I'm pretty new in this tech so I have no idea where to start to look.
My only goal is to be able to watch streaming services and youtube, and ocasionally play emulators, hopefully up to the SEGA Dreamcasts.
I don't know which one is the best. For what I look up, Amazon had its own version, there are Android TV box with Android 9 and others with Android 11. Some look like a tiny stick and others look like a small CPU.
I have no idea where to go with this.
Shield all the way. Worth the $. I have 2
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 http://att.com/tv/device-features )
- Tivo Stream 4K (More info at http://tivo.com/products/stream-4k )
- T-Mobile TVision HUB (More info at http://t-mobile.com/tvision/services/hub )
- Verizon Stream TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://verizon.com/products/verizon-stream-tv-gen-2 )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR EUROPE ONLY:
- EKO KATV10
- Nokia Streaming Box 8000 (More info at http://nokia.com/shop/streaming-devices/nokia-streaming-box-8000 ).
- Strong Leap-S1 (More info at http://strong.tv/en/products/ip-tv-receivers/leap-s1 )
- Youin (by Engel).
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Chromecast with Google TV (more info at http://tv.google )
- Dynalink TV dongle (More info at http://dynalink.life )
- Homatics Box Q (More info at http://homatics.tv/products/homatics-box-q )
- Homatics Dongle Q (More info at http://homatics.tv/products/homatics-dongle-q )
- Mecool KM2 (More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Nvidia Shield TV (The most expensive but powerful, recommended for gaming. More info at http://shield.nvidia.com )
- Walmart Onn (More info at http://walmart.com )
CERTIFIED ANDROID TV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO CERTIFICATIONS THAT USE THE NOW OLD AMLOGIC S905X SoC:
- Xiaomi Mi Box S (More info at http://mi.com/global/mi-box-s )
- Ematic Jetstream (More info at http://androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/ematic-jetstream-tv-box )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH ONLY PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Formuler GTV (Gigabit ethernet. Exclusive MYTVOnline2 app for IPTV. More info at http://formuler.tv/gtv )
BEWARE!, THE FOLLOWING DEVICES FROM THE BRAND "MECOOL" FEATURE GOOD SPECIFICATIONS BUT THEY ARE NOT FREQUENLY UPDATED TO FIX BUGS AND ISSUES:
- Mecool KM6 Classic Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM6 Deluxe Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM7 (AV1 hardware decoding. 2GB/16GB and 4GB/64GB versions. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KT1 (AV1 hardware decoding. DVB-T2/S2/C tuner built-in. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% 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 http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KD2 TV Stick (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.
Searching "Android+TV+Box" on Amazon will bring up a lot of weird shit-ass devices.
Primary thing to know is only get a device that is Google "Certified" for androidTV or GoogleTV, which will have all the DRM licenses to use streaming apps, the caveat though is Netflix has its own Licensing/Certification and that narrows device selection down even further, and if you have a DolbyVision capable TV then you'll need a DV capable device and that further narrows your choice to only 4 androidTV devices that support DolbyVision.
Website Reference: https://www.androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/netflix-amazon-atv-certified/
If you live in the US my recommendation is get a TiVo Stream4K ($30 at Walmart stores) for streaming priorities and a Raspberry Pi4 kit ($100-$120 on Amazon) for Emulation purposes. Alternative is get the top-teir androidTV device ShieldTV Pro ($200) and it will handle both streaming and emulation needs.
Your request for up-to Dreamcast emulation is what will eliminate a ton of affordable budget devices.
If you need/want Dolbyvision your options are limited.
https://www.androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/dolby-vision-atmos-certified/
Dreamcast is pretty hard to emulate on most systems your best bet is either a RPi4, Shield or Beelink.
Nvidia Shield TV will the the best!. I've used several other android boxes, fire sticks and Comcast's. The shield is just so much more capable and runs smooth.