TV box are today incredibly effective items that complement the capabilities of your television, whether you want to watch Netflix or play games on it. Here is our collection of TV boxes that are not only compatible with Android, but also with Amazon and Apple.
Regardless, TV boxes are not without curiosity, quite the opposite. A low-cost Android TV stick can so refresh an old television or one that lacks an operator box. It enables you to take advantage of a high-quality multimedia service without breaking the wallet. Because of its adaptability and great scaling capabilities for SD or Full HD video, a higher-end device like the Nvidia Shield TV will be the ideal partner for even the best 4K TVs.
Two major ecosystems coexist, as they do in the mobile world: Google’s Android (through Android TV, Google TV, and Fire TV OS) and Apple’s TV OS. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top TV boxes available right now.
GOOGLE TV / ANDROID TV BOXES :
Google TV has gradually replaced Android TV from 2020. Beyond the title, nothing or virtually nothing has changed: we still have a competent operating system with a well-thought-out UI and a plethora of third-party programs. At the end of 2021, the operating system was upgraded to version 12. The greatest of them may be found in our comparison of the top cloud gaming providers.
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NVIDIA SHIELD TV (2019)
Nvidia’s Shield TV, which was released in 2015, has established itself as the top Android TV box throughout the years. The introduction of a new model in the autumn of 2019 only strengthened the green chameleon’s position in this market.
For starters, its redesigned “tube” form makes it considerably more unobtrusive when placed next to a television. We also enjoy the “Toblerone” type remote control with additional buttons and easy Netflix access (even if the button is relatively misplaced and is often activated by mistake).
That is before even considering the object’s functionality. It can transmit a 4K signal at 60 frames per second and supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Audio. Finally, the device has an Ethernet connector, which provides a robust and fast internet connection. So much for the fundamentals of this Android TV Box.
Another outstanding feature of the Shield TV 2019 is the inclusion of a very high level upscale. This technology, like the DLSS found in the brand’s RTX graphics cards, employs machine learning and is by far the best consumer upscaling solution we’ve encountered. Enough to give your HD shows a makeover.
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Of course, the 2019 Shield TV keeps all of its previous features, such as Game Stream and access to GeForce Now, which is now available to everyone. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are also supported. In a nutshell, the Shield TV is the greatest Android TV box, not just the most complete, but also the nicest and most pleasurable to use. Last but not least, Nvidia’s excellent software monitoring and regular upgrades.
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GOOGLE CHROMECAST WITH GOOGLE TV (4K)
The concept behind the fourth generation Chromecast is so basic that it’s surprising Google didn’t think of it sooner. The company has combined a traditional Chromecast with Google TV. The format changes little, so we’ll stick with a key that dangles from your TV’s HDMI port. The installation is straightforward, but keep in mind that the power supply no longer has an Ethernet connector, so you’ll have to spend an extra 20 dollars if your Wi-Fi connection is poor.
Once connected, we get a pure Google TV experience that might have been a bit more smooth. It’s most likely the fault of a weak SoC. The machine also introduces a new UI version. With a single global search across all the services to which you are subscribed, content takes center stage. The concept is sound, however the search engine favors unit sales even when the film of interest is accessible “for free” on streaming.
On the technological front, there is 4K support, as well as Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, and Dolby Atmos.
Google isn’t attempting to reinvent the wheel here, but rather provides a high-quality Google TV stick at a fair price.
XIAOMI MI BOX S
There are also Android TV options available from the well-known Chinese company. Following numerous iterations of TV boxes, Xiaomi now provides the Mi Box S, a highly popular box.
The Mi Box S runs Android TV and provides an experience similar to Shield TV, with access to numerous streaming sites like as YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or OCS, as well as vintage TV stations via the Molotov TV or myCANAL apps. The internal storage of 8 GB allows you to install any important programs.
The Xiaomi TV box also offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (Wi-Fi 4) connection to connect to your Internet network, as well as Bluetooth 4.2 LE + EDR connectivity to pair different peripherals, including the included remote control.
Mi Box S supports 4K H.265 at 60 frames per second, 4K VP9, and 4K H.264 at 30 frames per second. It also supports HDR and HDR10 video formats in Full HD at 60 frames per second, as well as MPEG1, MPEG2, VC1, DivX 4, and DivX 5. It doesn’t have to be embarrassed when it comes to audio signal transmission, due to Dolby Audio and DTS-HD compatibility, and it even has a 3.5 mm jack connector.
