Help choosing Android TV box

[Roadkill]

So I recently purchased a Mi Box 3 from Takealot, and while the device worked brilliantly in theory, there was a connectivity issue, in that it would not connect to my WIFI. I needed to create a hot spot through my laptop in order to get it to connect. As such I had to return the device.

Now I am looking for the best options in turning my Dumb TV into a Smart TV. I would like as much versatility as possible, and basically just want to hook up to my WIFI, use PLEX and download a few apps to stream some content, as well as using google cast.

I am stuck between trying to figure out where to find a decent Android TV box, or just building my own with a Raspberry Pi. Basically, can anyone recommend a decent device for under R 2 000.00?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Battletoad]

https://www.onedayonly.co.za/android-8-1-tv-box-with-i8-keyboard-remote.html?src=similar_block

 

[Roadkill]

https://www.onedayonly.co.za/android-8-1-tv-box-with-i8-keyboard-remote.html?src=similar_block

Thanks, anyone have experience with this device?

 

[pXius]

Skyworth Binge TV on Takealot for like R800.

Same hardware as all the high en android boxes. Regular updates and very active support (by Skyworth themselves) on the myBB forums. They geberally respond within an hour or 2 on weekdays.

The only downside IMO is that you need to sideload Netflix. DSTV Now, Showmax and everything else I could find works flawlessly. I'm not a huge fan of the Android TV Plex interface, but that'll be the same across all of them.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

 

[Roadkill]

Skyworth Binge TV on Takealot for like R800.

Same hardware as all the high en android boxes. Regular updates and very active support (by Skyworth themselves) on the myBB forums. They geberally respond within an hour or 2 on weekdays.

The only downside IMO is that you need to sideload Netflix. DSTV Now, Showmax and everything else I could find works flawlessly. I'm not a huge fan of the Android TV Plex interface, but that'll be the same across all of them.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

I am not to concerned with Netflix, etc. I prefer being able to stream shows and movies from my PC directly from my PC. Hence I liked the idea of PLEX. I am however quite new to this, so there could be better solutions. Will have a look at the box. Thank you.

 

[hj2k_x]

So I recently purchased a Mi Box 3 from Takealot, and while the device worked brilliantly in theory, there was a connectivity issue, in that it would not connect to my WIFI. I needed to create a hot spot through my laptop in order to get it to connect. As such I had to return the device.

Now I am looking for the best options in turning my Dumb TV into a Smart TV. I would like as much versatility as possible, and basically just want to hook up to my WIFI, use PLEX and download a few apps to stream some content, as well as using google cast.

I am stuck between trying to figure out where to find a decent Android TV box, or just building my own with a Raspberry Pi. Basically, can anyone recommend a decent device for under R 2 000.00?

Thanks in advance.

Interesting that you had such bad luck with the Mi Box. I just ordered a second one for a family member.

If second the vote for the Skyworth Binge, based on what I've read about it and the active support and MyBB forum thread dedicated to it (haven't actually used the thing myself and wasn't keen for all the side-loading faff).

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[HK-Kid]

MiniX!

 

[Montezuma]

Basically there are only 2 external devices which run Android TV, and I mean proper actual Android TV (not Android for phones/tables running on box labelled a "TV Box"). They are the Mi Box and the nVidia Shield TV. I have the shield (bought overseas) and it is super awesome but I use a wired connection.

Android TV

Seems like you had issues with the Mi Box unfortunately and the nVidia shield is out your price range (about R4k).

What else are you connecting and what are you trying to play? Asking because if you want 4K with HDR connected to a AVR with full Dolby Atmos vs 1080p TV and a soundbar would influence what you should get.

 

[Roadkill]

Basically there are only 2 external devices which run Android TV, and I mean proper actual Android TV (not Android for phones/tables running on box labelled a "TV Box"). They are the Mi Box and the nVidia Shield TV. I have the shield (bought overseas) and it is super awesome but I use a wired connection.

Android TV

Seems like you had issues with the Mi Box unfortunately and the nVidia shield is out your price range (about R4k).

What else are you connecting and what are you trying to play? Asking because if you want 4K with HDR connected to a AVR with full Dolby Atmos vs 1080p TV and a soundbar would influence what you should get.

Was really happy with the Mi Box, but having to create a hotspot each time was annoying. I don't need 4K, as we have older TV's. Looking for a low cost solution here. Most important is ability to stream from my desktop, hence the use of PLEX. Chromecast would be nice too.

 

[Montezuma]

Was really happy with the Mi Box, but having to create a hotspot each time was annoying. I don't need 4K, as we have older TV's. Looking for a low cost solution here. Most important is ability to stream from my desktop, hence the use of PLEX. Chromecast would be nice too.

Ah, okay, so your desktop will be doing the decoding/transcoding.

