Best Android TV Box for Canada?

by nmunro14

Hopefully this is the right sub for this question, sorry if it isn't...

I recently purchased a Leelbox M8S from Amazon on a lightning sale. Apparently its not an official Android TV box, so it doesn't support Netflix... The controls are also kind of weird (have to use the mouse on the touchpad to navigate to some things). Anyways I'm probably going to return it, and I'm looking for alternatives.

I currently also have a gen 1 Chromecast.

My main uses for the Android box are:

  • Playing media from a Network drive (I have gigabit ethernet by my TV so ethernet would be nice)

  • Kodi/XBMC

  • Netflix

  • YouTube

  • Twitch

  • Ideally being able to Chromecast from my phone/PC (is this possible?)

I'm looking at getting either the Xiomi Mi Box or the FireTV box. The FireTV box isn't sold in Canada, but I'm going to the US next week so I might grab one from Best Buy there. Does anyone know if there are any limitations using the FireTV Box in Canada (other than Prime Video, which I don't have/want)? Is there another option I should consider? What do you guys think is best for my use case?

Gunther_AA

I bought a Shield TV a few weeks back, it does everything flawlessly.

daurora58

Yes, I agree - take a short drive to Buffalo, NY and pick up the Mi Box (model MDZ-16-AB). Great little Android TV box.

TheRealSilverBlade

The Mi Box will run everything you want, even Netflix (in HD and surround sound).

You just have to buy it through ebay or go to a Wal-Mart in the US.

Tglover

Yes. Cheaper in USA because the Canadian one is grey market seller I think. Not officially launched here.

baters

I live in Canada and have 2 Mi Boxes. No issues albeit only on 1080p TVs. Netflix, Kodi,Plex, YouTube have all worked fine on both for me.

The Shield is better but if you are only streaming media and can find a Mi Box at WalMart in the US, worth the price.

Tglover

That's what I did. Would recommend testing it if you can just to ensure Netflix and a device works fine.

BiggussDikkuss

Do NOT rely on Android TV devices to give you 100% bulletproof Chromecasting.

The Android TV Google Cast software simply is not as good as using actual Chromecast hardware.

imnotworkingnow

I suggest getting one of the newer Android TV boxes with an S912 octacore chip. They do better at 4k and many of them are available with 3GB of RAM. For instance look at the H96 Pro Plus.

seotoronto__

I recently purchased a 4kbox really nice really easy to use. Here is the website if you want to have one https://www.4kbox.com

Tglover

Get a mi box from Walmart in USA. I have 3 China tv android boxes and 1 mi box. Prefer mi box but nothing wrong with the regular android boxes either, just need proper air mouse keyboard. Mi box has voice control in spmc as well.