The GTMedia HDTV Converter X1 promises to bring high-quality TV tuning and streaming capabilities to your living room. But does it deliver? In this review, we break down its features, performance, and ease of use so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your setup.
What is the GTMedia HDTV Converter X1?
The GTMedia X1 is a hybrid device that functions as both an ATSC TV tuner and an Android-based media player. It’s designed to tune into ATSC 3.0 and 1.0 signals, making it a versatile option for cord-cutters and tech enthusiasts. It also supports various streaming apps, offering a mix of live TV and on-demand entertainment.
Setting up the X1 is straightforward. The box comes with an antenna connection, an HDMI port for your TV, and options for wired or wireless internet. It also features a USB port for external drives and a power adapter connection. Check out the GTMedia X1 here.
How Does It Perform as a TV Tuner?
The X1 performs well in channel scanning, finding all available ATSC 1.0 channels in the area during testing. The scan process is thorough but takes time as it searches both ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 frequencies. For troubleshooting, a manual channel scan feature is also available.
Unfortunately, ATSC 3.0 support couldn’t be tested fully due to the lack of compatible stations in the testing area. However, user reports suggest the X1 handles ATSC 3.0 signals, including those with DRM encryption, effectively—provided it’s connected to the internet.
Playback quality is impressive. Channels with poor signals were viewable without major issues, and pixelation only occurred with extremely weak signals. The signal strength display, accessed with the info button, is a handy feature for optimizing your antenna placement.
What About Recording Features?
The GTMedia X1 includes DVR functionality, but it’s not without flaws. Recording must be initiated through the menu as the remote lacks a dedicated record button. Once recording starts, an overlay in the corner of the screen shows channel details and recording length.
One notable advantage is the ability to record multiple channels simultaneously if they’re broadcast on the same frequency. This feature is particularly useful for ATSC 3.0 networks, where multiple channels often share the same frequency.
However, recorded files often have incorrect names, making organization a challenge. Playback of recordings revealed glitchy video, even when an external USB drive was used as the recording source. These issues severely impact the device’s usability as a DVR.
Media Player Capabilities
As an Android-based media player, the X1 offers access to popular streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Plex. Installing new apps is easy through the Google Play Store. However, the Android version on the X1 is outdated, and some apps, like Netflix, are unofficial, raising security concerns.
Streaming performance is generally smooth. YouTube videos played without buffering, though thumbnails occasionally appeared pixelated. Plex handled H.265 10-bit video files without issues, a task many streaming devices struggle with.
While streaming works well, the reliance on sideloaded apps and outdated software limits the X1’s appeal as a media player. These factors could pose a security risk for your network.
Where Does It Fall Short?
While the GTMedia X1 shows promise, several drawbacks prevent it from being a must-have device:
- The program guide often lacks channel information, even with an internet connection.
- Recording features are cumbersome, with glitches in playback and file naming issues.
- The outdated Android operating system and reliance on unofficial apps pose security concerns.
Should You Buy the GTMedia HDTV Converter X1?
The GTMedia X1 is a device with great potential, but it falls short in execution. As a TV tuner, it performs admirably for ATSC 1.0 channels and has promising ATSC 3.0 capabilities. However, its DVR and media player features leave much to be desired.
If you’re looking for a basic tuner with streaming capabilities, the X1 might meet your needs. But for those who prioritize reliable DVR functionality and robust media player performance, it’s hard to recommend at this time. Learn more about the GTMedia X1 here.
We applaud GTMedia’s vision for the X1, but until its issues are addressed, it’s not the best choice for most users. We hope future updates will unlock the device’s full potential.