Rating of the best TV boxes for Android in 2020

The main technical characteristics of TV set-top boxes for Android TV

A TV with a set-top box can be compared in performance to a smartphone. Because everything that can be implemented on a smartphone is possible on a set-top box. Accordingly, the basic characteristics are similar. Let's define how TV set-top boxes can be characterized. By the way, in the English-speaking environment, including on Chinese electronic trading platforms, set-top boxes are called Android TV Box. You can find and buy them just for such requests.

Android operating system version

Starting from version 5.0, there are no significant differences in the versions. More precisely, they are available, but they are more relevant for mobile devices. However, it is worth paying attention to the version, if only because not all manufacturers are ready for long-term support of their products and the release of firmware updates for the transition to fresh versions of Android. What can the use of the old version threaten? Well, first of all, this is a stripped-down functionality. Secondly, many software developers exclude compatibility with older versions to simplify their development. This means that at one point your favorite video player or game may no longer be supported.

Android TV Box Resolution

Like smartphones, set-top boxes have the ability to transfer video data. In fact, this is their main task. Therefore, the higher the resolution the set-top box can transmit to the TV, the clearer the picture on the screen will be. Naturally, if the characteristics of the TV are ready for such parameters.

Data formats

The symbiosis of a set-top box and a TV is convenient to use as a video player, viewing photos and listening to music. Therefore, the more formats are listed in the specification for the device, the more choice the user has.

Interfaces

The ability to connect other devices, network cables and other things can significantly expand the functionality of the set-top box. The presence of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI will allow you to connect a wide range of modern TVs and devices. Older composite and analog inputs will provide backward compatibility with older gadgets.

Performance

Watching videos in high resolutions, games and applications require processing power. And since the requirements are growing by leaps and bounds, it is better to choose the performance parameters of the set-top box with a reserve for the future.

The main functions and capabilities of the Android set-top box for TV

We have already drawn the analogy of a set-top box for a TV and a smartphone. Let's continue in the same vein and take a look at what they are generally capable of. Probably the most important feature is Smart TV. This technology allows you to view video content directly from the Internet. Thus, unlike a TV, a set-top box has the ability to show the user what he wants, and not what is being broadcast on the channels. Freedom of choice of content appeared. This can be done both by connecting the device to a network via a cable or using wireless networks.

If the set-top box supports reading from external media, then the user has the opportunity to view content from flash drives or external hard drives. It would seem that there is the Internet, why watch something from a carrier? It turns out that this can be convenient for watching several films in a row in good quality, for example, all parts of Harry Potter or an entire season of Game of Thrones. While the user is at work, on the computer or directly on the console, the torrent is slowly swinging. And upon arriving home, the user can comfortably sit on the couch, press a couple of buttons and dive into viewing.

The Android platform itself contains a lot of potential in functionality. These are full-fledged games, applications, services and other features of the environment. This also includes the possibilities of web surfing. For Android, there are tons of different browsers in the app store, similar to those you can use on your smartphone. And the ability to connect a keyboard and mouse to the set-top box turns the TV into an Android-based computer.

Which is better to buy Android TV Boxing - editorial advice

Like the choice of absolutely any device for home use, it should begin with defining the purposes of its use. In addition, this is not a separate and independent device, but a TV set-top box, so they must fit together like yin to yang. This means that the permissions should, if not match, then at least be adjacent in values. It makes no sense to take a 4K prefix if the TV cannot work in this mode. Anyway, we will tell you a little secret, content, as such, in 4K format is negligible. And you will have to look for it all over the Internet.

If you buy a set-top box to watch high quality video and play games, then first of all you need evaluate the performance of the device - will it be able to reproduce "heavy" content. Otherwise, if the budget allows, it is better to choose a more productive model, because technology is moving forward. by leaps and bounds, which means that very soon even the most "sophisticated" prefix will be considered "Average".

Best TV Boxes for Android in 2019 - editorial opinion

We have selected the most successful and interesting versions of TV boxes and made a small list.

Rombica Cinema 4K v01

An inexpensive version of the Android set-top box for TV for 4 750 rubles. The device comes without its own data storage device, but it can read from external or installed in a special internal 3.5 "hard drive slot. The maximum resolution of the set-top box is 4K. Built-in memory for the system is allocated 8 GB, and RAM - 1 GB. The operating system pumped up a bit, its version is only 4.4. But there is a rich set of supported video, audio and photo files. Here's what users say about the device.

Review of Rombica Cinema 4K v01

Review of Rombica Cinema 4K v01

Xiaomi Mi Box International Version

Xiomi is good at making not only smartphones, but also TV boxes. So this model, based on the Android operating system version 6.0, can play video in 4K format and has a quad-core ARM Cortex A53 on board with a frequency of 2 GHz. The device has 2 GB of RAM. Your own - 8. The device is passively cooled. The set comes with a remote control. You can connect the set-top box to the TV using the composite video output or via HDMI version 2.0. Wireless standards include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is a USB connector for reading content from external devices. Of the interesting features, it is worth highlighting the support for the iPhone and the presence of Internet radio. You can buy an Android set-top box for TV for 4,880 rubles.

