Android TV - Advice Needed

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LauraCacci

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Wannabe Geek

#222700 24-Aug-2017 13:18

Hi All,

I've been advised to get an Android TV but I'm not a techy person at all and tbh don't really know where to start! We really just want to watch Lightbox/Netflix etc, Skype and also record shows from Freeview channels (I'm told I can do this onto an external hard drive?)

Can anyone advise what would be the best option that isn't going to break the bank as we don't have a huge budget for this.

TIA

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#1851911 24-Aug-2017 13:40

Go to any tv seller. All Sony Tv are Android Tvs but your list is likely also doable on Samsung or LG. Panasonic at the moment would be maybe. Only Caveat is make sure they understand all the apps you want to use as Skype could be an issue. The Freeview side is Freeview Plus which also gives you On Demand access.

Samsung http://www.samsung.com/nz/apps/

Sony http://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/smart-tv-features-apps-and-internet

Lg (sample as cant find an app page) http://www.lg.com/nz/tvs/lg-49LJ550T-full-hd-tv

Panasonic (sample again) http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/televisions/full-hd-hd-tvs/th-40ds610u.html

As to Freeview then that is found here http://www.freeviewnz.tv/ with Plus here http://www.freeviewnz.tv/freeview/on-demand/ including a NICE LIST of some of the TVS with it.

Hope that helps :)

browned

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#1851924 24-Aug-2017 14:03

A Sony TV is the easiest option for getting Android TV, but probably an expensive option depending on the size that you want to get.

A cheaper option is buying an Nvidia Shield TV from Amazon for about $300nzd landed. no Freeview on it unless you buy a Silicon Dust HD Homerun Connect tv tuner though.

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Mattmannz

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#1851961 24-Aug-2017 14:13

One thing to note is that with the recording to USB from Freeview, a lot of units won't record whilst you are running an APP and most don't support time scheduled recordings so the user experience is quite different from a dedicated set top box.

kryptonjohn

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#1851964 24-Aug-2017 14:23

Don't know latest but TVs with Android built-in were pricey last time I looked. The alternative would be to get a cheap dumb TV (Warehouse Veons have been discussed here at length) and add an inexpensive AndroidTV box.

An extra item of confusion: you will see some mini android boxes being sold with media player software - but that's not AndroidTV - it's just a tiny Android computer with HDMI out and media player software. Proper AndroidTV is a port of Android that is designed to be embedded in a TV, and not rely on having a keyboard and mouse. So some android apps won't work very well on AndroidTV because they expect a KB or mouse.

There are some cheap good AndroidTV boxes on Aliexpress:

https://tinyurl.com/y92la4yw

scottjpalmer

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#1852055 24-Aug-2017 18:36

Not all Sony are Android TV

robfish

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#1852610 25-Aug-2017 14:56

I have the following devices connected to TVs in and around my house (2 families at present):-

2 x Amazon Fire TV

2 x Mi Box

1 x Nexus Player

1 x Intel NUC (running LibreELEC)

1 x old desktop PC (running LibreELEC)

and today I ordered an R99 Android TV box

Rob

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

kryptonjohn

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#1852612 25-Aug-2017 15:01

Geez @robfish, that looks like the bloody United Nations of media streamers. Which one is best?

robfish

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#1852671 25-Aug-2017 15:17

kryptonjohn:

Geez @robfish, that looks like the bloody United Nations of media streamers. Which one is best?

I hope that the R99 will be the best. It seems to have great specs and reviews.

Of the ones I have currently, the NUC is best but it has LibreELEC - not an Android TV box ("Just enouigh OS for Kodi")

Next are the Mi Boxes, then FireTV 2nd Gen., then the Nexus Player then FireTV (1st gen)

My son recently bought a cheap Android box preloaded with Kodi and it is cr*p.

Rob

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#1852677 25-Aug-2017 15:24

Yeah gotta be proper AndroidTV6 and with a bit of grunt?

robfish

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#1852685 25-Aug-2017 15:30

To be honest, I do not know how I will justify my latest order with SWMBO because my other devices all work.

Rob

browned

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#1852686 25-Aug-2017 15:32

Nvidia Shield TV is the best at the moment. So smooth and fast all the time and Nvidia have updated it regularly. My 2015 boxes are now running Android TV 7 and has had about 6 updates since I got them, I expect 8 to be released early next year but nothing has been announced yet.

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Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

linw

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#1852920 26-Aug-2017 11:45

I have a new Sony TV with Android and Skype is not available as it seems Sony are too tight to pay the royalty.

sdavisnz

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#1852950 26-Aug-2017 12:36

linw:

I have a new Sony TV with Android and Skype is not available as it seems Sony are too tight to pay the royalty.

no, skype does not support TV anymore, it has nothing to do with sony.

skype made a commercial decision to abandon all skype tv apps.

Voice gives context

Dunnersfella

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#1852963 26-Aug-2017 13:31

As you're describing yourself as a non-tech type, I'd suggest a simple Android TV from Sony.

It's easy enough to use, the Home button closes apps (the key to keeping things running smoothly) and there's a host of apps for you to play around with. The full support of Google Cast (both audio and video), lots of apps being developed for it = a win over the other TV OS systems I've played with.

k1w1k1d

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#1852966 26-Aug-2017 13:44

IMHO the problem with "smart" TV's is that they are current when sold, but manufacturers don't put out updates to keep them current. Once they bring out a new model, they seem to forget about last year's models.

Much better to buy a TV that has a good picture and then connect it to a set top box to use Netflix, Lightbox, Skype etc.

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