Advice on a good value android tv box

by cozened86

Good day, I'm having quite the problem finding a good value android tv box.

My requirements are the following: needs to have a optical out use mainly netflix, plex, youtube and 2 other custom program from iceland , Sarpurinn and 365 miðlar app (if anyone knows those) I don't have a 4k tv On a budget, wanna find something good value.

Could anyone advice? this question probably gets asked many times, but I couldn't find anything solid on the internet, too many options or confused if its an android box or an android tv, I want the latter.

Thank you!

hydraSlav

Xiaomi Mi Box is great value at only $69 USD, and it comes with optical (but not TOSLINK, so you'd need an adaptor), but good luck getting it outside of US... There are "international versions" from Chinese online resellers, but I just got the US version from eBay.com

There is also a thread on official forums that discusses all the possible hardware you can get:
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916
You should really start there

However, I wanted to point out that you don't need to be restricted in your requirement for optical. I was in the same situation, with older "sound system" without HDMI input and not wanting to spend $300 (...and that's without speakers) on an AVR overkill

Then I found this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HM1RP6G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No need for an AVR, and you don't need the source device to have optical out.

lidiotduvillage

advice when there is only 2 choices ? if you don't have much money get a mibox otherwise a nvidia... it's pretty simple.

stannoplan

if you can afford it, get a Nvidia Shield, they are the dogs bollocks, it can run a plex server and anything you throw at it.

I have a Xiaomi Mi which is certified for HD netflix and comes with the ATV interface and its pretty sweet with Plex, Optical out and SPMC as well.

this is a good thread where every couple of days someone asks a similar question: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/126?g=188 also a huge thread on the Mi as well.

kmrdeva

I'd recommend the xiaomi mibox (International edition). It runs Android TV 6.0 and works well with a 1080p TV.

I am in Malaysia and bought my unit from Aliexpress for USD73.

Using a 3.5mm SPDIF to TOSLINK cable like the one shown below, the box outputs audio nicely to my Sony soundbar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GZQWLF0

fraseyboo

If you really need optical out I think you're probably gonna have to go for an Amazon FireTV, it's not AndroidTV but at least it's not some generic Chinese box. Netflix and Plex work officially with a TV interface. I think Youtube might be difficult due to Amazon not using google's ecosystem, might need to use a third party app.

Your two Icelandic apps should have no problem side loading (I think) but you may have to use a wireless mouse for navigation (no way to tell without installing).

Either generation will do if you don't care about 4K.