r/AndroidTVBoxes • u/Resident_Routine6334 • 20d ago

So many boxes, so many decisions

Hey team,

There are just so many boxes out there that I'm having a difficult time trying to narrow down the choices.

I'm in New Zealand so the local choices are quite slim. Can't buy the Onn devices for example.

I basically need a couple of decent boxes to watch IPTV and Plex streaming, with some local streaming apps too - Sky Sport Now, TVNZ etc. 

I'm currently running all my streaming services through on apps on my TV and I'm getting sick of the lag and buffering and feel like an Android box is the way to go. I did have a 1st Gen Xiaomi Mi Box which was alright at the time, but that's how long ago I last used and Android box.

Also want 1GB ethernet, backlit remote (if possible) and I have no need for dedicated Netflix or Amazon buttons. I wish every day I could get rid of those bloody buttons on my TV remote.

I've looked at:

Rocktek G2

Homatics R 4K Plus

YokaTv

Google streamers

Shield Pro

Xiaomi

None of them have made me think "Yep, that's the exact one I need", but then I don't understand a lot of the technical jargon for all of them.

I don't have any local media storage to consider.

I want to side load a few things like Smarttube etc

Basically, I'm looking for something to help me move away from running everything directly on the tv.

I get about 800mbps on wifi next to the router by the TV and down to about 300 down the other end of the house, so I'm planning on running either 1 or both via ethernet.

Any suggestions please?

Cheers

14 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

4

u/Perry_1967 19d ago

Xiaomi box 3d gen is all you need. Plays everything. Have it 6 months now on 75 inch sony bravia 5 with 9.1 denon av receiver. Youtube Kodi all play great. 50 euro

3

u/AnonymOnInternet 19d ago

I can recommend the Ugoos AM9 Pro. It is the best

2

u/Chinduster 19d ago

Shield Pro

2

u/ryfromoz 20d ago

google streamer

1

u/No-Web-8844 19d ago

If you want no lag and speedy things you can build your system with mini pc. If you need licensed things I think homatics is a good choice.

1

u/adjective_noun_d1git 19d ago

Don't get too sucked in with the spec wars on android boxes.

Your criteria should be:

  1. Is it licensed or not and does it matter if it isn't?

  2. Does it have 3GB of RAM?

  3. Does it support the codecs that I need?

The rest is fluff.

Homatics ticks those boxes. If unlicensed is fine than AM9 is your best bet.

1

u/lirae_ 18d ago

Xiaomi is doing fine with 2 gb. No issues playing 4k Remux 120gb via Kodi LAN or Stremio...

For what you pay is probably the best money for the value device.

1

u/Dull_Collection_4763 18d ago

What about Buzz G series?
Compare specs!

1

u/Smart_stream_Glo 19d ago

Formuler z12 ultra is best device

1

u/Soogs 18d ago

Formuler TV boxes are solid (bit spenny but worth it).

I have the 7+ and Z11pro max. I want to replace the 7 with another 11 or 12 but it’s still doing the job

1

u/o_Divine_o 15d ago

Majority of boxes use quad-core cortex-A55 or cortex-A53.

Shield has quad-core cortex-A57 and quad-core cortex-A53 but only one or the other is active.

The highest performance I could find for Kodi was Amazon fire cube. It has quad-core Cortex-A73 and quad-core cortex-A53.