Android TV box advice?

e220 · 14-01-2019 06:30PM #1

Hi all,
Any advice please on the following. I am thinking of purchasing an Andoid TV box and would appreciate any help that would point me in the best direction. It has been suggested to buy one with a quality airmouse. Thanks. Any response will be appreciated.

Davy · 14-01-2019 06:42PM

Not a bargain alert, moved to Android

corks finest · 14-01-2019 06:48PM

e220 wrote: »

Hi all,
Any advice please on the following. I am thinking of purchasing an Andoid TV box and would appreciate any help that would point me in the best direction. It has been suggested to buy one with a quality airmouse. Thanks. Any response will be appreciated.

Nvidia shield all day long,no comparison

davegilly · 14-01-2019 10:11PM

What do you want it for? The shield might be an expensive overkill depending on what your needs are.

Best bang for your buck by a country mile is an Amazon Firestick.

captain_boycott · 14-01-2019 10:25PM

+1 for the shield. Its not cheap but nothing else comes close to it.

DubInTheWest · 15-01-2019 12:22AM

I use the shield and it beats anything hands down. I did buy a 2 'leelboxes,' for the kids rooms just over a year ago. I read good reviews about them but I found them buggy as fk out of the box. Even kodi would just hang or go black. When I had some time, I did a factory reset on one of them and low and behold it ran really smooth, the kids watch kodi, youtube and netflix etc.. with no issues. One thing about android boxes and netflix is there can and will be audio sync issues. With the shield there is no issues as it's sanctioned by netflix but the other third party boxes not sanctioned by netflix to run their app has sync issues. This is how it was, I'm not sure if it's still the same, I've been out of the game awhile now.

e220 · 15-01-2019 01:22AM

OmegaGene wrote: »

Nvidia shield

Thanks. I'll do the research.

e220 · 15-01-2019 01:24AM

davegilly wrote: »

What do you want it for? The shield might be an expensive overkill depending on what your needs are.

Best bang for your buck by a country mile is an Amazon Firestick.

Thanks for your input.

e220 · 15-01-2019 01:26AM

DubInTheWest wrote: »

I use the shield and it beats anything hands down. I did buy a 2 'leelboxes,' for the kids rooms just over a year ago. I read good reviews about them but I found them buggy as fk out of the box. Even kodi would just hang or go black. When I had some time, I did a factory reset on one of them and low and behold it ran really smooth, the kids watch kodi, youtube and netflix etc.. with no issues. One thing about android boxes and netflix is there can and will be audio sync issues. With the shield there is no issues as it's sanctioned by netflix but the other third party boxes not sanctioned by netflix to run their app has sync issues. This is how it was, I'm not sure if it's still the same, I've been out of the game awhile now.

Wow. Thank you. Never heard about the Shield. Must do the research. Thanks again.

hardybuck · 15-01-2019 12:25PM

Is there any way to get terrestrial TV through one of those android boxes or the likes of a Now TV Stick/Amazon Stick?

Having a bit of hassle in a new property getting my TV setup, and between wiring and drilling I'm looking to explore alternatives.

People have been telling me to get an Android Box for ages but this might be the nudge I need!

Macy0161 · 15-01-2019 01:22PM

I've just "downgraded" the android box in the main sitting room to a firetv stick (from H96 mini). The rest of the family pretty much just used it for netflix, which is better with the FireTV, and the domestic (RTE/ TG4/ VM) players never really worked that well on it anyway, and it's easier to just cast them the occasional times they want to watch them.

Boooourns · 15-01-2019 02:46PM

Hijacking this, i've just tried IPTV on my first gen firestick and it's a little choppy so not great for watching sports. Thinking of getting the shield myself, pricey but it looks to be worth it.

DubInTheWest · 15-01-2019 02:57PM

Boooourns wrote: »

Hijacking this, i've just tried IPTV on my first gen firestick and it's a little choppy so not great for watching sports. Thinking of getting the shield myself, pricey but it looks to be worth it.

Definitely worth it. I got the 2015 model back in early 2016 and still going strong. I've used many other boxes and are useless compared to the shield. I use it for Kodi, youtube and soon when I get the ftth in, netflix and the gforce gaming for the kids.

It can do tons more, my knowledge is limited to the above but some very knowledgeable people here on boards will tell you more if needed I'm sure.

unhappyBB · 15-01-2019 04:55PM

Any advice on a good cheap bog standard android box?
All it needs to run is Kodi with a (very) large local library. No addons, no Netflix, no IPTV, etc.

I've been using a MXQ for the last ~4 years and it worked flawlessly until it died the other day. I replaced it with a X96 mini which on paper looks much better for the same price but this craps out nearly every day and needs a reboot to work again.

e220 · 15-01-2019 06:12PM

OmegaGene wrote: »

Iptv

Sorry, I'm not familiar with what you are interested in. Perhaps posting a request for information will get you the answer you are looking for.

DubInTheWest · 15-01-2019 06:17PM

e220 wrote: »

Sorry, I'm not familiar with what you are interested in. Perhaps posting a request for information will get you the answer you are looking for.

Yeah OmegaGene, the man is right

The high horse brigade · 15-01-2019 06:18PM

unhappyBB wrote: »

Any advice on a good cheap bog standard android box?
All it needs to run is Kodi with a (very) large local library. No addons, no Netflix, no IPTV, etc.

I've been using a MXQ for the last ~4 years and it worked flawlessly until it died the other day. I replaced it with a X96 mini which on paper looks much better for the same price but this craps out nearly every day and needs a reboot to work again.

Fire stick or Mibox of you're on a budget

Shield if you're not and want the best box available

corks finest · 15-01-2019 06:36PM

Shield tops

Maxx355 · 15-01-2019 06:53PM

I'm using a Zoomtek android box for over a year..very good.

