The abbreviation " VPN " has slowly become established among average Internet users, which is certainly good, but the problem is that people have started to see VPN as the ultimate solution to all problems.
What is Android TV Box?
This is a great solution if you want to add a "Smart" function to an existing TV. With this device, you can watch live TV online for free (later on), play games, upload all kinds of files, watch movies (from USB, over the internet, phone…), listen to songs, surf the internet, use social networks… or everything you can on your Android phone.
It is usually a cube-shaped device (but it doesn't have to be) and has various inputs and outputs. It connects to the TV via an HDMI cable, but some also have an AV output over 3.5mm that goes to the familiar 3 cinches, so you can also connect to an older TV (even to SCART if you have an adapter). It is also standard for these devices to have WiFi, LAN port (RJ45), IR Remote, at least 2 USB ports, support for high definition video formats (these cheap ones often have 4K support), and usually come with a remote.
They are powered via a standard 5V 2A adapter, connected to any WiFi or LAN cable, supplied (in most cases) remotely, and can be controlled via mobile phone.
As for the system, of course, they have Android, but it is important to see which version. And these cheaper ones come with a minimum of Android 5.0, and the most common version is 6.0 because Kodi (which usually comes with the device) requires an Android 5.0 minimum.
What to pay attention to
There are various Android TV Box devices in our country and on the net, so the user can easily get confused and maybe buy something that does not suit him. In this article, I will write about what to pay attention to when buying, what not to take, what is desirable to take, what you do not need, and finally a few examples.
Up to 30 euros because the economic situation in Serbia is as it is (approximately a little lower than the bottom), so I believe that many are looking for the cheapest possible solution. Since I also like to find the best for the least money, I'm sharing the experience with you, I hope it will help.
Android version
This is very important and you should not ignore it. With cheaper devices, it is important to take it with the newest possible system, because updating is rare (sometimes it doesn't even exist) and support is minimal. The newer Android 7.1, and that's my recommendation. If not, then 6.0 is ok, but 5.0 only if you have to. Below that no way!
RAM and ROM
On cheaper models, you will usually find 1GB of RAM with 8GB of ROM. Now, this is an ok specification for that price, but it would be advisable to take 2GB of RAM with 16GB of ROM. Each Box has a card slot so you can expand the memory, but keep in mind that you can’t transfer all the apps to the card. Up to 30 euros, it is difficult to find 2GB / 16GB, I found only one 1GB / 16GB, but it is not in stock, I will leave a link at the end.
Chip (CPU)
A very, very important item. Avoid "Allwinner" and "RockChip" as wide as possible. Allwinner copies codes from other manufacturers without a license. While RockChip doesn't have any support from the Kodi developer team (and Kodi is really useful, believe me). These are two chips that everyone avoids, so I recommend you too.
My recommendations are Amlogic S905W and Amlogic S905X chips. As for their specifications, they are Cortex A53 at 1.5 or 2.0 GHz, Quad-Core. Quite enough for one cheap Android TV Box.
Packing
Also, the specifications will say somewhere what comes in the package. Make sure you get a power supply, HDMI cable, and remote in addition to the Box. Somewhere they don't pack HDMI, for example, so you have to buy more (I state that you would order one immediately because they are quite expensive with us), and pay attention to whether you get it remotely. Basically, it is not obligatory, you have an application on your phone, so how does it suit you.
Other
And of course, there are other "little things" that can judge if you come between two almost identical. For example, support for the 5.1 Surround system, number, and versions of USB and HDMI ports, Miracast support, supported audio/video formats… Put everything on paper, on a table, see the pros and cons and decide what you need most. Sometimes it is better to sacrifice a good function if you know that you will not use it for the sake of another, less important, the function that you will use - everything is individual.
Android TV Box up to 30 euros
First of all where to buy it? If you follow this blog, you assume that I will write a Chinese site, and that is true. Namely, the largest database of these devices is located on the Geekbuying and Gearbest sites. There are over 500 Android TV Boxes out there and this is where the latest models appear first. They are also the cheapest, they send to Serbia (mostly for free) and accept all methods of payment. I paid through MasterCard and PayPal and everything went smoothly.
Here are some of my recommendations after a few days of watching, and the pros and cons for each.
Nexbox A5 (25 €)
The only device up to 30 euros that have 16GB of internal memory is therefore on this list. However, it is not in stock at the moment.
Advantages:
- 16GB ROM
- S905X chip
Disadvantages:
- There is no condition at the moment
- Android 6.0
- CPU clock 1.5 GHz
MECOOL M8S PRO + (25.44 €)
Advantages:
- Android 7.1
- S905X chip
Disadvantages:
- 8GB ROM
- They do not send HDMI
Tanix TX3 Pro (25.44 €)
Similar to the first but has 8GB of memory.
Advantages:
- S905X chip
- 2GHz clock
- They're sending HDMI
Disadvantages:
- Android 6.0
X96 Mini (€ 22.61)
My personal choice and I bought this one - complete review (+ video)
Advantages:
- Android 7.1.2
- They're sending HDMI
- 2.0GHz clock speed
- 5.1 Surround system
Disadvantages:
- S905W chip
The only drawback is the weaker variant of the S905X chip, ie. The S905W is a cheaper version of that chip which is the same only it has no support for 4K at 60FPS but a maximum of 4K at 30FPS. However, I don't even need 4K in general, let alone 60FPS, so I compensated for the chip for other advantages.
How to buy it?
Shopping from all Chinese sites in Serbia is the same, so you can read the ultimate instructions I have already written:
- How to buy from Chinese sites (Aliexpress, DX, GearBest...)
- GearBest shopping from Serbia - ordering, payment, customs
Ideas
Since it is a Box with an Android system, the possibilities are almost unlimited. Each comes with a pre-installed Kodi player and a few more plugins, as well as a few apps, and you can install any from the Play Store. But if you don't know where to start, here are some ideas:
- Watch TV channels (instructions)
- Play a movie/music over the phone
- Connect your phone screen with Miracast
- Play games
- Use your phone as a game joystick
- Watch movies/series online (tutorial)
- Connect the camera to a USB for Skype, Messenger, Viber… video calls
- Surf the internet on the big screen
- Youtube…
Summarized
If you haven’t found a Box to your liking here then open the categories for Android TV Box on Gearbest and Geekbuying, sort by price from lowest to highest so go in order and watch. Keep in mind the recommendations I made, but of course, you don't have to follow them. If you have an Android Box and you are satisfied or not, write in the comments.
If you have a Raspberry Pi you can set up a similar media center, I wrote the manual so read on.
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