5. Amazon Fire TV 3rd Generation 4K Ultra HD
Unlike the last three TV boxes, Fire TV runs
off the Amazon Fire OS rather than Android’s Lollipop. Fire TV offers
several major improvements over the Fire TV stick, including 4K Ultra HD
at 60 FPS, HDR-10 support and a faster processor.There are certain things the Fire TV does very well. It delivers brilliant 4K resolution, and the video quality is noticeably better than less expensive Android TV boxes. It offers pairs beautifully with Amazon Alexa, providing a visual hub that lets you monitor the status of all of your smart home devices.
As I mentioned earlier, some boxes excel in certain areas but fall behind in others. Unfortunately, the Fire TV is one of them. The Fire TV has good hardware, with a quad0core 1.5 GHz CPU and 8 GB of storage. Unlike most Android TV boxes, however – or, indeed, earlier models of the Fire TV – the storage space cannot be upgraded past 8 GB. This makes it all too easy to run out of room for more apps.
The other problem I have with the Fire TV is that its design seems to be angled towards you buying more products. To get the most out of your Fire TV, you will have to buy an Ethernet adaptor ($14.99) and an HDMI extender ($7.49). Fire TV won’t receive a wireless signal without the Ethernet adaptor, and the included HDMI cable is a measly two feet long. Adding these two products prices the Fire TV at just under $100, which is a considerable mark-up.
That said, there are still quite a few things to recommend the Fire TV, including its HD antennas, which have a range of up to 35 miles, bringing in more channels for more programming. If you’re running Alexa through your home, Fire TV is definitely the way to go. But if you’re looking for something with customization, there are better options.
Pros:
- Good hardware
- Excellent HD antenna
- Beautiful 4K resolution
- Storage space can’t be upgraded
4. Kingbox K3
If
you’re looking for Android TV box, but want something with better
hardware and more capabilities than the Dolamee, Globmall or GooBang
boxes listed above, then the Kingbox K3 or
the Evanpo T95Z might be more your speed. In terms of hardware,
software and performance, the Kingbox blows less expensive Android boxes
out of the sky.Kingbox runs the latest Android 7.1 Marshmallow OS just like you’d expect. It also comes with a vanilla version of the latest KODI 17.6 software. KODI comes free of plug-ins so that you’re free to customize it however you please.
What’s really impressive about the K3 is its hardware. The TV box is powered by an 8-core Amlogic CPU running at speeds of up to 2.0 GHz. This allows for unparalleled speed and performance, and allows for better multi-tasking as well. The box also has 2 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 16 GB eMMC storage drive. Like other Android boxes, this can be expanded up to 32 GB.
The K3 also allows for the latest and fastest in wireless internet technology, supporting both 2.4 and 5.0 GHz wireless connections, as well as a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN well ahead of cheaper models. This improved internet speed minimizes buffering and allows for faster downloads and higher resolution streaming.
As you might imagine, the Kingbox K3 supports both 4K and 1080p resolutions, as well as H.265 hardware decoding to minimize the pull on bandwidth. The TV box comes with both as remote and a mini keyboard for greater control.
Although the Kingbox doesn’t provide 3D support, it outshines all of the previous TV boxes, both in hardware and performance. There are better models out there, but if you’re looking to maximize performance for the least possible money, this is the way to go.
Pros:
- Powerful 8-core processor
- Supports the latest in wireless internet protocols
- Includes both remote and keyboard for greater versatility
- Does not have 3D capabilities
3. EVANPO T95Z PLUS Android TV BOX
The T95Z Android TV Box is
another high-powered piece of technology that competes head-on with the
Kingbox K3. Although it’s quite a bit more expensive, it has better
hardware in several areas and boasts a sleek, attractive design that is
sure to impress.The K3 and the T95Z both use the Amlogic S912 octa-core processor, which works up to four times faster than standard quad-core processors. It also supports both 2.4 and 5.0 GHz WiFi connections, as well as 10/100/1000 MB LAN.
