An Android TV box is a small multimedia device that connects to a TV and runs the Android operating system. It allows you to stream content from various video services such as Youtube. Many of the devices are equipped with a wireless remote control with a voice search function. This greatly simplifies navigation through your favorite movies and TV series..
When choosing, carefully study the technical characteristics. The more powerful the processor, the smoother the device will run. A powerful graphics card will provide high-quality rendering. For people who hate cables, the Nvidia Shield TV is a great choice. If you want something more affordable at a low price, take a look at the Xiaomi Mi Box.
Nvidia Shield TV
If you're looking for a top-notch Android TV box, the Nvidia Shield TV is a great choice. It combines the capabilities of streaming and gaming. Supports Kodi media player. The manufacturer offers an entry-level version and an improved Pro version. Both support 4K resolution and HDR Enhanced Image Technology. The main difference between the models is the amount of memory. In the budget variant, you get only 16 GB of internal storage, while the Pro version boasts a 500 GB hard drive..
Shield TV isn't just about watching videos. The device also allows you to play in multiplayer mode on a local network or on the Internet. You can also start a game stream without getting up from your favorite couch. If desired, you can run games using various Android emulators . Google Play Store is already installed on your device by default. In it you will find hundreds of applications compatible with the console .
Another useful feature is voice control. Instead of using buttons, just speak the commands. Shield uses Google Voice Search, processing queries within seconds. So the next time you want to watch a video on your TV, just tell Nvidia Shield what it needs to do. A remote control with a voice control option is included in the package..
With this set-top box, you can get interesting content from more than ten sources. And with a Prime subscription, you can access unlimited HD content. Services such as Showtime, HBO, Netflix and YouTube are supported, as well as music streaming from Spotify.
Xiaomi Mi Box
Xiaomi Mi Box can be safely called the best choice on a limited budget. This box is a cross between streamers like the Fire TV Stick and more sophisticated streaming devices like the AirTV. Runs on Android TV OS.
At less than $ 100, the Mi Box offers a pretty high level. 4K streaming is supported, although performance issues may occur at 4K settings at 60Hz (default). In this case, you will have to independently lower the frequency to 30 Hz or even to 24 Hz. But when streaming at 1080p, the box works flawlessly.
However, it's hard to complain about the performance given the cost. It can meet the needs of people who want high-quality streaming in high definition, but who are not considering buying a more expensive device.
Mecool M8S PRO L
The M8S Pro L uses the “correct” version of Android TV OS 7.1.2, designed specifically for these devices. There is an 8-core Amlogic S912 chipset, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. Also worth mentioning is the dual band 2.4GHz / 5GHz Wi-Fi.
Thanks to this hardware component, the device seamlessly streams 4K video with HDR10 support. Playback is smoother and more stable than the competition. The familiar Google interface, simplified settings and support for many applications make Mecool a good option to buy.
An important benefit is the ability to use Google Assistant to find movies. The set includes a remote control with a built-in microphone for voice search. Pre-installed apps: Netflix, Kodi, YouTube, Google Play Movies, Plex.
MINIX NEO U9
It is the latest 64-bit Ultra 4K HD streaming media player. Comes with a wireless mouse that acts as a remote control. The device runs on a 64-bit Octa-Core processor, so performance shouldn't be a problem. 2GB of RAM ensures stable system operation even when using resource-intensive applications or watching videos in 4K resolution.
Minix NEO U9 has 16GB of flash storage. Use it to save your favorite movies for watching without an internet connection. The device supports 4K video playback. HDMI 2.0 port provides excellent video transmission.
The set-top box runs Android 6.0. Equipped with dual band Wi-Fi for ultra-fast data transfers. Streaming video from the Internet is transmitted without buffering. Therefore, you can enjoy watching movies without delay.
Zidoo h6
The Zidoo H6 is equipped with a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. With such characteristics, you can safely count on high performance. There is dual-band WiFi for fast network connection and high-speed data transfer. Another plus is the simple interface. You can quickly find your favorite content and watch it on your TV. The set includes a remote control with programmable keys.