Review of Xiaomi Mi Box International Version

Review of Xiaomi Mi Box International Version

iconBIT Movie IPTV QUAD

In this Smart TV set-top box for Android, one should immediately note version 4.4, which is noticeably outdated. The maximum resolution, as in the already listed analogs, reaches 4K. The list of supported files is also not as long as we would like. Responsible for performance is a quad-core ARM, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of its own for saving system files and applications. The interfaces on the device are both wireless - Wi-Fi and physical: USB 2.0 and 3.0, HDMI 1.4a and Ethernet for direct network connections. You can buy such a Smart TV set-top box on Android for 4,850 rubles.

Review of iconBIT Movie IPTV QUAD

Review of iconBIT Movie IPTV QUAD

MINIX Neo U1

This prefix from a little-known brand carries good hardware inside. In particular, the computing power is provided by the Amlogic S905 chipset. The RAM size is 2 GB, which is pretty good for such a compact device. The device has 16 GB of its own memory, which is also a good indicator. Available as standard interfaces: HDMI version 2.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and Ethernet. The maximum resolution that the set-top box can reproduce reaches 4K. All equipment is controlled by the Android 5.1 operating system. The average cost of a set-top box is 8,200 rubles.

Review of MINIX Neo U1

Review of MINIX Neo U1

Beelink GT1 16Gb

As you might guess from the name, this device has 16GB of internal memory. Operational is allocated 2 GB. Android version is not the oldest - 6.0. One of the interesting features is the ability to use the set-top box as a NAS server. As well as support for microSD flash drives. Cooling is shown as passive. The maximum resolution is 4K. You can buy this model for 5,000 rubles.

Review of Beelink GT1 16Gb

Review of Beelink GT1 16Gb

Overview of programs for TV set-top boxes on Android

In fact, there is no separate type of application for TV set-top boxes on Android. Almost all of those that are available in smartphones are also implemented for TV boxes. Most of them are dominated by programs for viewing content: channels or videos.

Ivi

Probably the most popular online cinema in Russia. It has a huge database of films, TV series, cartoons and other video content. Ideally optimized for viewing on TV screens and Android set-top boxes. Some films and films can be shown for a fee, others require viewing ads, but there are also free versions of films.

Youtube

No comments are needed here. This media hosting has long replaced the TV. You can find almost everything here. From small commercials to full-length and full-length films and programs.

MX Player Pro

A popular smartphone app that is renowned for being able to read almost any video format, it works great for a set-top box too. Simple and intuitive interface, excellent display quality and high performance. After installing the player itself, you may need to install an additional codec to read some video formats.

SPB TV Russia

This program for TV boxing on Android broadcasts live broadcasts of the main channels of Russia: TNT, CTS, Channel One, NTV, Ren-TV and others. The app is free, however, it contains ads that can be removed for 99 rubles. True, this subscription is limited to one month. In addition to the version aimed at use on the territory of the Russian Federation, there is also an international one.

What are the most popular TV boxing games on Android

If you connect a joystick or keyboard to the console, you will turn the moon into a real game center. In addition, the Google Play app store has a ton of games of all kinds.

Here is a small list of them:

• Age of Zombies. An arcade game where the main character is a commando fighting hordes of zombies. In the game, you can connect a joystick and play in a more familiar mode;
• GTA San Andreas. The popular game for all consoles and PCs is now available on Android. The game tells the story of Carl Johnson, who found himself in a difficult situation and is trying to get out of it by all means. You can play on Android versions above 3.0 and with ARM version 7 processors;
• Half-life 2. A popular series of games about the adventures of a young nuclear physicist Gordon Freeman. Only available on devices with Tegra 4 processors;
• FIFA 16. Football for Android. You can play on devices with Android version above 4.4;
• Swamp Defense. This game is a Tower Defense genre, which means tower defense. That is, you need to protect the approaches to the castle by installing towers on the way of enemies.

At what price can you buy a Smart TV set-top box on Android for a TV - an overview of current offers

All presented devices are combined in one table in the context of prices and their characteristics. Perhaps this will help you decide which Android TV Box is better to choose.

Photo	Characteristics	price, rub. (as of April 2019)
	Resolution: 4K. OS version: Android 4.4. RAM / built-in: 1/8.	4 750
	Resolution: 4K. OS version: Android 6.0. RAM / built-in: 2/8.	4 880
	Resolution: 4K. OS version: Android 4.4. RAM / built-in: 1/8.	4 850
	Resolution: 4K. OS version: Android 5.1. RAM / built-in: 2/16.	8 200
	Resolution: 4K. OS version: Android 6.0. RAM / built-in: 2/16.	5 000

We hope that this article will help you choose the right Smart TV set-top box for Android, what parameters to pay attention to, and what to install to play or watch.