Android TV Smart Box

[Thailaw]

I have a new very good TV, but it is not a "smart" TV. I need an android "smart" TV box to be able to get Netflix, YouTube and hopefully western news, etc. I have looked on Google and Nvidia Shield TV is the top rated box, but it is very expensive (B10,000 and up), the Xiaomi Box S also gets good ratings, but it has only 2 GB of RAM, and I fear that it will be slow. There is also a T95Z which is rated in the top 5, with 3 GB of RAM, and looks appealing with a B1990 price on Lazada. Lazada has an Allwinner Tx6 box with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of ROM, but 1 reviewer said that his died within 10 months of use. Can anyone recommend one of these or another box available in Thailand that will provide good service and reasonable quality and price? Thanks. 

[AJBangkok]

Go for a windows box. Intel NUC or anything running Windows 10

[Jingthing]

A very timely post for me! 

 

I am also now shopping for an Android media box and my understanding of these products as well as availability on Lazada and Shoppee is limited. 

 

I got this list of needed and or desirable features from a trusted tech savvy person. 

 

Based on this list can someone tell me what to buy specifically on Lazada?

 

 

 

Hevc support 
Android 9 
4k support
Dual band wifi
Quad core cpu
6k support
Hdr
64 bit
Gigabyte ethernet
Android media player h65 gigabit
Hdmi out to the tv

[uncleP]

Magicsee N5 max I have a few of them. Available on lazada

Edited May 15, 2020 by uncleP

[lopburi3]

I just use this for USB file playback but working great and very reasonable price - has full options for Kodi and such and enough memory to use.  Instructions very poor but there are good video set up on Youtube (just search MXQ).

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/mxq-pro-android-tv-box-24ghz-and-5ghz-dualband-wifi-4k-video-output-1g8gb-andriod-71-4xarm-cortek-a7-120-ghz-rockchip-rk3229-wifi-media-player-smart-tv-box-lan-port-support-usb-kodi-hdmi-cable-free-i404210404-s784176339.html?mp=1

[totally thaied up]

48 minutes ago, AJBangkok said:

Go for a windows box. Intel NUC or anything running Windows 10

I used Android boxes for years and ended up in the end building my own PC to cover everything I can do. A Android box cannot do what a PC can do. Sure you got Apps but nothing beats a full Operating system. You could us Linux (Ubuntu or elementaryos) for the Operating system.

[i84teen]

For iptv, the best android box hands down is the Formuler Z8. It is the only box with an iptv app called MOL2, the gold standard.

 

Cost approx USD140 in Thailand. Difficult to purchase in TH but they are available if you know where to look.

 

https://www.formuler.tv

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Couple things:

 

With no-name Chinese boxes, you have to be careful, because they often will not have the required DRM (digital rights management) coding to allow them to properly access services like Netflix and others. Since often those services aren't available in China where the boxes are made and sold.

 

I have the original MiBox3 international version and it works fine finally now after many rounds of OS updates and bug fixes. The newer MiBox S has pretty much the same specs, but a newer Android OS version. So I doubt the newer S version would be slow since my MiBox3 isn't.

 

Depending on how much western content the OP wants to access, a box or stick that works well with VPN services might be a factor. Android boxes all pretty much can install VPN apps by many of the major VPN providers. So can Amazon Fire TV devices. Roku devices, however, cannot.

 

At home now, I find I have ended up choosing to use Amazon Fire Stick 4Ks as my primary streaming devices  -- over my MiBox and Roku devices.

 

Very good performance, small, easy to use, very inexpensive especially if you buy during one of Amazon's periodic promotions. But better suited to folks who have Amazon accounts from the U.S., UK or elsewhere.

 

 

 

Edited May 15, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Mama Noodle]

13 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

With no-name Chinese boxes, you have to be careful, because they often will not have the required DRM (digital rights management) coding to allow them to properly access services like Netflix and others. Since often those services aren't available in China where the boxes are made and sold.

 

Another thing to note with apps like Netflix is that they have a very narrow window on what devices can utilize HD and 4k. Cheap knock offs dont work very well. 

[Mama Noodle]

In my opinion there's really only 2 options if one cares about picture quality and sound quality, and that you can easily download and use VPN apps. 

 

Fire TV 4k

 

Nvidia Shield. 

