I’m very new to this Android TV box tech. May I know what’s a good Android TV box to recommend. Seen some with thousands of channels, are those legit and how does a Chromecast actually help? What the difference between those that requires a subscription and one that does not? Thanks in advance!
You need to state what you want.
All those with thousands of channels boxes are so called preloaded box and none of them are really legitimate and will be the targeted by future IP protection laws.
Depending on your needs you may consider the following options, from easy to more difficult
1) Starhub fibre TV or SingTel TV
2) Starhub Go Streaming Box
3) Google Chromecast
4) Apple TV 4k which is good option for Apple users
5) Mi Box S or Nvidia Shield TV running official Android TV OS whch supports Netflix 4k and YouTube 4k. You can load other apps as well with some exceptions like Starhub Go and TVB Anywhere SG. But they support Chromecast function which works with Starhub Go.
6) Amazon Fire TV stick 4k or Amazon Fire TV Cube, which supports Netflix 4k as well, again you can side load other apps.
7) Other barebone Android TV boxes, say those from Zidoo, Minix, Beelink and Tanix. Or those generic boxes. No Netflix HD/4k support, no ChromeCast function
8) Preloaded boxes like UnblockTech Ubox with relative comprehensive live TV app UBTV and they try to support it even though UBTV is ordered by high court to be blocked by local ISPs. Not recommended but I can see why people still go for it.
9) Other preloaded boxes sold at Sim Lim Square, other shopping centres or online market place or even Facebook, most if not all are problematic and do not expect good support. Avoid them.
10) Not HW boxes but just paid IPTV subscription. Not recommended in general but I can understand why people buy them.