Since you mentioned Chromecast, how about a Google Chromecast 3rd Gen then, a few local stores stock them (don't know how well they work).
Chromecast - 3rd Generation - Google Store

Alternatively a previous gen Apple TV (not the 4K one).
Best Media Streaming Devices | Live streaming apps powered by Plex

 

[Nikkel]

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

 

[johnknight]

From a person who has worked with over 15 android boxes. There is nothing better than the mibox 3 in my opinion. Maybe you got a dud. What router are you using? Because before I got my ubiquiti router and access point. I would often have problems with devices not connecting to WiFi. Turned out to be the router itself (read here, commercial routers are crap) did you try rebooting your router or changing the ssid of the wireless network to see if that helped?

 

[Roadkill]

From a person who has worked with over 15 android boxes. There is nothing better than the mibox 3 in my opinion. Maybe you got a dud. What router are you using? Because before I got my ubiquiti router and access point. I would often have problems with devices not connecting to WiFi. Turned out to be the router itself (read here, commercial routers are crap) did you try rebooting your router or changing the ssid of the wireless network to see if that helped?

I thought the Mi Box was great when working and properly connected. I am pretty sure there was an issue with my router and the box, but to replace the router, plus the cost of the box did not seem worth it. Also nervous about buying a new router and then having the same connectivity issues.

 

[Maxim]

mygica 1960 or pro .

 

[Maxim]

had a bud who bought a mi box and ended up selling a month old on gumtree and bought my mygica 1900 rather - as per rtx - it just works.

Wana get the NVidia shield next year - who have this?

 

[Montezuma]

Wana get the NVidia shield next year - who have this?

I have one

 

[eY_b0ss]

I bought a chromecast 2nd gen yesterday from GeeWiz very cheap and awesome customer services, would recommend them any day! Their 2nd gen is going for R845 and 3rd gen for R995 which is a lot cheaper than takealot (#ofyourcash). You can walk into their store to check out all of their android tv boxes, should you prefer to do that. They stock NVidia Shield also.

 

[Off-The-Chart]

any1 tried this: MXQ Pro 4K Smart TV Box - Android Media Player Streamer (Showmax / Netflix / Kodi and More) - 4 X USB, Remote Control - GeeWiz

my brother now wants to cancel his DSTV since he is using ours to stream stuff which will save him few bucks per month, but he wants Showmax/DSTV and I think either Plex or Kodi would be a winner...

I do however prefer it to be LAN connected since his wifi isn't the best

looking at that Skyworth although would have liked something like a USB port for an external drive/stick

 

[souljazk]

For 2k, depending on your TV why not grab a older laptop and hook it up? Full Win / Unix facilities. Could prob grab a 2nd hand simple NUC.

[Sale] - Old laptop - Gigabyte Q1585N - i5 480M, Nvidia GT330M, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - No battery | Laptops

[Sale] - HP Elitebook 8440p | Laptops

 

[Off-The-Chart]

For 2k, depending on your TV why not grab a older laptop and hook it up? Full Win / Unix facilities. Could prob grab a 2nd hand simple NUC.

[Sale] - Old laptop - Gigabyte Q1585N - i5 480M, Nvidia GT330M, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - No battery | Laptops

[Sale] - HP Elitebook 8440p | Laptops

cost and in his case, since his idea of being tech savvy is plugging something in and it works immediately, the little reassurance of a newly bought android box that can be swapped if something is wrong is quite beneficial

 

[hunter__]

Nvidia shield with remote only is curently on special at $139 on Amazon which is about R2000 with free shipping. Not sure what the import taxes would be but doubt more then R500. Might be a better future proof option as its licensed so can play Youtube and Netflix in 4K as well as external media with better sound options as well. You may also want to check out Chigz Tech Reviews as he has a chart which compares multiple TV boxes with links to his reviews etc

Chigz Tech Reviews | Official Website for YouTube Tech Channel

 

[RyanMacD]

Hi all, a little off topic but has anyone had an experience with the Skyworth Binge TV Android media box where the blue light just flashes and the tv receives no signal through the HDMI cable?

Trying to find a way to do a factory reset but the device seems unresponsive... (Its 3 days old so either it overheated whilst being on and fried everything) or shit I don't know...

 

[Kratos]

I have 2 MyGica devices. The ATV 1960 and the ATV 495x. Both perform extremely well, I could get DSTV to work etc. The 1960 has an airmouse remote which works well and I have added storage to it for downloads. All together nice products

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[SauRoN]

So I recently purchased a Mi Box 3 from Takealot, and while the device worked brilliantly in theory, there was a connectivity issue, in that it would not connect to my WIFI. I needed to create a hot spot through my laptop in order to get it to connect. As such I had to return the device.

Now I am looking for the best options in turning my Dumb TV into a Smart TV. I would like as much versatility as possible, and basically just want to hook up to my WIFI, use PLEX and download a few apps to stream some content, as well as using google cast.

I am stuck between trying to figure out where to find a decent Android TV box, or just building my own with a Raspberry Pi. Basically, can anyone recommend a decent device for under R 2 000.00?

Thanks in advance.

Why not fix the problem you are having with arguably the best stand alone box on the market?

Any chance you are using 2.4 Ghz on Channel 12 and 13?

*

Oh I see you returned it. It's a shame because the problem was obviously on your local network not the device since your hotspot worked.

 

[Maxim]

nvidea shield or mygica 1900pro - awesome devices