Android TV boxes
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Android TV boxes
Does anyone know a good but relatively cheap one to buy?
I will then look for guidance on how it can be used effectively.
I will then look for guidance on how it can be used effectively.
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Re: Android TV boxes
My t95z plus is pretty old now but if its just for streaming football its still decent and well priced. To be honest your internet speed, bandwidth and how good you wifi in your home is will have a bigger impact than your box
I have a smart TV so I just have downloaded the Kodi and IPTV Smarters apps on to it and no longer use my android box as I get a faster wifi connection and therefore a better picture with no buffering direct from my Smart TV
I have a smart TV so I just have downloaded the Kodi and IPTV Smarters apps on to it and no longer use my android box as I get a faster wifi connection and therefore a better picture with no buffering direct from my Smart TV
Re: Android TV boxes
I bought a fire cube last week for IPTV (could always get the fire stick, which is less). It’s decent quality pictures (not HD perfect but pretty decent) and nice and easy to use.
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Re: Android TV boxes
The Amazon Fire stick is cheap and does a perfectly good job of streaming football, Netflix etc.They start at £29.99
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Re: Android TV boxes
There's two types.
Android boxes you can plug into your TV with apps designed only for use on a mobile phone.
Boxes running Android TV OS which run approved versions of netflix, Amazon and other apps designed for use on a TV.
Most of the Android boxes have low specs, are slow and crash frequently and the apps are designed for phones not your TV.
I would recommend an Android TV box like the Nvidia shield and unlike other boxes or smart TVs, the OS and security updates won't stop after 1 year, the amount of smart TVs where the apps stop working after 2-3 years is shocking, requiring a new TV to resolve. Nvidia is still rolling out updates to their original 2015 model and because the specs were high for even 2015, it is more than capable of still running the newest apps. Therefore you cannot go wrong with the latest specs in the newest 2019 model.
It's expensive compared to the others but you won't need another box for at least 5 years, you won't need a smart TV or worry about the apps on your smart TV not working any more, it won't crash and because it's backend is Android, it's very easy to sideload apps which you can't normally find in the app store. The Nvidia shield mobile phone app is great for turning the box into a mini PC allowing you to use the phone screen as a trackpad for a mouse, opening apps from your phone, using the phone keyboard to type text and because it's got Google assistant built in you can hook it up to smart speakers to open up whatever you want and also acts as a Chromecast device. If you get the highest spec 2019 version you can link the box to your PC and play all your PC games on your TV with any Bluetooth gamepad (PS, Xbox etc.), Essentially your PC will stream to the box over your LAN.
It's great for older tvs without smart TV functionality because the TV display itself is great and I can get features most brand new TVs cannot give and will have an interface and security features future proofed far beyond what any new TV can provide essentially helping me save money on buying a new TV when my old smart TV stops getting updates and the apps stop working.
I cannot recommend the Nvidia shield highly enough.
Android boxes you can plug into your TV with apps designed only for use on a mobile phone.
Boxes running Android TV OS which run approved versions of netflix, Amazon and other apps designed for use on a TV.
Most of the Android boxes have low specs, are slow and crash frequently and the apps are designed for phones not your TV.
I would recommend an Android TV box like the Nvidia shield and unlike other boxes or smart TVs, the OS and security updates won't stop after 1 year, the amount of smart TVs where the apps stop working after 2-3 years is shocking, requiring a new TV to resolve. Nvidia is still rolling out updates to their original 2015 model and because the specs were high for even 2015, it is more than capable of still running the newest apps. Therefore you cannot go wrong with the latest specs in the newest 2019 model.
It's expensive compared to the others but you won't need another box for at least 5 years, you won't need a smart TV or worry about the apps on your smart TV not working any more, it won't crash and because it's backend is Android, it's very easy to sideload apps which you can't normally find in the app store. The Nvidia shield mobile phone app is great for turning the box into a mini PC allowing you to use the phone screen as a trackpad for a mouse, opening apps from your phone, using the phone keyboard to type text and because it's got Google assistant built in you can hook it up to smart speakers to open up whatever you want and also acts as a Chromecast device. If you get the highest spec 2019 version you can link the box to your PC and play all your PC games on your TV with any Bluetooth gamepad (PS, Xbox etc.), Essentially your PC will stream to the box over your LAN.
It's great for older tvs without smart TV functionality because the TV display itself is great and I can get features most brand new TVs cannot give and will have an interface and security features future proofed far beyond what any new TV can provide essentially helping me save money on buying a new TV when my old smart TV stops getting updates and the apps stop working.
