Which media player to choose for a TV?

Blu-ray video, torrent clients and a variety of social networks can "live" on the screens of the oldest models thanks to the set-top boxes. But which media player to choose for a TV?What are the characteristics and what are the significant differences? We will plunge into the nuances of choosing the ideal device so that the picture, sound and all other parameters of the video transmission on your TV meet your expectations.

to the contents ↑

What should I choose?

Classify media players by the following classes:

• Nettop. Mini-computer, which is very compact in size. The stability of the work and the quality of the components from which it is made will please any user. This small box can show all the delights of modern Internet surfing and the exploitation of useful programs that are designed to view a variety of content.

Important! The disadvantage of this class is the complexity of choosing a model that would ideally fit the TV.If you chose this path, then be patient and be prepared for wasting your time.

• Devices based on the android operating system. Functionality of the smartphone on the TV is a trend of our time. Devaysy even more compact, have the size of a flash drive and a small price.

Important! The disadvantage is the controls, because you have to take into account the lack of touch input. This technique is equipped with digital tuners and an output for HDMI.Manufacturers do not expand the list of applications, but monitor the quality of the picture.

to the contents ↑

What is the device?

There are technologies that allow you to play movies, music, go online on TV.Media players have flooded the market in a variety of variations, now DVDs are not the only media. Comfortable quality with limitless possibilities can fit on your palm in a literal sense.

Specifications

Buying a media player, first of all, must satisfy the subjective preferences. You can be guided by the price, but the most budgetary models are unlikely to satisfy your requests, so you should talk about the characteristics in more detail. So, on what to navigate, to choose a media player for TV:

• Form factor and network communications. Here it is worth looking towards the media players, which are equipped with an Enternet connector or a wi-fi module. The use of hard drives has long been not relevant.
• Interfaces. Since we are talking about the best media players for TVs, the choice should immediately be stopped by HDMI, since the other connectors no longer have such relevance and quality of the image with sound. But be prepared to fork out.

Important! Familiar to all from childhood "tulips" are many times smaller, but the quality leaves much to be desired, such species are remnants of the past, which will soon disappear from the market.

• Playback Formats. There are no questions to arise. All modern models work with almost all known video and audio formats. The subtleties of choice can appear only if you need to view 3D formats.
• Controls. Here things are not the best way. Although most devices are equipped with connectors for keyboard and mouse, the same old remote control is best. With devices based on Android OS is still a little more difficult, because you need a remote control, which is equipped with a keyboard-QWERTY.
• Performance and hardware platform. There are chipsets Sigma and Realtec. If earlier everything was so-so with respect to quality assurance, then today the competition of the two producers goes on absolutely equal grounds.

Criteria There are several factors that are required when choosing a device for your TV:

1. Internal and external consoles. There is an opinion that the functional of the former is small, in comparison with the latter, but it is not always justified. It all depends on the model and the manufacturer.
2. Playback quality. Over time, the need to pay attention to quality is eliminated, almost all devices reproduce Full HD.
3. It's best to choose a model with an internet connection, preferably via wi-fi.

Important! There are things that you should pay attention to at once:

• Menu language.
• Control and navigation through the interface.
• Internet support. Although almost all models have support for access to the network.

to the contents ↑

The best media players for the TV

Let's turn to the rating of media players for the TV.Each of them has its own unique functional, but also has its own shortcomings.

Google Chromecast 2015

Advantages:

• Small device sizes.
• Connect using a USB cable from the TV.
• Stable good signal reception anywhere in your apartment.
• Work with devices on Android and iOS.
• Play videos from different sites by installing third-party software.
• Full support for various streaming services.
• Relatively small price.
• A lot of applications available in the Play Market.

Disadvantages:

• Many users complain about poor sound quality when using the device.
• Be prepared to fork out for a memory card, because the console does not have an internal one.
• No additional connectors for USB cables.

Important! Good user reviews of this device speak for themselves. Google Chromecast 2015 is a good choice for your TV.

Apple TV Gen4

Advantages:

• Apple TV Gen4 also have small body dimensions.
• The quality of sound and video, as always with Apple, is at its best.
• Primitive setup and simple connection to the output device.
• Features of the company's proprietary operating system.
• Obviously, work with all devices from the company is supported.
• Convenient operation.
• Access to iTunes.

Disadvantages:

• The presence of only HDMI, if this is a minus.
• Work only with Apple devices.
• The voice assistant will not "talk" with you in Russian.
• Scant amount of free applications.

Important! The quality of performance, as you have managed to understand, is at an altitude, but here it is worthwhile to be prepared for large financial costs.

Dune HD Solo Lite

Advantages:

• Work with all existing formats.
• Saved content can be "decomposed" into categories.
• View digital TV with IP TV.
• Simple and intuitive interface.
• The device is equipped with almost all known external interfaces.

Disadvantages:

• Not the most convenient remote control.
• Users have noticed periodic "hangs" on older versions.
• Poorly copes with 4k format.
• Prolonged operation leads to heating of the surface of the body of the device.

Users recommend to acquire such a device.

IconBIT XDS94K

Advantages:

• Compact.
• High performance.
• Supports a large number of formats.
• Support and work with technology based on the operating system IOS.
• Good implementation of all Google Play services.
• A complete set of all external interfaces is provided.
• Availability of IP TV.
• Convenient control of the remote control.
• The cost can be attributed to the budget.

Disadvantages:

• The work of older versions was accompanied by "lags".
• The device is not equipped with USB 3.0.
• You can not connect a large volume disc to a media player.

Important! Universal features, price and playback of 4k-video make this purchase reasonable.

This article has shown you all the nuances of choosing a modern set-top box. Approach the choice, based on personal preferences. If you follow all the simple rules and know some information, the purchase will definitely please you.