Android TV Box Recommendations

[Extremme]

Is there any free app that allows watching kdrama in English sub in your list?

the novid app is vod and is good. what you need is a iptv.
I have a diyp iptv app the link you can get from here
https://apkadmin.com/j1ab74v3zbng/DIYP影音带台标版_5.2.0.apk.html

How to setup link https://mega.nz/file/C7QyGSRC#2q12tTfRJJnKOGpy-e_I8PHQltaAGYYNuFE133EDh6I

Still need help pm me.

 

[xiaofan]

onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023), Review
https://androidpctv.com/onn-google-tv-4k-streaming-box-2023-review/

They have a 1080p stick version as well but I will recomend the above 4k version.
https://androidpctv.com/onn-full-hd-streaming-device-review/

It is sold in Walmart, listed along with Google Chromecast in Google TV website (more geared toward US customers).
https://tv.google/products/

 

[xiaofan]

This one is just FYI about the SoC.

Amlogic S928X is a high end SoC for TV boxes but not worth buying now as there is no certified box running on this SoC yet.
https://androidpctv.com/amlogic-s928x-review/

RK3568 is another SoC but again not worth buying as of now.
https://androidpctv.com/rockchip-rk3568-benchmarks/

S905X4 CPU based Google certified (also Netflix certified) Mi Box S Gen 2 is still one of the best buy in local Singapore market (from official Xiaomi shops).
https://androidpctv.com/xiaomi-tv-box-s-2nd-gen-review/

Or you can consider other S905X4 based box like Mecool KM2 Plus.
https://www.mecool.com/

Please read the first post for the recommended boxes.

 

[xiaofan]

BTW, this thread is more about HW boxes.

If you want to talk about apps, probably you have to Google or ask in the other thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/android-tv-box.5678618/page-226

I feel it is better to sign up with official apps like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Singtel Cast, Starhub TV+, Viu, TVB Anywhere, etc.

Or you can sign up with Chinese Entertainment apps mentioned in this thread (not only for iOS). You may need China VPN though.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/iphone-chinese-entertainment-apps.5929935/

 

[xiaofan]

This one is just FYI about the SoC.

Amlogic S928X is a high end SoC for TV boxes but not worth buying now as there is no certified box running on this SoC yet.
https://androidpctv.com/amlogic-s928x-review/

One Android TV box based on this SoC: Ugoos SK1 8K Android TV box, not recommended for most users though as it is rather expensive. You will be better off buying Nvidia Shield TV at that kind of price.
https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/0...ogic-s928x-k-soc-8gb-lpddr4-128gb-emmc-flash/

 

[Philippng]

Why are we still talking about android box, Today, Smart Gogoole TV are so readily available and also cost
efficient, at less then $500 we could get a resonable size and fairly good smart tv.
Sideloading IPTV to smart tv is technically not challenging any more, in fact one can compile it own iptv with those favourite tv including VOD fairly easy.
Conventional TV consume more electricity and adding a TV box add to it load moreover one need to switch from TV to TV box and back and fort controlling 2 remote control.
Smart TV incorporate conventional TV with TV box with efficient built for video streaming and display.
Smart TV is the way forward

 

[xiaofan]

Basically Android TV boxes may still be required since people are stll buying Samsung and LG smart TVs which are not that smart in the end, even if they may have superb Video quality and very good for Netflix and some streaming apps (espeically Samsung).

For example, Starhub TV+ app is available under Android TV and Samsung TV, but not LG TVs. So for LG TV owners they may want to add a Mi Box S Gen 2 and use the app (no need to pay Starhub for the Starhub TV+ box).

Same that Singtel CAST app is only available for Samsung TV and not LG TV.

TVBAnywhere app is only available under Android TV and not Samsung/LG TV.

 

[everex]

May I ask of Starhub TV+ and Singtel Cast are free or require paid subscription? Thanks.

 

[xiaofan]

May I ask of Starhub TV+ and Singtel Cast are free or require paid subscription? Thanks.

Paid service.

https://www.starhub.com/personal/tvplus/app.html

https://cast.singtel.com/

 

[Jerroldscv]

my projector tv netflix does not support anymore
shld i get a xiaomi box or stick to plug in?

 

[xiaofan]

my projector tv netflix does not support anymore
shld i get a xiaomi box or stick to plug in?

Just get the Mi Box S Gen 2.

 

[xiaofan]

Updated first post for Year 2024/2025.

