By official I mean it runs android tv, and not some weird android version hacked together to run on a tv.
I currently have a Nexus Player and am looking around to upgrade, but the Mi box is a bit underwhelming. It has no ethernet port and the specs aren't THAT much better than that of my Nexus Player.
Are there any other options that don't require paying tripple the price (Nvidia, Razer)?
Thanks
Unfortunately the SHIELD is the whole game right now. There's no Android TV equivalent to Rokus PremierePlus device.
I would say yes. Lack of an ethernet port isn't that bad if you have 5G wifi (I also have mine near my router so I've never had any issues with streaming, even over local network). It's the only android tv box I've had but I'm very happy with it.
My Mi Box has been 1000000% better in every way, coming from the Nexus Player. Much faster and smoother performance with everything. Nexus Player is/was garbage.
AirTV
The Mi Box works great for me. I didn't like Roku and the fire Stick TV was very laggy.
IMO:
If you want video streaming only device than Mi Box is the best for the price.
If you are a heavy prime user and want Prime video streaming than Amazon Fire TV Box (modified Android TV, so you can sideload some APK) is the best for the price.
If you want an Android gaming and video streaming device, the Shield is best for the price.
There is also Apple and Roku. I may not like Roku, but that doesn't mean you won't like it.
If you want to buy a box, where in six months or a year, you'll be back here asking the same question, get a Mi Box. If you want to buy one box once and be done with it for the next bunch of years, bite the bullet, get out your wallet, and buy a Shield TV.
You might wait for Google I/O or as long as you can. It seems odd that Google now offers a wireless mesh network solution (Google WiFi) and their Google Home product, but no Android TV device. The Chromecast is popular but doesn't cut it.
Maybe Google had big plans for a settop, but this got sidetracked when the new FCC cable settop rules got dropped. With YouTube TV becoming available I would assume they would want to compliment it with their own settop.
Gamestop is selling the 2015 shield for 133 USD if you can find a local store that has one.
Got a source in Canada for a $100 Mibox?
Wow what a mess $cad and $usd would have helped
If you're going to buy a mibox, make sure to check whether or not YouTube works after you've purchaed it. I dont know if its just my mibox, but YouTube is shit on my mibox. Most of the time the video doesnt even load. The same goes for casting a Youtube video. Though im hoping that they would provide a fix for this issue on their newest update. For a cord cutter like myself, Youtube is very crucial.
Me personally, if i could, i would replace it wih the chromecast 2 and a cheap phone that has built in infrared blaster.
The AirTV Player can be had for under $100 and it runs Android TV. For Under $100 the Mi Box & AirTV Player are the only options for boxes running Android TV.The AirTV Player has a real Ethernet port which the Mi Box lacks. Neither is a huge upgrade to the Nexus Player.I would just look for the best deal on a used generation 1 Shield since that is really the only serious upgrade to your Nexus Player.
The market is basically Mi Box or Shield TV right now. That's it. (We have a list of devices in the sidebar, you know.)
I wouldn't recommend the Razer at all, but apparently an update made it at least worth keeping around.