I notice our sidebar lacks a lot of information, and one of the most asked questions is "The ShieldTV is too expensive. What's the next best device?"
I'd like to use this thread to create a top 5 list to submit to the mods so they can create a wiki article and put it on the sidebar.
What do you guys think?
TOP 5 ANDROID TV STANDALONE BOXES:
The second most expensive Android TV box is the Shield. The most expensive Android TV box is the Shield you bought because the other box you bought wasn't good enough.
Mi Box S is the best price/quality android tv out there, if you can't afford to have a shield
The list would be highly variable depending on what users needed. “best” can mean many things.
Eg Fastest Android TV devices:
Google make their own 4K HDR encoded content device support very restrictive: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7184994?hl=en
Lossless HD Audio pass through is even more limited:
A lot of people that do not need (lossless) HD audio or 4K Blu-ray Rips home network video streaming are going to be perfectly fine with a snappy 2019 model Sony TV. This years models have improved a LOT. You also get DolbyVision and Dolby Atmos Netflix streaming then as well.
Sony’s Motion handling for smooth video streaming beats all other Android TV devices. No more black screens when you start watching video content with different frame rates. Plus picture upscaling of anything that is not 4K will be far superior.
Lossy Dolby Audio support is far superior as well, due to a properly implemented Dolby Audio licence.
If you DO need HD audio and video playback of 4K Blu-ray Rips support then buy a Shield. But beware it’s HDR App limitations and it’s pathetic touch sensitive Wireless remote.
Actually - I think a table with key features would be better
e.g. DTS-HD pass-through support, SD cards, # of USB3, etc
There are no more active mods anymore in this sub unfortunately...
Sony 2019 lineup with the MT5893 (= modified MT5598) is pretty good
I wish there was a benchmark test to compare, but at least compared to my previous Bravia, its like night and day
Jetstream above MiBox I would think
Someone mentioned the Sony Android powered TVs. What about the budget Android powered TVs? I purchased a Philips Android powered TV for a spare bedroom, and it is amazing. It runs Netflix AND YouTube in 4K. It also supports DTS and DD natively. I have/had more that 3 dozen of these Android boxes, including the Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mibox, Nexus Player, Jetstream, ADT-1, and numerous Chinese boxes. Not sure what SoC is powering this Philips TV, but I think it is an Amlogic, because it struggles with videos encoded in the VC-1 codec.
There are lots of Android boxes out there. Some good, some not so much. Far fewer Android TV boxes though.
It's a shame the Vodafone TV box doesn't get a mention here (likely because its availablity is limited to Australia). It's a fantastic ATV box for $72AUD. I feel like it has the best remote out of all ATV boxes too.
I would put it above the Miibox.
People will still ask. Maybe not as many, but they will.
Agreed, this topic is a beaten undead rotted horse. Be nice to sticky it and also best 3rd party remote which seems near daily question.
if main function is for iptv, one should consider formuler Z8.
Technically, you could add Amazon's Fire stick TV devices to the list since they run Android TV apps. I have a Shield as my main device and bought a couple Fire Sticks for my other TVs.
because there are less than 5 devices out there worth buying or that you can buy.