Introduction
The Greatever T95Z Plus TV Box. The very name probably conjures images of early days of Android TV boxes for many users. This particular device, powered by the now classic Amlogic S912 octa-core processor, aimed to deliver a capable multimedia experience at a competitive price. Back when streaming boxes were in their heyday, the T95Z Plus was a solid contender. This review seeks to provide an objective assessment of the Greatever T95Z Plus in today’s context. Considering the rapid advancements in technology, it’s imperative to examine whether this vintage device still holds any relevance in the current TV box landscape. Was it a good streaming device back then, or only appear to be so by the standards of the time?
Originally released several years ago, the Greatever T95Z Plus represented a popular entry point for those looking to cut the cord and embrace streaming media. The Amlogic S912 chipset promised robust performance, enabling smooth playback of high-definition video and support for a variety of media formats. However, the world of streaming devices has evolved significantly since then. Newer, more powerful boxes have emerged, boasting enhanced features, improved performance, and updated operating systems. Can the Greatever T95Z Plus still compete, or has it been relegated to the realm of nostalgia? Let’s take a look.
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Upon unboxing the Greatever T95Z Plus, you’d typically find the TV box itself, a remote control, a power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user manual. The packaging was functional and adequately protected the contents during shipping. While not exactly premium, it sufficed for its intended purpose.
The device itself sports a distinctive design, characterized by a rectangular shape with angular edges and a glossy black finish. While the aesthetics might seem dated by today’s standards, it was a fairly eye-catching design for its time. Its construction consists primarily of plastic materials, which contributes to its lightweight feel. Ports and connectors are generously distributed around the device, including several USB ports, an HDMI output, an Ethernet port, and an AV output for older televisions. A small LED display on the front panel indicates the device’s power status and displays the time.
The remote control is a standard infrared (IR) remote, featuring a fairly typical button layout. It includes directional buttons, volume controls, playback controls, and dedicated buttons for accessing common functions. While functional, the remote’s ergonomics aren’t stellar, and the buttons feel somewhat plasticky. Responsiveness is adequate, but it requires a clear line of sight to the TV box.
Hardware Specifications and Technical Details
At the heart of the Greatever T95Z Plus lies the Amlogic S912 octa-core processor. This processor features eight ARM Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at speeds reaching a gigahertz and a half. The combination of eight cores promised to allow to run a multitude of apps at once and improve the usability experience. The Amlogic S912 was considered a powerful mobile processor during the mid-two-thousand-and-teens.
Complementing the CPU is the Mali-T820MP3 GPU. This graphics processing unit provides sufficient horsepower for handling high-definition video playback and casual gaming. While it’s not a powerhouse for demanding graphics-intensive games, it’s adequate for most Android games available at the time.
The Greatever T95Z Plus typically comes equipped with either two or three gigabytes of RAM, depending on the specific configuration. This amount of RAM is sufficient for running most streaming apps and multitasking to a reasonable extent. Internal storage usually ranges from sixteen to thirty-two gigabytes, which provides ample space for installing apps and storing media files. Storage is also expandable via SD card.
Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi supporting the eight-zero-two point eleven a/b/g/n/ac standards, gigabit Ethernet for a wired network connection, and Bluetooth for connecting peripherals such as keyboards and mice. The Greatever T95Z Plus originally shipped with Android six point zero or seven point one, depending on the specific model and release date.
Software and User Interface Experience
The initial setup process on the Greatever T95Z Plus is relatively straightforward. The user interface is based on a custom launcher, which presents a tile-based layout with icons for accessing various apps and settings. Navigation is generally intuitive, although the user interface can feel somewhat clunky and dated compared to modern Android TV interfaces.
The device typically comes pre-installed with a number of apps, some of which may be considered bloatware. These apps often include streaming services, media players, and various utilities. While some users may find these apps useful, others may prefer to uninstall them to free up storage space and declutter the user interface.
Operating system stability and responsiveness can vary depending on the specific firmware version. Some users have reported occasional crashes and glitches, while others have found the device to be relatively stable. However, given the age of the device, updates are unlikely to be made available now.
Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Usage
Boot-up time on the Greatever T95Z Plus is typically around thirty to forty seconds, which is acceptable for a device of its age. App loading speed is reasonably fast, although it may not be as snappy as on newer, more powerful TV boxes.
Video playback performance is generally good, with support for a wide range of video formats, including H point two six four, H point two six five/HEVC, and VPnine. The device is capable of playing four kay video smoothly, although performance may vary depending on the specific video codec and bitrate. High dynamic range support may be available depending on the particular model.
Gaming performance is adequate for casual games, but it’s not suitable for demanding graphics-intensive titles. Frame rates may drop in more complex scenes, leading to a less enjoyable gaming experience.
Network performance is generally solid, with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections providing stable and reliable connectivity. Wi-Fi speed and range are decent, although they may be affected by factors such as network congestion and distance from the router.
While benchmark scores were respectable at the time of its release, they pale in comparison to modern TV boxes. However, for basic streaming and media playback, the Greatever T95Z Plus still holds its own.
Features and Functionality Overview
Kodi support is a significant feature of the Greatever T95Z Plus, enabling users to stream media from local and network sources. Kodi performance is generally good, with smooth playback of most video formats.
Miracast and AirPlay compatibility allows users to mirror content from their smartphones and tablets to the TV screen. This feature can be useful for sharing photos, videos, and presentations. DLNA support enables users to stream media from DLNA-enabled devices on their home network.
One potentially crucial factor is Digital Rights Management support. It’s essential to investigate whether the device supports Widevine Level one. The Greatever T95Z Plus likely only supports Widevine Level three. This severely impacts the ability to stream content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other major streaming services in high definition.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Like any tech product, the Greatever T95Z Plus TV Box has its share of both positives and negatives.
Pros
- Good performance for its time, especially for streaming media.
- Wide range of features, including Kodi support, Miracast, and DLNA.
- Affordable price at the time of release.
- Decent connectivity options.
- Expandable storage.
Cons
- Outdated operating system and potentially limited software support.
- Competition from newer, more powerful TV boxes.
- Potential for overheating during prolonged use.
- Digital Rights Management limitations potentially affecting streaming services.
- User interface can feel dated.
Exploring Potential Alternatives
Finding direct alternatives to the Greatever T95Z Plus in the current market is challenging, primarily due to its age. At the time of the T95Z Plus’s release, devices like the Nvidia Shield TV (though significantly more expensive) and some of the higher-end Xiaomi Mi Boxes offered superior performance. Now, a modern alternative would simply be a newer generation of any of those aforementioned products, or a streaming stick.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
In conclusion, the Greatever T95Z Plus TV Box was a solid contender in its time. The Amlogic S912 processor provided respectable performance for streaming media and playing casual games. However, given its age and the rapid advancements in TV box technology, it’s difficult to recommend it in [Current Year].
The outdated operating system, potential lack of software updates, and competition from newer, more powerful devices make it a less compelling option for most users. The Greatever T95Z Plus is perhaps only suitable for users on a very tight budget who are primarily interested in basic streaming and media playback, or those seeking a nostalgic trip back to the early days of Android TV boxes.
For most users, investing in a newer TV box with a modern operating system, better performance, and ongoing software support is a wiser choice. The Greatever T95Z Plus may have served its purpose well in its prime, but the time has come to move on to newer, more capable devices. There’s just too much advancements in the performance and the ability to connect to streaming services to use such an outdated box.
