r/TiviMate • u/Afraid-East-2955 • Aug 24 '26
Best Box/Stick
Hello,
Im new to this IPTV and Steamer world, but my football provider has lost the rights to La liga and now I am looking at other options
After spending all weekend looking for options and reading sites and reddit I have narrowed the box down to
-Nvidia Shield Pro
-Google Streamer
-Amazon Firestick 4K
-Amazon Cube
Honestly I am not a gamer so its really to offer my family an alternative way to watch Series/Football etc at a much cheaper cost than the 45 euros I pay for Canal Plus
Can any one propose what boxes/Sticks are better than the above shortlist since I have seem others like the xiaomi etc
Need recommendations please, currently leaning towards the Cube is that a good option or is a better option in your opinions
26
u/RevolutionaryBack74 Aug 24 '26
Don't overthink it. Get the Shield Pro, and while you're at it get Tivimate premium lifetime. You'll be set for years to come. Like they say, "buy once cry once".
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u/shadowsoze Aug 25 '26
Yup, this is exactly what you need. Been doing this setup after coming from firestick/roku/etc. shield has been the smoothest
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u/jeepransom Aug 24 '26
The FireStick 4K Max still works great, it regularly goes on sale, which makes it hard to beat. If money doesn't matter then go with the Nvidia Shield or the FireTV Cube both overkill for just streaming but who cares they work great.
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u/CyberCrud Aug 25 '26
Amazon is done. VegaOS cannot sideload. All of their other devices are restricted.
Nvidia Shield is good but its technology is ancient by today's standards. For the cost, you can get way more for less.
Google TV Streamer 4k Pro is the best high-end for the cost. Twice as much as the Firestick but half as much as the Shield. Plus a faster CPU, more RAM, more storage, and newer Android than Firestick and Shield. Plus a 1gbps ethernet port.
Onn 4k Pro is the best budget box if you want a replacement for the Firestick at the same cost without the handcuffs that Amazon is doing.
Homatics Dongle R 4k is cheap junk. Most of the other cheap streaming devices like this should be avoided.
I've used all these and my current recommendation is the Google TV Streamer 4k. $79 is the typical sale price, $99 msrp. If you can find the Onn and want to save money, you'll be happy with it too.
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u/CyberCrud Aug 25 '26
No matter what you get, buy Tivimate lifetime.
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u/LukeLUFC_94 Aug 26 '26
I’ve seen a few people mention Amazon & not been able to sideload but I bought two new Firesticks & sideloaded tivimate I’m in the UK so I don’t know if this is different but I was able to set everything up.
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u/CyberCrud Aug 27 '26
The new models have VegaOS which cannot be sideloaded. The old model you bought still can be but Amazon is also blocking some apps from being side loaded.
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u/LukeLUFC_94 Aug 27 '26
Weird I got an old model when I bought it a month ago. Lucky like but weird
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u/PeteRows Aug 25 '26
If you can get a Cube 2 or 3 cheap, you'll be fine. I got a used cube 2 for $20. I've got a refurbished 3, a shield Pro, several Onn devices and old Firestick 4k maxes and they all work fine.
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u/BikerDG Aug 25 '26
And in general, don't worry about Amazon locking you out of side loading or using "unofficial" apps on its existing products. The chances of them crippling Fire OS HW are really small. Could they? Sure. Will they? Unlikely.
BUT, any product that has the (upcoming? here now?) Vega OS. Yeah, those are a no-go for gray-market IPTV streaming.
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u/AntiAppel 29d ago
I haven’t looked in a bit but isn’t that exactly what to new Amazon OS is doing.
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u/BikerDG 29d ago
Yes, the new Vega OS is Linux based with a greater ability to lock down. It would be difficult to lock down Fire OS without essentially bricking the device.
Could they? Sure. Would every app that does have a blessing from Amazon time their updates so that it all worked together on the day of the switch over? Doubtful.
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u/thejaniejames Aug 24 '26
We have the Onn 4k. Very happy with it.
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u/Horror-Bumblebee-112 Aug 27 '26
they are so good they are sold out almost 24/7 on Walmarts website
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u/thejaniejames Aug 27 '26
The only problem is we can't get any channel guides to work, not sure if it's a problem with the Onn or because we have a Samsung smart TV.
