The Samsung HomeSync is a device that allows you watch videos, play games, and listen to music from your phone on your TV. It was introduced at World Mobile Congress. It has the capabilities of your smartphone and a media streamer. It’s akin to having an Apple TV tailored for Samsung enthusiasts.
While it may run on Android 4.2 and provide access to the Google Play Store, the media player isn’t explicitly marketed as a Google TV. Interestingly, there’s no Google logo in sight on the device, nor does Samsung’s promotional material mention the “Google TV” brand. This move by Samsung suggests they might be moving away from a brand that hasn’t done very well. If you’re seeking a Google TV with a substantial 1TB hard drive, the Samsung HomeSync could be the perfect choice.
Samsung HomeSync: Price and Availability
The Samsung HomeSync, a cutting-edge home theater media hub, is now accessible at the attractive price point of just USD 84.99. The reasonable price makes it an appealing alternative for anyone considering adding Android-powered streaming and gaming capabilities to their home entertainment system. However you can find this device on many inline retailers. Moreover, you can get this device in a good used condition at a much lower price.
Samsung HomeSync: Ingenious Features
Let’s take a closer look at the smart features that make the Samsung HomeSync more than just a media hub. These features make it a flexible home entertainment companion. It offers seamless content sharing and easy access to apps to transform your media experience.
Comprehensive Storage Solution
The Samsung HomeSync comes with a generous 1TB drive, offering alot of space to store all your family’s digital content. With support for up to eight separate user accounts, it caters to the entire family. Each user can have their own private space within HomeSync, ensuring that personal content remains private. The use of user-specific IDs and passwords enhances security and ensures that content is segregated between family members.
Familiar Android Experience
It is built on the Android Jelly Bean operating system. It give users a user-friendly and familiar Android experience. You can visit the Google Play Store, which provides you with a big library of apps and ensures that you have a variety of entertainment alternatives easily available.
Interactive Control Modes
The device delivers novel control modes that can be activated wirelessly on your phone. These modes improve your interaction with the media by providing new and intuitive ways to navigate and enjoy it. It all comes down to making your streaming experience more interactive and pleasurable.
Support for Multiple Codecs
It supports a wide range of video and audio codecs, including H.264, MPEG4, MP3, AAC, and others. This robust codec support ensures that you can play a large variety of media types without encountering any compatibility difficulties. It is about allowing you to experience your media content in a variety of ways.
Ethernet and Wireless Networking
HomeSync provides Gigabit Ethernet as well as dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) access. This means you can select a wired or wireless connection based on your needs. Gigabit Ethernet offers fast and reliable wired connections, while dual-band Wi-Fi ensures lag-free wireless streaming and information sharing.
Entertainment in Full HD
With this streamer, you can turn your old & ordinary TV setup into a home theater. It allows you to stream multimedia from your Galaxy device to the television in full HD 1080p resolution. This means you can enjoy Android games, movies, TV shows, and streaming entertainment on your large display with incredible clarity and accuracy.
Global Availability
Samsung initially launched HomeSync in select countries, starting with the US. However, it continued to expand its availability globally, making this innovative home hub accessible to users around the world. It’s about ensuring that families worldwide can benefit from its features and capabilities.
Samsung HomeSync: Gaming and Performance
With its 1.7 GHz dual-core CPU, the HomeSync provides the processing power needed for a seamless and responsive gaming experience. Whether you’re playing graphics-intensive games or casual titles, the device ensures smooth gameplay. It brings Android gaming to your TV with full HD 1080p resolution. Access a wide array of Android games from the Google Play Store and enjoy them on your large TV screen.
The high resolution enhances graphics and immersion, offering an exceptional gaming experience. However, it is worth noting that it may not be a perfect choice for premium games such as Call of Duty or PUBG because they require more processing speed for seamless gaming and operation.
Samsung HomeSync: Compatibility
The Samsung streaming box is powered by an older Operating system; therefore, it is not compatible with the latest smart devices. However, it is still compatible with some older gadgets, including:
- Samsung TVs that support DLNA
- Samsung smartphones and tablets that run Android 4.0 or later
- Windows PCs that run Windows 7 or later
- Mac computers that run OS X 10.8 or later
Samsung HomeSync: What’s in the box?
The Samsung HomeSync package comes equipped with everything you need to install this streaming device into your home entertainment setup. Let’s break down the contents of the package:
HomeSync Unit
The HomeSync TV box is the core component, serving as a media hub that connects to your TV and centralizes content management.
HDMI Cable
The included HDMI cable facilitates high-quality audio and video transmission by connecting HomeSync to your TV.
Power Adapter
The power adapter supplies the necessary electrical power to the HomeSync unit, ensuring it operates smoothly.
User Manual
It provides essential guidance and instructions for setting up and using HomeSync effectively, helping users get started with confidence.