 

I use the Nvidia Shield, but ive had about 5-6 other boxes before finally giving up and spending the money on a quality player. Worth every penny, but Fire TV Stick 4K is also good. 

 

BUT if one doesn't have a UHD TV, then it doesn't really matter. Basic Fire TV Stick is ok

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

6 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

BUT if one doesn't have a UHD TV, then it doesn't really matter. Basic Fire TV Stick is ok

 

Picture quality aside, the prior HD Fire Stick 2nd gen is dreadfully slow in navigation compared to either the newer Fire Stick 4Ks or even the older 2nd gen Fire TV box.

 

I still use the now aged Fire TV box along with some Fire Stick 4Ks, because the box has both an ethernet port, a full size USB port and a microSD card slot. With the Fire Stick 4Ks, you'd have to buy an add-on adapter to get Ethernet access and/or USB device compatibility.

 

So in other words, I'm still using the Fire TV box because of its port advantages and it's pretty much as fast as the 4K sticks, though it doesn't have HDR nor 60 FPS 4K (only 30 FPS).  But I long ago ditched and retired my HD Fire Stick 2nd gens...

 

Even if I only had an HD TV, I'd still choose to use the Fire Stick 4K instead of the prior HD version, just because it's a so much smoother and faster UI.

 

[Oztruckie]

Have a look at the Minix boxes,they have a huge range from Android to Windows with lots of different specs,have firmware updates,their air mouse is without a doubt the best one available,still have my U-1 going as good as the day I bought it 4 years ago,will purchase a new one with windows op system to play the watchnrl app as there's a lot of buffering with android boxes,watchNRL people were telling me their app doesn't support android tv set-top boxes,even though it does support android phones

[bkk6060]

Lots of techy comments on here I have no clue.

For me:

Buy Android box at Tukcom. MXQ black box.

Hook up to TV and in room router  (I could figure that out).

Turn box on, go to home page, preloaded and select from numerous TV and movie sites.

Kodi has everything.

 

I have had my box for several years and love it.

Especially during these times watching all the Netflix shows, HBO, Showtime, you name it.

Just search what you want all free.  Even has Porn sites. ????

 

I guess if one wants to use it for games or other things they may need a higher power box with additional gadgets.

For everything TV/movie available on it suits me fine.

 

Edited May 15, 2020 by bkk6060

[uncleP]

2 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

I just use this for USB file playback but working great and very reasonable price - has full options for Kodi and such and enough memory to use.  Instructions very poor but there are good video set up on Youtube (just search MXQ).

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/mxq-pro-android-tv-box-24ghz-and-5ghz-dualband-wifi-4k-video-output-1g8gb-andriod-71-4xarm-cortek-a7-120-ghz-rockchip-rk3229-wifi-media-player-smart-tv-box-lan-port-support-usb-kodi-hdmi-cable-free-i404210404-s784176339.html?mp=1

Mx pro is rubbish

[lopburi3]

6 minutes ago, uncleP said:

Mx pro is rubbish

Works for what I use it for (playback of USB downloads) much better than TV built in systems.  And it has good ability for over the air playback if set up correctly (from those reporting and telling how on Youtube).  The cost is throw away in any case - but i have found it well constructed and with a good operating remote.

[ajnamoon]

Ive had my TX6  android box  for over an year great box   downloaded lots of programs plus full kodi  add on

Works really well has 2.5 and 5   and very low price in Lazada now  Great Buy

[northsouthdevide]

Tx6 is good. 

Anything with android 9 on lazada will do a good job. 

Even a cheap android box for 500bht does the job for me, but I mostly use firestick 4k.

The best apk in the world IMHO is filelinked. 

Ive never been so spoiled for choice for TV and movies. 

Also, you can watch sky news live and Al jazera live on YouTube. 

[RichCor]

No love for the Google Chromecast HDMI dongles?

[Mama Noodle]

3 minutes ago, RichCor said:

No love for the Google Chromecast HDMI dongles?

 

They just sling your phone/PC to your TV right?

[RichCor]

19 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

23 minutes ago, RichCor said:

No love for the Google Chromecast HDMI dongles?

They just sling your phone/PC to your TV right?

 

From an AndroidCentral article: Chromecast vs. Chromecast Ultra: Which should you buy?