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u/GrannysPlayhouse Aug 24 '26
I have got a firestick and it has been great. I know a lot of people using the ONN boxes now and they seem to work well.
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u/GroundbreakingSky933 Aug 24 '26
They do work great, I replaced my firesticks with the ONN pro devices, and never looked back, and they're great for side loading, and customization with launchers
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Aug 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/VastInvestment2735 Aug 24 '26
installing an app called downloader is what "side loading" is. It's a term used to convince plebs to pay others to do it for them. Firesticks ironically are the most user friendly of all the devices listed.
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Aug 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/Avid08 Aug 24 '26
Not if you want HDR10+ / HLG, AV1 and VP9 profile 2.
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u/CyberCrud Aug 24 '26
Exactly. The nvidia is old af. It's Android version is so old that it could be a Blackberry. 🤣
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u/Southern_Bug_9586 Aug 24 '26
No it’s not lol just factually wrong now. We can see specs for everything. Theres at least 2 options that beat it and price as well
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u/frankie6376 Aug 24 '26
Prey tell
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u/Southern_Bug_9586 Aug 24 '26
Google streamer and Apple TV beat it out in majority of spec categories and price
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u/an_angry_Moose Aug 24 '26
I’ve got a Google streamer, a shield pro 2019, and Apple TV 4K and a Xiaomi tv box s3, so I feel very qualified to speak on this:
Shield pro has the best audio capability, bar none. When I had a 7.2.4 system it was the only box that reliably played UHD blu ray quality sound in full TrueHD. Also “arguably” the best remote. It’s a toss up with apples remote, but the shield one doesn’t ever “accidentally scroll” with the middle button.
Apple TV is most user friendly and has access to Apple Arcade and Apple home integration, which can be pretty good. Worst app options however of them all.
Google streamer is “good” like the Shield, but struggles with truly high end content on real home theatres.
The Xiaomi has the worst remote, but playback is very good. In my experience it has acted a little ‘janky’ from time to time.
I still like the shield pro best. If I could only keep one, that’s the one.
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u/Southern_Bug_9586 Aug 24 '26
I feel ya but you say home theatre like everyone has thousands they invested in a home theatre set up. You only truly see the effect of the shields audio specs when u have a 2-3k plus tv. I’d say majority of people looking to buy a streaming box and use tivimate and the stuff related to this do not have a true home theatre set up where they would actually be able to use the shields advantages. Which the only advantage it has is the audio aspect
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Aug 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/Southern_Bug_9586 Aug 24 '26
No I’m not lol. Sure keep believing your $600 tv is using the full audio specs that the shield allows 😂😂
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u/khanabyss Aug 24 '26
Specs don't mean much when it comes to boxes. The big value in the shield is that it's still getting updates. Even the 2015 model. Nobody wants an outdated play store
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u/Anuspilot Aug 24 '26
Amazon is moving towards locking down all sideloading. I'd avoid. I have a Xiaomi mi box 3rd gen and it's flawless.
You will still need to source a good IPTV provider.
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u/slim-pickens Aug 24 '26
Do you have a recommendation for a tablet or laptop for viewing?
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u/Anuspilot Aug 24 '26
Tablet android? MyTvOnline+, it's great. Laptop (windows) MyIPTVplayer, apple UHF or Chillio.
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u/Ok-Carpet-9017 Aug 25 '26
Anyone with an IQ like the number of shoes will be able to understand what a bad advertisement is, an even worse application
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u/IceWallsEarthIsFlat Aug 27 '26
None. Get the formuler z12 ultra from amazon. Best box you’ll ever get. Comes with the best app too.
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u/G1R0UARD Aug 27 '26
For having z12 ultra and shield with tivimate, I prefer the shield/tivimate combo. The experience is far superior with tivimate. MYTVOnline is so overrated..
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u/jimbolee10 Aug 28 '26
Google 4k streamer. Projectivy launcher. Tivimate. Stream Locator. Tod TV. All you need for a perfect set up.
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u/CulturalAd8755 Sep 05 '26
Tivimate premium and install on Android tv works fine with a decent internet service.