I cannot recommend the Nvidia shield highly enough.
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Re: Android TV boxes
I've got a 2016 firestick, after several updates to the Amazon OS, it's just unusably slow and crashes all the time. It's ok for 1-2 years until the updates from Amazon outpace the specifications of the unit requiring you to bin it and replace with a new one.TheOriginalLongsider wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:43 pmThe Amazon Fire stick is cheap and does a perfectly good job of streaming football, Netflix etc.They start at £29.99
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Re: Android TV boxes
Get a 4k firestick on Black Friday. You can pick them up for around 20 quid.SingaporeClarets wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:47 pmI've got a 2016 firestick, after several updates to the Amazon OS, it's just unusably slow and crashes all the time. It's ok for 1-2 years until the updates from Amazon outpace the specifications of the unit requiring you to bin it and replace with a new one.
Far better than the old ones.
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Re: Android TV boxes
I use a Zgemma H2S which is quite an old model but still runs pretty well if you flash with the latest image and keep on top of it. I’ve heard the Formuler Z8 box runs like a dream and I think it’s similar to the Nvidia but is cheaper. The 4K firestick also runs really well for a fraction of the cost but don’t get one of the older models as they are slow and limited
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Re: Android TV boxes
For streaming football the Nivea Shield is way OTT and overpriced. The apps I use are not designed for phones they are designed for any android devices whether it be phone, box, laptop or Smart TV (all of which I use)SingaporeClarets wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:44 pmThere's two types.
Android boxes you can plug into your TV with apps designed only for use on a mobile phone.
Boxes running Android TV OS which run approved versions of netflix, Amazon and other apps designed for use on a TV.
Most of the Android boxes have low specs, are slow and crash frequently and the apps are designed for phones not your TV.
I would recommend an Android TV box like the Nvidia shield and unlike other boxes or smart TVs, the OS and security updates won't stop after 1 year, the amount of smart TVs where the apps stop working after 2-3 years is shocking, requiring a new TV to resolve. Nvidia is still rolling out updates to their original 2015 model and because the specs were high for even 2015, it is more than capable of still running the newest apps. Therefore you cannot go wrong with the latest specs in the newest 2019 model.
It's expensive compared to the others but you won't need another box for at least 5 years, you won't need a smart TV or worry about the apps on your smart TV not working any more, it won't crash and because it's backend is Android, it's very easy to sideload apps which you can't normally find in the app store. The Nvidia shield mobile phone app is great for turning the box into a mini PC allowing you to use the phone screen as a trackpad for a mouse, opening apps from your phone, using the phone keyboard to type text and because it's got Google assistant built in you can hook it up to smart speakers to open up whatever you want and also acts as a Chromecast device. If you get the highest spec 2019 version you can link the box to your PC and play all your PC games on your TV with any Bluetooth gamepad (PS, Xbox etc.), Essentially your PC will stream to the box over your LAN.
It's great for older tvs without smart TV functionality because the TV display itself is great and I can get features most brand new TVs cannot give and will have an interface and security features future proofed far beyond what any new TV can provide essentially helping me save money on buying a new TV when my old smart TV stops getting updates and the apps stop working.
I cannot recommend the Nvidia shield highly enough.
I agree the picture quality on the older android boxes is not as good as a nivea but you can easily get an amazon product or a better box to achieve the same quality picture for miles cheaper
I have used these apps for about 5 years and nothing has gone out of date except maybe letting the kodi app upgrade to the newest version which takes 5 mins and is only needed because of my providers spec and nothing to do with any of my devices
On a different note any of the amazon fire products are very good quality and as others have recommended is a good shout. For IPTV football streaming you may need to sideload the required apps but this isnt difficult
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Re: Android TV boxes
Pointless
Firestick all way
Firestick all way
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Re: Android TV boxes
What do mean by sideload the required apps for football streaming?Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 4:08 pmOn a different note any of the amazon fire products are very good quality and as others have recommended is a good shout. For IPTV football streaming you may need to sideload the required apps but this isnt difficult
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Re: Android TV boxes
Been a bit since Ive used a Firestick so things might have moved on but for Sportsmmaina I use either the Kodi or IPTV Smarters App which were not available in the Amazon App store to download when I used my FirestickQuickenthetempo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:00 pmWhat do mean by sideload the required apps for football streaming?
