AndroidTV and/or "Black Box" as a Windows HTPC Replacement?

by karl722

I had a Windows PC connected to my TVs for a number of years, and have always enjoyed having a full-on web browser.

I've been looking at possibly replacing this with an AndroidTV (like the Shield) or maybe a cheap black box (such as the Minix Neo U1, or any of the others).

I have a few questions about what they can do. I've searched around for answers to these questions, but no luck.

  • I assume both of these types of boxes have full on, Chrome for Android browsers. Do they generally work and perform well? (At 4k?)

  • Can you have multiple users logged into Chrome at once, like on the PC? (I assume not)

  • Can you have multiple Google accounts on the box, and easily switch between them?

  • Do regular android apps work well on these devices? I'm thinking of Facebook, Relay for Reddit, things like that. I know that they're made for a touch interface, but I assume that can be implemented using a mouse or the like?

pawdog

Google Android TV boxes like the Shield are TV centric boxes. They are not full Android, but Android TV. They are not for web browsing. They can run some browsers but they don't do them well. You sit back on the couch with the remote and watch various forms of TV and TV like video. The TV boxes that run Android are a different animal. Full Android but not optimized for TV.

geolaw

I've got one of these connected to it http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400r?crid=27

geolaw

I've got a remix mini ... http://www.jide.com/mini Neat little device.

Full chrome like you asked, I think there's extension support and I'm pretty sure there's an extension that will let you do separate sessions in multiple tabs

Support for multiple Google accounts - I think as long as the app supports it. For instance I use the Gmail app and can switch between multiple Gmail accounts.

Play store I think also supports multiple accounts.

I have this set up on a 60 inch HD LCD, not sure about full 4k support.

I'm not sure what kind of device it reports itself as, for example i installed the ESPN app which says supports live steaming on my phone but did not support live streams on the remix mini

tkelly1740

Netflix and Hulu in google play are made for touch screens. You need to side load the android TV versions of those apps.

PolaresBears

Video only htpc, get the MiBox.

If you need heavy gaming as well, get the shield.