Android TV OS

by ddrumdiablo

Hi all. Would appreciate some help on this. I'm looking for an Android box which runs the Android TV OS. I've found the Xiaomi Mi Box S and the Nvidia Shield on Google's official Android TV website. I find the Nvidia Shield to be quite expensive and Xiaomi's box is underpowered at just 2GB RAM and only 8GB of ROM.

I have a bunch of cheap Chinese android boxes and I find the H96 Max+ to be quite good, but would just prefer to run the official OS rather than dodgy, unupgradeable MediaTek chips.

Anybody know of devices other than the above and where I might get them? Thanks.

Edit To Add: I'm in Europe if that makes any difference to the recommendations

Agile_Dog

google are releasing an android TV device shortly. Best wait for that.

Mike_Keeler

The Tivo Stream 4K box is Android TV 9, and works great for me. I got mine from Amazon.

Junkdewd

The Ematic A419 has been a great device for me. Also sold at Walmart as the Jetstream A418.

Has built in ethernet, 2 USB ports, a SD card slot and seems to play HDR much better than other mid-range priced devices I have used, including the mibox version capable of 4k playback.

atifsh

First make your mind what you want and what you want to do? Everyone here who answered basically didn't answered correctly because they don't know what you want. Every device here will be similar or slightly faster than mibox s.

Even the upcoming Google device is same with better chip 905x2 vs 905x in mibox. Sheild is expensive for a reason and if you don't want to game no need to buy it.

ahm-ZA

https://www.h96tvbox.com/content/8-tv-box-faq Some H96 updates would be on their site. but I can't see the point of going through with it [ im a firmware noob]

latinriky78

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)

- Engel EN1015K

- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (1080p only)

Certified Android TV devices with ONLY Netflix certification:

- 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:

- WeTek Air (with DVB-T2/DVB-S interchangeble tuners)

- 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.

Jokerchyld

I have the Minix Neo T5 Running AndroitTV 9.0. Snappy box thats fits all my needs but does NOT support Netflix in anyway. I have other means of getting that content if I so choose so wasn't an issue for me.

Got.mine from Amazon but can imagine Minix has global resellers.

titojohn

MECOOL KM3 box

aandras

I don't game but I purchased the firedhits. Chinese boxes and the MeCool Android TV boxes but I eventually got the Nvidia shields. I actually havev7 of them in the house for the kids rooms and the other TV in the house. I spent more money on other devices only to purchase my first shield to discover I shouldn't have been cheaply purchase it first. I would have saved money

Pros Factory updates even the 2015 still gets updated Quality product Current ATV is Great graphics Great processors Great for streaming and gaming a plus

Cons Price

ZainullahK

wait for google sabrina

cpbtc

Tivo 4K.

I was using Roku for years and still two Roku, one of UK, one for US.

Nvidia was expensive, Chromecast was weak, Fire stick was not native, rest of 3rd party was so Chinese (sorry).

Tivo is cheap, and from overseas, it handles both UK & US together easily. Smart DNS friendly, and with onboard VPN (as usual for Android TVs), bypass any limits. How come? If you live abroad, from mobile phone (connect it VPN or not), it's not possible to cast/mirror to Chromecast due to geo-locked. In any Android TV, run VPN and just cast any app from mobile to onboard Chromecast function. All works. And Android TV is just connected to VPN, that's it. The video stream transfer is between you phone in WiFi and the Tivo. If Android TV does not support an app, just mirror from your phone, or open in web in your PC and cast. Android TV is a swiss knife. Tivo is standard (native), affordable, and with Tivo+ free service. They are the most serious competitor of Roku as far as i see. It's Android plus extra streaming add-ons.

The only killer feature of Roku is the "remote". You can connect an headphone directly to remote and you can watch without any noise at any time while kids are studying or sleeping. I couldn't find or know a remote in any Android TV yet.

Cheers,

ysetosoon

recommend widevpn for different streaming( netlfix hulu), support wireguard