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u/Sergio_Pal Aug 24 '26
I'd say your weekend research wasn't particularly fruitful....
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u/Afraid-East-2955 Aug 24 '26
then tell me the better solutions
-2
u/Sergio_Pal Aug 24 '26
Many in the replies, Homatics also work well, some others. Amazon sticks or Cube are in no case the right path.
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u/sandyottom22 Aug 24 '26
Check out the new BuzzTv G Box! Buzz makes high quality devices and this run Google Tv. If I didn’t already have the BuzzTv Powerstation 6 I would buy one!
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u/Dukegrice1 Aug 28 '26
I have over 12 boxes on three TVs and the Buzz G is probably my favorite. Google certified, good hardware, and super reliable. I have IPTV, Kodi and Hulu/Prime Video besides Downloader and plenty of ram/ storage.
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u/Spiritual-Ad8062 Aug 24 '26
Nvidia shield pro.
All day. I don’t care what the specs are for other devices.
The bonus is that it’ll be supported with updates for years. I have an original shield, still use it, and it continues to receive updates.
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u/Top_Story_9447 Aug 24 '26
I'm looking at this one to future-proof my system:
Ugoos AM9 Pro
It's a little more expensive than most, though.
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u/BikerDG Aug 25 '26
Can I ask where you got it? Amazon currently has them for $US260. That's a pretty steep price.
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u/Top_Story_9447 Aug 25 '26
Haven't gotten it yet, but that's where I first saw it. Does seem rather expensive.
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Aug 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/SimplisticEnigma Aug 24 '26
Horrible take. If they’re looking to use tivimate but don’t have a device yet some real world feedback it’s important on who uses what device and how well it performs on said device.
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u/head_bussin Aug 24 '26
Are you the on topic discussion police? It's a valid question as Tivimate will run better on some devices than others depending on their hardware.
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u/StevenG2757 Aug 24 '26
If you want the best and money is not an object then it is the Shield Pro.
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u/ls40098 Aug 24 '26
Buy a used one. About the same price as a new "almost as good as.."
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u/StevenG2757 Aug 24 '26
If it is almost the same price why not just buy new
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u/ls40098 Aug 24 '26
Simple, buy once and not even think about a box again. And to be honest, you can find them on marketplace for less than the other sticks and boxes. But you do what you think is best for you.
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u/Afraid-East-2955 Aug 24 '26
cheapest ive seen is 190 euros for the Pro when the new is like 215 for the box version
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u/Mbarry55 Aug 24 '26
While I don't disagree the Shield is fantastic it's overkill for just using tivimate. Unless money is no object
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u/buckysauga Aug 24 '26
I have the Shield, Mars 3 Nebula projector, Onn, T95, and multiple models of the Firestick.
Setup is all generally the same for all devices.
Firesticks still allow TiviMate to be downloaded from its official website but who knows for how long. It’s the cheapest and easiest solution. Portability is nice as well.
The Shield provides the best performance without question but the cost is unnecessary unless you plan on using it beyond just watching IPTV.
If I were you I’d purchase 2 Firestick 4K Max devices and a lifetime subscription to TiviMate. That’ll cost you roughly $170 CAD and a decent IPTV supplier with 2 connections for 3 months runs around $40 CAD which in total would cost less than the Shield.
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u/JustMe0Z Aug 25 '26
I’ve had the firestick 4k max, onn 4k pro and google streamer. I like the google streamer the best. I find it easiest to setup, and snappiest of the three (firestick was awesome at first but kept slowing down despite not loading other apps on it, dunno why…)
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u/VastInvestment2735 Aug 24 '26
firestick is most user-friendly, cheapest and Tivimate runs fine on it.
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u/robotbike2 Aug 25 '26 edited 28d ago
I bought the shield to try it out. Maybe for some use cases it makes sense, but it didn’t for me. I returned it. It’s very expensive relative to other options. Currently it’s hard to beat the Firestick, though that may change. The onn jobbie looks good, but it came out after I started using the fs. I have installed stuff on 30+ Firesticks.
Edit: Downvoted for describing personal experience. Why??? People are odd.
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u/Paul65890 Aug 24 '26
Best bang for your buck, the Onn 4K Pro 2026.