The Formuler Z11 Pro Max is one of the most advanced Android TV boxes available today. In this comprehensive review, I‘ll provide an in-depth look at the Z11 Pro Max to help you determine if it‘s the right streaming media player for your needs.
As an experienced cord cutter and tech reviewer, I‘ve tested dozens of streaming devices over the years. The Z11 Pro Max stands out with its robust hardware, flexible software, and focus on IPTV users. Keep reading for the full scoop on what this Android TV box can do.
Overview of the Formuler Z11 Pro Max
Before we dive into the details, let‘s briefly go over what the Z11 Pro Max offers:
- Quad-core CPU with Mali G57 GPU
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
- 32GB internal storage
- Dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Bluetooth 5.0
- USB 3.0 port
- MicroSD card reader
- Android 11 TV OS
- Customizable launcher
- Specialized MYTVOnline3 IPTV app
- Voice control remote available separately
As you can see, the Z11 Pro Max checks all the right boxes in terms of specs and features. It‘s equipped with high-end hardware comparable to premium streamers from Nvidia, Amazon, and Apple.
This gives it snappy performance across the board from app launching to video playback. The ample 32GB of onboard storage means you can install a ton of apps and games.
It offers the latest connectivity options like WiFi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, and Bluetooth 5.0. So you can take advantage of fast internet speeds and external devices.
There‘s also a customizable software experience thanks to Android TV OS and the Formuler launcher. And tight integration with IPTV services through MYTVOnline3.
Next let‘s unbox the Z11 Pro Max and go through the setup process.
Unboxing and Initial Setup
When you first open the box, you‘ll find the Z11 Pro Max unit, IR remote control, HDMI cable, IR extender, power adapter, and two AAA batteries.
Everything you need to get started is included right away. Even the batteries for the remote control – so no hunting around for those!
The setup process is very straightforward:
- Insert the batteries in the remote control
- Connect the Z11 Pro Max to your TV using the HDMI cable
- Connect power to turn on the device
- Follow the on-screen prompts:
- Select your language
- Connect to your WiFi
- Log into your Google account
That‘s it! In about 5-10 minutes you can go from unboxing to streaming. The initial setup wizard makes the process quick and hassle-free.
Once you‘re logged into your Google account, you have full access to the Google Play Store for installing apps. You can also start using features like casting from your mobile device.
Now let‘s explore the user interface and software features.
User Interface, Launcher, and Apps
The Z11 Pro Max runs a customized TV interface based on Android 11. The default launcher provides a clean home screen focused on your favorite media.
You‘ll immediately notice there are no ads on the home screen. It‘s all about quick access to your apps and IPTV channels.
The launcher is organized into customizable rows:
- Favorite IPTV channels
- Recent channels
- App shortcuts
- Custom app groups
It makes it easy to put your most-used apps and IPTV channels front and center. You can also create dedicated channel and app folders for Movies, Sports, Music, etc.
Everything is customizable to your preferences – no preset apps or rows here. While the default launcher options are a bit limited, it offers the key essentials like reorganizing apps and creating channel groups.
In terms of installed apps, you have access to the Google Play Store right away. Top streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Plex are available.
Plus you can install popular media center apps like Kodi and Stremio, web browsers, gaming apps, and more. Downloaded apps launch quickly thanks to the fast processor and ample RAM.
Now let‘s take a deeper look at MYTVOnline3 – the IPTV app specifically designed for Formuler devices.
MYTVOnline3 App for IPTV
One of the signature features of the Z11 Pro Max is the MYTVOnline3 application for IPTV services.
MYTVOnline3 provides tight integration and advanced tools for organizing and watching live TV channels from IPTV providers.
If you subscribe to an IPTV service, you simply enter your credentials or playlist URL during the setup:
MYTVOnline3 makes it easy to customize your channel listings with features like:
- Mark favorite channels
- Create custom channel groups
- Pin favorite groups to the top
- View current program guide
- Cloud DVR tools like one-click recording and series recordings
The cloud DVR features allow you to record to external drives plugged into the Z11 Pro Max. You can schedule recordings for individual episodes or entire seasons of a show.
Other IPTV tools include:
- Watching multiple channels simultaneously with multi-view
- On-demand VOD library if your provider offers it
- Ad-skipping for recorded programming
- Start watching live TV from the beginning with catch-up
For IPTV power users, MYTVOnline3 is loaded with advanced features and streaming tools. The interface provides easy channel management in a visually appealing package:
The integration between the software and hardware aims to deliver a smooth IPTV viewing experience comparable to traditional pay TV.
Next let‘s look at how the Z11 Pro Max performs for common media streaming and cord cutting uses.
Performance for Video, Gaming, and General Use
With its cutting-edge hardware and optimized software, the Z11 Pro Max offers snappy performance across the board. Here‘s a rundown of how it handles common media tasks:
Video Streaming
The Z11 Pro Max can play 4K HDR video from popular services like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video without any issues. Provided you have the internet bandwidth, it will max out the visual quality.
Navigation and playback control feel very responsive thanks to the fast processor. Whether you‘re browsing Netflix or jumping through a YouTube playlist, everything happens instantly.
