Matricom's G-Box xD delivers with Android 4 OS on TV in amazing full HD 1080p. G-Box xD brings a whole new dimension to TV eexperiance. G-Box xD Supports XBMC video hardware decoder.

Runs these apps: Orange Wednesdays, Virgin Media TV Guide, Movie Vault, Play Video, IMDb, Movies by Flixster, BBC iPlayer, Skifta, RockPlayer Lite, Popcorn Horror, Sky Go, Crackle, Netflix, ABC Player, Cartoon Network, HBO GO, Spotify, BlinkBox, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, NBC, Showtime Anytime, SnagFilms, USTREAM, Demand 5, ITV Player, TNT, WatchESPN, ESPN ScoreCenter, NOW TV, LOVEFiLM, Verizon FiOS, YouTube, Sky Sports TV, Zeebox, NBC Nightly News, TVGuide.co.uk, TV Guide, Ad Hawk, Virgin Media Player, DirecTV, IntoNow, Shazam, STV Player, CNN, BuddyTV Guide, Google Play Movies & TV, ZengaTV, Viggle, SlingPlayer, Vudu, SyFy, VEVO, Redbox Instant, XBMC, T-Mobile TV, Tunein Radio, ITN News, MovieTube, Absolute Radio, TVCatchup, Qello, Smithsonian Channel, Sky News, MLB.TV, Peel Smart Remote, BBC iPlayer Radio, BBC CBeebies Playtime, BBC News, BBC Weather, Channel 4 News, Can I Stream It, Fetch TV Remote, Instant Watcher, Miso, Yamgo, Official XBMC Remote, Adult Swim, HitBliss Earn, PopcornFlix, Yatse the XBMC Remote, CBS, EPIX, Bell TV, YuppTV, Aereo, FOX Fan, Crunchyroll, NBA Game Time, NHL GameCenter, TVPlayer, Pluto TV

WorldTVPC Rating: (3.0)

Product Features

• Turns your TV into a full Android 4 Computer
• Full XBMC Hardware Decoding Support for High Definition Playback!
• Powerful A9-MIII Neon Cortex CPU & Mali400 Graphics Processor
• 4GB Storage / 1GB DDR3 Ram - Plenty of space for your favorite apps!
• Fully Hackable - System comes Pre-Rooted and ready for anything you can think of!

G-Box xD Specifications

• Mali400 High Performance 3D GPU w/XBMC decoding support
• Amlogic Cortex 8726-M3 A9 Neon CPU
• 1GB RAM (DDR3)
• 4GB Total Internal Storage
• USB Storage Extendable (Flash Drives/HDD)
• SD Storage Extendable
• 802.11b/g/n external Wifi (included!)
• 10/100 Ethernet Port
• HDMI v1.3 1080p Output
• 2x USB 2.0 Ports
• Android 4 ICS
• Supports Wireless USB Keyboard/Mouse
• Google Play Store installed
• Fully Rooted, ready for anything!
  

G Box xD: Review

Pros Performs well Nice graphics Performs well Wireless mouse included Affordable option for Google TV

Cons No touch screen capabilities Connection cords must be purchased separately A little expensive for media streamers used to show Netflix and similar service

Introduction

The Internet TV market is booming as people move towards the accepting new media and new technologies as a major part of their everyday lifestyle. Android is at the forefront of this market as they release products that include digital players that extend functionality of ordinary DVD players and television. People who are comfortable with downloading digital media are familiar with these types of devices. The G Box xD will bring users a richer experience than what they are used to from a regular computer screen. Of all the gadgets Android creates for its users, this one is becoming particularly popular. Its main purpose is to provide its users with a multimedia experience presented on a TV screen by way of Google TV. The G Box xD can be purchased from many different outlets, online and offline for about $160.

Product Overview

G Box xD is much like other multimedia players in appearance. It is extremely compact and can be held in the palm of your hand. The space required to hold the G Box xDes minimal so it will take up very little space on a shelf or entertainment center. It will be easily next your television. This device connects to your television by way of a HDMI cord or connection or through an YPbPR component. The latter method is most helpful for those who don’t have HDMI connections on their television. There are two methods for connecting to the Internet with this device. The G Box xD can be connected via a WiFi connection, which is more practical, or a LAN cable. Most people choose the WiFi connection as it is the easiest and therefore the most common method used. Furthermore, the G Box xD has additional ports to include audio connections for microphones and additional HDMI channels.

Remote Control

The G Box xD comes complete with a remote control that is included with purchase. Additionally, Android also provides those who purchase this device with a wireless mouse for controlling the onscreen cursor. Many may found the mouse useful, but it’s really only a substitute method for control because, sadly, the G Box xD does support touch methods as a means of control as some of the similar devices available do. Therefore, the images on the screen cannot be enlarged or minimized with use of the remote control or wireless mouse. Motion sensor capabilities are also not supported, so using some applications that require this technology will be challenging. In fact, these are the exact reasons a wireless mouse is included to aid the remote control as suing either of these two methods may feel uncomfortable; Android hopes the two control methods used together will help remedy the uncomfortable feel and make it easier for users to access their Android system.

Performance Quality

The overall size of the G Box xD is very small but it still packs a powerful processor considering its size. This system includes a 900 MHz processor speed Amlogic with a 512 MB RAM capacity. The storage provided is 2 GB. The graphic ship included is powered Mali-400MP; most users will be pleased with the graphics quality of this chip. Because of the chip provided, graphic performances of this system are somewhat higher than other similar devices on the market with 1240×690 pixels.

Computing Activities

The G Box xD may be most convenient for those interested in viewing their computing activities on a larger screen that can’t be used with a mobile device. Using this device for computing tasks such as email, Facebook, and gaming will show users the power of this small device and Google TV. This device handles Google TV very well, if you are in the market for a media streamer that will allow you to rid yourself of your offline cables subscriptions via services such as Hulu Plus or Netlfix, these services are supported via applications as well. But unlike many other media streamers on the market, this device is most powerful for viewing your computing activates on a larger screen and is a nice compliment to your television.

Verdict

Android has always done an excellent job at creating devices that offer convenience as well as innovation. This device includes that same excellence, but there are a few issues. The system itself is very compact and performs very well. It comes complete with a remote control and wireless mouse for convenience, but the connection cables will need to be purchased separately. If Google TV is your main focus for these types of devices, the G Box xD may be an excellent choice. In terms of Google TV, this system is very affordable with models ranging from $100- to $160 in price. However, if you are in the market for an affordable device that will allow you to watch services such as Netflix or similar in your living room, there are other more affordable brands on the market that work very well.