Hi,
Been looking at the various streaming boxes on offer and would like any input from others as to any reviews, recommended products, associated apps or any other helpful information in deciding what would best suit my needs.
My plan is to utilise a android tv box as media player for usb or hdd input, streaming online content and potentially accessing iptv, hulu, hbo or equivalent via vpn.
Thanks,
Steve.
MiBox and constantly updating.
I've used quite a few different options over the last 5 years, after watching FTA tv in my first few months looking for work here I was contemplating suicide (not really).
I currently have a Xioami Mii box (android TV) and Amazon fire tv stick (modified android). I watch UK catch up tv and have an IPTV service (a UK/US one that costs $15 a month). Be aware there is a difference between Android TV and some Android boxes - Android TV is a bit limited in the apps available, other android boxes have more apps but worse interfaces. I formerly used a PS3 for Uk catchup TV, Hulu and Netflix - if you have one knocking around you can give it a bash, you need to set up a UK/US PSN account.
I you want to use a fire tv, don't but it from Amazon AU, they are fobbing everyone with a slow old version, you can get better versions from BH Photo Video in NY who have cheap fast shipping:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=amazon%20fire%20tv…. the one at $43 USD will do a decent job.
Xioami Mi boxes are a good option too, they get posted here as deals often usually between $80-90.
If you want the best solution available, get an Nvidia shield which will do everything you want and is also a pretty decent gaming platform, also available at BH Photo for $199 USD: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1304386-REG/nvidia_94…
Its the next purchase I'll make. Unfortunately there is not much availability of decent boxes in Australia, hence the international suggestions.
Have the shield, performs brilliantly and constantly updated
Looking into this now… Here's my shopping table:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y1wuI4X5O9um3FF5BpLE…
Found a better chart here: http://www.webunit.co.uk/TVBOXES/charts/images/tvbox2018.png
Ended up buying the X99, which is the 2nd best on specs after NVIDIA Shield:
CPU RK3399 with Dual-Core Cortex-A72 and Quad-Core Cortex-A53
GPU ARM Mali-T860MP4
System Android 7.1
System Bit 64Bit
RAM DDR3 4GB
ROM EMMC 32GB
Max Extended Capacity SD card up to 64GB (not included)
Decoder Format 4K VP9, H.264, H.265, HD AVC/VC-1, HD MPEG1/2/4, HD VP6/8
Video Format ASF, AVI, DAT, FLV, ISO, MKV, MPG, TS, VOB, WMV
Audio Format AAC, APE, DDP, FLAC, HD, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA
Photo Format BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF
Support 5.1 Surround Sound Output Yes
5G WiFi Yes
WIFI 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.1
Power Supply Charge Adapter
Interface DC Power Port, HDMI, Micro SD Card Slot, RJ45, SIM card slot, SPDIF, USB 3.1, USB 3.1 Type-C, USB2.0
Language Suports Multi-language
HDMI Version 2.0
External Subtitle Supported Yes
RJ45 Port Speed 10/100/1000M
How do you access IPTV and Android TV box?