The GT Media X1 is a new DRM-compatible ATSC 3.0 DRM TV tuner that will play back and record encrypted broadcasts running on the new TV standard. Unfortunately it comes with many of the issues similar tuners have due to the restrictions this encryption brings. You can see it in action in my latest video.
Like all of the DRM compatible tuners, this one runs on Android as that is the only operating system currently compatible with the encryption.
Priced at $99 it features an AMLogic S905Y4B processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Unlike the other boxes we’ve looked at, this one supports Android apps making it possible to access streaming services in addition to broadcast television.
Its execution, however, leaves much to be desired. For one, its ability to decrypt DRM-protected channels without an active Internet connection is spotty. While the manufacturer claims that it can do so, they only tested their box in the Miami, FL market. An Internet connection is required to set it up in the first place, and in my area I had channels that required the box to be online to tune the over the air station. For a technology marketed as an advancement, this dependency feels like a step backward for free, over-the-air television.
The X1 only has a single tuner on board, but it can record multiple channels on the same frequency simultaneously. However, this functionality is marred by clunky design choices. Recording multiple channels forces users to navigate a cumbersome interface, and playback is restricted to the device itself due to encryption, even for unprotected content. Additionally an annoying recording timer will be persistent in the upper left hand corner of the screen and past recordings cannot be played back while the device is recording something else.
Beyond its tuner capabilities, the X1’s attempt to serve as an Android TV box falls flat. Apps like Netflix and Disney+ are sideloaded versions rather than official releases, raising concerns about security and compatibility. Worse, the device is burdened with outdated firmware—the last security update dates back to 2021—exposing users to potential unpatched vulnerabilities.
This device illustrates the broader implications of DRM on ATSC 3.0 devices. By enforcing strict content protection measures, broadcasters have inadvertently fostered a market dominated by subpar hardware. Devices like the GT Media X1 reflect the consequences of prioritizing DRM compliance over user experience and innovation. As things stand, the promise of ATSC 3.0 remains hindered by the very systems meant to protect it.
Disclosure: This device was provided free of charge by the manufacturer. However no other compensation was received, and no one reviewed or approved this content before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.