Samsung HomeSync: Specifications
Dive into the technical prowess of the Samsung HomeSync as we unveil its specifications. From processing power to storage capacity, this detailed overview will shed light on the device’s capabilities and performance, allowing you to make an informed decision for your home entertainment needs.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.22 x 5.35 x 1.18 inches |
| Processor | 1.7GHz dual-core CPU |
| Bluetooth | yes |
| Android OS | Jellybean 4.1 |
| Item Weight | 1.62 pounds |
| ASIN | B00DEN9CJK |
| Item model number | GT-B9150ZKADBT |
| Customer Reviews | 3.7 out of 5 stars (14 ratings) |
| Is Discontinued by Manufacturer | No |
| Price | 84.99 USD |
| Battery | 3550 mAh |
| Date First Available | October 9, 2013 |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 1000 GB (1TB) |
| USB Ports | 2 |
Samsung HomeSync: How to set up?
Setting up the Samsung HomeSync is a simple process. Follow these steps to get your HomeSync device up and running:
- 1. Begin by Unboxing the device and its accompanying accessories.
- 2. Connect the HomeSync to an available HDMI port on your TV using the included HDMI cable.
- 3. Plug the power adapter into a power outlet after connecting it to the HomeSync unit.
- 4. Power on your TV and set it to the appropriate HDMI input source.
- 5. To complete the initial configuration, follow the on-screen instructions provided on your TV.
- 6. Select a language, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and configure basic settings.
- 7. Install the HomeSync app from the Google Play Store on your Galaxy smartphone or tablet.
- 8. Launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your smart device.
- 9. Transfer your media from your mobile for centralized storage and easy access on your TV.
- 10. Familiarize yourself with the HomeSync interface and features, and customize it.
Samsung HomeSync: Pros and Cons
Learn about the benefits and considerations of Samsung HomeSync, a versatile media hub designed to centralize your content and provide a seamless home entertainment experience. These pros and cons help in better understanding and evaluating the product.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive media hub for content storage and management. | Powered by an outdated Android 4.1 operating system. |
| Full HD 1080p streaming for high-quality visuals. | Lacks Dolby compatibility for premium sound and visuals. |
| Access to Google Play for app downloads. | Processing may not be satisfactory as compared to higher-end competitors |
| Supports multiple user accounts for family use. | |
| Wireless content sharing from Galaxy devices. | |
| Can be controlled with a Samsung smartphone |
Samsung HomeSync: Worth Noting Alternates
The ideal alternative for you will rely on your personal preferences and price range. If you’re searching for a powerful streaming gadget with an extensive array of capabilities, the Apple TV 4K or the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro are true options. If you are on a tight budget with limited financial resources, the Google Chromecast with Google TV or the Xiaomi Mi Box S are preferred picks. And if you are seeking a gaming console that also can stream media, the Sony PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X are remarkable choices.
Apple TV 4K
Roku Ultra
- Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision
- A12 Bionic chip for powerful performance
- Built-in Siri remote for voice control
- Supports AirPlay 2
- Works with HomeKit to control smart devices
- Price: $179
- Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision
- Voice remote with hands-free control
- Roku Channel Store with a wide range of apps
- Private Listening mode for listening
- Long-range wireless for reliable streaming
- Price: $99
Amazon Fire TV Cube
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
- Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision
- Voice remote with Alexa built-in
- Hands-free voice control with Alexa
- Works with compatible smart home devices
- Supports Amazon Prime, Netflix, and more
- Price: $139.99
- Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision
- Powerful gaming performance
- Game streaming via NVIDIA GeForce Now
- Google Assistant built-in
- Works with HomeKit
- Supports a wide range of streaming apps
- Price: $199
Chromecast with Google
Xiaomi Mi Box S
- Supports Full HD Visuals
- Voice remote with Google Assistant built-in
- Supports a wide range of streaming apps
- Chromecast is built-in for casting content
- Price: $49
- Supports 4K HDR
- Runs on Android TV
- Voice remote with Google Assistant built-in
- Compatible with Google Home
- Google Play Store with a wide range of apps
- Price: $59
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X
- Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision
- Plays Blu-ray discs
- Powerful GPU of 10.3 teraflops
- Powerful gaming performance(CPU at 3.8GHz)
- Supports a wide range of streaming apps
- Price: $499
- Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision
- Plays Blu-ray discs
- GPU of 12 teraflops
- Powerful gaming performance(CPU at 3.5GHz)
- Supports a wide range of streaming apps
- Price: $499
Conclusion
However, it is worth mentioning that it works on the Android Jelly Bean OS, which is an older version of Android. This may limit your ability to use the most recent apps and features available on newer Android versions. While HomeSync supports full HD 1080p streaming, 4K streaming is not supported. Users wanting premium audio and visual quality, particularly in an era where 4K content is prevalent, should consider these limitations.Overall, the Samsung HomeSync serves as a versatile media hub for those who prioritize content management, sharing, and a user-friendly interface on a limited budget.
Samsung HomeSync: FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Samsung Streaming Box. These FAQs provide essential information about the device, its features, compatibility, and usage.
