Android TV Box

[xiaofan]

Thanks for explaining, xiaofan. But I still don’t quite get it. aren’t those apps supposed to be installed in the box and thus render the chromecast irrelevant because you only use it if need to cast from phones or tablets?

Separately, even if i need to cast, i use iphones and ipads, are they compatible to chromecast? Or I should install Happycast instead?

Yes iPhone/iPad work with Chromecast for those apps supporting Chromecast. Happycast only acts as a DLNA receiver and Airplay receiver. If you use iPhones/iPad exclusively, then the importance of Chromecast is reduced since some apps also support Airplay.

As for apps, yes you can install some of the apps on the boxes and no need to cast, but based on my experiences, there is almost no chances of installing SingTel Cast and SingTel TV Go on the generic boxes. It is also almost impossible to install TVB Anywhere+ TV version. These three apps can be installed on Mi Box S or Google Chromecast 2020. This is not relevant to Chromecast function but rather on app compatibility.

All in all, good quality branded boxes are recommended for new users. But if you know what you are getting then generic boxes based on Amlogic S905X3 are also not bad. Only thing is HW quality may not be good so it will be by luck.

I have bought many boxes to play with before getting the Mi Box S. After getting Mi Box S, most of my other boxes are collecting dust, except an S905X2 based box (TX5 Max, Tanix OEM version). One of my generic box, Tanix OEM TX6, already died after one year of light use.

 

[pop]

Understand now. Thanks, xiaofan. No plans to use any of those apps like singtel cast or tvb anywhere for now. I am really starting from zero base as far as apps are concerned. Not sure what apps i will be getting still.

One question about Mi Box S, it has been in the market since early 2019? Is there not an updated (better) version already or in the horizon?

 

[xiaofan]

Understand now. Thanks, xiaofan. No plans to use any of those apps like singtel cast or tvb anywhere for now. I am really starting from zero base as far as apps are concerned. Not sure what apps i will be getting still.

One question about Mi Box S, it has been in the market since early 2019? Is there not an updated (better) version already or in the horizon?

Mi Box S has been in the market since 2018. As of now no upgrade is on the horizon.

The better buy is Google Chromecast 2020 with Google TV. It is kind of Mi Box S killer. It is just that it is not officially available in Singapore so you may need to pay a bit more than the US price of US$49, roughly S$84 - S$100. Mi Box S is usually at around S$70.

Discussion here of the Chromecast 2020:
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...ic-4/chromecast-google-tv-2020-a-6384782.html

 

[pop]

Mi Box S has been in the market since 2018. As of now no upgrade is on the horizon.

The better buy is Google Chromecast 2020 with Google TV. It is kind of Mi Box S killer. It is just that it is not officially available in Singapore so you may need to pay a bit more than the US price of US$49, roughly S$84 - S$100. Mi Box S is usually at around S$70.

Discussion here of the Chromecast 2020:
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...ic-4/chromecast-google-tv-2020-a-6384782.html

Oh, now you got me excited about chromecast 2020. Cheapest i find on qoo10 89.90 which is just $20 more than mi box s. Hmm, based on your assessment that it beats mi box hands down, that makes the $20 extra a no brainer, ya? Feel like going for it although i am still a noob.

 

[xiaofan]

Oh, now you got me excited about chromecast 2020. Cheapest i find on qoo10 89.90 which is just $20 more than mi box s. Hmm, based on your assessment that it beats mi box hands down, that makes the $20 extra a no brainer, ya? Feel like going for it although i am still a noob.

Yes it is good to buy. The feedbacks are very positive.

 

[pop]

Thank you for your patient guidance, xiaofan. I do have a chromecast 1st gen, bought years ago but never really used it. I took it out to try and i can now cast NHK world onto my tv. Which is nice. Couldn’t do it previously.

Does the 1st gen function like a tv box or it is only for casting? I am thinking while i ponder about what tv box i wanna get, i can practice on this 1st gen chromecast as a tv box? Any suggestions on apps or apk i can download or install to begin my practice?

 

[xiaofan]

Thank you for your patient guidance, xiaofan. I do have a chromecast 1st gen, bought years ago but never really used it. I took it out to try and i can now cast NHK world onto my tv. Which is nice. Couldn’t do it previously.

Does the 1st gen function like a tv box or it is only for casting? I am thinking while i ponder about what tv box i wanna get, i can practice on this 1st gen chromecast as a tv box? Any suggestions on apps or apk i can download or install to begin my practice?

I have the first gen as well. It still works well for casting. It can only cast, not possible to install apps.

 

[pop]

I have the first gen as well. It still works well for casting. It can only cast, not possible to install apps.

I see. Thanks.

 

[gregory_choo]

Thank you for your patient guidance, xiaofan. I do have a chromecast 1st gen, bought years ago but never really used it. I took it out to try and i can now cast NHK world onto my tv. Which is nice. Couldn’t do it previously.

