TV Box questions (Noob Alert)

by Real_Murlocking

Hello Redditers, I'm not sure if this is the right subreddit to ask these questions but I was considering buying a TV Box if it allows me to do the following things :

  • Connect it to a PC and stream movies (In VLC) to my HDMI TV.
  • Allows to stream Twitch.tv or browse the internet

I have no knowledge on those "TV Box" so if you could refer me to a good Android or other brand (if allowed here) TV boxes that can do what I need that would be great.

Things to add, I'm currently running a long HDMI cable from PC to HDMI TV and it's really annoying to juggle around the cable everytime I walk in my living room, so if I can stream my movies and maybe browse the internet on a TV box it would solve so much problem.

aonysllo

One thing to note for most newbies is that there is a difference between:

  • Android TV box

  • Android box for TV's

burner46

There's really only 2 Android TV boxes. Shield TV or Mi Box. Shield TV is great but pricey ($179). Mi Box is around $70 and will probably work for your uses.

You might want to try r/cordcutters for this question. Might get more insight into other devices.

jhonny_derp

it's on the wiki and/or sticky post

indianacpl

The Nvidia Shield will do the job and then some for you. You can hook up a wireless keyboard and mouse for surfing the internet thru chrome web browser or puffin browser. Add an external hard drive and hook it the shield for your movies, or stream them from your laptop to the shield thru plex. I believe the playstore has a native app for twitch but not positive as I don’t use it. Not a lot the shield can’t do. I can not comment, nor will assume on the capabilities of mibox

nickforever216

I will send you PM Op. Read it all and you will be thankful.

indianacpl

https://youtu.be/mCGM9xGBPQ0 Easer then me explaining lol. Place the server on your laptop, place client app on Android box of your choosing.

seniorremotepc

When it comes to choosing a Android TV Box for entertainment with the family TV, there's a lot of room for innovation. So you can always make do with what you already have on TV. The best thing about choosing a family Android TV Box is that you will never run out of ideas and you can always reinvent your TV entertainment. So not only can you make any day a fun family activity, you also make TV time more enjoyable.

https://www.seniorremotepc.com/helping-seniors/android-tv-box

Max_Roc

Both Nvidia shield tv and mi box will play your local media over WiFi via built in chromecast or Plex. Both are good boxes but Nvidia is better for 4k.

Fire TV devices will also work with Plex but do not have chromecast.

For internet browsing on the box, i like Puffin Tv Browser.

JimboLodisC

If you aren't aware of Kodi or Plex then you have some reading to do.