Can you recommend me good android box?

by AnCoreX

Hello,

using Apple TV 4 for about 2 years. Now I want to buy another box to the another TV.

Thinking about android box but don't know which is really good.

Will use it only for watching movies/series from Synology NAS. Everything is Full HD or 4K.
And my ISP has android app for TV, so will use it too (maybe). Don't want settopbox.

I'm thinking about Xiaomi Mi TV Box S but there is no ethernet and I'm affraid 4K movies will not play fine without problems because of wifi.

Read about nVidia Shield (latest) but I think it's not for me. I'm not gamer :)

Wifi: have 2x Unifi AP AC Pro so this is ok.

Thank you for recommendations.

vaneske

Nvidia shield

txwylde

I agree with the mi box. It had good performance and is inexpensive.

DoobieLane85

I have both and the Mi Box has streamed 4k fine. Now I do have gigabit internet and a router not far from it. You can buy the Ethernet adapter, but you're still limited to 100mbps which is plenty. I installed ATV launcher on mine and it's performs exactly like my Apple TV did. The shield is the best of the best, but, if only watching movies, it's very much overkill.

j0s3rubio

YSK that there is a big difference between and "android box" and an "android TV box" Both the Shield and the Mi are Android TV boxes and that's what you want. For 4K content I recommend getting the Nvidia Shield.

BiggussDikkuss

Here is a list of Google Certified Android TV devices: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/cguehm/androidtv_device_comparison_table/

In addition to that list above is the Gigabit LAN -MINIX T5 - which does not have Netflix App Approval.(no HD)

Low bitrate 4K online streaming Apps - Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video etc can stream via WiFi if you have decent Dual Band WiFi.

High bitrate 4K Bluray Rips will NOT stream reliably over a home WiFi network, you need Gigabit LAN.

The most important question for you is does your ISP have an “Android TV” App or a regular tablet/touchscreen Android App. ?

If it’s a touchscreen App, chances are it will not work properly on Android TV devices because it needs an Air Mouse, and “Android TV” devices do not come with Air Mice remote’s. Air mice remote’s are a right ROYAL PITA TO CONTROL ON A TV SCREEN ! !

If all you want to do is play 4K movie Rips get a dedicated Linux Kodi box with Gigabit LAN like an ODROID N2:

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=332180

Jaiden051

If you want to switch to something pretty cheap you should go for the Xiaomi MI Box S but it only has 1 USB 2.0 port and no Atmos or ethernet jack but it also comes in at a smooth $60

For something that's a little more expensive but a lot more powerful Is the Nvidia Shield which has two USB 3.0 and an ethernet jack but it's a bit on the pricey side Coming in at $200