The alternative was to use the Downloader app which you could sideload the apps via an APK file address and access code
Things might be a bit simpler now as my firestick has been stuck away in a draw for 2 years but even if thats still the process its pretty straightforward once you know what youre doing
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Re: Android TV boxes
Tbh I've been using android boxes for many years but recently moved over to a HD fireStick.
Personally I find the fireStick alot easier to use/update/add to and certainly wouldn't use a box again.
All the football is watched through the many IPTv apps available.
Personally I find the fireStick alot easier to use/update/add to and certainly wouldn't use a box again.
All the football is watched through the many IPTv apps available.
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Re: Android TV boxes
Yes I use the Downloader app, I just hadn't heard the term sideload before.Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:11 pmBeen a bit since Ive used a Firestick so things might have moved on but for Sportsmmaina I use either the Kodi or IPTV Smarters App which were not available in the Amazon App store to download when I used my Firestick
The alternative was to use the Downloader app which you could sideload the apps via an APK file address and access code
Things might be a bit simpler now as my firestick has been stuck away in a draw for 2 years but even if thats still the process its pretty straightforward once you know what youre doing
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Re: Android TV boxes
The term is probably a bit dated and behind the times like meQuickenthetempo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:19 pmYes I use the Downloader app, I just hadn't heard the term sideload before.
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Re: Android TV boxes
Side loading is the term meaning putting apps onto a system that aren't freely available for said system
This user liked this post: Quickenthetempo
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Re: Android TV boxes
This convo sparked my interest as years since I first got a firestick.
Had a look and back online and appears back in the day you couldnt use the downloader app (not sure if it even existed) and I had to download a Kodi APK file from a website onto my laptop and then use a windows file transfer program to transfer it from my laptop linked via my IP address on to the firestick which I think is what sideloading is
I think a year or two later I wiped it by mistake and when I reloaded it I used the downloader app thus me remembering it as being so simple
Reckon ive prob got Kodi15 or 16 on that device as not used it for years.
Things definitely a bit simpler for a novice like me these days
Had a look and back online and appears back in the day you couldnt use the downloader app (not sure if it even existed) and I had to download a Kodi APK file from a website onto my laptop and then use a windows file transfer program to transfer it from my laptop linked via my IP address on to the firestick which I think is what sideloading is
I think a year or two later I wiped it by mistake and when I reloaded it I used the downloader app thus me remembering it as being so simple
Reckon ive prob got Kodi15 or 16 on that device as not used it for years.
Things definitely a bit simpler for a novice like me these days
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Re: Android TV boxes
If you're strictly using it for legal content go for a Roku or fire stick.
If you are wanting to use it for illegal sport streams fire stick or fire tv.
If you want to go full out, create a collection of movies, download your own music etc consider something like a Zidoo.
If you are wanting to use it for illegal sport streams fire stick or fire tv.
If you want to go full out, create a collection of movies, download your own music etc consider something like a Zidoo.
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Re: Android TV boxes
I have one to sell, top of the range tooAwayfromburnley wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:00 pmDoes anyone know a good but relatively cheap one to buy?
I will then look for guidance on how it can be used effectively.
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Re: Android TV boxes
Agree with the recommendations of the 4K firestick
Easy to set up with the added advantage is it is easy to switch the use between televisions
We’ve even taken it on holiday to use
Easy to set up with the added advantage is it is easy to switch the use between televisions
We’ve even taken it on holiday to use
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Re: Android TV boxes
I forgot to mention Firesticks are so portable you can take them on holiday with you. Mine isn't slow at all and I've had it a few years. I only have a couple of apps on it though
Re: Android TV boxes
Mine is a T95Q.
My 'bookclub' tested lots last year and that was their recommendation. 2.4 or 5khz WiFi fine.
There are better but expensive.
My 'bookclub' tested lots last year and that was their recommendation. 2.4 or 5khz WiFi fine.
There are better but expensive.
Re: Android TV boxes
Great bookclub Ian, I have a firestick in which my book club has a great app and is everything I need for home and away in my caravan.
Re: Android TV boxes
I have a T95Z and a Firestick. I prefer the interface on the Firestick but the internet speed on my T95Z seems to be less affected by my VPN than the Firestick. Both are hard wired into my router using an Ethernet cable (the Firestick via an adaptor). Have tried different VPNs and different settings on the Firestick but don’t seem to be able to make a difference. Means I get a few more buffering issues on the Firestick.