Non-smart TV (with Chromecast) or smart TV? (Android, not Sony)

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danepak

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#273173 9-Aug-2020 10:48

Need to purchase a TV for a house that we'll shortly be renting out to tenants.

I'm split between buying:

Option A: Non-smart TV with Chromecast added

Option B: Smart Android TV with Chromecast built in (not Sony)

The difference in price is only $92, when you add the coast of the Chromecast to the non-smart TV.

I do seem to remember a sales guy in a retail store once telling me that one of the big differences between Sony and other Android TV brands, was that the other brands would stop sending out new firmware upgrades a lot earlier than Sony.

If this is the case, surely option A is the most sensible choice. I assume no firmware to worry about, as it's not a smart TV. The tenants will still be able to watch Netflix etc, by casting from their smart phone.

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#2537114 9-Aug-2020 15:46

Or a dedicated android tv box (or Apple TV). Over a chromecast. It’s a much better experience to have something with a remote.

And the advantage is, when your tv stops getting updates in 2-3 years, you can just replace the androids tv box. Rather than the whole panel. My 2008 panel (not smart) is still going strong.

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danepak

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#2537117 9-Aug-2020 15:53

It’s for tenants and they might not find it too easy to use.
(I agree though Android boxes are great).

I just want them to be able to watch Netflix etc. the easiest way.

dt

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#2537123 9-Aug-2020 16:20

really if they could drive a smart tv they should be able to drive an android tv box, which is easier than teaching someone to cast imo

danepak

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#2537177 9-Aug-2020 17:18

True.

And I've just seen the Xiaomi Mi TV stick, where the remote control even have a dedicated Netflix button.

Mind you, the Amazon Fire stick would also do the trick.

davidcole

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#2537452 9-Aug-2020 20:57

danepak:
True.

And I've just seen the Xiaomi Mi TV stick, where the remote control even have a dedicated Netflix button.

Mind you, the Amazon Fire stick would also do the trick.

Most likely neither of those would have the nz apps. Spark sport, TVNZ tv3 etc.

danepak

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#2537461 9-Aug-2020 20:59

davidcole:
danepak:
True.

And I've just seen the Xiaomi Mi TV stick, where the remote control even have a dedicated Netflix button.

Mind you, the Amazon Fire stick would also do the trick.

Most likely neither of those would have the nz apps. Spark sport, TVNZ tv3 etc.

But they’re available on Google Play store, right?

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ttaotua

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#2537464 9-Aug-2020 21:06

I'm using a smartvu and veon TV media box from the warehouse on a plasma TVs and no complaints here. I will look into getting a Vodafone one day but right now, the two media box are good enough for my parents needs.

danepak

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#2537467 9-Aug-2020 21:11

ttaotua: I'm using a smartvu and veon TV media box from the warehouse on a plasma TVs and no complaints here. I will look into getting a Vodafone one day but right now, the two media box are good enough for my parents needs.

Looks interesting. Does what the Firestick does, but also has Chromecast built in. Gives the tenants two options. Either load apps from the box or cast from their phones.

As it’s got Google Playstore built in, I assume they also can use Kodi (and I’m only talking about the legal repos obviously).

Actually, why are you using both? Would the VEON box do what the smartvu does?

ttaotua

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#2537500 9-Aug-2020 22:59

My mother has the smartvu in her bedroom and the veon media box in the lounge for the sky sports now. I suppose I don't need the Vodafone one now unless I wanted sky which I don't.

Oh BTW, I bought one of those mini keyboard hoping to use it on the veon media box but all I can do is turn the volume up and down. There's got to be a better way to type on those remotes.

danepak

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#2537501 9-Aug-2020 23:01

ttaotua: My mother has the smartvu in her bedroom and the veon media box in the lounge for the sky sports now. I suppose I don't need the Vodafone one now unless I wanted sky which I don't.

The functionality looks similar.

Can you please confirm if this is the case?

What's the remote control like? I've purchsed Android TV boxes in the past, where the remote control have been atrocious.

ttaotua

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#2537502 9-Aug-2020 23:11

They both has the Google play store and the remotes are standard with the directional buttons, YouTube and Netflix button. The smartvu also has the freeview button on the remote which the veon does not.

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danepak

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#2537503 9-Aug-2020 23:12

Thanks.

Much appreciated.

ttaotua

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#2537504 9-Aug-2020 23:16

👍

danepak

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#2537649 10-Aug-2020 09:28

I’ve read quite a few reviews complaining about the SmartVU overheating.
Can anyone confirm if this is the same issue with the Veon box?
Although Freeview would be OK, it’s not really necessary, as the reception is OK already.

ttaotua

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#2537657 10-Aug-2020 09:43

I have found the smartvu to be warm when I first started using it and it doesn't seem to be the case for the veon but because my mother uses it, I haven't checked ever since and I will but it's still working well and she turns it of when she's not using it.

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