Help me pick out an Android TV Box
March 8, 2016 1:21 PM Subscribe
I'm tired of having to reset my Netflix geo-unblocker constantly. I'm thinking of getting an Android TV Box. I don't know much about these, so though I can read the specs, I don't know how to pick one out. Which box should I get?
Here's the site I was thinking of buying from: Things I would like to be able to watch: A) Netflix replacement. B) I cut the cord long ago, but if I could somehow get A) Live streaming of cable channels like Discovery or CNN + MLB games + European soccer games, those would be big plusses.
I have a very large (52"?) HD TV if that matters.
So how do I pick out a box or which box should I buy and why?
Here's the site I was thinking of buying from: Things I would like to be able to watch: A) Netflix replacement. B) I cut the cord long ago, but if I could somehow get A) Live streaming of cable channels like Discovery or CNN + MLB games + European soccer games, those would be big plusses.
I have a very large (52"?) HD TV if that matters.
So how do I pick out a box or which box should I buy and why?
My wife and I got ourselves an Amazon Fire TV for Christmas (well, just after Christmas, because each of us thought the other was going to order it, so neither of us did) and we liked it enough that we bought another for our bedroom.
It ships with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Sling TV apps. Sling TV offers ESPN. It's easy to use the Amazon app store to install additional apps (and games; you can pair a game controller with it, and many popular Android phone/tablet games are available). It is also easy to sideload a launcher called FireStarter; that in turn lets you install Kodi, which can play media files from a network server, if you happen to have any of those around, and network streams. (You don't have to root the device for any of that, either.)
It supports 4K video so it is relatively futureproof. The remote is Bluetooth, so it's not subject to line-of-sight issues, and it has a mic for voice search.
Pretty nice gadget for the price. We got our first on sale at $85 and the second we paid the full $100 price on.
posted by kindall at 2:00 PM on March 8, 2016
It ships with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Sling TV apps. Sling TV offers ESPN. It's easy to use the Amazon app store to install additional apps (and games; you can pair a game controller with it, and many popular Android phone/tablet games are available). It is also easy to sideload a launcher called FireStarter; that in turn lets you install Kodi, which can play media files from a network server, if you happen to have any of those around, and network streams. (You don't have to root the device for any of that, either.)
It supports 4K video so it is relatively futureproof. The remote is Bluetooth, so it's not subject to line-of-sight issues, and it has a mic for voice search.
Pretty nice gadget for the price. We got our first on sale at $85 and the second we paid the full $100 price on.
posted by kindall at 2:00 PM on March 8, 2016
Response by poster: Sorry, I should have clarified a couple of things:
A) I already have access to paid service apps on my TV via my blu-ray (Netflix, Hulu etc.). It would be convenient if I could have netflix and other stuff on the same device just to avoid switching between devices, but I'm not looking for more apps to paid services because...
B) Most of those paid services don't work in Canada (e.g. Hulu) and I think the Amazon Fire TV thing isn't even available in Canada.
So what I would like is the ability to stream shows/movies from the web, not from paid services. Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, this is legal here.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:09 PM on March 8, 2016
A) I already have access to paid service apps on my TV via my blu-ray (Netflix, Hulu etc.). It would be convenient if I could have netflix and other stuff on the same device just to avoid switching between devices, but I'm not looking for more apps to paid services because...
B) Most of those paid services don't work in Canada (e.g. Hulu) and I think the Amazon Fire TV thing isn't even available in Canada.
So what I would like is the ability to stream shows/movies from the web, not from paid services. Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, this is legal here.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:09 PM on March 8, 2016
Another Canadian here *waves.* We're getting the Matricom G-Box Q Quad/Octo Core XBMC/Kodi Android TV Box; I *think* this is the sort of thing you're looking for.
It's on order for us right now, so I can't tell you how well it works. I also don't know a lot about this sort of thing but I did some research and it seemed to rate well.
posted by purplesludge at 3:46 PM on March 8, 2016
It's on order for us right now, so I can't tell you how well it works. I also don't know a lot about this sort of thing but I did some research and it seemed to rate well.
posted by purplesludge at 3:46 PM on March 8, 2016
I actually just got the android MXQ-pro off amazon . The item cost me only $50 and this thing works great. It doesnt freeze up , works very well . I have the fire tv stick and that one doesnt work near as well as the MXQ pro . Just my 2 cents
posted by Entertainment Planner at 4:10 PM on March 8, 2016
posted by Entertainment Planner at 4:10 PM on March 8, 2016
Response by poster: Entertainment planner: Can you comment on what content is available? (i.e. cable tv shows live? what about sports games live?)
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:16 PM on March 8, 2016
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:16 PM on March 8, 2016
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posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:26 PM on March 8, 2016