BandMember · 15-01-2019 07:53PM

hardybuck wrote: »

Is there any way to get terrestrial TV through one of those android boxes or the likes of a Now TV Stick/Amazon Stick

RTE Player. If you get a good VPN, you can get the likes of BBC/ITV/CH4 players too.

FWIW, to anyone reading this thread looking to buy a box, buy a Nvidia Shield.

Now, this thread can be considered closed.

:cool:

stockshares · 10-03-2019 12:17PM

Sorry to hijack thread but Im in similar situation.

I've been considering getting a chromecast but a poster on boards said a Mi Box S has Chromecast built in.

Does the Mi Box have full Android TV and do all Android Boxes including the Nvidea Shield have Chromecast built in.

Does the Android TV box make Chromecast irrelevant.

I want to get into Internet TV. Tired of the Terrestrial muck and expensive Sky subscriptions .

Sorry again for jumping into the thread. Thanks for any advice offered.

sioda · 10-03-2019 01:51PM

Mi box has chromecast built in and iptv support is excellent
I still use the chromecast for things like the new rte player.

Good remote control apps available as well.

stockshares · 10-03-2019 04:31PM

sioda wrote: »

Mi box has chromecast built in and iptv support is excellent
I still use the chromecast for things like the new rte player.

Good remote control apps available as well.

So basically Chromecast is useful for programs not covered by Android TV.

Is Mi Box my best option? If so where can it he bought from.

I know Honorbuy do Xiaomi phones buy not sure if they have this.

stockshares · 10-03-2019 06:28PM

OmegaGene wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/XIAOMI-Mi-TV-Box-Negro-Black/dp/B07K3KC5CP

Great stuff, thank you

captain_boycott · 10-03-2019 08:28PM

stockshares wrote: »

So basically Chromecast is useful for programs not covered by Android TV.

Is Mi Box my best option? If so where can it he bought from.

I know Honorbuy do Xiaomi phones buy not sure if they have this.

https://www.geekbuying.com/item/XIAOMI-Mi-Box-S-International-Version-410356.html

€66 plus €2 p&p from Poland warehouse

edit - but just to echo bandmembers earlier post, spend the extra € and get the shield!! (review of Mi box here)

stockshares · 10-03-2019 11:04PM

captain_boycott wrote: »

https://www.geekbuying.com/item/XIAOMI-Mi-Box-S-International-Version-410356.html

€66 plus €2 p&p from Poland warehouse

edit - but just to echo bandmembers earlier post, spend the extra € and get the shield!! (review of Mi box here)

I read the review. Mi Box S is very poor according to it. Should I get the Shield from geekbuying also.

BTW I'm not a Gamer and don't have a 4K TV. Would the Shield still be worth getting.

Edit: just seen its €260 in PC World

stockshares · 10-03-2019 11:49PM

OmegaGene wrote: »

The Nvidia Shield is the best box in the market, I use mine daily so I would highly recommend it, prices vary from £155 to £187 from Nvidia Shield in the U.K. or amazon
Iptv works flawlessly once you get a decent provider, emby share is also an option for the latest films and tv shows and U.K. players are handy too

I don't have fibre broadband. I have Threes mobile broadband 30 day contract 750gb. Would that limit IPTV

Suckit · 10-03-2019 11:55PM

IPTV works flawlessly on a €35 box too.
I get that the Shield is an excellent box, but mainly for gaming... It's a lot of overkill if you just want to use it to watch streaming media.

To those that don't yet have 4K TV or the need to watch 4K movies etc. an Android box with a decent firmware is perfect.
The Formuler boxes middleware blow the shield out of the water though for IPTV.
But Infomir have said they will avail of everything available to stop Formuler (and anyone else, as Formuler also are branded under many other names), and anyone else emulating or using their software solutions, emulating their mac addresses and intellectual property. Infomir have already tried to block pirate services from using their devices, they now have to tackle emulation. I guess they have peeked into the future and either seen the potential profits of being 100% legal, or the potential profits of taking everyone they can, to court.

Suckit · 11-03-2019 12:00AM

stockshares wrote: »

I don't have fibre broadband. I have Threes mobile broadband 30 day contract 750gb. Would that limit IPTV

It shouldn't. But it also depends on the quality of stream and the amount of IPTV you plan to watch.
Are you using them because others are not available in your area? Magnet contractless is an option if it is available to you.

stockshares · 11-03-2019 12:01AM

Suckit wrote: »

IPTV works flawlessly on a €35 box too.
I get that the Shield is an excellent box, but mainly for gaming... It's a lot of overkill if you just want to use it to watch streaming media.

To those that don't yet have 4K TV or the need to watch 4K movies etc. an Android box with a decent firmware is perfect.
The Formuler boxes middleware blow the shield out of the water though for IPTV.
But Infomir have said they will avail of everything available to stop Formuler (and anyone else, as Formuler also are branded under many other names), and anyone else emulating or using their software solutions, emulating their mac addresses and intellectual property. Infomir have already tried to block pirate services from using their devices, they now have to tackle emulation. I guess they have peeked into the future and either seen the potential profits of being 100% legal, or the potential profits of taking everyone they can, to court.

So are you recommending the Infomir Box?

Suckit · 11-03-2019 12:09AM

stockshares wrote: »

So are you recommending the Infomir Box?

No.
Infomir boxes are very good. They're not really user friendly and some people struggle a little with them.
Formuler boxes are Android based and have their own middleware client. They range from €60 - €130.
A €35 android box may be perfect for you if all you want is TV services and to watch movies and box sets etc. You can buy a decent airmouse for €10.
You can get a box for around €20 if you don't mind waiting a month.

Android TV box advice?

Comments