I am looking for recommendation as I plan to replace my PS3 (Movian player) with newer AndroidTV boxes. I am looking for a quality box that has great .ASS/.SSA subtitle capability (priority) and a browser app that plays website videos seamlessly (no annoying ads/popups) - another priority. Latest codecs, open source customization and great external USB hard drive to play videos as well. Replaceable HDD would be a plus too but not a priority.
I have looked at NinkBox N1, Beelink GT-King Amlogic S922X, SkyStream, KDLinks A400 (older model) and Newpal. Should I chose the newer ones made in 2019? Which ones are the best for subtitle and browser internet videos (sites that do not have apps)?
Any suggestions are appreciated!
To be honest with you - Demanding (seamless) Web Browsing belongs on either a Desktop PC / Mac or a portable Laptop / iPad. Sure some AndroidTV media players might be able to browse the Web, but it’s no where near the same experience as use on devices just mentioned.
You need the most powerful ARM chipset hardware as well for even acceptable basic Browsing performance, either a Shield or a AMLogic based S922X chipset. Something with high quality fast RAM and a really, decent, fast GPU. Avoid the Beelink GT King, it has serious ongoing Ethernet issues I can link you too.
Google Certified Android TV also really is Not designed for usage with a mouse at all, in fact it’s the complete opposite. With Apps coded around usage with a simple Wireless Voice D-Pad remote control. There is also little customisation you can do, because most devices are locked down to prevent Piracy of copy protected video streams.
Android TV devices do not even come with (Air) mouse type hardware controllers.
Here are your Android TV choices:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/cguehm/androidtv_device_comparison_table/
I personally use a pretty powerful, open - S922X chipset - ODROID N2, that can run all manner of Linux / CoreELEC Kodi / LineageOS / Android (TV) OS images, for whatever purpose I desire. Copy protected Apps video streaming is handled by a powerful Apple TV 4K. They way I’m not compromising too much at all for speed, Apps availability or customisation.
I don’t care about Chromecasting.
BTW: Microsoft is in a Beta testing phase with a quality Chromium based - Edge browser for ARM chipset platforms. There should be all manner of Addons available for it as well I would think. It’s pretty slick when I had a brief play with it.