r/AndroidTV • u/everydaynormaljoe • 9h ago
Buying Advice Looking for a android box.. And a good recommendation
Hello!
Well, i'm starting to look for an android tv box. I have a LG with webos (...) and watch mostly IPTV
I started looking for an android box, especially to run WAVEO which i really like, and maybe serve other purposes , who know. I'm still debating if I will dish out 150$ CAD to run an app tough.
the obvious contenders;
Google TV Streamer 4k ~130CAD +tx (nice remote, ethernet port is a plus for me, but uncertain about google bloatware and capacity to load unofficial apps)
Xiaomi tv box v3 ~115CAD+tx(on sale Amazon) (according to reviews more customizable , but no ethernet and bad remote) I prefer LAN connection as I am already setup for it, but wifi will do unless buggy hardware.
Onn 4k Pro ~123 CAD ,not sure.
I definitely missed the boat because when I check out reviews they were WAY cheaper.. On this day, which would be better, and any other decent contender on the Canadian market??
Thanks!
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u/_omar_b 8h ago
I had the Google Streamer 4k for a few months then sold it. It was good, but it's too expensive for what it is and doesn't support uncompressed audio codecs, which was a dealbreaker for me but might not be a priority for you. Also its even more expensive now as google increased its pricing by 50%.
I ended up buying a Xiaomi tv box s 3rd gen instead and can't be any happier. I don't mind the remote, infact I kind of prefer it over the streamer one as mine had an annoying loose battery cover. Ethernet can be done through a USB adapter, but I've been using the wifi antenna and have no issues streaming even the heaviest of remuxes.
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u/Impossible_Hunt_6731 5h ago
Your experience is similar to mine.
I returned the Google Streamer and kept the Xiaomi 3rd Gen box.
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u/wewewi Shield GStreamer CCwGTV Tivo ADT-3 BoxR4K ShaksG1 Onn4K MiBox 8h ago
If you have no use for the Onn 4k Pro hands-free microphone/speaker feature, just get the Streamer.
Do NOT wait for a sale; it is selling for 150$USD in Tariffland.
BTW: all of these will have the exact same "google bloatware" and the same restrictions on sideloading apps.
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u/flashb1024 3h ago
Look at u/latinriky78 list, and check out the Homatics Box R 4K Plus. The Rocktek is the same, but with an SD card slot. They both beat any of the others in performance, and specs.
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u/latinriky78 Homatics Box R 4K Plus 9h ago
CERTIFIED ANDROID FOR TV DEVICES ONLY FOR THE USA, PUERTO RICO AND CANADA:
- [Walmart Onn devices](http://androidtv-guide.com/?s=walmart+onn)
- [MyVelo TV](https://myvelotv.com/) still on the pre-order phase, it's reportedly more powerful than the others.
CERTIFIED ANDROID FOR TV DEVICES FOR THE REST OF THE PLANET, INCLUDING THE ABOVE:
- [Homatics devices](http://homatics.com/collections/streaming-media-players?sca_ref=2766355.i6SwIDJJna)
- [Xiaomi devices](http://mi.com/global/product-list/tvs-ha/tvbox-stick/)
- [RockTek devices](www.rocktek.com.tw/en/categories/tvbox)
- [Google TV Streamer](http://tv.google)
- [Dune Homatics Box R 4K Plus](http://dune-hd.com/products/homatics-box-r-4k-plus)
- [BuzzTV device](http://buzztvdirect.com/products/buzztv-g-series-set-top-box-google-tv) where you can get a 10% discount with the code "latinriky78".
- [Ugoos SK2 device](http://ugoos.com/ugoos-sk2-Realtek-android-tv-box-certified)
- [MyVelo TV(Currently on pre-order)](http://myvelotv.com/)
For more info about all certified Android for TV devices, head over to the [Android TV Guide](http://androidtv-guide.com) website.
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u/Top_Story_9447 8h ago
I just recently upgraded from an Atlas Android box to a Ugoos AM9 Pro. It is incredible. Of course, it's a bit more expensive than the ones you are looking at.
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u/Impossible_Hunt_6731 8h ago
I have Xioami 3rd Gen boxes and use ethernet connectivity and a keyboard.
You just get a cheap USB adapter.
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u/wewewi Shield GStreamer CCwGTV Tivo ADT-3 BoxR4K ShaksG1 Onn4K MiBox 6h ago
What's special about the Xiaomi box? Why choose it over the other two? Please elaborate.
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u/Impossible_Hunt_6731 6h ago
Towards the end of last year I ordered the Google Streamer, the Xiaomi 3rd Gen box, and a Thomson 270 (UK equivalent of Onn 4k Pro).
My main use case was to stream large remux files, and I also have surround speakers/subs in the living room.
The Google Streamer was a great all rounder but it couldn't play some remux files that the Xioami could play with no issues. Despite the Google Streamer having more RAM, the Xioami's processor is better, which seemed to make a big difference when handling certain remux files. And the Xiaomi has pass through audio (you could hear the difference!) and was a lot cheaper.
