AndroidTV Questions and Recommendations

by WeekendWarrior111

Over Christmas I bought a Samsung Series 8 4K TV with true 10-bit HDR along with a Roku Premiere+.

While the TV is great, the Roku is horrible. It blinks continually and is unusable. After owning every Roku model since they started, I think I'm finally done with all of the bugs and am ready to try Android TV, but have some questions:

  1. As a cordcutter who enjoys watching the news, I'm curious what news networks live stream their stations via Android TV? Roku only has CNN and I'd prefer some variety for balance. Can I get Fox News, MSNBC, CNN or other live streaming via Android TV?

  2. I don't know much about these boxes. How important is Android 7 for Android TV or does it use different version numbers altogether?

  3. I'd really appreciate recommendations for a box that fits my needs - no gaming, supports 4K and 10 bit HDR, quality audio for my receiver, supports Kodi and Plex, supports Harmony remote (700 line is a must, hub is a plus if it does both). Budget is not an issue, I'd like to be future proof but at the same time not be loaded with features I don't use. My TV has an app for Amazon, so that's not particularly needed.

Thanks so much guys! Looking forward to joining you soon with a new box!

Andrroid

If you want Fox news, you'll need a subscription to PS Vue. There is an Android TV app for it and it works great on the shield tv.

Sling TV is another option for cable news channels, but they don't have Fox news. The sling tv app also performs well on the shield.

Android 7.0 introduces USB tuner support for Android TV so that might be of interest to you. With regards to cordcutting, if you're familiar with hdhomerun, there is an app for Android TV for that as well.

4K, HDR, quality audio (assuming you mean HD audio codecs and maybe even the 3D ones like Atmos and DTS x), Kodi, Plex , harmony support. Yeah, you want a shield. Maybe you won't use it for games or as a plex server, but it has all the other features you want and you've said budget isn't an issue.

Tldr get a shield tv.

JimboLodisC

Shield TV, and if you need IR, get a 1st-gen 16GB model. The 2nd-gen 16GB does not have IR. Or if you want a spinning platter with more storage, a 2nd-gen 500GB does have IR capabilities.

jakky567

Does the CNN app require you to log in for live TV? I'm building a cordcutter media center myself.

dave1253

I have always found Fox News streaming live on youtube (just search for "fox news live" and you will find at least one or two streams). I believe CNN, Fox Business and a few others also have live streams on youtube. Maybe not 1080p quality, but definitely watchable.

billzilla

I had the same issue with the Roku Premiere+ and my Samsung 8 series. Constant DRM unauthorized/weak 4K errors, constantly resetting -- simply refused to work most of the time. Not worth the hassle.