Need Advice to Buy an Android TV Box

koolchamp81 on 12/04/2018 - 10:26
Last edited 12/04/2018 - 10:33 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, I am looking for an android tv box which has smooth rom experience with good performance. The features I am looking in the box are :

Dual band wifi,
Android 7.1,
Optical out,
Miracast support or any such casting support,
Smooth Bluetooth connectivity,
And more importantly a smooth rom experience

I liked the features of Alfawise Z28 pro which ticks pretty much all boxes but then I read on freaktab that people having issues regarding video freeze, restarting and bluetooth connection issues. The Tanix TX3 max has new rom with good features as well but people having issues with bluetooth and overall performance as well. Alfawise H96 mini has some good reviews as well with new processor but the price is bit on the higher side currently around $80-$90 , but in that price range there are other options like H96 pro+ which has high Antutu score. People have issues with H96 pro+ as well as some youtube video shows they are not being able to turn on the device after some time. Beelink GS1 is sometimes around that price mark as well. Beelink A1 doesn't offer optical out or 5.1 audio . I would like to stay around AUD $60-$75 range as I would need a wireless air remote as well which will be another $10-$15. Any experience with these boxes ? Any suggestions please ?

Thanks

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • JTTheMan on 12/04/2018 - 11:00
    -5

    Apple TV

    • vicerum on 12/04/2018 - 11:26
      +3

      Your reading comprehension needs some work. He wants Android.

      • JTTheMan on 12/04/2018 - 11:34
        -1

        Yes but I think he also wants to watch TV without "having issues regarding video freeze, restarting and bluetooth connection issues."

        • mooney on 12/04/2018 - 11:52
          +2

          Yes, but he also said "I would like to stay around AUD $60-$75" So vicerum's point still stands.

        • JTTheMan on 12/04/2018 - 12:07

          @mooney: Yes, I suppose you get what you pay for but I'd be interested to know if there is anything that meets his criteria?

        • 0FoxGiven on 12/04/2018 - 13:05
          +2

          @JTTheMan: Sure is.. nVidia Shield.. just no optical out. But it beats Apple TV seven ways from Sunday

        • JTTheMan on 12/04/2018 - 13:48

          Sounds interesting, can you get it in Australia and what does it cost?

  • ozhunter on 12/04/2018 - 12:44
    +2

    If you want good performance, it's going to cost more.

    I recently got the Xiaomi Tv Box, and while performance could be better, it does the job for me.(28th on the following list)

    http://www.webunit.co.uk/TVBOXES/charts/images/tvbox2018.png

    Found this link with a guy comparing android tv boxes.

    • koolchamp81 on 12/04/2018 - 14:10

      Thanks for ur suggestion for Xiaomi box,I can definitely spend bit more if there is a good option, lot of options out there but I was looking for some feedback and personal experience from people who have used these boxes within this price range of under $100.

      • ozhunter on 12/04/2018 - 14:23

        Ah ok, but what is smooth performance to one person may differ from another.

        Many of those boxes use the same cpu and gpu so performance from one box to the next will be similar. The Nvidia Shield is recommended in a lot of the Xiaomi TV Box posts here because of its performance, but it is expenisve.

  • Fizzydrink on 12/04/2018 - 13:17
    +1

    would the new Vodafone tv cover it?

  • Clear on 12/04/2018 - 17:40
    +2

    Something important to remember is that there are two types of Android TV boxes. Alfawise, Tanix, Beelink and others are running Android for phones and tablets, while others like the Xiaomi Mi Box are running Android TV.

    Some boxes like the Xiaomi Mi Box and MECOOL M8S Pro+ have Winevine L1 DRM and HDCP 1.x. What does this mean? It means that they're capable of streaming services like Netflix in resolutions higher than 480p (1080p, 4K etc.) unlike Android for phones and tablets.

    • koolchamp81 on 13/04/2018 - 11:40

      agree , Alfawise, Tanix, Beelink are better than lot of other brands as they are known brands and provide regular firmware updates.Lot of these boxes can play youtube 1080p to 4k and some of these can play netflix upto 4k Xiaomi and Mecool have clean android tv os experience but doesn't allow mobile apps to download, although can be side loaded. Side loaded apps don't shortcuts don't show up on the screen and can be opened from settings/apps. There are workarounds for this by installing sideload launcher or something and shortcuts can be created through another app. Zidoo H6 pro has lot of good reviews and cost over AUD $100. Tanix TX92, Beelink A1, Mecool 8S pro L. Mecool 8s pro W is good cheap android tv os box but doesn't have bluetooth,single band wifi and no optical/5.1 audio, can play 4k at 30fps only. I don't have 4k tv at the moment , so I am not concerned about 4k content and moreover can't expect a $50-$55 tv box will have all the options.

  • pumpkins on 18/05/2018 - 10:23

    I'm also looking now, since I managed to grab the Foxtel Now deal and my old Samsung 3D Blu-ray player doesn't have the app. Also need optical out due to older Denon receiver. Only thing I would add to your list OP is wired Ethernet as my Wifi setup is basic and somewhat unreliable.

    The Alfawise H96 mini looks spot on. Bonus includes IR remote (so I can use my old Harmony remote) plus HDMI In and Out (so I can plug in my DVD/DVR/tuner box). Would just need to sideload Foxtel Now app. But from the androidpctv review it states audio pass-through doesn't work, which would mean I'd only get stereo on my Denon receiver?

    In the Alfawise H96 mini we have the Amlogic T962E SoC Quad core that as we know it is NOT licensed for the use of audio pass through for DD and DTS. For the sound tests we use our Yamaha RXV-577 AV receiver and we check that audio pass through does not work on the device, we can only get stereo sound.

    Was almost going to get the Foxtel Now box, more expensive at $99, and a custom launcher, only thing going for that is built-in Chromecast Ultra and ease of return if it's crap. No Netflix, but I don't use that anyway (just Plex really). But now that I know the Alfawise doesn't do audio pass through, this is now my top option.

    Any others people can recommend?

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