I was thinking of switching from Apple TV to an android tv device once I saw the new google tv UI I was wondering what devices support the new UI besides the new chromecast? And I want a device where I can toggle HDR off because my tv looks weird with it on but also keep 4k content on like u can with Apple TV.
Android TV boxes with the new UI are still non-existent, only television sets from Sony, TCL and others are reportedly being released with Google TV.
The HDR always on "issue" is present (as far as I know) in the Tivo Stream 4K and the Dynalink dongle.
Take a look at the whole list of recommended Android TV boxes/dongles:
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE UNITED STATES ONLY:
- AirTV Mini (More info at airtv.net/products )
- AT&T TV (More info at att.com/tv/device-features )
- Tivo Stream 4K (More info at www.tivo.com/products/stream-4k )
- T-Mobile TVision HUB (More info at t-mobile.com/tvision/services/hub )
- Verizon Stream TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at verizon.com/products/verizon-stream-tv-gen-2 )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Chromecast with Google TV (more info at tv.google )
- Dynalink TV dongle (More info at dynalink.life )
- JBL Link Bar (More info at jbl.com/refurbished-home-speakers/JBL+LINK+BAR-.html )
- Mecool KM2 (Not available yet for purchase)
- Nokia Streaming Box 8000 (Only for Europe. More info at nokia.com/shop/streaming-devices/nokia-streaming-box-8000
- Nvidia Shield TV (More info at shield.nvidia.com )
- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (1GB of RAM and up to 1080p only. More info at mi.com/global/mi-tv-stick )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH ONLY PRIME VIDEO FOR THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Formuler GTV (Gigabit ethernet. More info at formuler.tv/gtv )
- Mecool KM6 Classic Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM6 Deluxe Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM. More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KD1 TV Stick (More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool Now (An Android TV device with a built-in camera and microphone, suitable for videoconferencing, More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.
The Nvidia Shield Pro is the only Android TV box that's good to give you the premium experience that Apple TV does. Any other box is going to be a step-down performance wise. How important that is to you depends on your particular needs.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV), it's still running the old Android TV UI and hasn't been upgraded to Google TV yet, but certainly will eventually. And like most devices, you can't toggle the HDR on and off. Though if you have an SDR TV, it will tone map it to SDR.