Welcome to my review of the Rocktek G2 TV Box. I’m excited to walk you through this fully Google-certified Android TV box. Rocktek has been around since 2012, and this is their first Google-certified model. It runs on the new Amlogic S905X4-K chipset, which brings a lot of exciting features.
Now, let’s dive into the details of this device.
What’s Inside the Box?
The packaging is straightforward. Inside, you’ll find the Rocktek G2 TV box with a sleek design. The first thing I noticed was the leatherette covering, which gives it a premium look. The chrome Rocktek branding adds a touch of elegance.
Along with the box itself, you get:
- A Bluetooth voice remote, which is a requirement for any Google-certified device.
- A standard HDMI cable.
- A 12V 1A DC power adapter.
- A QuickStart guide to help you get up and running quickly.
Design and Build Quality
I’m impressed with the overall design of the Rocktek G2 TV Box. It’s made from high-quality plastic and feels durable. The leatherette surface is a nice touch, giving it a more upscale appearance.
The I/O ports are well laid out:
- USB Type-C port (although I later discovered it’s for charging only).
- HDMI 2.1 port for high-definition video output.
- Gigabit LAN port for faster wired internet.
- Optical audio port, which is great for surround sound systems.
- AV port, DC power socket, and two USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0).
- MicroSD card reader for expandable storage.
There’s an LED power light at the front, and on the bottom, you’ll find four anti-skid feet and a reset button. One thing to note is the lack of ventilation holes. This could affect the box’s temperature, especially during heavy usage.
Setting Up the Rocktek G2 TV Box
Setting up the Rocktek G2 TV Box is a breeze. Upon starting the device for the first time, you’re greeted with the familiar Android TV OS splash screen. The initial setup is simple. You’ll pair the Bluetooth remote, log into your Google account, and program the power and volume buttons to match your TV model.
Once you’re done, the Android TV OS launcher appears. The Rocktek G2 TV Box runs on Android 12 TV OS, which is the latest version at the time of this review.
Rocktek G2 Firmware Features
One of the key highlights of the Rocktek G2 TV Box is that it has already received a firmware update, ensuring the latest features and bug fixes. The device supports 4K display up to 2160p at 60Hz. It also has auto HDR and auto Dolby Vision features, which enhance your viewing experience, especially with streaming services like Netflix.
However, Dolby Vision only works with Netflix and other paid streaming services. If you’re hosting your own videos, you won’t get Dolby Vision—only HDR10 or HLG. The box also supports HDMI CEC, which allows you to control multiple devices with one remote.
Security and Certification
The Rocktek G2 TV Box comes with a Netflix ESN license, which means it’s certified to stream Netflix in HD and 4K. This is a huge plus since many TV boxes can’t stream in high resolution due to a lack of certification.
To achieve this certification, the box had to pass strict Google requirements. It’s also Google Widevine L1 certified, meaning you can stream protected content in HD and 4K. Additionally, it has HDCP 2.3 protection, ensuring the video output is encrypted, so you can’t copy it using unauthorized methods.
Rocktek G2 Hardware and Performance
The Rocktek G2 TV Box is powered by the Amlogic S905X4-K chipset, which features a quad-core Cortex-A55 processor clocked at 2.0 GHz. It comes with 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal storage. This configuration ensures smooth performance for both apps and streaming.
The device also has Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi 6, providing fast and reliable internet connectivity. However, one downside is that it’s configured in 32-bit mode, so it only supports 32-bit apps and games.
For video and audio, the box supports Dolby Vision, AV1, HEVC, and Dolby Atmos. These decoders provide excellent video quality and surround sound for your home entertainment setup.
Streaming and Google Assistant
With Android TV OS, you get access to Google’s premium features. The Google Assistant is built-in, and the voice remote makes it easy to perform searches and control the TV using voice commands.
For instance, you can ask questions like, “What’s the fastest car in the world?” or issue commands like “Maximum volume” or “Office on.” The integration with Google Chromecast allows you to cast content from your phone to your TV seamlessly. Whether it’s Netflix, YouTube, or any other compatible app, you can easily mirror your mobile device.
YouTube and Video Playback
When it comes to watching YouTube videos, the Rocktek G2 TV Box offers a smooth experience. It supports 4K playback at 2160p with HDR, AV1, and VP9 decoding. However, if you’re a video enthusiast, I recommend trying the Smart YouTube TV version. It offers more control over video formats and quality.
One limitation I noticed is that the box restricts 8K video playback to 4K, even if the content is available in higher resolutions.
Self-Hosted Video Playback
If you’re looking to play self-hosted videos, the Rocktek G2 TV Box does well, but there are some limitations. Dolby Vision doesn’t work with self-hosted content, and HDR10+ videos sometimes don’t produce sound. If you want the best audio experience, I recommend connecting the box to an AV receiver.
For media players, Kodi is the best option for surround sound. Other players like MX Player and VLC struggle with certain audio formats. Kodi, however, handles Dolby Atmos, DTS HD, and other high-quality audio formats with ease.
Android Gaming
As for gaming, the Rocktek G2 TV Box isn’t a gaming powerhouse, but it handles casual games quite well. Its Mali-G31 GPU supports OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan, which provides decent graphics performance. However, the limited Google Play Store means you’ll have to sideload some games, and not all games are compatible with the device.
Benchmarking the Rocktek G2
In terms of benchmarks, the Rocktek G2 TV Box holds its own. Its RAM has a transfer speed of 3405 MB/s, and the internal storage has 89 MB/s read speeds and 27 MB/s write speeds.
The Wi-Fi 6 adapter performed well, with speeds up to 239 Mbps on the 5GHz band, though the 2.4GHz band was slower at around 48 Mbps. The Gigabit LAN port delivered impressive results, maxing out at 313 Mbps.
The CPU’s Geekbench 5 scores were 146 for single-core and 474 for multi-core. In GPU tests, it managed a score of 197 in 3DMark Wildlife. The overall Antutu benchmark score was 129,829, placing it 14th on my TV box ranking chart.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, the Rocktek G2 TV Box is a solid option for those looking for a certified Android TV box that supports HD and 4K streaming with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Its design, performance, and certified status make it stand out.
While it has some limitations, like the USB Type-C port being for charging only and the limited Google Play Store, it’s still a great option for streaming popular services like Netflix and Disney Plus in high quality.
At its price point of $149, it offers excellent value for money, but if you’re interested in a discount, feel free to reach out to me for a special offer.
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