TiVo's streaming stick enhanced my smart TV and leveled up my content game

It's easy to forget amid all the competition in the smart TV industry that your fancy unit with an advanced screen doesn't necessarily need to come with a smart platform. And if you don't like your current smart platform, it can end up overwritten, in a way, by investing in a streaming stick.

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I tested out the TiVo Stream 4K, a comprehensive streaming stick that uses Android TV, and I was reminded it's always worth exploring ways to make your content consumption easier and all your devices work for your viewing habits. What you have may work for you now, but what's available could make things better.

TiVo Stream 4K

Recommended

Affordable streaming stick providing access to vast catalog of apps as well as free and live programming. Supports 4K resolution, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision while using Android TV platform.

Pros

• Large catalog of apps and channels
• Fast and intuitive
• Affordable

Cons

• Tedious setup
• Outdated remote
• Too many extras

Setting up the Tivo's streaming stick

Create a profile and start streaming

The initial installation process can be either tedious or fulfilling, depending on how excited you are to get going. Right out of the box, you're ready to plug in the stick to your TV. It recommends against drawing power from the TV, so you cannot simply plug in the USB outlet to another port behind your unit.

Instead, it includes an adapter, which means you need to find an outlet, a process that can become a problem if the situation in and around your TV is already cluttered. I was not thrilled at needing to string another cable down from my mounted TV to an already crowded lineup of cables that includes a gaming console, a soundbar, and a smart lighting system.

Once the device is plugged in, signing up and getting going is simple, albeit time-consuming. After you've created a TiVo account, you'll have to go through the process of creating a profile, downloading your desired apps, and logging into all of them. I have a Samsung smart TV, and TiVo did take note of some apps and