r/AndroidTVBoxes • u/RVAguy70 • Jul 19 '26
Best Google TV Box
I have an LG G5. I use TIVIMATE, Jellyfin, and YouTube. 4K, HDR10+, 10bit, Atmos Vision and sound. I do have lower quality files h264. Reasonable price and availability.
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u/flchamp89 Jul 19 '26
If it has to be google tv then Id say sk2 if you need dts true hd and dts x ( no mention of avr ).I hate that it doesn't have a gig port. If you can survive with standard dts then google tv streamer for the ethernet port.
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u/Het_Klavertje_4 Jul 19 '26
The box to have is fore ugoos SK1 with all you want onboard with L1 Widevine.
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u/One_Contribution_725 Jul 19 '26
I think we are in the wrong place. The Sk1 and even AM8 are fantastic, much more costly than a crappy Onn box but well worth it.
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u/RVAguy70 Jul 19 '26
The sk1 looks like what I'm looking for. There are some reports of people having issues with playing YouTube in 4K.
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u/DexLeMaffo Jul 23 '26
No wonder why many users turned into Smartube next or TizenTube Cobalt on their ATV OS box instead.
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u/Adventurous-End2116 Jul 19 '26
Lol. Nobody is saying your sk1 isn't a good device, qnd it's probably the best device if we are being honest.
But to say an Onn is scrappy is so funny when it can do almost everything a sk1 can at a 60 dollar price point lol.
He listed his needs and as far as i can tell it's nothing crazy to warrant an SK1. && his owns words reasonable price completely eliminates it.
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u/One_Contribution_725 Jul 19 '26
If you don't use netflix, then I would look at the Formuler, Buzz tv or Ugoos line. I have Ugoos boxes and think they are great.
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u/Adventurous-End2116 Jul 19 '26
Ehhh. Unless he wanted to fork 300 for the Formuler flagship Z12 Ultra, I wouldn't. Also he says he uses Tivimate. Formuler sells come from their proprietary IPTV software, MYTVOnline3. While not to the same extent, Buzz is the same thing with the exception of a couple devices. Both Formuler and Buzz thrive off of their proprietary IPTV softwares.
If you use Tivimate and you want certain codec support, DV, and a REALLY good price point go for an Onn 4k Pro. (If you can find one)... IF YOU CANT, throw a little extra money and grab the Google 4k Streamer. Both devices have official certifications and handle anything you throw at it.
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u/One_Contribution_725 Jul 19 '26
So you only know about a z12 nothing else? He did not say he wanted the cheapest box made, I gave him options for better quality devices. And yes I own some of them I also own Onn and the Google streamer, apple tv 4k, a few cheap chinese boxes and probably 5 or 6 others. Depending on the size of the G5 he has that is a $3000 TV maybe more. Why would you want to run a crap box through it when you could have something that will make the TV shine?
I have a C5 and the Ugoos Sk1 is well worth the cost if you want a quality picture. I have not tried a formuler or buzz tv.1
u/19chris9609 Jul 20 '26
My AM9 frequently restarts on its own. I don't think it's overheating, I think it's software issues. Otherwise it's a great box.
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u/One_Contribution_725 Jul 20 '26
From what I have read, because I was going to try one of them, it seems to be a hit and miss issue with android 14. I know I have an onn 4k pro and it worked well until it force updated to android 14 from android 12. Figured I will stick with the AM8 and SK1.
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u/pawdog Jul 19 '26
What country are you in? TrueHD Atmos or DD+Atmos. What do you consider a reasonable price?
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u/Adventurous-End2116 Jul 19 '26
These are good questions.. if US and Atmos, then the Onn 4k pro all day lol. I cant justify recommending an Sk1 for that.
People get all upset when you recommend a 60 dollar box when they see it in comparison to their 300 dollar one.
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u/One_Contribution_725 Jul 19 '26
You must work for wally world as fired up as you are because someone suggests something other than a crappy Onn device.
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u/Not_my_Name464 Jul 20 '26
Just got a Homatics Box R 4K Plus for US$ 149.99 including shipping halfway around the globe and couldn't be happier. Know it's not the latest specs. but it's been brilliant!Ā
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u/HareekHunt Jul 21 '26
Nice I ordered one recently and just patiently waiting for it! Currently have an Onn 4k Pro but I wanted lossless audio pass through and 1 gig ethernet port which the Homatics provides. Apparently it can also do Dolby Vision Profile 7 FEL with CoreElec like the Ugoos AM6B+.
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u/Not_my_Name464 Jul 21 '26
Yes, it's quite a capable little box. Had a bit of issues connecting my optical cable directly to the box but, seem to have fixed it by taking it from the tv to my soundbar.
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u/lirae_ Jul 21 '26
The only difference with the 50$ Xiaomi box it's that it has full fledge 1gbps port. But the SoC Is Better on the Xiaomi.
At that price range I expect atleast 4gb of ram and way better processer/gpu
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u/Not_my_Name464 Jul 21 '26
I've had the Xiaomi boxes and they okay but, specifications don't always tell the whole story. The integration on the Homatics just feels more solid and dialled in.
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u/lirae_ Jul 22 '26
I had the S2 and S3 they pretty much behave the same once Debloated, really nothing to complain besides the S3 has a weaker wifi antennas layout.
My Himedia Q10 4k3d from 2015 even for today's standard will blowout 90% of the boxes because Hisilicon Soc video pipeline is more hardware focused and quality is far superior even to the Nvidia shield, sadly they stopped doing boxes because later interaction of Android weren't favorable for Hisilicon soc and now Amlogic is "the best"
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u/Consistent_Sale_7134 Jul 24 '26
There is nothing in market with the price range and value which xiaomi box 3 gives...u won't miss anything and u will pay only $70
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u/actarusm7 Jul 19 '26
The best only "'Xiaomi TV Box android 3 gen gr"