We’ve talked quite a bit about the Android TV here at Ausdroid, and while the international rollout has been a bit slow, we got on the game early with some imported Nexus Player models from the USA, as have a number of you guys.
However, today’s news is kind of exciting. Google is bringing Android TV to Australia officially, with the Nexus Player going on sale next week in retail stores nation wide. Dick Smith and JB HiFi will both be carrying the Nexus Player for a recommended retail price of $129. Update: The game controller is available separately for $49 through the same channels.
If you’ve already got a great big TV and you’re in no hurry to upgrade, the Nexus Player gives you the complete experience of Android TV without having to spend thousands of dollars on a new telly. Announced at Google I/O last year, Android TV has the ambitious goal of putting Android inside the TV, and from my quick play with a demonstration unit, it delivers.
The remote has a handy (and accurate) microphone which interfaces with Google’s voice search system, making content discovery, apps, music and videos really easy to navigate.
For those who want to get into a bit of gaming, there’s a game controller available as well, and a really cool feature — play games on your TV, and then continue on your smartphone where you left off (with supported games, presumably).
Last, but not least, is that the Nexus Player offers the same functionality as a Chromecast, so you can throw content from your phone or tablet to it as well, offering a truly integrated experience.
The Nexus Player from Asus will be available at JB Hi-Fi and Dick Smith next week for $129. Let us know if you’ll be getting one!
Just went into Dick Smith and asked if my local store would have them on release day, and they said they wouldn’t. Lady at the checkout said Dick Smith would only have around 155 or something available on launch. I hope this isn’t the case
I have had mine for a few months via the US. It is certainly quirky – and in my experience prone to crashing. Netflix is superior on our AppleTV. Love the voice control though – very popular here for Google Music and YouTube – vastly superior compared with typing on the AppleTV – and surprisingly accurate. Performance was enhanced after setting up an ethernet connection. However, If I was buying now, I’d wait for the Razer
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/games-gaming-consoles/game-consoles/gaming-consoles/razer-forge-tv.html
I think ill just wait for the forge or Shield. The Forge looks like it will only be a bit more and i like the idea of full sized USB and ethernet port, as i have heard lots of people complain about connectivity issues
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/games-gaming-consoles/game-consoles/gaming-consoles/razer-forge-tv.html
DSE link is broken, it should be http://www.dicksmith.com.au/asus-nexus-player-blk-dsau-xh1448
Any news on how Plex runs. Looking for something thats simpler for everyone else to use in the lounge as the Samsung smart BluRay confuses everyone else. Apart from Plex, anyone know how Netflix runs and if any of the catchup TV apps work? Thx
Haven’t tried Netflix, but I can confirm Plex just loves the Nexus Player. It’s as if they were made for each other… 😉 Catchup TV apps don’t support Nexus Player yet, but some may in future (http://ausdroid.net/2015/04/24/australian-broadcasters-arent-ready-for-the-launch-of-the-nexus-player/).
Well. With the DSE 25$ off Friday special I caved and preordered one. This will be a nice test of the platform whilst I wait for the Shield to be released in Oz.
Just checked DSE Chermside to confirm when the GNP will be on shelf.
It’s in their system, but no info on how many they’re getting or when.
I asked someone if my local store would have them in stock on release day, and she said they wouldn’t. Lady at the checkout said DSE would only have around 155 or something available on launch, but would need to be bought online. I hope this isn’t the case
Just checked DSE Toombul about the GNP.
Stock in transit, should have arrived early last week.
The staffer who specialises in that area, isn’t happy with the delay.
Does plex support direct play? I remember reading about that at launch. Not sure if its fixed or notas i havent paid much attention to the device.
Is the 8 GB storage totally free out of the box or does the system and preinstalled apps take up apart of the 8 GB available storage?
Yes please. Competitive pricing based on other regions 🙂
My only thought is how the Nvidia alternative will compare. It seems a much more powerful unit.
Wow, Joshua Hill back on deck. Haven’t seen you round lately. Welcome back.
Thanks. I’ve still been reading 🙂
Used Ausdroid’s tip off on the 20% ebay sale recently to get a Z3 compact after I lost my Z1 compact.
How much app storage space is available to install new apps from the 8 GB mentioned in the specifications?
What version of Android does it run?
Upgrades out of the box to 5.1
Is yours fast as the review I posted a link to in comments states it was slow
I haven’t noticed any appreciable slowness on this one. In fact it seems pretty fast.
Foxtel GO anyone?
Not supported as yet.
I would get one, but the Shield (console) is supposed to be coming, so… something I have to think about.
Yeah. Of course who knows when if ever it will get launched here. certain no other Shield product has.
So, Google decided the timing was right to release their media device now that the AU Gov has tightened its sphincter on meta data and Dallas Buyers Club has a test case before the courts. I’m pretty pro Google on most fronts but the timing is auspicious.
Nah you’re clutching at straws mate
Sigh, too expensive. When will they learn?
The Apple TV is available for less, and the chromecast is even cheaper. People aren’t going to pay more than $99 in reality, and only then if you can find a USP for it.
Wake me up when they do the chromecast 2 with 4K capability for less than $50 – that’s where they need to be aiming.
Well I would if I had more faith about its power and that it had ethernet and supported extra storage better.
Can external storage be attached and video files watched from storage? Can it run utorrent? (For entirely legal purposes of course)
External storage via USB OTG works fine and videos can be played without to much mucking about. Dunno about utorrent tho
The only problem is he Nexus player has no ethernet support and is way way too slow. Any existing Nexus Player users have any experience with it? The reviews have been pretty savage on this
Non issue.