To summarize for year 2024/2025 (updated on 2-Nov-2024)

Basically you can consider the following.
1. Get certified Google Android TV OS devices which are also certified by Netflix: Mi Box S Gen 2 (highly recommended), Google TV Streamer 4k (2024 model), Google Chromecast 2020, Mecool KM2, KM2 Plus, KM2 Plus Deluxe and KM7 Plus.

Mi Box S Gen 2 is a good upgrade from Mi Box S in terms of the upgraded S905X4 CPU and Google TV OS. It also adds the support of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
https://androidpctv.com/xiaomi-tv-box-s-2nd-gen-review/

There are a few other choices as well, like Mi TV Stick 4K, Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick and Mecool KD3 4K TV Stick.

Or if you want to pay for the best Android TV box, get Nvidia Shield TV 2019 for streaming. If you are into gaming as well, get Nvidia Shield TV Pro 2019.

I tend not to recommend 1080p TV sticks like Mi TV Stick 1080P and Mecool KD5 or Google Chromecast HD (2022 model), they are okay if you use the built-in apps. If you add more apps the 1GB RAM can be the limiting factor.

You may also want to look at onn. Google TV 4K Pro (2024 model) and onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (2023), especially if you can get good Black Friday deals.

2. Consider the boxes mentione in again if you are first time buyer.

3. If you only need Netflix but not Chromecast, and you want to get a powerful box, get Amazon FireTV Cube 3rd Gen (2023 model). Amazon FireTV Stick 4K and 4K Max Gen 2 (2023 model) is also a good buy.

4. If you do not need Netflix HD, you can also consider official Android TV OS box (but lack Netflix certification) like Mecool KM6 (S905X4 based) or KM7 SE (S905Y4 based). They support Chromecast.

 

[xiaofan]

Review of the new Google TV Streamer 4k (2024 model)
https://androidpctv.com/google-tv-streamer-4k-review/

The CPU is one of the weak point but should still be good enough. 4GB/32GB configuration is nice improvement over the 2GB/4GB configuration of the Google Chromecast 2020 with Google TV. Gigabit Ethernet is quite nice if you can use wired connection.

Reviewer's rating:

PROS

• Google TV 14 nice
• Dolby Vision / Atmos compatible
• 4K streaming
• BT remote with pager
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Attractive design

CONS

• Wifi 5
• Improvable SoC
• Android 32 bit
• Expensive

Score – 68%

 

[xiaofan]

More discussions of the Google TV Streamer 4k 2024 model.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/google-tv-streamer.7054099

 

[ChewAhSoon]

Does Mi Box S Gen 2 support 120Hz?

 

[funky05]

is xiaomi S gen 2 still the best box for android iptv now?

 

[AngelRomeo]

is xiaomi S gen 2 still the best box for android iptv now?

yes......

 

[AngelRomeo]

Does Mi Box S Gen 2 support 120Hz?

should be able to as the box have hdmi 2.1

https://www.mi.com/global/product/xiaomi-tv-box-s-2nd-gen/specs

 

[eauyong]

Anyone bought this HOMATICS Box R Lite 4K TV Box Android 12 Netflix 4K Google Certified Amlogic S905Y4 2G/32G Dolby Atmos AV1 H.265 2T2R Wifi BT5.0 ?

Aliexpress S$73 approx

 

[eauyong]

SPECIFICATIONS​

Specifications of Homatics BOX R 4K​

Hardware Platform​

• CPU: Quad-core Cortex-A55
• GPU: ARM Mali-G31 MP2
• SoC: S905X4-B
• RAM: 2GB LPDDR4
• Flash: eMMC 32GB

Network​

• Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n/ac, 2.4G/5G Wi-Fi 5
• Ethernet: 100Mbps
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0

DRM​

• Widevine Level: Support, Level 1
• PlayReady: Support, SL3000

Audio​

• Audio Mode: Mono/Stereo/Left/Right
• Dolby Atmos: Supported
• DTS: Supported

Video​

• Video Resolution: 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p, 1080i/p, and 4Kx3K
• Dolby Vision: Supported
• Video Output: HDMI 2.1, HDCP2.2

Power Supply​

• DC Input: 12.0V / 1.5A
• Power Line Length: 1.5 Meter
• Lightning Level: 4KV

Mechanical​

• Length/Width/Height: 114mm x 114mm x 22mm
• Color: White