The Indian smart TV segment is full of companies offering decent hardware and competitive pricing, but Micromax-backed Streambox aims to differentiate itself by delivering personalized software and easy access with its new Dor TV, which the brand is touting as the first to subscription based TV of the country. TV.
While the subscription model isn't entirely new, the Dor TV model is heavily inspired by Roku in the US, where users pay an upfront fee for the smart TV and a recurring monthly subscription fee to keep it running. However, Dor/Streambox's brilliance lies in adapting this model to the Indian market, which offers access to many popular OTT apps (22, to be exact) and over 300 live TV channels.
I've been using the Dor TV for over a month and here's my thoughts on how this smart TV performed in the real world.
Unpacking and setup:
The 43-inch DOR TV comes with the standard kit, which consists of the TV itself wrapped in protective foam, a table stand, a wall bracket with a few screws, a remote control and some documentation. The star of the show is the solar-powered remote, which can be charged via indoor/outdoor lighting or via a USB-C cable, eliminating the need to regularly replace those pesky remote batteries.
When you turn on the TV, you'll be greeted by a DOR logo, followed by a setup page where you'll be asked to enter your mobile number and validate it with an OTP to get started. The installation process also asks for your preferences for favorite TV shows, movies, and actors to personalize recommendations on the available OTT platforms (more on that later).
DOR automatically logs the user in to most OTT platforms, although you still have to manually log in to a few apps like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and JioCinema.
Software and subscriptions:
Dor OS, which runs the show on Dor TV, is an Android Open Source Project (AOSP)-based user interface that's almost as fast and responsive as WebOS found on most TVs, while also packing a few neat tricks . The user interface is divided into a few tabs, starting with home, followed by live TV, news, sports, games and search options. The home screen is the heart of this user interface, allowing users to quickly jump to their last seen content while also recommending TV shows and movies based on the user's interest.
I especially liked Dor TV's recommendation engine, which provides an easy way to access the user's favorite content, available in the subscribed OTT apps. The UI also reveals the entire cast of the show/movie and users also have the option to view a brief overview about the actor and view more content with them.
Dor TV also comes with access to a companion app of the same name that can be downloaded from both the Google Play Store and the Apple Store to control the TV, check various subscriptions and even go to the last viewed content, allowing a seamless transition between TV is guaranteed. and smartphone.
While Dor OS is largely positive in my view, the most noticeable change from WebOS is the move to Dor's own app store instead of the Google Play Store. This means that the number of apps that can be installed on this TV is largely limited, and one is ultimately forced to use an HDMI stick or an external drive to sideload apps.
Another big miss is the bundling of Netflix and YouTube subscriptions as part of the OTT package, and the former isn't even installed on the TV nor can it be found in the standard app store. While Streambox tells me that Netflix will be included in Dor TV in the future, the finer details of that bundling have yet to emerge.
It's worth noting that subscriptions for some OTT apps like JioCinema, Zee5, and Discovery+ stopped working after a while, but this may be an issue with the reviewer unit and may not be transferred to the customer unit. Anyway, the Dor service team was able to fix the problem after filing a complaint.
Streambox requires customers to pay an amount of ₹10,799 to buy the Dor TV and ₹799 for the next 11 months to continue using the television, which amounts to a total amount of ₹19,558. In case you're wondering, the TV will be locked if the monthly subscription fee isn't paid. As for what happens after the 12 month period, Streambox tells me that users are now free to purchase personalized subscription packages ₹299 or use it as a normal smart TV from the 13th month.
Performance:
Dor TV is currently only available in a single 43-inch 4K QLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and HDR 10+ support. For people who prefer an even bigger screen, a 55-inch version of the TV will also be released sometime in 2025.
The screen delivers a solid viewing experience for its price, with rich and vibrant colours, impressive sharpness and deep contrast. The viewing angles are sufficient and the TV performs well, even in rooms with a lot of outside light. The dual 10W speakers, featuring the Dolby Atmos logo, also provide loud and clear sound for most content. Audio enthusiasts may want to pair the TV with a dedicated soundbar
While the display and sound quality were up to par for me, I heard a few crackling noises every time I turned off the TV, which raises a few questions about the build quality. Because this is an evaluation unit, I have no way of knowing if this is an isolated incident or a more widespread problem.
The good news is that the Dor TV comes with a four-year warranty, so quality issues like these can potentially be resolved by the brand's customer service team.
Pronunciation:
Dor TV 43-inch is an ambitious project that tackles a real problem, but its success largely depends on whether Streambox can deliver a clear, one-stop subscription package and reliable customer support to build brand credibility.
As things stand, the Dor TV offers an impressive package: a high-quality QLED screen, Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers, a fast and responsive personalized user interface, ample subscription plans, a 4-year warranty, and a solar-powered remote control. However, this first-generation product is also hampered by a number of issues, including a limited built-in app store, the lack of support for Netflix and YouTube, and some quality issues.
Who is this television intended for? Given the unresolved issues with the Dor subscription package, I would hesitate to recommend it as a primary TV. However, for those willing to take a chance, the Dor TV could serve as an excellent secondary device.
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