The connection string is this:
USB ethernet adaptor connected to powered USB hub connected to USB OTG cable
See the comments on this Android Central article:
The Nexus Player works with external storage and USB ethernet
It has an ethernet port. At least the one I’m holding in my hands has.
Thats interesting as this is the image I find on the net on the Nexus Player – you can see NO ethernet port. Can you please take a photo of the rear of it and the model/revision number. Maybe Australian Nexus Players have ethernet!
Nexus Player has no ethernet port. ADT-1 does.
If you really want or need ethernet, then a USB-Ethernet adaptor will work perfectly.
Has anyone purchased this Australian Nexus Player – and does not already have an Android TV ADT-1 device which is NOT the Nexus player! Thats what I was asking.
Ah, sorry. Missed that sub text – mine is an ADT-1
Look here http://www.engadget.com/2014/11/03/google-nexus-player-review/ the lack of Ethernet port is stated on this review. Are you saying your version has Ethernet? If it does this is clearly a 2nd rev player. Can you post a picture of the back of your player showing the ports as I am keen to see whatever else they changed in rev 2.
Hi can you use screen mirroring from my galaxy note 2
No need – use Chromecast feature build into Android. Screen Mirroring is a samsung only feauture whereas Google’s ‘Cast’ protocol is across all Android devices
thanks
Screen Mirroring from Note 2 isn’t supported according to the official Google Support page – https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6059461?hl=en
Minor request: Can the article be updated with the links for pre-ordering the controller separately?
As soon as they’re live – yes.
Thanks Dan
🙂
I’ve got an Apple TV for my Apple content, I was hoping the Chromecast was the solution for my Google Play content, but having to do everything with my phone made it a lot harder, so this looks like the better option, so pretty sure I’ll be getting one.
You can also cast to Chromecast from your Chromebook and Chrome Browser on any OS.
Can you download Google Movies or just stream them?
Stream – there’s no offline mode as far as I`ve seen.
I use plex for my “offline” stuff
I think I prefer the Razer Forge TV. It has wired Ethernet and a more grunty CPU. Harvey Norman have them for pre-order for $158.
Nvidia has an alternative too although i’m not sure if its released or available in australia.
Shield Console. Nvidia said they’re working to get it here, but they’ve been saying that since the Shield Portable was released.
Yeah, the Shield. It looks great (X1 CPU and 4K!) but looks like it will be expensive. Not available yet. I liked the Razer as it was a good middle ground. It has wired Ethernet, 16GB storage and a better CPU than the Nexus.
Can Plex run on it? Currently the Chromecast is mainly used for that, so if it works on a Nexus Player without needing to have a phone/tablet handy that would be pretty nice.
For anyone else that has it, overall, is it worth it?
It runs Plex perfectly, and I’ve already got the 2 year old trained in how to use it.
Controller is Bluetooth. No LOS necessary.
Aside from the gaming aspect, what’s the strengths of this over a Chromecast?
That’s what I’m wondering as well.
I guess you don’t need another device to cast from is the main thing.
Mainly using it for playing content for myself. I buy a lot of movies in Google Play, so having my account signed in means my wife can watch stuff from my account without me even being there.
There’s the gaming aspect which is a big part as well. Also you can set your own DNS servers if you want to get around any region restrictions ;).
Is the interface good enough that you would want to give up controlling it on your phone?
It’s not bad, the controller if you have it in hand makes it quite easy to navigate, but I always pick up my phone to use the Remote app when I need to type anything.
I’m pretty sure you can connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard too if you like. Correct me if I’m wrong Dan
And does it have an optical out?
No Optical out.
Is there a way to see what apps are available for it?
Easiest way is to buy one and see .. 😉
Well for Chromecast they’ve got a page you can see what is available for use on it, just wondered if there was something like that.
Or will ‘any’ android app work on it?
No Focus page for Android TV apps on Google Play as far as I`m aware. Most Android Apps will load, but they sometimes don’t work due to the lack of touch input, apps need to be updated with Gamepad or Remote control support to work properly.
Just found there is a selection of Android TV apps in a round-up https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/promotion_3000e26_androidtv_apps_all?hl=en but I believe there are more just not on this page.
Dan, is there a similar list for Android TV games?
Sure ishttps://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/promotion_3000e24_androidtv_games_all?hl=en
The play store that’s on android tv has only apps approved by google to work on android tv. But there are many apps you can either install from the play store webpage to android TV or sideload. Here is a google doc from XDA with apps people tested that are not in the android tv play store. Games are on the second tab:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/tDSTJGPLm4aYsgvO4zoh07g/htmlview#gid=0
Is the remote infra-red or bluetooth?
bluetooth/rf
Can to install Kodi on it?
It runs a version of Android.
With Kodi being available for Android, it’s likely that this will be possible.
Yes. You can. I had to side-load it but you can definitely do it. Kodi has been launched on Google Play in Beta so it’s coming, but not widely available on Google Play as yet.
Shiney! Of course I’ll end up getting one *sigh*
Just need to get the CFO’s approval and I am all over this.
Get it anyway, and don’t worry about the CFO’s approval.
A case of better to ask forgiveness than permission? 😉
Some of us care a little more about our partner’s opinion than that…
I wasn’t serious when I said ‘approval’, but regardless, I do like to make sure there’s no concerns before I go throwing 130 bucks down on the latest gadget.
try throwing $210 at ebay to get this last week!!! AAARRGGHHH…. oh well my “overlord”doesn’t know the difference between this and the apple TV so i was safe LOL . Random question, I want to buy a controller. i was looking at the Moga pro range but they are like $100. So, does anyone know if you can use this controller with your android tabelt/phone??? or visa versa(moga with the nexus player)
Lighten up 🙂 I’m sure everyone was just being friendly
YES!
Definitely getting one!