Hi,
I'm looking for advice on a purchase, I'm hesitating between buying a 4k Tv with built-in AndroidTv (probably the Sony KD49XG80) or buying a cheaper Tv (Sony KD49XG70) without AndroidTv with a Mii Box S.
I will be using it for Netflix and Hulu with NordVPN to unlock certain regions, so I was wondering what the least buggy option would be?
Thanks in advance.
Cheaper with AndroidTV Box. I bought the Sony X850g as I wanted one with AndroidTV so was willing to pay a bit extra, and it really isn't worth it. The OS on TVs is slow, unreliable, and just doesn't have the hardware it needs. Getting a MiBox 4k significantly improved my enjoyment of the TV
Saving for a shield now.
Go for the biggest screen if you still can without android TV. Else get the one which is the best among all your options for picture quality.. Just skip / ignore if android TV is there or not.
Later buy mibox, fire stick, etc if required.
Not sure about those particular models, I have a 6 month old wxr950g, the Android Pie works just as well as my shield.
In the LED Sony range only the Mid Tier / Premium 2019 X85G and X95G plus the 2020 X80H and above have the snappy, much wanted MediaTek MT5893 or MT5895 chipsets in them for running the Android TV OS.
The HDMI 2.1 equipped 2020 X900H/X90H has the most powerful MT5895 chipset of any Smart TV on the market from any brand.
All those above will definately be snappier and more powerful vs an ancient chipset Mi Box.
Everything else in the LED Sony range has an ancient, slow and frankly obsolete MediaTek Chipset under the hood and should definately be avoid for Android TV usage. Basically those TV are obsolete for Smart Tv usage as soon as you purchase them.
Personally I would get a HDMI 2.1 2020 Sony X90H. That thing has no lag whatsoever when running Android TV and it’s Apps.
There is one thing that everyone forget when they try to give advice. Or, they are just not aware of it until they bite the bullet.
External box is better because you can keep it running 24/7 listening internet radio, youtube, spotify, whatever.
Choose wisely.
I had the same dilemma around 3 months ago. I have a MiBox S running in the kitchen and when I came to upgrade the TV in my living room I wanted to decide between a TV with ATV built-in or get another MiBox S in the living room.
Since the price difference was only €80, I thought I'd get a 65" Philips Ambilight 2020 model with ATV built-in and give that a try before buying the MiBox.
As it turned out the Philips built-in ATV actually performs better than the MiBox, using it mainly for Netflix, TiviMate, Spotify, Tune In and a couple more apps. MiBox still requires that odd reboot every now and then. Philips TV also gets updated more frequently and offers, in my opinion, a better integrated experience.
For heavier use, my guess is that neither built-in nor MiBox is a good option really! If in the future you decide you need an upgrade, nothing will stop you from buying a box that is the most current at that time. TVs with built-in ATV still come with HDMI ports like any other TV 😉
Go with ordinary tv then a tv box. When the os gets old you just change the box instead of changing the tv which will cost you more.
To be honest you are better of buying separately and if you buy Shield or Formuler Z8 then you are free to use the box anyway you want.
The Nvidia Shield and the Xiaomi Mi Box are NOT the only devices out there:
Certified Android TV devices WITH Netflix and Prime Video certifications:
- AirTV Mini
- Ematic Jetstream
- Tivo Stream 4K
- Verizon Stream TV
Certified Android TV devices with Netflix ONLY certification:
- AT&T TV
- JBL Link Bar
Certified Android TV devices with Prime Video ONLY certification:
- Mecool KM1 (Available at mecoolonline.com )
- Mecool KM3 (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware update for this model)
- Mecool KM9PRO (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware update for this model)
Certified Android TV devices WITHOUT Netflix and Prime Video certifications:
- Channel Master Stream Plus (with ATSC dual tuner built-in but outdated Android TV version)
- Minix Neo T5 (With gigabit ethernet but remote control doesn't have a microphone)
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to Android TV Guide website.
TVs last for years. Do you really want to be stuck with old technology?
My LG takes ages to "boot" its garbage WebOS (which I don't use).