So I currently have a LG Smart TV. It's good overall but the only problem I have with it is webOS. I'm thinking of buying an Android TV box for it. Also a lot of TV shows are simply not available on Netflix in my country so I use a VPN too. And it's not possible to cast my Netflix connected via VPN to the TV. Also my TV is not receiving any updates. So should I go for it?
I've used Express VPN app for Netflix on my Mibox and it works fairly well. Sometimes after connecting to VPN I had to change Netflix user (content reload I guess), but other than that it worked fine.
But yeah, I would wait 2 more weeks for a new Google Sabrina device.
Depending on your VPN, they might have an android TV version of the VPN app. But you can sideload a mobile version. My point is that you don't have to cast anything, just watch it directly on the TV.
I have an LG OLED TV and bought an Nvidia Shield Pro to set up a Plex server, an added bonus turned out to be that it gives better sound and picture quality so I'd say go for it. The shield is expensive but I think it was worth it, Google are releasing their own Android TV dongle soon which will be much cheaper if thats a consideration for you. I'd avoid the cheap no-brand chinese Android TV boxes because they're not properly licensed so the picture quality is poor, there's no support and they don't get updates.
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A kind of no-brainer to be honest since you mentioned your LG tv is old and not receiving updates, plus you need apps that are not at all present in webos.
I'd (like almost everyone else here) recommend NVIDIA Shield but only if it's officially available (read, reasonable price). If that's not the case then consider the mibox (easily importable if not available officially) or Amazon's Firestick 4k (assuming you don't rely on chomecast since you have a LG TV, most here hate the fact that I mention Firestick 4k but honestly, it's better than most androidtv boxes, minus the chromecast feature) OR wait for the Google's upcoming new dongle .
TIP: Even if your TV is Full-HD, don't get a device limited to full-HD, always get the device capable of playing 4k content . They are a bit more future proof in case you change your TV but more importantly, 4k capable devices are more smooth to use than their Full-HD counterparts
Most important, remember to only get a certified AndroidTV device and not generic-android Chinese boxes. They don't have proper DRM for Netflix and PrimeVideo and few local streaming apps.
For Netflix needs, I'm able to access American Netflix content using IPVanish from here in India. So it should work out for you too. :)
The Nvidia Shield and the Xiaomi Mi Box S are the most popular but they are NOT the only devices out there:
Certified Android TV devices WITH Netflix AND Prime Video certifications:
- Chromecast with Google TV (TBA)
- AirTV Mini
- Ematic Jetstream
- Tivo Stream 4K
- Verizon Stream TV
- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (1080p only)
Certified Android TV devices with ONLY Netflix certification:
- AT&T TV
- JBL Link Bar
Certified Android TV devices with ONLY Prime Video certification:
- Mecool KM1 (Available at mecoolonline.com )
- Mecool KM3 (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware for this model)
- Mecool KM9 PRO (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware 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.
Yes but the rumors and leaks point to a new ATV device from Google themselfs by months end so you may want to wait just a bit.