Android TV Box

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
Best Android TV boxes 2019 from Android Authority. Only for reference

https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-tv-box-2-1021123/

1. Nvidia Shield TV
2. Xiaomi Mi Box S
3. Skystream Three Plus (expensive, seems to be a custom version of the cheap box, not recommended).
4. Walmart Ematic Jetstream 4K

Best alternative
5. Amazon FireTV Stick 4k
6. Google Chromecast
7. Roku Streaming Stick Plus
8. Apple TV

In the Singapore context, 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 are more applicable. 3 and 4 are not recommended in Singapore. 7 is also less useful in Singapore even though it is very good in US.
 
Last edited:

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
For generic boxes, S905X2 boxes are still good choice even though S905X3 boxes are out.

Some boxes to be considered (quick search from Lazada)

Beelink GT1 Mini (good review and good support)
https://androidpctv.com/review-beelink-gt1-mini/

Magicsee N5 Max

Mecool KM3 ATV Google certified but not Netflix certified
https://androidpctv.com/review-mecool-km3-opinion/

Mecool KM9 Pro ATV Google certified but not Netflix certified
https://androidpctv.com/review-mecool-km9-pro-opinion/

There are also OEM version of Tanix TX5 Max and TX5 Pro (without Tanix logo), but based on the feedbacks here, the quality may not be as good as the official Tanix version. The official version of Tanix TX5 Max is not available now and they are pushing TX5 Pro only (no external antenna, no Gigabit Ethernet).

There are also popular generic brand like H96 Max X2 and X96 Max but better not buy since the quality may vary and the support may not be good.
 
Last edited:

windwaver

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2000
Messages
30,768
Reaction score
1,457
Hehe, the user is me, my TX5 Max (OEM) failed less than 3 months after buying it; still has problem flashing.

However, I bought a X96 mini 2/16GB for $28.12. So far it's working just as well as my TX5 Max for toggle and VOD (I don't game but use it daily).

It's about 1/3 of the price of a Mi Box S so if it last long enough, it's actually quite worth it :s13:.

For generic boxes, S905X2 boxes are still good choice even though S905X3 boxes are out.

Some boxes to be considered (quick search from Lazada)

Beelink GT1 Mini (good review and good support)
https://androidpctv.com/review-beelink-gt1-mini/

Magicsee N5 Max

Mecool KM3 ATV Google certified but not Netflix certified
https://androidpctv.com/review-mecool-km3-opinion/

Mecool KM9 Pro ATV Google certified but not Netflix certified
https://androidpctv.com/review-mecool-km9-pro-opinion/

There are also OEM version of Tanix TX5 Max and TX5 Pro (without Tanix logo), but based on the feedbacks here, the quality may not be as good as the official Tanix version. The official version of Tanix TX5 Max is not available now and they are pushing TX5 Pro only (no external antenna, no Gigabit Ethernet).

There are also popular generic brand like H96 Max X2 and X96 Max but better not buy since the quality may vary and the support may not be good.

Hi Xiaofan,

It's good to see that you're still here offering good advice.

BTW, the X96 mini I bought have officially outlive my TX5 Max. Frankly, the 2/16GB X96 mini is quite good.
 

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
BTW, the X96 mini I bought have officially outlive my TX5 Max. Frankly, the 2/16GB X96 mini is quite good.

X96 Mini (2GB/16GB S905W, 2.4GHz Wifi and 100M Ethernet) is my first Android TV box and I bought it in earlier 2018. It is pretty much very similar to Tanix TX3 Mini in terms of hardware specification and the IR extender can be useful. And it did receive some FW updates along the way. I also used it with Armbian Linux. In fact there are many custom FW running on S905W boxes like Tanix TX3 Mini and X96 Mini.

For X96 Mini, WiFi performance is so-so and it is better to use Ethernet, 720p/1080p video output only so do not expect 4k output (4k 30fps decoding is possible). Thermal performance is also so-so (but much better than H6 CPU based box like Tanix TX6) and I use a USB fan to cool it down.

If your expectations are not high S905W boxes can still be very useful. But if you need to play and output 4k, then all the other popular CPUs are better now, even the cheap RK3318 outperforms S905W handsomely, let alone S905X2 and S905X3.
 
Last edited:

windwaver

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2000
Messages
30,768
Reaction score
1,457
X96 Mini (2GB/16GB S905W, 2.4GHz Wifi and 100M Ethernet) is my first Android TV box and I bought it in earlier 2018. It is pretty much very similar to Tanix TX3 Mini in terms of hardware specification and the IR extender can be useful. And it did receive some FW updates along the way. I also used it with Armbian Linux. In fact there are many custom FW running on S905W boxes like Tanix TX3 Mini and X96 Mini.

For X96 Mini, WiFi performance is so-so and it is better to use Ethernet, 720p/1080p video output only so do not expect 4k output (4k 30fps decoding is possible). Thermal performance is also so-so (but much better than H6 CPU based box like Tanix TX6) and I use a USB fan to cool it down.