Does the 1st gen function like a tv box or it is only for casting? I am thinking while i ponder about what tv box i wanna get, i can practice on this 1st gen chromecast as a tv box? Any suggestions on apps or apk i can download or install to begin my practice?

if you are using iphone, very little thing you can do.

you can try youtube, rss player ( .ie. rss video player from itune).

for rss player, you need to enter "allrss.se/dramas" in the channel tab before you can watch the video.

android phone will have much more choices.

 

[pop]

if you are using iphone, very little thing you can do.

you can try youtube, rss player ( .ie. rss video player from itune).

for rss player, you need to enter "allrss.se/dramas" in the channel tab before you can watch the video.

android phone will have much more choices.

Youtube all along i can cast to my tv no problem. I do have an android phone around i can play with. I actually was thinking of using the chromecast 1st gen to familiarise with as a tv box instead of just merely casting.

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

any point in changing my current Fire TV stick 4k to chromecast with googletv 2020?

saw this audio difference
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/chrom...re-tv-stick-4k
Supported audio formats
Chromecast: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
FireTV 4K: Dolby Atmos, 7.1 surround sound, 2-channel stereo, and HDMI audio pass through up to 5.1.

 

[xiaofan]

any point in changing my current Fire TV stick 4k to chromecast with googletv 2020?

saw this audio difference
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/chrom...re-tv-stick-4k
Supported audio formats
Chromecast: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
FireTV 4K: Dolby Atmos, 7.1 surround sound, 2-channel stereo, and HDMI audio pass through up to 5.1.

If you just care about the audio differences, then no much points to change.
https://androidpctv.com/review-chromecast-google-tv-opinion/#VIDEO_AND_AUDIO_TEST

Take note FireTV Stick 4K does not support DTS.
https://androidpctv.com/review-amazon-fire-tv-stick-4k/#PERFORMANCE_TEST

Main advantages of Chromecast 2020 over FireTV Sticks are the Google Android TV OS ecosystem, like the Chromecast function.

 

[gregory_choo]

2

Youtube all along i can cast to my tv no problem. I do have an android phone around i can play with. I actually was thinking of using the chromecast 1st gen to familiarise with as a tv box instead of just merely casting.

chromecast 1st gen is totally different from android box.

 

[eauyong]

Wondering when Xiaomi will upgrade (or downgrade depend on your preference) to Google TV(with Android 10) and replace Android TV (Android 9) in future.

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

If you just care about the audio differences, then no much points to change.
https://androidpctv.com/review-chromecast-google-tv-opinion/#VIDEO_AND_AUDIO_TEST

Take note FireTV Stick 4K does not support DTS.
https://androidpctv.com/review-amazon-fire-tv-stick-4k/#PERFORMANCE_TEST

Main advantages of Chromecast 2020 over FireTV Sticks are the Google Android TV OS ecosystem, like the Chromecast function.

Ya. Google assistant is preferred
Just thinking if the audio difference isit really huge anot.

Any chromecast with google tv user can share any issue in installing 3rd party apk? Cause im using iptv app

Sent from Imperial Chancellor (丞相) of Shu Han using GAGT

 

[xiaofan]

Ya. Google assistant is preferred
Just thinking if the audio difference isit really huge anot.

Any chromecast with google tv user can share any issue in installing 3rd party apk? Cause im using iptv app

Most of 3rd party apk should work. Starhub TV+ is one difficult app to install.

Does your IPTV app work under Mi Box S? If yes then it should also work under the new Chromecast 2020. They are more or less the same in terms of app compatibility.

 

[xiaofan]

New US$70 Verizon Stream TV 2020 (Gen 2), S905X4 CPU, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, official Android TV OS (operator tier, just like Starhub TV+ box).

This one has a bit better CPU than the US$50 Google Chromecast 2020 and a full size USB 3 Type A port. Still the reviewer recommends Chromecast 2020 due to the cheaper price.

 

[xiaofan]

https://www.mecoolonline.com/collections/mecool-km6/products/km6-classic-edition

https://www.mecoolonline.com/collections/mecool-km6/products/km6-deluxe-edition-coming-soon

Mecool KM6 S905X4 box
Classic edition: 2GB/16GB, 100M Ethernet
Deluxe edition: 4GB/64GB, gigabit Ethernet

Official Android TV OS, but no Netflix certification

 

[mib500]

Does Chromecast 2020 able to install IPTV apk?

 

[xiaofan]

Does Chromecast 2020 able to install IPTV apk?

Most likely okay but please check with your IPTV vendor.

If the IPTV apk can be installed under Mi Box S, most likely it will be okay under Google Chromecast 2020.

If not working under Mi Box S, then it will not work either under Chromecast 2020.