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GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick vs Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner

Buy the Zapperbox M1 for a TV in the living room. It is a standalone dual-tuner box with HDMI out, 4K and HDR, Dolby AC-4 and Atmos, and it tunes encrypted ATSC 3.0 channels. Buy the GTMEDIA HDTV Mate if you want free over-the-air TV on an Android phone, tablet, TV box or car screen. The Mate is a USB stick that needs the HDTVPlayer app and tops out at 720p, so it suits small screens, not a main TV. Owners rate both well, but the M1 is the sturdier, more capable device.

  • Choose the GTMEDIA HDTV Mate if you want to watch and record free ATSC 3.0 and 1.0 channels on an Android phone, tablet or TV box without adding a box under the TV.
  • Choose the Zapperbox M1 if you want a proper set-top tuner for a 4K TV, with dual tuners, encrypted channel support and Dolby audio.

Prices

  • GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick: $39.10 at AliExpress (last seen Nov 10)
  • Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner: $319.95 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick is $280.85 cheaper than the Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 11)
GTMEDIA
GTMEDIA HDTV MATE ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick

GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick

GTMEDIA HDTV MATE ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick

4.7(17 ratings)
$39.10at AliExpressChecked 11 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit AliExpress
Pros
  • Tiny and portable; works on phones, tablets, TV boxes and car screens
  • Tunes ATSC 3.0, ATSC 1.0 and clear QAM
  • No internet needed for live TV
  • Records to microSD
  • Low-cost way to add ATSC 3.0 to Android gear
Cons
  • Capped at 720p
  • Needs an Android 9.0+ host device and the HDTVPlayer app
  • Single tuner and no encrypted channel support
  • No HDMI, so it cannot feed a TV directly
Zapperbox
Zapperbox M1

Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner

Zapperbox M1

$319.95at AmazonChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • 4K HDR10/HLG output over HDMI
  • Dual tuners for watching and recording at once
  • Tunes encrypted ATSC 3.0 channels
  • Dolby AC-4 and Atmos audio
  • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and USB ports
Cons
  • Needs mains power and a spot near the TV
  • Bigger and heavier than a stick
  • Fewer ratings than the Mate, so less owner feedback

What separates them

GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner StickZapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner
Form factorUSB stick that plugs into an Android deviceStandalone set-top box with HDMI out to a TV
Picture qualityUp to 720pUp to 4K with HDR10 and HLG
TunersSingle tunerDual tuner, so you can watch one channel and record another
Encrypted ATSC 3.0 channelsNot supportedSupported
AudioStandard stereo output through the Android deviceDolby AC-4 decoding and Dolby Atmos passthrough
Host device neededRequires an Android 9.0+ device with USB and the HDTVPlayer appWorks on its own with any TV over HDMI
ConnectivityUSB 3.0 and microSD onlyWi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB 2.0 and 3.0, microSD
PortabilityPocket-sized, works on phones, tablets and car screensMains-powered box that stays by the TV

Price history

  • GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick: lowest $39.10 on Nov 11 at AliExpress.
  • Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner: lowest $319.95 on Nov 11 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick

  • AliExpressNew

    In stockShips from abroad · duties may apply

    $39.10Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit AliExpress
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by gtmedia-business

    $49.99Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • PulinGONew

    In stockReturn policy

    $69.95Checked 11 h ago
    Visit PulinGO
  • GTMEDIANew

    In stockReturn policy

    $69.99Checked 7 h ago
    Visit GTMEDIA

Also available at

  • Gtmedia.storeCheck price at Gtmedia.store

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All 4 stores and price history →

Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner

  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $325.00Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $319.95Free shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecGTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner StickZapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner
Connector typeUSB 3.0microSD slot, Coaxial, Ethernet, HDMI, USB 2.0
Modelhdtv-MATE—
ColorBlack—
Broadcast formatsATSC3.0/ATSC1.0 digital terrestrial signals, QA…—
Compatible OSAndroid 9.0 or above—
External interfacesUSB 3.0, SD—
Number of ports2 Ports—
Form factorSet-Top Box/Appliance—
Resolution720p—
Antenna typeInternal—
ATSC support—| ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0
Encrypted channel tuning—| Yes
Show all 31 specsShow fewer specs
SpecGTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner StickZapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner
Maximum Resolution—4K
Device Type—Tuner
Subtype—OTA Tuner
Device Compatibility—Television
Input Connection—Coaxial
Output Connection—HDMI
Interface Type—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB
Ports—microSD slot, Ethernet, USB 2.0, USB 3.0
Wireless Connectivity—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Tuner Type

What reviewers say

GTMEDIA HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 Tuner Stick

  • 4.7 / 517 ratings

Owners rate the HDTV Mate highly for doing one job well: free broadcast TV on Android gear without a subscription. They like the small size and the ATSC 3.0 support, and complain mainly about the 720p output and the Android-only app.

What people mention
  • SetupPraisedOwners say the HDTVPlayer app finds channels quickly and the stick works plug-and-play.
  • Picture qualityCriticisedReviewers note output tops out at 720p, so the picture is softer than native HD broadcasts.
  • CompatibilityMixedIt works across many Android devices, but there is no support for iOS, Windows or smart TV apps.
  • ReceptionMixedChannel pickup is good with a strong antenna but unreliable with the internal one indoors.

Zapperbox M1 ATSC 3.0 Tuner

Owners rate the M1 highly for pulling in ATSC 3.0 channels that other tuners cannot, especially encrypted ones. Complaints center on setup friction and the interface rather than picture or tuning.

What people mention
  • ATSC 3.0 receptionPraisedOwners say it locks onto next-gen channels, including encrypted ones, that cheaper tuners miss.
  • Tuner sensitivityPraisedReviewers report stable reception of distant channels with a decent antenna.
  • SetupMixedSome find channel scanning and initial configuration slow or confusing.
  • InterfaceCriticisedThe guide and menus are described as basic compared with streaming devices.
Reviews
  • Best ATSC 3.0 tuners for watching NextGen TV

Questions and answers

Which is better for a 4K TV?
The Zapperbox M1. It outputs up to 4K with HDR over HDMI. The Mate tops out at 720p and has no HDMI output.
Can the GTMEDIA HDTV Mate tune encrypted ATSC 3.0 channels?
No. The M1 supports encrypted channel tuning; the Mate does not.
Which one can record shows?
Both can record, but the M1's dual tuners let you record one channel while watching another. The Mate records to microSD from a single tuner.
Do I need an Android device for the M1?
No. The M1 is a standalone box that connects to a TV by HDMI. The Mate needs an Android 9.0+ phone, tablet or TV box with a USB port.
Which is better for travel?
The Mate. It is a pocket-sized USB stick. The M1 is a mains-powered box meant to stay by a TV.
Is the M1 worth stepping up to?
Yes for a main TV. You get 4K HDR, dual tuners, Dolby audio and encrypted channel support. The Mate is the cheaper way to get ATSC 3.0 on Android screens.

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—
Dual Tuner
Remote Control—Yes
Audio Output Format—Dolby AC-4
Surround Sound Support—Dolby Atmos
Power Source—Power adapter, 2 AAA batteries (required for re…
Dimensions—8.9 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm
Weight—3.5 ounces
Video Output—HDMI
Video Supported Formats—HDR 10/HLG, 4K
HDR Support—Yes