H.265 hardware decoding enables stable 4K and 2K UHD video streaming. UHD stream is played back at 60 frames per second and 5.1-channel audio. This combination gives realism to what is happening on the screen, after which you will not want to return to conventional cable television.
The set-top box receives updates over the air. This means that the software will be updated every time new firmware versions become available. When a new firmware appears, the user does not need to do anything - it will be installed automatically. When connected to the Internet, the device automatically checks for new software versions.
The Zidoo H6 runs Android 7.1. It is a stable version of the operating system that improves performance even further. You can play games without worrying about freezing.
TX3 Mini
TX3 Mini Android 7.1 is equipped with a quad-core processor, which guarantees stable video streaming without delay. The Mali 450 GPU accurately displays vivid colors and fine details. When playing videos in HD or 4K UHD format, you will not experience freezing in most cases - everything plays quite smoothly. Comes with an infrared remote control and an HDMI cable.
The device has 16 GB of internal memory, which will be enough space to store a couple of your favorite movies. The device supports connection to an external hard drive via USB. Therefore, local storage can be quickly expanded when needed.
Having a WiFi module means connecting to the Internet without the hassle of wires. After connecting, access to films and TV series from the Internet is immediately opened. It's easy to connect to popular services like YouTube, Hulu and Netflix. Also available is the launch of games downloaded from the Google Play Store, which is pre-installed by the manufacturer.
Roku Premiere
Roku Premiere is a great option for streaming HD video from the internet. The quad-core processor provides excellent performance with high quality video (4K Ultra HD). Having bought this set-top box, you will no longer think about connecting cable or satellite TV.
Roku provides access to over 450,000 TV shows and movies. There is a large selection of streaming channels. Want to enjoy premium paid content? There are subscription channels for this. Services Netflix, Hulu, YouTube are supported.
The search function works great. Just enter the name of the show and the program will quickly find it. Roku will tell you where you can see it, whether it will be paid or free. One of the main features of Roku is its own mobile app. Use it for voice search, show files from your phone on TV , search using the keyboard.
WeTek Hub
The WeTek Hub is a small but powerful device for streaming 4K video content. It uses a 2.0GHz Amlogic S905-H quad-core processor, 1GB DD3 RAM and a five-core Mali-450MP GPU. There is support for Bluetooth 4.
True, there is not much built-in storage space for movies, only 8GB, but this is not a problem, because there is 1 slot for MicroSD. Using the H.265 codec with 5.1 Dolby and DTS certified high quality audio, watching movies in 4K Ultra HD resolution is a pleasure.
AirTV Player
AirTV Player combines streaming with live TV broadcasting. The built-in TV tuner lets you switch between TV channels and streaming services. Of course, for this you need to connect a TV antenna. 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage are rather modest specifications. This set-top box runs on a full-fledged Android TV OS, not optimized for mobile devices.
Another plus is the lower price compared to the Nvidia Shield TV. AirTV is best suited for users who need a basic device for watching TV channels and online services. Over-the-air updates are also an important plus. If you don't need games, then AirTV Player can be a good choice.
EVANPO T95Z Plus
EVANPO T95Z Plus runs on the latest Android version and is equipped with Amlogic S912 Octa-Core processor, which ensures no lag even when streaming video continuously for hours.
Plays 4K videos at 60 frames per second seamlessly. Processing is performed by an H.265 decoder. There is also built-in Bluetooth and WiFi 5G. You can connect, for example, a Bluetooth keyboard to use the search bar. Other peripheral devices are connected in the same way. The kit includes a remote control with a wireless keyboard.
The choice of entertainment content is almost unlimited. Many popular streaming services are supported, such as Hulu and YouTube. You can also use your device to play locally saved media files. A large amount of built-in memory (16GB) allows you to store many interesting movies for offline viewing.