Where the T95Z differs from the Kingbox is in its RAM and ROM. The T95Z offers 3 GB of DDR3 RAM, where most others offer just two. It also comes ready with 32 GB of storage, saving you from the hassle and expensive of buying an SD expansion card. The extra RAM dramatically increases the speed and performance of the TV box for a better entertainment experience. It also sports a 3D graphics accelerator, allowing you to bring 3D cinema right into your living room.
The T95Z also comes with both a controller and a mini keyboard. The keyboard is backlit so you can see what you’re doing even with the lights turned down, and it’s compatible with PC, Mac, Xbox, other Android devices and a variety of other systems.
Thanks to its hardware, the Evanpo T95Z is one of the most advanced TV boxes on the market. While there are other products with better hardware, they come at a premium price, making this one of the best values on the market.
Pros:
- Powerful 8-core processor
- More memory and storage space
- Includes both remote and keyboard for greater versatility
- Storage space can’t be upgraded
2. Roku Ultra
The hardware of the Roku Ultra doesn’t
begin to compete with those of the Kingbox K3, let alone the Evanpo
T95Z. So why is it on this list? It’s simple: ease of use. Unlike most
Android TV boxes, which are all made by competing companies, Roku offers
a refined, polished viewer experience par excellence.One of the biggest differences between Roku and Android devices is the software. Kodi is one of the most popular pieces of multimedia software, but it’s programming is not supported by Roku. Instead, Roku offers its own bespoke media channel, offering hundreds of movies and shows free of charge.
Android TV boxes tend to have problems supporting sports streaming apps. This is another area where Roku excels, working closely with sporting apps to provide a better experience. Roku also provides a dedicated mobile app, allowing you to refine and control your streaming and media experiences without using the remote control.
As far as hardware goes, Roku isn’t that impressive. It’s quad-core processor works just fine, but at a mere 256 MB, it’s storage space is dangerously finite. It has just 1.5 GB of RAM, which is also substandard. While it supports dual-band WiFi, the Ethernet only goes to 10/100 MB.
If you’re looking for a TV box with great hardware, Roku isn’t the way to go. It is almost exclusively intended for video streaming, and doesn’t offer a lot of options for playing games or streaming music. But when it comes to streaming movies, Roku has the market cornered.
Pros:
- Wide variety of available channels
- Comes with headphones for immersive listening
- Access to over 500,000 movies and TV shows
- Limited hardware capabilities
1. NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro Home Media Server
If you’re looking for a way to connect your PC gaming with your Smart TV, the answer is the Nvidia Shield TV Home Media Server.
This state-of-the-art TV box uses an advances GPU and its potent
wireless connection to cast your PC gaming to the screen of your
television without any direct hardware connection, freeing you to play
your games your way.The Nvidia Shield comes with formidable hardware. The innovative processor combines two different quad-core CPUs, relegating four cores to simple, low-power tasks and freeing other the other four cores for advanced processes, leaving you with more processing power. 3 GB of RAM offers plenty of speed, and an incredible 500 GB of storage that leaves other TV boxes behind.
One of the most exciting features of the Shield Pro is an exclusive lineup of Android games designed exclusively for use with this model. It’s advanced wireless architecture also allows for easy streaming of PC games from the cloud straight to your TV. Immersive audio technology includes full Dolby audio and surround sound pass-through.
In addition, the Shield Pro is fully compatible with the Google SmartThings smart hub assistant, connecting your TV box with your smart hub, providing a clear visual interface with all of your smart devices and making it easy to control your home. The Shield Pro is also compatible with a wide range of streaming services, including popular channels, streaming sports stations, PLEX, KODI and more.
The Nvidia Shield Pro isn’t cheap. It costs several times more than the average Android TV box, and for a lot of people the extra RAM and powerful GPU won’t be worth the additional cost. But if you’re serious about gaming, the Shield Pro could revolutionize the way you play.
Pros:
- Advanced CPU and 256-core GPU
- 500 GB of storage space
- Stream video games from your PC to the TV
- Very expensive
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