my no means an export of Android TV or the full on Android OS, so I’ll be asking a lot of questions on how to do things as I discover them. 2. My only experience has been with the Firestick 4k and with Amazon specifically, so much of what may be intuitive for some is not for myself, but I’m willing to learn.
So with that out of the way, here goes.
Unboxing:
Here is what you get in the box:
(Apologies if the The images are sideways, not sure what happened)
Spec:
Walmart Onn Android TV 4K:
| Specification |
Walmart Onn Android TV 4K |
| Build |
Plastic |
| SoC |
* Amlogic S905Y2 |
- 4x ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 1.8 GHz)
- Mali G31 GPU|
|RAM & Storage|* 2 GB RAM
- 8GB storage|
|Ports|microUSB, HDMI|
|Connectivity|* 2.4/5GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 4.0|
|Software|Android TV 10.0|
|Other Features|* Remote with TV volume/power controls
- Chromecast support
- Google Assistant|
Connecting was straight forward. I connected mine directly to my router using an Ethernet cable, UGreen Ethernet adapter and OTG cable.
Once you plug it in, it boots quickly.
And begins to walk you through set up. The set up was straight forward and simple to follow.
The Remote: nice remote, it is smooth and I experienced no lag. Pairing it was straight forward, and it even prompted me to pair with my sound system via menu and same goes with the TV. So one remote controls everything. It also comes preinstalled with 4 dedicated buttons: Youtube, Netflix, Disney +, and HBO Max (subscription required, except YouTube)
To get access to all the device has, it must be linked with a Google Account, so get that in mind.
Once I got it linked, from there it takes you to a new screen, Recommended Apps to install
(All of the following can be installed or unchecked to not install):
X-Plore
ANT Radio Service
NCAA March Madness
MyRadar Weather Radar
Pandora Music for Tv
Showtime Anytime
Paramount +
FXNOW
Twilight: Blue light filter
Apps ONN (from Walmart):
Hulu (unable to keep from installing)
Peacock TV (can uncheck to keep from install)
Prime Video (unable to keep from being installed)
ESPN (can uncheck to keep from installing)
EPIX NOW (can uncheck to keep from installing)
Like I said, the remote is responsive, zero lag.
The device comes loaded with Google Play Store and Google Assistant, and can be used by voice activation, both require to be turned on before using in Preferences settings.
It comes with Chromecast built in and you can easily cast from your phone to the TV
As I mentioned, it has easy to follow onscreen set up menu using the remote.
The home page is set up much like the home page of Amazon (after the latest update), but it can be customized after you set up an adb shell.
From the setting icon, you can access:
Name your device
Network & Internet
Accounts & Sign-in
Apps
Device Preferences
Remote & Accessories
Set up remote buttons
In the Device Preferences:
Click on Security & Restrictions
There are 2 headings :
Unknown Sources
Verify app
Clicking on Unknown Sources opens a new screen and starts with a warning about you being solely responsible for any damage to device or data loss by using unknown sources. It’s at this screen that you have to turn on each app installed, instead of just on button to allow unknown sources.
The second tab: verify apps: is clicked on, which indicates disallowing or warning before installation of apps that may cause harm
Storage Tab:
Click on this tab opens a new screen that shows how much total space of internal storage which, if on initial start up you install everything that it prompted you to add leaves you with 4.8 GB remaining.
Internal shared storage tab, a new screen open up and it tells you using color coding how much different categories are consuming how much memory.
I believe the device comes with Oreo OS installed, and suspect it can be updated.
So first impression is it’s a good device, that is highly customizable the is responsive. The memory and storage size is the same as the Firestick. This seems to be Walmart trying to compete in the low-end streaming space along with the Amazon Firestick. For $20, don’t think you can go wrong, and for me it gives me the opportunity to learn about the Android TV system and how to get things to work, which having only used Amazon products, it new and one I look forward to.
Any specific questions, you can shoot them my way and I’ll try to answer them. Most likely, I’ll have to go into the device and see if I can find the answer or try to make things turn on and work.
I feel the need to mention something that I glossed over in the description of this box. The OS it used is Android TV 10, and not stock Android. So modifying some things that will be a challenge; doesn’t mean it can’t be done, it’s just a little more involved.
