I use Android boxes for digital signage. I need to replace all the ones I have an buy a bunch of new ones over the next few months.
My requirements are:
If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be appreciative.
Just a heads up, this subreddit is for Android TV, Google's official version of android for set top boxes. The only devices available that support that are the Nexus Player, Nvidia Shield (4k supported), Razer Forge TV, some Sony TVs, and the soon to be released Mi Box (4k supported).
I think you came hear looking for devices that run regular android and connect to TVs, not necessarily Android TV, which is not what this subreddit is for.
Shield TV or the upcoming Xiaomi mi BOX
Stop buying those shitty Android boxes
You can look at the NVIDIA Shield or wait for the Mi Box to come out. Both support 4K. Both will be on Marshmallow 6.0.
For remote viewing you can check out Inkwire which doesn't require root. (Actually you don't need root for screen casting.)
There's currently one Android TV device on the market and it's 4K capable, but it's a $180+ device meant for a living room. I don't think Android TV is what you're looking for. For digital signage, there's a better option, and it's probably a Rasp Pi or something similar that is super cheap, low power, and can be remoted into.
generic Mini M8S II (AMlogic S905x Android 6.0) is already rooted with full Google Play Store at about $40
check Gearbest
BTW, I have the earlier model M8S s905 Android 5.1.1 and it is rock solid
I should have an Android TV Mini PC blog up in about one week. Right now I am just playing around with Wordpress for the first time so it is empty except for the heading and some top links.
Shield TV. You can go with the Xiaomi Mi Box, but the Shield is still the better device even though it was released earlier.
Minix.
MXQ Pro 4K Box (Lollipop) 8/16GB Storage? Get it from GearBest or Amazon, very recently released. Not sure if it can be rooted, but inexpensive & GREAT, I own one. Google the Reviews and it seems like it can be rooted with oneclick by X-Plore File Browser (it gave me that option but I didn't do it), seems like pretty stock Android to me.
Nvidia Shield?