Android TV boxes

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#2416459 11-Feb-2020 21:52

beenz: So now the question for me is Apple tv or an Android box...

If you want things simple, go with Apple TV
If you want to fiddle & customise & know that the version of Android on your device will not be supported sooner rather than later; then you can try Android.
- I have a SmartVu device that I want to throw away, if you are interested?

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

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Handle9

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#2416495 12-Feb-2020 01:08

beenz: So now the question for me is Apple tv or an Android box.
I am now confused even more ☹

Make a list of the services you want to use, and your budget. From there you can figure out what to buy. There is no perfect device, in my experience you need a couple of devices to fully cover the spectrum.

I'll give you my opinion / experience. I've had / do have Apple TV, Mi box S, Fire TV, Roku and have played a bit with the Smart VU.

If you have $299-$400, want things to be relatively easy and don't need Kodi get an Apple TV. Check the remote will work ok for you. IMO it's the most robust device to use with DNS redirection services as it doesn't have baked in google dns.

You can not side load apps but if an app is available in any global app store it is possible to load it alongside New Zealand apps.

All below run Kodi so give you a fair bit more flexibility. There is also a fair bit of hassle finding supported apps and you may have to do work arounds.

If you have $330 - $400 and must have Android TV get an Nvidia Shield. It is by far the best Android TV device. Check the remote will work ok for you.

If you have $130 and don't need Freeview get a Mi Box S (you can watch Freeview channels using Kodi but it needs a bit more work).

If you have $130 and need a Freeview app get a Smart VU

If you have $140, don't want international apps, want to record live TV and are happy with the supported apps get a Vodafone TV

If you are in the Amazon ecosystem get a Fire Stick. If you just want ITV and iPlayer this may also be a pretty good option but there won't be a fair few international apps available.

If you want a cool device but hate yourself get a Roku. There are no apps for NZ. (not sure about Kodi on this one either)

If you hate yourself and your family buy a cheap Chinese Android box that doesn't run android TV. They run all possible Android apps and have a horrible UX as you are running phone apps on a TV. Everyone will hate you.

Regardless of what you choose there will be a certain amount of mucking around to get international streaming working and likely some maintenance involved.

Adrianmx6

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#2416540 12-Feb-2020 09:08

beenz: So now the question for me is Apple tv or an Android box.
I am now confused even more ☹

I wouldn't recommend an Apple TV unless you want to use it for the additional benefits like watching Netflix, accessing your Plex Movie server or YouTube. YouTube may not be an actual benefit anymore to be honest as anything on YouTube nowadays is crammed with adverts, main stream media channels are being pushed onto viewers and the smaller content creators that made YouTube great are not being recommended anymore, I digress....

If you have a smart TV then you don't need an Android box. Go to the android store and download Kodi to the TV, then follow the instruction on Kodiapps.com on how to load a build onto Kodi and voila, you have your own built in android box on your smart TV.

PM me if you need further help with the setup for a smart TV. I have this setup on all the TV in my household and love it.

Handle9

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#2416752 12-Feb-2020 15:47

Adrianmx6:
beenz: So now the question for me is Apple tv or an Android box.
I am now confused even more ☹

If you have a smart TV then you don't need an Android box. Go to the android store and download Kodi to the TV, then follow the instruction on Kodiapps.com on how to load a build onto Kodi and voila, you have your own built in android box on your smart TV.

PM me if you need further help with the setup for a smart TV. I have this setup on all the TV in my household and love it.

You do realise that most TVs don't run Android?

Adrianmx6

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#2416785 12-Feb-2020 17:26

Handle9:
Adrianmx6:

beenz: So now the question for me is Apple tv or an Android box.
I am now confused even more ☹

If you have a smart TV then you don't need an Android box. Go to the android store and download Kodi to the TV, then follow the instruction on Kodiapps.com on how to load a build onto Kodi and voila, you have your own built in android box on your smart TV.

PM me if you need further help with the setup for a smart TV. I have this setup on all the TV in my household and love it.

You do realise that most TVs don't run Android?

Such as...?

The majority run on Android.

There are other manufacturers that have their own propriety OS framework (Roku, RDK, Vewd, OpenTV, ShijiuTV and so on) but they are a minority.