IPTV channels also switch smoothly and quickly through the MYTVOnline3 app. So you get that slick "changing channels on cable" type of experience.
Local Media Files
If you have media files stored locally on your network, the Z11 Pro Max can easily handle high bitrate 4K REMUX files.
I tested with extremely large 70-80GB files and playback was flawless in Kodi and Plex. You can direct play these files without needing to transcode thanks to full codec support.
Gaming
While not a gaming powerhouse like the Nvidia Shield TV, the Z11 Pro Max is capable of running less demanding Android games.
Casual 2D and 3D games like Alto‘s Adventure, Sky Force Reloaded, and Asphalt 8 performed very well.
More graphically intensive 3D games like Asphalt 9 and Gear.Club were playable but did experience occasional frame drops.
So the Z11 Pro Max is best suited for casual gaming and retro emulation. It can definitely suffice for general gaming needs, but hard core gamers would be better served by the Shield TV.
General Performance
In day-to-day use, everything feels fast and smooth on the Z11 Pro Max. Apps open quickly, video playback is flawless, and UI navigation is very snappy.
The hardware specs are high-end for an Android TV box and it shows in the responsiveness. Whether you‘re hopping between apps, loading up huge media files, or managing IPTV streams – the Z11 Pro Max handles it with ease.
Now let‘s take a look at connectivity.
Network Connectivity
The Z11 Pro Max offers leading wired and wireless connectivity options:
WiFi
It features the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) wireless standard. In my testing, it provided a strong, stable connection to my WiFi 6 router.
I have gigabit fiber internet and speeds were excellent on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. WiFi coverage extended across my entire home.
Ethernet
The Gigabit Ethernet port ensures maxed out wired performance. With my gigabit internet, I achieved full 940 Mbps download and upload speeds over Ethernet.
This is ideal if you need to minimize buffering when streaming high bitrate video or require low latency for gaming.
USB 3.0
A USB 3.0 port is included on the back which enables fast transfer speeds to external drives. This is useful for expanding storage and connecting peripherals.
MicroSD Slot
You can further expand storage via the MicroSD card reader. Or use it to store recordings from the MYTVOnline3 IPTV app.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0 provides support for wireless headphones, keyboards, controllers, and more.
For streaming media, having the latest wired and wireless connection options is crucial. The Z11 Pro Max delivers on this front.
Next let‘s go over the remote control options.
Remote Controls
The Z11 Pro Max comes packaged with a standard IR remote control. It has all the typical navigation buttons along with shortcuts for popular streaming apps.
The IR remote works as expected. Though keep in mind it requires line-of-sight and doesn‘t offer voice control functionality.
For hands-free voice commands, you‘ll need to purchase the Formuler Bluetooth Voice Remote separately for $30.
The Bluetooth remote has a built-in microphone that provides one-touch access to Google Assistant.
During my testing, I found the voice control experience to be excellent. Google Assistant responds pretty much instantly after pressing the mic button.
You can launch apps, search for content, control smart home devices, and more. For example:
- "Hey Google, open Netflix."
- "Show me action comedies."
- "Turn on the living room lights."
Having voice control makes navigating the Z11 Pro Max much more convenient. I consider it a must-have nowadays for the living room TV experience.
While the voice remote is sold separately, it pairs perfectly with the Z11 Pro Max for hands-free control.
Pros and Cons
To recap, here are some of the standout pros for the Formuler Z11 Pro Max:
Pros
- Great performance for streaming, gaming, and general use
- Tons of internal storage (32GB)
- MYTVOnline3 integration for IPTV
- Customizable launcher with access to Google Play Store
- WiFi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet provide fast connectivity
- Regular firmware updates from Formuler to fix bugs and improve features
- Can use voice remote for Google Assistant (sold separately)
And a few areas that could be improved:
Cons
- No support for Dolby Vision HDR format
- Can‘t install third-party launchers like Wolf Launcher
- IPTV DVR recordings limited to external storage
- No Bluetooth voice remote included in the box
While not perfect, the pros far outweigh the cons with the Z11 Pro Max. Formuler got all of the core functionality right.
The few missing features like Dolby Vision and more launcher customization are not deal breakers. There‘s always room for improvement but overall it hits the right marks.
Verdict – A Top-Notch Premium Android TV Box
After extensive testing, I can comfortably recommend the Formuler Z11 Pro Max, especially for IPTV users. The powerful hardware provides snappy performance across the board. Features like 32GB of storage, WiFi 6, and Gigabit Ethernet check all the right boxes.
It does lack Dolby Vision support found on more expensive streamers like the Apple TV 4K and Nvidia Shield TV. But it makes up for this with extras like more RAM, a customizable home screen, and tight IPTV integration.
The MYTVOnline3 app offers robust tools for organizing and watching live TV channels from IPTV providers. If you use IPTV, this specialized integration is a key selling point.
In the end, if you want a premium Android TV device that expertly handles video streaming – both IPTV and traditional services – the Formuler Z11 Pro Max is a winner. It‘s a clear upgrade over generic Android boxes and competes with streamers costing much more.
