So Amazon has a ton of android tv boxes for around 50 bucks. They all seem generic but at this point it all seems like run of the mill tech, I had one of the first Android sticks when it came out and it was decent even back then. Anyone have one of these cheap boxes and are they decent?
Those are the garbage "Android TV Boxes" that don't run actual Android TV. They really are garbage. I had one for a week and sent it back and got a Fire TV Stick 4K and it was like night and day. I've since bought a Shield 2019 Pro and a couple more Fire TV Stick 4K's. Stay away from those cheap Chinese pieces of shit.
Did I mention they're garbage?
If your price point is $50 why wouldn’t you just buy chromecast with google tv
Two words : just don't
Avoid them really they are not supported and can’t run most apps at 4K
You did not state what you will be using the box for.......
There's almost no point when there are things like TiVo stream, Chromecast, fire stick, etc that are often cheaper. The only benefit is their I/O options and root potential.
What others aren't mentioning in detail is that Android (as opposed to Android tv) is optimized for touch and not big screen/remote. So navigating can be a hassle and the ui launchers are usually pretty generic.
Easy Look at Mecool Km2 (ethernet port) CCwGTV FIRE STICK 4K
If you want power Mecool Km6 deluxe (no Netflix certified) cheap than Nvidia Shield
Also if you want only for test go for Walmart Onn
None of the cheap ones on Amazon work with Netflix. Walmart has one for $40 that does 4k and that one is junk, locks up constantly. The cheap ones on Amazon are worse... if you must get an android box, get an Nvidia shield, or if you want cheaper, get the new Chromecast with Google tv.
Mi box is fine and cheaper but only hdr10
Amazon DOES NOT have Android TV boxes. Their devices run on Fire OS, which is a modified version of Android TV OS.
Those cheap Android boxes usually run Android, not Android TV, which requires certification. They don't have the proper DRM protection, so you don't get 4k from streaming services. They don't have Netflix certification, so you only get 480p in Netflix. They don't have dolby vision. They don't get the software support
But other than that, I guess they're good for iptv and streaming from alternative sources and a little gaming.