Can you recommend me a cheap decent Android box or stick for a dumb TV? For my kids - they mostly want YouTube (I'd like to side load ad free YouTube apps) and FTA ABC kids, occasionally Netflix.
Currently using an old fetch which is fine, except I can't adblock YouTube. I have seen old vodaphone TV boxes going cheap, which appear to run recent Android versions, or people recommending a chromecast for about $100. Any other ideas?
I got a firestick lite on prime day sales for about $30, half RRP, it enabled me to keep the old dumb tv going strong.
My only gripe with the firestick for kids is that you can't block the content that gets shown on the dashboard, which might not be appropriate for all ages.
But then again it might not be a problem for you if you're letting them watch regular YouTube (YT Kids doesn't have ads)
Is there a guide to set parental control/ content control on devices?
The individual apps, like Netflix, Prime, Youtube or whatever, have parental control (or kids profiles), but the Firestick's dashboard shows content from all over Prime regardless of parental controls and there is no way to change that
I c thanks
Be careful with some of the cheap Android TV boxes.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/mirai-variant…
https://www.techspot.com/news/100430-researchers-find-backdo…
https://www.wired.com/story/android-tv-streaming-boxes-china…
I have a fire stick 4k max and a google chromecast 4k with google tv.
I prefer the google device. I find the UI is more similar to my two actual android TVs.
Another difference is the google device can control audio volume 2 ways - (1) by controlling the TVs volume, or (2) by controlling the output level of the stick. The fire stick cannot do the latter AFAIK… it only outputs a set level and relies on controlling the TV audio.
What it means is if you plug both sticks into a standard PC monitor with built-in speakers that does not have hdmi control or its own remote control, the google device can control volume by method (2) but the fire stick cannot. So for example, you can set the PC monitor volume at say 100% (via the displays button controls) then the google stick will change the signal level with it's own remote. Hope that makes sense. Probably doesn't matter if you're plugging in to a standard TV.
I want to get one of those bad boys. Waiting for a sale.
maybe something during black friday ???
HD Chromecast is $59.
How good is the adblocking on Android? I have a mini-fanless PC running Linux and Chrome for adblocked Youtube. (Dell Wyse as seen here)
https://store.google.com/AU/product/chromecast_google_tv?pli…
I side loaded smarttube apk onto my TVs. After the initial install it updates within the app.
Op how do you adblock youtube ads so that you can watch youtube without ads or paying the expensive youtube premium? Is it just using a free app and would it work on the tv aswell or only on phone?
Also would recommend chromecast, been using for a few years.very happy with it. You can set
Youtube, nextflix, all free to air channels
Also from memory
There is normal chromecast and a 4k chromecast
Smart tube app - can be side loaded onto Android TVs. Or yes if you cast from a device there are heaps of adblockers
Thanks
Would it work if my tv not Android? From memory it was WEB OS
Amazon fire stick hd.
Just wait a few weeks and it will be about $40 for Prime day.