 

A Chromecast can mirror local content from your phone, like pictures or video you took yourself, but when you're streaming from an online source like Netflix, it doesn't come from your phone. Instead, it makes a connection with the source and streams directly, saving battery and not using your phone's network or resources. You can still use your phone or computer to control the stream and do things like pause playback or change volume, but the actual transmission from Netflix (in our example) goes to the Chromecast.

[Thailand]

TX6

[northsouthdevide]

7 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Works for what I use it for (playback of USB downloads) much better than TV built in systems.  And it has good ability for over the air playback if set up correctly (from those reporting and telling how on Youtube).  The cost is throw away in any case - but i have found it well constructed and with a good operating remote.

I agree, they're not bad. 

They are cheap and do the job. 

I use one in the bedroom and if you don't load the memory up, it works fine. I have it loaded with 2 decent live tv, plus a couple of movie apps. Works fine for 500bht. 

[longball53098]

Many good suggestions here. The two I think should be on the list are Minix and the Formula boxes. Minix has a small edge to me as they have boxes with Win 10 Pro for less than 9,000 baht. I am not a fan in Android boxes. I have had at least 3 now and always go back to my boxes with Windows.  If cheap is what you are after there are many choices but beware!

Edited May 16, 2020 by longball53098
typo

[Thailaw]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. I narrowed down my options to the Xiaomi Box S, the Magic See N5 Max, and the T95Z. I much preferred the much larger processing (4GB) and storage capacity (32GB or 64GB) of the Magic See and the T95Z, but it was not certain that either one could properly download and use Netflix. And while Netflix is not the major/only consideration, it is important and I would not want to get a box that cannot download and use Netflix. So, I ordered the Xiaomi Box S from Lazada this evening. I also liked the idea of going to Tukcom and getting a box with all of the apps, including Netflix, preloaded to avoid any doubt, but I am not sure what boxes are available, and with the Xiaomi the doubt is resolved. I will ultimately need at least 1 more box, so if I am not satisfied with the Xiaomi, I will transfer that to a seldom used TV and go with the Magic See or T95z box, and try to confirm that Netflix works on one of those before I purchase it. There is also a X96 Max box, which one reviewer on YouTube called the best value box on the market today. It might be worth a look....   

[Mama Noodle]

14 hours ago, longball53098 said:

Minix has a small edge to me as they have boxes with Win 10 Pro for less than 9,000 baht. I am not a fan in Android boxes. I have had at least 3 now and always go back to my boxes with Windows.  If cheap is what you are after there are many choices but beware!

 

Can you show me an example of a ready made box with Windows 10 Pro?

 

Thats the desktop version correct? So its essentially a Mini PC running windows? 

I have been debating on going with a Mini PC type of thing with a desktop operating system. 

[longball53098]

Here is one available on Lazada.

 MINIX NEO N42C-4 WINDOWS 10 PRO MINI PC

 

Here is another one available on Lazada. I just bought this one last week. Working good too.

 

Minix Neo Z83-4 Plus Mini PC Windows 10 Pro DDR3L 4GB RAM 64GB ROM

[bkk6060]

On 5/15/2020 at 2:23 PM, uncleP said:

Mx pro is rubbish

Works been great for me for 5 years.

Maybe you do not understand how it works?

There is training on You Tube.

[Oztruckie]

12 hours ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Can you show me an example of a ready made box with Windows 10 Pro?

 

Thats the desktop version correct? So its essentially a Mini PC running windows? 

I have been debating on going with a Mini PC type of thing with a desktop operating system. 

Lots of them available on Aliexpress,Lazada,Expansys from about 7000 thb up to 15k or similar

[BigStar]

47 minutes ago, Oztruckie said:

Lots of them available on Aliexpress,Lazada,Expansys from about 7000 thb up to 15k or similar

Overkill & needless expense. Lil' Android media box is all that's needed.

[i84teen]

On 5/16/2020 at 1:25 AM, longball53098 said:

Many good suggestions here. The two I think should be on the list are Minix and the Formula boxes. Minix has a small edge to me as they have boxes with Win 10 Pro for less than 9,000 baht. I am not a fan in Android boxes. I have had at least 3 now and always go back to my boxes with Windows.  If cheap is what you are after there are many choices but beware!

Minix is just a PC, same as any computer, OP wants an Android streaming box How do you load apps like Netflix and stream with a Minix?