Handle9

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#2416791 12-Feb-2020 18:00

Adrianmx6:

Such as...?

The majority run on Android.

There are other manufacturers that have their own propriety OS framework (Roku, RDK, Vewd, OpenTV, ShijiuTV and so on) but they are a minority.

Panasonic, LG, Samsung, lower end Sony, TCL and Hisense. Three of the four major bands in NZ use something other than android tv and only the more expensive Sony's use it.

Android TV makes up a small percentage of the market in NZ.

Adrianmx6

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#2416871 12-Feb-2020 20:44

Handle9:
Adrianmx6:

Such as...?

The majority run on Android.

There are other manufacturers that have their own propriety OS framework (Roku, RDK, Vewd, OpenTV, ShijiuTV and so on) but they are a minority.

Panasonic, LG, Samsung, lower end Sony, TCL and Hisense. Three of the four major brands in NZ use something other than android tv and only the more expensive Sony's use it.

Android TV makes up a small percentage of the market in NZ.

The top 3 smart TV platforms are Android TV, WebOS and Roku. Android being the most common.

Hisense use RokuTV, the 2nd most popular Smart TV framework OS after Android and also used by Haier, Hitachi, Insignia, Sharp, TCL and Westinghouse...they also use Android TV on the newer models now.

LG used Netcast, and now WebOS as their current framework which is also the 3rd most popular OS.

Samsung previously used their propriety Orsay OS but have replaced with with Tizen OS which is 100% compatible with Android.

Panasonic use My Home Screen and newer models are now using the Mozilla Firefox OS, also compatible with Android.

The following vendors use or have used Android: Hisense, Nvidia, Philips, Sharp, Skyworth, Sony, TCL (now using Roku), Toshiba, Westinghouse.

Most of these vendors have access to the Android apps via the Play Store.

In order for a vendor that is not using Android TV as their framework OS to access the Play Store they have to ensure their OS is compatible with Android to be able to install and run an Android apps from the Play Store....ergo you can run Kodi on any Smart TV that has access to the Play Store regardless if the Smart TV has Android TV or not.

In essence, there there are more TV's out there that can run Kodi than just an Android TV platform. That is what the OP needs to know! Instead of spending $$$ to buy an Android Box, check if the Smart TV can access the Play Store. Kodi is free as are the KodiApp's builds.

Please go an look this information up for yourself. Its readily available if you know where to look and make the effort.

https://www.technicolor.com/android-tv

https://archive.is/20120905214746/http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Google-TV-2-rolls-out/

https://www.lg.com/us/experience-tvs/smart-entertainment

https://www.sony.co.uk/

https://archive.is/20120906165702/http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Canonical-unveils-Ubuntu-TV-/

https://www.engadget.com/2007/06/18/microsoft-mediaroom-iptv-gets-a-makeover/

http://www.worldtvpc.com/blog/boxee-online-tv-moving-computer-mobile-connected-devices/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_digital_media_players

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_TV

and many many more.

Handle9

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#2416925 12-Feb-2020 21:58

@Adrianmx6 You have posted a whole lot of links for non-TV basd products like boxee and and google TV. You don't appear to understand what is being sold in NZ as you keep referencing Roku.

You also haven't posted any links that shows how one would accomplish the miracle of running Android TV apps on HTML5 based non Android platforms like Tizen or My Home Screen. If you actually have something useful to share that would be really interesting but at the moment you are just spamming the thread and causing confusion.

beenz

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#2417016 13-Feb-2020 05:35

I must admit the thread has gone Miles of topic.
My initial post was about an Android TV box and the best make and model out there.
Basically that is all I want to know at this stage.
A lot of the other stuff is going over my head.
Thanks

Kiwifruta

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#2417041 13-Feb-2020 07:25

It's a two horse race which comes down to your budget.

best Android TV box: Nvidia Shield,

best value Android TV box: Xiaomi Mi Box S, you can add Freeview support, just google Matt Huisman.

