Android TV box

[SHRED]

I'm just learning about them.
I want to cut the cable cord.

Any advice on what brands and features to look for?

I have a Roku but my understanding is that the Android boxes are much more dynamic. So much so that you can go to recorded shows others post up and view them.

[PoliticAverse]

1. First decide what content you must have. You need to make sure any box you consider...

is compatible with that.

Then decide how much you are willing to spend.

A page with catch-all listing of players:
http://www.iboum.com/net-media-players.php

[SHRED]

2. Thanks

I need to find out what it does different than my Roku 3.

[Egnever]

3. Well IMHO it depends on how much cash you want to spend

Right now I think the best bang for your buck is an amazon fire tv. Not the stick the box.

Best hands down right now is the Nvidia sheild.

The fire TV though is a nice blend of features and performance. If you have a prime account it is even better since you can stream their stuff as well as all the usual's plus all the apps you can add to it.

Pick your box then look into Kodi with an amazon fire and Kodi set up you can get just about anything your heart could desire.

A good place to start is here https://www.tvaddons.ag/

[SHRED]

4. I have a Roku 3

I'm wondering what's the difference with a Android TV device?
They have faster processors and features over the Roku but do they run more apps? More choices? Better picture?

I have fast cable internet. I loaded Pluto on the Roku, registered, and went to watch MSNBC and the picture was not hi def and the sound wasn't synced to the picture.

I am exploring ways to cut my tv cable.

[Egnever]

5. The main difference is

It is not locked down the way other boxes are so you can customize it as much as you want including using lets say less than authorized apps that connect to a ton of content.

If high def is a must though you will want to stick with the cable or the sanctioned apps. Live TV is difficult to come by in reliable high def in my experience.

[SHRED]

6. Thank you

[BlueStateLib]

7. I have a few Android Tv boxes

I have Minix Neo X7 and Minix Neo X8H, the Minix is more expensive but they have a good customer forum and they do fix the bugs that come up with firmware updates fairly fast.

I would wait for when the Minix Neo U9H is released (any day now, maybe during CES which starts this week). Minix Neo U1H (android 5.1 Lollipop) would be fine too.

Minix Neo U9 Review
http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/09/05/minix-neo-u9-h-4k-hdr-amlogic-s912-h-android-tv-box-coming-in-october/
Minix Neo U1 PCB picture compare
http://www.minixforum.com/threads/u9.14187/#post-112019
$22 Android Tv box
https://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Media_Players/Android_TV_Box/

[SHRED]

8. What's the difference?

Between an Android box and a mini PC box like this...

http://minix.com.hk/en/products/neo-z83-4

I realize different operating systems buy any advantage one over the other?
Can they do the same things?

[BlueStateLib]

9. I think you get more for your money going with android, I think you will be ok going with either

I think you get more for your money going with android. The guy from Minix said
"You want a mini computer (Z83-4), or you want a media box (U1)?". The win 10 mini pc
gets mix reviews being used as a XBMC media center, some say works prefect and someone said
it dropped video frames. The Minix X7 Android suffered video micro freezes (drop video frames) when it first came but they fixed it pretty fast. I think you will be ok going with either.
https://www.avforums.com/review/minix-neo-z83-4-mini-pc-review.13169

Review by tech connect
http://www.minixforum.com/threads/z83-4-review-by-tech-connect.14155/

http://www.minixforum.com/threads/review-z83-4-with-photoshop.14739/

http://www.minixforum.com/threads/how-does-the-z83-4-compare-to-the-u1-for-typical-web-browsing.15167/

Reviews and optimized custom roms develoment
http://freaktab.com/

[SHRED]

10. Minix Neo U9H

I searched around and still can't find where to buy it.

[BlueStateLib]

12. Last I heard

A poster said a German distributor told him the latest release date for the Minix Neo U9 has been moved too the end of February, Minix is not saying anything. The Minix Neo U1 would be fine if you don't want to wait. You also need an Air Mouse. I use Minix Neo M1, (I dont care for mini keyboard air mouse combo) and on my other android tv box I use Media Center MCE PC IR remote that has mouse functions, that I used to train a learning remote, $8 ebay. I could not find stock for the Minix Neo M1 the, geekbuying sells it for $10 when in stock, there's a few different air mice on ebay

Prices are ok, fast shipping. 4% Coupon:4OFFSITE‎
geekbuying.com

Prices are good but take 4 weeks
alibaba.com

Plus shipping cost
chinavasion.com

[SHRED]

13. Thank you!!

[BlueStateLib]

14. Minix u9

http://www.minixforum.com/threads/minix-neo-u9-h.15764/

https://www.amazon.com/MINIX-Octa-Core-Directly-Technology-Limited/dp/B06WGNY9L2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488234958&sr=8-1&keywords=minix+u9

[SHRED]

15. wow...thanks again

[DUar17]

16. The Android box do a lot but if you have a powerful computer, movies stream fine.

I installed Kodi https://kodi.tv/ and watch movies on my monitor (yeah, it's 55&quot I also have wireless keyboard/mouse.

Dropping Dish was the best things we did. Saves money from not paying them and also my electricity bill went down about $5.00+ a month.