If your expectations are not high S905W boxes can still be very useful. But if you need to play and output 4k, then all the other popular CPUs are better now, even the cheap RK3318 outperforms S905W handsomely, let alone S905X2 and S905X3.

For me 1080p is already very good on my 60" TV. 4K need better throughput and it's more cost all around.

I'm saying that because SG's free to air channels look the same on my 1080p box so I don't really need 4K for a long time.

Maybe I'm just easily satisfied :D
 

tayez80

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
487
Reaction score
122
Just wonder if it is good enough to get the new Nvidia Shield TV or should I wait for the Shield TV PRO? Any advise??
 

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
Just wonder if it is good enough to get the new Nvidia Shield TV or should I wait for the Shield TV PRO? Any advise??

I think the Pro is more future proof. For one thing 3GB/16GB is much better than 2GB/8GB. Lack of USB ports is another problem for the standard version. I also do not like the form factor of the standard version.

It is in fact a bit disappointing that they ship only 8GB/16GB of storage for such a premium device. 32GB storage is actually pretty cheap now.
https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/28/n...-android-tv-market-with-amazing-4k-upscaling/

Difference between Pro and Standard.
https://youtu.be/L-LG9EMBkYQ

Lon.TV review, he also recommends the Pro version.
https://youtu.be/cs0c1ZZYOP0

Of course it is still the best Android TV box money can buy. The best is that it finally fixes the two shortcomings of the previous generation -- Dolby vision support, and Dolby Atmos under Netflix.

But if are not that into gaming, you may spend a bit less money and get Amazon FireTV Cube 2nd Generation instead (which can do gaming because of the S922Z CPU but not as good as Nvidia Shield TV). You do lose the Chromecast function though.
 
Last edited:

CPTMiller

Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2000
Messages
9,214
Reaction score
815
Any one using the Tanix TX6 Box.

http://www.tanix-box.com/project-view/tanix-tx6-android-tv-box-allwinner-h6-dual-wifi-6k-alice-ux/

01-MainAndroid9.jpg
 

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885

Avoid this box because of thermal issues.

However if you are willing to use a USB fan together with this box, then it is pretty decent in terms of performance.

Ref: https://forum.freaktab.com/forum/tv...-box-allwinner-h6-4-32gb-dual-wifi-bt4-1-or-5


To avoid thermal issues, try to get S905X2 /S905X3 based boxes like Tanix TX5 Pro or Tanix TX3.

You may have to buy from Gearbest in order to get the official Tanix version with Tanix logo. Local online shops usually carry OEM version and the quality varies.
 
Last edited:

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
Looks like cannot sell box with pre load apps and cannot provide add on service. Unclear on using box and loading your own streamer apps.

Buying boxes like Mi Box S and NVidia Shield TV will be perfectly fine.

In fact Starhub Go Streaming Box is also runing Android TV OS (operator version, with Chromecast, but no Netflix certification).

Generic boxes should be mostly fine as well unless the vendor or the seller pre-loads illegal apps.
 

Ultimo_Urien

Banned
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
40,350
Reaction score
3,085
Buying boxes like Mi Box S and NVidia Shield TV will be perfectly fine.

In fact Starhub Go Streaming Box is also runing Android TV OS (operator version, with Chromecast, but no Netflix certification).

Generic boxes should be mostly fine as well unless the vendor or the seller pre-loads illegal apps.

Mi box S can buy from stores or only online Sia??
 

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
Mi box S can buy from stores or only online Sia??

Both. It is cheaper to buy from online at around S$70-S$80 depending on offer and coupons you have. But you can also buy from Mi shops at S$99 with one year warranty (sometimes got promotion to S$89).
 
Last edited:

storm913

Master Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
4,366
Reaction score
129
What are some great apps recommended for MI box S? I'm only using Netflix, YouTube, spotify and TVB anywhere app on it for my parents.
 

xiaofan

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
18,107
Reaction score
2,885
What are some great apps recommended for MI box S? I'm only using Netflix, YouTube, spotify and TVB anywhere app on it for my parents.

Those apps you installed are the good apps. And it seems to me they already cover music, Cantonese and English Entertainment pretty well already.

What kind of apps do you want in addition to the above? It all depends on your needs.

For example if you are SingTel user you may want to install SingTel TV Go and SingTel Cast.

You can also cast Toggle and Starhub Go from your mobile phone.
 

Just Me

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
Messages
14,250
Reaction score
41
Those apps you installed are the good apps. And it seems to me they already cover music, Cantonese and English Entertainment pretty well already.

What kind of apps do you want in addition to the above? It all depends on your needs.

For example if you are SingTel user you may want to install SingTel TV Go and SingTel Cast.

You can also cast Toggle and Starhub Go from your mobile phone.
Can cast viu as well. One thing good about Android TV os is that when you cast apps like toggle and viu it skips the stupid ads

Sent from Xiaomi MI 9T PRO using GAGT
 
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top