Personally, I wouldn't touch the others as they are generally under powered or run hacked Android phone OS not Android TV, so you'd end up watching phone apps on your telly. Also the above two devices have proper Netflix apps, not bodged Netflix phone apps limited to 720p as some other manufacturers provide. Nvidia & Xiaomi also provide firmware updates.

Adrianmx6

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#2417075 13-Feb-2020 08:39

Handle9:

@Adrianmx6 You have posted a whole lot of links for non-TV based products like boxee and and google TV. You don't appear to understand what is being sold in NZ as you keep referencing Roku.

You also haven't posted any links that shows how one would accomplish the miracle of running Android TV apps on HTML5 based non Android platforms like Tizen or My Home Screen. If you actually have something useful to share that would be really interesting but at the moment you are just spamming the thread and causing confusion.

The internet is your friend and no intention to spam, only to enlighten and encourage people to research for themselves...

The process is a bit fiddly but is it useful....🤔

Kodi running on Tizen (Samsung) - https://www.kodiinfopark.com/install-kodi-on-samsung-smart-tv/

Kodi running on Apple OS - https://www.kodiinfopark.com/install-kodi-on-apple-tv/

No hope for Kodi on My Home Screen or Firefox OS as HTML5 allows for CSS Javascript based apps only. Currently no way Kodi can run on that unless some clever person figures something out.

To clear up the confusion, if any, there is no need to spend the $$ to buy an Android TV box if your smart TV can access the Play Store you can install Kodi. There is a workaround for Samsung as per the above link.

I have this very same setup running on 2 of my Sony TV's and a Gen4 Apple TV in my son's room, all at no cost and running bug free as do friends of mine so I'm a bit surprised that this is not more widely know.

Before attempting to install Kodi or associated builds onto your Smart TV, consider the following disclaimer: If you are in doubt, risk adverse, incapable of following instructions, researching the internet for yourself, nervous around technology or impatient, this may not be for you. If you are ready to proceed and have your tool box in your hand, back away from the tv as this process may not be for you. If you like to physically hammer "things" as a way of fixing something this is defiantly not be for you. If you have a tech savvy friend it may be a good idea to ask them for help. If you don't have any friends do not call me. If you have an overwhelming fear of the unknown, you will be gratified to learn that there is no hidden message revealed by reading this disclaimer backwards. It is not true that by pouring a complete circle of salt around yourself and your smart TV you can ensure that no harm befalls you and your pets during the installation process.

beenz

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#2417146 13-Feb-2020 09:31

@Adrianmx6

You have gone completely of topic and I agree with @handle9
My question was very simple and around the best Android tv box.
I appreciate your energy and enthusiasm in responding but it's not what I am after and to be honest it's totally over my head.

nzkc

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#2417175 13-Feb-2020 10:18

beenz: @Adrianmx6

You have gone completely of topic and I agree with @handle9
My question was very simple and around the best Android tv box.
I appreciate your energy and enthusiasm in responding but it's not what I am after and to be honest it's totally over my head.

Hey beenz,

That has been answered here. If you want the best get a Nvidia Shield. If thats a bit steep - get a Mi Box S. You might find you have to do some sideloading with this. Thats not hard, but it means it needs a bit more effort. The last alternative is the Smart Vu X.

I have both the Mi Box and Smart Vu. I prefer the Mi Box, however, the Smart Vu is better supported in NZ (with apps).

Whereabouts do you live? Maybe someone near is willing to let you come have a play on whatever device(s) they have.

Edit: Appreciate your frustration though. Quite a trait in these forums for people to go off topic a bit trying to help and provide options. I personally think they go a bit far and forget what was originally asked or stipulated (e.g a budget....the amount of times someone will say $100 budget and people are saying buy this $200 thing).

driller2000

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#2417217 13-Feb-2020 11:28

+1 for Mi Box - have one as my 2nd streamer.

Is great value - has all mainstream apps and can sideload others (e.g RedboxTV and Stremio) - remote works well.

Have purchased and set up 6 of them for friends and family. Highly recommended.

beenz

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#2417224 13-Feb-2020 11:40

It looks like the mi box s is the one for me then.
I presume it can be loaded for overseas tv channels and side loading these apps is quite straightforward with content on youtube how to do it ?
Thanks for your help guys

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