Netflix has approved the Mi Box S with a dedicated button on its remote control; the streaming service supports 4K and HDR mode on majority of its content.
Plex, the program that produces a local Netflix in your house by retrieving your files from your server and transmitting them to you by encoding them to create a collection of entertainment, is also there for users who are more acclimated to it.
XIAOMI MI TV STICK
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is a TV stick-sized Android TV box with the traditional UI. As a result, if you put the box straight into your television’s HDMI port, it will have Wi-Fi access to your favorite programs. The remote control is included, and it provides direct access to Google Assistant as well as quick access buttons to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
It runs Android 9 and its modest price conceals support for Full HD resolution at best. As a result, you will not be able to watch 4K video with this TV stick. However, it is an intriguing alternative to a Chromecast because the Mi TV Stick, like all Android TV devices, supports Chromecast.
APPLE TV 4K (2022)
The Cupertino company’s new Apple TV 4K is an even more updated version of its TV box. The design has received a little slimming treatment with less connection. You have the right to a power outlet as well as an HDMI port. An RJ-45 connector is included in the WiFi and Ethernet versions. However, keep in mind that the packaging does not include an HDMI cable.
When you attach the Apple TV box to your television, it automatically calibrates the definition and colorimetry to the best of its ability. Of course, you may customize the picture to your preferences. The Apple TV 4K 2022 supports the following formats: HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. This is great for making up for the deficiencies of some TVs, such as those made by Samsung.
The A15 Bionic CPU is housed within the machine and provides excellent power and image quality. With flawless color processing, the dynamic range is respected. Your Apple TV 4K 2022 will exceed your expectations whether displayed on a 4K TV or a video projector.
Apple makes its expertise known in the software sector. If you have an iPhone or an iPad, simply bring it close to your TV box for the Apple ID to be transmitted. The tvOS UI is easy to navigate. Of course, the Apple TV+ app is included. Siri adds great value in everyday situations.
In terms of pricing, the WiFi version costs 169 dollars, while the one with an Ethernet connector costs 189 dollars.
ALTERNATIVES TO TV BOXES
Like a Chromecast, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is a dongle that connects to your TV through HDMI. Its use, however, is very different. The Fire TV Stick comes with a remote control and does not require a smartphone or tablet to operate: it is completely self-contained. As a result, you may leave your phone at home to take use of the numerous web services.
This new Fire TV Stick is not much different from the old one. The format is the same, but with a more efficient quad core CPU. Unfortunately, only Full HD is supported.
We come upon the operating system Fire OS, which substantially benefits from the extra power. The UI is substantially smoother. On the services side, we logically discover Amazon’s services such as Amazon Prime Video, which offers access to a variety of popular films and series, or even Amazon Music, which allows us to listen to music.
To take benefit of these features, you must obviously be an Amazon Prime member… Don’t worry, the Amazon App Store also provides access to a collection of software that includes games as well as apps like Molotov TV, YouTube, Netflix, and Apple TV+. Some services, such as Salto, ADN, and myCanal, are still unavailable. Visit our Fire TV Stick review for a comprehensive look at the device.
OPERATOR TV BOXES
The internet service providers also supply television decoders. Guillaume assists you in determining which operator provides the greatest TV box in a comprehensive comparison. Our staff suggests that you trust boxes that operate on Google/Android TV among the offerings made available by each business. The objective for you is to have the finest possible experience. Of course, we recommend that you first locate the relevant online deal.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TV BOX?
IS A TV BOX ESSENTIAL?
Because of the significant advancements in television operating systems, a TV box is no longer required if you own a modern mid-range or high-end set. However, they provide far more flexibility and capability than integrated systems, particularly if you want to utilize solutions such as Plex or Kodi.
On an old TV or an entry-level model, a TV box will provide access to all popular streaming services, as well as a far more fluid and pleasant to use interface than an In General.
WHAT ABOUT CHINESE ANDROID TV BOXES?
It might be tempting to purchase one of the numerous Android TV boxes supplied at exorbitant costs by unknown Chinese manufacturers. We highly advise against it, though. Indeed, you will frequently encounter interfaces that are not or are badly translated, as well as compatibility issues with official program stores.
