Finally cut the cord - Specific questions about a streaming device? (UK)

by Bradalax

Morning all, Hope this is the right forum, and the right question!

After recently cutting the cord, I'm loking for a replacement streaming device. At the moment I have a Roku Streaming stick + for the 4k plugged directly into my AV Receiver and its been great. But where it was I think it overheated and now its a bit flakey.

I watch Netflix, amazon Prime, NowTV and freeview services like BBC iPlayer. I don't have an antenna for the digital freeview channels

I started looking into alternatives and was wondering what the thoughts of this sub was? Don't mind spending up to or slightly over £200 for the right device. What I've found

  • Nividia Shield was going to be my orignal choice. But they're out of stock everywhere, and more importantly I understand you can't get Now TV on them? Thiis is a deal breakbreaker. I want a device that plays all the content I view.

  • Failing all else just buy a replacement Roku?

  • Then I saw Android TV boxes (read the first comment here about cheap boxes, and that was my concern. Hence the research and coming here). That led me to the Mi Box? Can it do everything? Is there a specific model I should be looking at?

I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions that I can go away and research, anything I may have missed.

EDIT: Forgot to say the device would need to work with a harmony Elite remote system

dannyspanish1

If Now TV is a deal breaker then you'll have to stick with Roku. There isn't an Android TV app equivalent. You can cast from your phone but in my experience it crashed constantly or buffered.

wings22

Apparently Google are planning to release their own Android TV stick soon, basically like a Chromecast with Android TV on it. I don't know when but that's the rumours.

You could just get a Chromecast and cast everything, I do that for one of my TVs, though the other one with Android TV is better to use

latinriky78

Certified Android TV devices WITH Netflix and Prime Video certifications:

- Nvidia Shield TV

- Xiaomi Mi Box S

- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick

Certified Android TV devices with Netflix ONLY certification:

- Engel EN1015K

- JBL Link Bar

Certified Android TV devices with Prime Video ONLY certification:

- Mecool KM1

- Mecool KM3 (With Android 10 update available at mecoolonline.com )

Certified Android TV devices WITHOUT Netflix and Prime Video certifications:

- Mecool KM9 Pro

- Minix Neo T5

For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to Android TV Guide website.

scumb4ll

Apple TV is meant to be getting a NowTV update soon and that should bring boost and watchlists. When that happens it will be the only streamer that can do all the UK services and framerate switch.

The shield is great but the lack of Android TV apps is too big a letdown to make it a one stop streamer.

No All4, My5, UKTV, Britbox, Apple TV+, Now TV.

You can cast though...

The services you use are on the DTR4000 Youview box, but no HDR/Atmos and all locked at 25/50 fps.

FlickFreak

I'd consider the Apple TV 4K , you can get a refurbished unit directly from Apple for £169. It's probably the best streaming device with the widest support.

The Shield is great for local files and it supports Atmos for Netflix (on the 2019 version) but beyond that it is no more capable than a Fire TV Stick 4K as a streaming device. In fact as a streaming device I prefer my Fire TV Stick 4K to the Shield.

BiggussDikkuss

I watch Netflix, amazon Prime, NowTV and freeview services like BBC iPlayer. I don't have an antenna for the digital freeview channels

So a combo of 24p, 25 and 50fps video content.

For that you need a device with reliable auto Frame Rate Matching otherwise expect horrible 24p judder when video is output at 50Hz. It really is a terrible combo.

And for - reliable Frame Rate Matching - especially with the Prime Video App you really should be looking at an Apple TV 4K - which also has a built in user programmable Infra Red receiver. You can use an Infra Red remote with it.

Honestly in territories that have predominantly combos of 24p, 25/50fps video content like the UK, Europe, and Australasia, the Apple TV 4K with it's Apps supporting baked in auto Frame Rate Matching functionality craps all over Android TV devices.

DO NOT rely on Nvidia Shield's hacks to try and achieve Frame Rate Matching - you will come unstuck. It's simply not reliable enough.

Apple tvOS Local Apps support is better too in those territories .

Now watch this post get down voted because I dare mention a better device for UK usage specifically.