Globe Streamwatch Stick: A quick review
Globe Telecom in partnership with Roku has introduced a portable way of streaming content to your TV via the Streamwatch stick. Non-smart TV owners can finally binge-watch over their favorite Netflix shows and Youtube videos – with a few caveats.
First off, you need to be a subscriber of Globe at Home Broadband plans starting at Plan 1299 or higher. You can either get it on top of your monthly billing for only Php50 for 24 months or you can head over to their business center for one-off payment of Php999. It comes with free 3 month Netflix subscription worth Php1,380 (Php460 plan x 3) which is already worth the price of admission.
Initial set up is almost a cinch. Just plug the device into your TV’s HDMI port, then the supplied adaptor goes to a power outlet. You can also hook it directly to the USB port of your television to power-up the device though it starts a bit slower.
Though setting up the device was fairly easy, there is no such thing as instant gratification here because you have to wait 24 hours to have your Streamwatch activated by Globe. You’ll have to check it from time to time to see if it is already working.
The package includes a remote control which has straightforward and uncomplicated button layout but it would have been better if there is a dedicated volume button. An IOS and Android remote app do come in handy especially when searching Netflix movies and shows because you can actually use the phone’s keyboard. Unfortunately, search by typing on your phone’s screen don’t work on other channels as of this writing.
The interface is user friendly, you have to scroll channels that are presented as cards in the homescreen. The Streamwatch stick is running on custom firmware so you can only choose among those free 100+ pre approved channels by Globe. Though the available streaming video services such as Netflix, Youtube, NBA, Disney and Fox+ may suffice, the quality of the rest of the channels are nothing to write home about. But in the end, it is not hard to see why such streaming service has the potential to render cable providers irrelevant.
Considering the price of vanilla Roku stick, the Streamwatch was a steal
Comes with free 3-month subscriptions to Netflix, Disney, Fox+ and Hooq —which are worth more than the price of Streamwatch stick itself.
It has Quad-Core CPU and its fairly fast.
Can stream of up to 1080p videos
Use your phone as a remote by downloading the app
It takes 24 hour waiting time to activate
the Roku stick is running on firmware customized for Globe. You can’t install channels other than what is recommended by default.
Though Netflix, Youtube, and handful of included channels were great, the quality of the rest of the selection leaves a lot to be desired.
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