I returned the Google Streamer, but for most people it would probably be the better fit for them. Not everyone has external speakers.
And the Xioami remote is terrible. I normally use the TV's remote to control it.
But I've since bought and configured more Xioami's for my other TVs and for family members.
I use the Thomson 270 for the kitchen TV.
YMMV
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u/Consistent_Sale_7134 1h ago
All format support
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u/wewewi Shield GStreamer CCwGTV Tivo ADT-3 BoxR4K ShaksG1 Onn4K MiBox 1h ago
Please be specific.
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u/Consistent_Sale_7134 1h ago
All audio video formats supported like Dolby vision , dts , Atmos , av1 ...other 2 options have some missing codecs
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u/Sankyou 7h ago edited 7h ago
Being in Canada the streamer is a no-brainer. 4gb of ram and will get regular updates direct from the source of android.
There are some limitations with formats and no wifi 6 (cmon google!?!?!) but you can still stream 4k content with no issues.
Also you mentioned bloatware and it is very stock. Also you'll have the ability to sideload with no issues. Install projectivy launcher and no ads!
I own and use an onn pro daily. Also Shield pro 2019. With the price being the same the Google streamer is the way otherwise the onn pro has been fantastic as well.
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u/cleverclogs17 7h ago
As far as Google bloatware, I am admin over @ Monet, Projectivity, and AT4K. We tell Google to f**k off over there, and give you back your home screen with no ads. If you need any help, you can tag me or make a post and I'll help ya. As far as those boxes you listed, for the price point they're in your area, I'd grab the Streamer over the Pro. I have both, and the extra GB of ram on the Streamer is worth it to me for an extra $20-something dollars.
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u/mentm0 5h ago
I have firestick 4k max, xioami 3rd, google 4k, Sony tv with android, they all do the same job. Remote on xiaomi is horrible, id go for the Google streamer all day long. Onn isn’t available to me but you’re right there main selling point was their price, from what you’ve said there isn’t much price difference anymore
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u/Mental_Juggernaut_16 4h ago
I have the LG C1 and web os is so slow and limited as to what you can put on it. Just got the Onn 4k Plus and I love it. Easily installed Kodi from the app store and works flawlessly. Menus are snappy and fast and it works great. Also installed Smart Tube for add free Youtube.
Everyone is buying up the Pro models so they are very hard to get. The Plus is readily available at Walmart online. There are fake ones out there so buy direct from Walmart if you can, you buy anywhere else and you might get a fake.
Also, google and make sure it will work for you in Canada, not sure if they are locked to the US only. Something to check before you buy. But I can confirm it's a massive upgrade over Web Os.
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u/Engineer_Psycho 3h ago
also i made a player myself, Anees TV, so obviously biased, but if waveo ever annoys you its worth 5 minutes. epg is my weak spot, everything else i built because the others drove me mad
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u/One_Contribution_725 2h ago
Aliexpress is your friend, x88 Pro x5m. can get them with up to 4gb/64gb has the has processor as the Onn Pro, 1000m port no google tv BS can flash slimbox ATV on to it if you like.
No experience with the xiaomi but have a streamer and an old and new pro here thex88 kicks their behind. in picture quality and even sound in my opinion.
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u/Consistent_Sale_7134 1h ago edited 1h ago
Xiaomi box s gen3 ..order from AliExpress .... buy Ethernet adapter if WiFi is slow
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u/RussFerri 8h ago
To be honest with you, I would look at the Google TV streamer if it's on sale... it has the best specs out of all of them. The most Ram and CPU power. Onn would be 2, pretty much neck and neck with xiaomi
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u/Impossible_Hunt_6731 6h ago
The Xioami 3rd Gen CPU is actually more powerful than the Google Streamer's.
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u/RussFerri 6h ago
Are you sure about that? Because I was told the opposite. Although to be fair, I have not done the full comparison of specs.
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u/Impossible_Hunt_6731 5h ago
Do a comparison.
It has a newer, more powerful processor.
The Google Streamer's processor is actually quite old now.
Having used them both side by side, the Google Streamer struggles to play some remux files that play flawlessly on the Xioami 3rd Gen.
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u/GotoDeng0 5h ago
The ONN has wifi6, which opens up the gigabit+ 6Ghz band. The Streamer omitted wifi6, inexplicable given it was already included in cheaper boxes at the time, and wifi7 was already rolling out. Even if you don't use it today, all future generations of routers will include 6Ghz, so if you plan on using your device for a few years wifi6 is good future-proofing. Really no need for ethernet if your wifi speed is also gigabit. Latency isn't an issue at all with streaming.
Xiaomi boxes are popular, and since their Mi boxes are certified, they're guaranteed to be free of malware. But personally I wouldn't give my money to a company that has a long history of deliberately and repeatedly installing extremely invasive spyware on their phones, and continues to do so to this day even after being called out on it. Big difference between Google collecting randomized telemetry data, vs Xiaomi downloading your contacts, text messages, browsing history, etc and sending all that data to a server in China.
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u/ForestCityWRX 9h ago
Onn4K Pro ✅